Begin [Ponyboy Curtis]

Change is Good

POSSIBLE TRIGGERS: Hospitals, Misogyny

Playlist: Eyes On Fire - Blue Foundation

My alarm rang and woke up the throbbing in my head. I almost considered showering in the dark, but I knew I was bound to trip and fall. The steam of the hot water seemed to clear the pressure between my ears. I took my shower quickly then covered myself in lotion. The cold air from the hallway woke me up the rest of the way and I rushed back to my bedroom to get dressed.

After last night, I was officially over dressing up. I threw on some jeans, a tee-shirt, and a zip-up hoodie. I packed up my homework and made my way down the steps.

Just like yesterday, I was greeted with the scent of coffee, and now eggs.

"You're not driving me to school again are you?" I asked quietly, to not wake up Stacey.

"No," Dad shook his head, not looking up from the eggs he was scrambling, "I was still up, wanted to let you know I found your skateboards. It's in the garage."

I grinned and poured myself a cup of coffee, "Awesome, I'll ride that today."

"Hm," My dad smiled contentedly and started eating the eggs straight from the pan.

"So," I leaned on the counter, noticing Dad never even changed into his PJs, "where were you guys at last night?"

"Stacy had to go to the ER," I stopped sipping on my coffee and looked up at him, "she's fine though. She's just sleeping it off now."

"Oh, what happened?"

"Nothin'" he shook his head, "have a good day at school, honey."

He kissed the top of my head, something he hasn't done since I was little, and ambled to the living room with his pan of eggs and big wooden spoon.

I slipped my backpack over my shoulders and went out to the garage to grab my skateboard and ride to school. I had two, a regular size one and a pink short cruiser. I picked the latter knowing it would fit in my locker with no problem.

The breeze dried my hair and whistled in my ears. My aunt often warned me I'd catch a cold going out with my hair wet, but it hasn't happened yet. Golden glimmers bounced off the cars and reflected the morning sun. I imagine the pond on the South side is beautiful this time of day.

Once I got to the school I stopped and picked up my skateboard. I ran into Ponyboy on the way to my locker.

"Woah," he looked me up and down, causing me to glare at him, "you know girls aren't allowed to wear pants in school right? You're going to be sent home to change."

"Really?" For the first time, I realized we had moved to a very conservative town. DC has been very democratic and overall progressive since I was a kid. "Sucks for them I guess."

"You could be suspended."

I shrugged, "not like my Dad's gonna care." Even with my dad being old timey he never once voted republican. He wanted his wife in the kitchen and his racial equality in office.

Ponyboy chewed on his lip and scratched his head, "All right then, what's your first hour?"

"Study hall."

"I'll walk you?" He asked with a smile.

I nodded, "Yeah, sure. Just let me stop at my locker first."

I noticed on the way to my locker that the other students were looking at me longer than usual, sometimes turning to their friends and pointing me out.