"She's got a heavy heart, a messy soul, a reckless mind, and I think it's beautiful the way she carries herself."
-sean bates

•••

The alarm on my nightstand next to my bed buzzes, making me groan. I roll over, slam my hand on it to make it stop, and sit up. I stretch my arms above my head as I yawn in exhaustion.

I reluctantly slip out of bed and go to the bathroom, doing my morning routine. I then head back to my bedroom and change into a baby blue sweater and jeans that cuff. I slide my white flats onto my feet, and then I let my blonde hair down in curls. I grab my school bag that Bob dropped off last night, and I make my way down to the kitchen.

I see my dad at the table drinking his black coffee, and Rosie is nowhere to be seen, thank god.

"Morning, dad." I greet him. I grab bread from the cabinet and make myself toast.

"Morning, Charlotte. How are you doing?" He repeats and checks in on me like he has been for the past two months.

I shrug before putting my toast in the toaster. "I feel okay, I guess."

"Just know that I'm here for you, okay?" He reassures me, and I nod. "I gotta go to work, but I'll see you tonight. Have a good day, sunshine." He says as he gets up and kisses my forehead.

I smile. "Bye, pops."

After making and eating my toast, I head out the door, but this time I don't wait for Bob. I get into my mom's Thunderbird, and I drive over to school. When I arrive, I park near Bob's spot. I get out, lock the door, and make my way towards the front doors of school.

"C-Charlotte!" I hear a voice choke out my name.

I turn around and see the bleach blonde boy from yesterday walking towards. Me has his friend by his side as he walks my way.

"Thank you for yesterday." He thanks me for defending him.

I flash him a warm, genuine smile. "It was no big deal.." my voice then trails off because I don't know his name.

"Ponyboy. Ponyboy Curtis." He finishes for me.

I put my hand out for him to shake, and he looks at me like I have three heads. I leave it there until he smiles back at me and shakes my hand with his.

"Oh, you have a brother! Sodapop, right? He works at the DX." I recall his older brother that is my age.

Ponyboy hums as he nods. "Yup, that's my brother. This is my friend Johnny Cade." He introduces the greased black haired boy.

Johnny timidly waves, and I reciprocate. He isn't much of a talker, I guess.

"I have to go to class, but I'll see you boys around. Bye Ponyboy, bye Johnny." I say goodbye to them and wave once more before entering the metal doubled doors.

I walk down the hall to my locker. I grab books that I need, and I shut it. I see Bob walking towards me, and I sigh heavily because he looks beyond mad.

"Why were you talking to those no good pieces of trash, Charlotte?" Bob lectures as his voice booms throughout the hall.

I shrug my shoulders. "They said hello, and I said hello back. It's something called being respectful. You should try it sometime. It'll definitely lower your blood pressure." I tease and pat his chest.

He doesn't laugh. Bob's thin lips press together, and I can see the vein in his forehead beginning to pop out of his skin.

"Are you on drugs or something, Charlotte? The way you're acting isn't normal, and it seems that you like those greasers more than me." Bob rages. I simply roll my eyes and shake my head.

"Are you jealous, Robert?" I question with a smirk on my lips while tilting my head off to the side. "You're really jealous of two fifteen year olds." I then add with a laugh.

Bob huffs. "I am not."

"But you are." I shoot back. "I'll see you at lunch. Love you, Bob." I say, and then I kiss his cheek.

"Yeah, yeah. Love you too, Charlotte." He mumbles, but I see a smile tug on the corners of his mouth.

School comes to an end, so I head right out to my car. I talk to Cherry on my way out, and I say goodbye as I sit in the driver's seat. I decide on the way back home I'll stop at the gas station to get some gas since I'm almost empty anyway.

I arrive at the DX, and I pull up to a gas pump. I roll the windows down, turn off the car, and watch Sodapop Curtis walk towards me. I can tell he looks displeased to see a Soc here by the small grimace on his face.

"Hey, how much do you need, miss?" He questions while adjusting his DX shirt.

"Can I have a dollars worth, please?" I reply, and he nods.

I watch him through my rearview mirror as he pumps my gas, and I think to myself he's one of the most attractive greasers I've ever seen. Sodapop finishes, and I give him a dollar.

"Wait, you're Charlotte Harris, right?" Sodapop inquires, earning a nod and smile from me. "You helped my brother the other day." He points out with a grin.

"Yeah, I actually just talked to him today." I reply.

He raises his left eyebrow, sending me a questioning look. "You talked to him? In public?"

I laugh. "Yes, I used to be a greaser before I became...this." I gesture up and down to my preppy outfit. "Plus, I just think everyone should be treated the same, that's all."

He grins, showing his perfectly white and straight teeth. "I'll be damned. First time I've ever met a Soc that's this nice." He comments with a deep chuckle. "I'll let you head on your way. See you around, Charlotte."

"You can call me Charlie. No one ever seems to listen when I want them to call me that." I insist.

"Okay, see you around, Charlie." Sodapop repeats.

"See you around, Sodapop." I respond.

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