(present)
tulsa, 1965

I woke up to the sun beaming down on my face and my head rested against the large glass pane of the train. My hands held on tightly to my huge book bag. The train was going at full speed and as we reached closer and closer to the town I couldn't help but tense up.

A worker entered the cart with a bright smile. "We have arrived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We hope you've enjoyed your stay with us on this journey. Please prepare your bags."

I put on my backpack and put on my combat boots. Once I exited I took a deep inhale of the warm summer air. My eyes searched for pops. He started to walk up to me and engulfed me in a hug.

My grandpa looked at me with sad eyes. "It's so nice to see you, Kelly. I'm sorry it had to come at you like this. I'm sure it was hard with your parents being so... tough on you. I'm happy you're finally with me."

I tried to keep a small smile. All I could do was nod yes. We soon left the train station and reached his car. I placed my bags inside the Ford and hopped into the front seat.

The two of us drove in silence, not really sure of what to say. Pops didn't see my parent's death coming, but I guess I could. They weren't really the best people to raise me.

We reached the home and I rose an eyebrow. We arrived at a rundown neighborhood where the houses were surrounded by cheap iron gates. Most of them were falling apart, even my grandfathers.

"So this is where you live, Pops?" I questioned. Obviously, there was nothing wrong with it, but it wasn't what I expected.

"Yup, sorry that it isn't as big as your drug mansion." He shrugged and I couldn't help but laugh.

"There are a couple of boys that live next door, there's this guy named Sodapop. He's in your grade, I was really good friends with their parents. You should go say hi and ask them about school."

I really didn't want to go. The one thing I needed to do was go to sleep and forget that this ever happened. However, I didn't want to be rude. "Sure thing, Pops."

My eyes wandered the area, taking in this new environment. This place seems like it was made for people in the hood. Not that it really matters though, money was never a really big thing to me.

Once I reached the household, I reluctantly knocked on the worn down door. I heard a faint coming from the other side.

The door opened and I was met with a cute boy with brown hair. He looked a little younger than me and I smiled. "Can I help you?" He asked.

I placed my hand nervously behind my neck. "Uh yeah, hi. My name is Kelly Cowell. I moved in with my grandfather who lives just next door. He told me to come over here and meet a guy named Sodapop? He's in my grade and my dad wanted me to introduce myself I guess."

"Oh yeah, Sodapop is my older brother. I'm Ponyboy. You can come in if you'd like, well, let me ask my oldest brother first. Just know we have the whole gang inside, so it's a full house." I nodded and he closed the door on me. Huh.

He came back after a couple of seconds and once he opened the door he motioned me to come it.

I looked to the left and I couldn't believe how many handsome boys were in this house at once. I guess god may exist after all. Once I realized I was basically staring at all of them, my eyes fluttered a couple of times before laughing awkwardly.

"Uh, hi. I-I'm Kelly. I think you know my pop lives next door. I'm new. Just got here twenty minutes ago. But uh yeah he wanted me to say hi to Sodapop since he was in my grade." The boys looked at each other, giving one another stares and communicating about how crazy I was.

"I'm Sodapop." A tall boy that had a beautiful face stood up, flashing a pearly white grin. "But I ain't go to school anymore." He laughed and I couldn't help but smile. He seemed like the guy who could brighten up a room just with his looks.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that then. You know old people these days. Can't remember anything." I chuckled and so did the boys, which by the way, was a major confidence booster.

"Well let me introduce you to everyone. That's Steve, over there is Darry, next to him is Two-Bit, that little guy over there is Johnny-"

"You better shut your trap before I beat you," replied Johnny. Which made me hold in a smile.

"That's pretty much everyone. Except Dallas isn't here right now, but he could be home any minute now."

As if on cue, the door swung open and there stood a tall, muscular guy with dark brown hair and a sharp jawline. His eyes were cold and mean, but he was still extremely attractive.

I couldn't help but gaze.

"Who is this hot broad?" He smirked while lighting a cigarette as he stared at me. It didn't take long for him to get a good look at my body up and down. I glanced around the room and at the boys, who were just watching the T.V. I guess he's like this with every girl he sees.

I could feel the room getting hot. I'm not used to guys being so forward with me. "I'm Kelly, I just moved in from next door."

"Well aren't the Curtis brothers lucky to have such a cutie like you next door." He came close to whisper in my ear. I pushed him away and looked at Sodapop.

"Well!" I said loudly, "I guess I have to go finish unpacking, so I'll come by tomorrow. See you guys later! Thanks for letting me come in." I walked past Dallas.

"Bye," said Ponyboy and Johnny in sync. I close the door and run to my Grandfather's house and sighed once I reached inside. My pop was reading a newspaper while sitting on the couch. "Pops, you did not tell me 'bout the other boys."

"Ah, was the whole gang there? Even Dallas Winston?" He inquired.

"Yeah, Dallas was there too."

He chuckled to himself. "Ah, Dallas. Always has been a big flirt. He's a ladies man, but he has never been too committed to a girl beside Sylvia. She two-timed him though. He's had a pretty tough life, so it's kinda hard for him to even care about someone," pops glanced over at me, "don't end up fallin' for him now, ya hear? No matter how tuff he looks."

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "Trust me, you don't need to worry about that."

My body was begging me to take a nap after that long two week trip. I head upstairs and search for my room, too lazy to actually ask my grandfather for help.

I open the first door on the right to see a small room with a queen bed. The walls were covered in wallpaper and filled with shelves that had small picture frames inside of them. On the bed, there was a small note with my grandpas sloppy handwriting.

Welcome home, kid.
I am so happy to have you here,
and i'm sure the greasers will
be too.

Love, Pops

I rose an eyebrow. I had no idea who the greasers were, or what they were, but nevertheless the note was such a sweet thing for him to do.

So I climbed into the bed and wrapped the blanket around me, finally dozing off into a real bed for the first time in a long while.

a/n
hey everyone! wanted to make this quick :)
i was wondering if i should add her backstory
in a prologue or let it unfold as the story progresses?
i'm kinda conflicted rn and feedback would be appreciated,

xoxo, nuggut