Chapter Text
I tapped my pencil against the edge my desk, all I could think of was lunch break. I'd managed to snag a Pepsi before school, and I was really craving a Pepsi. I sighed under my breath as Ms. Wilson went on and on about something I couldn't find in me to care. I looked up as I finally heard one word. "Partners."
Partners? For what? I was sure she'd said the last project we'd gotten was the last one of the year. But no, apparently we had to make something about the moon landing. I wasn't too fond on Astronomy, too many stars and galaxies for me to remember. But this should be easy, everything I needed was on the internet...I'd probably have to go to the library though, Darry'll kill me if he finds out I was cheating on my projects. But it wasn't REALLY cheating, right?
I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard my last name. Ms. WIlson looked around the room. "Smith and Velasquez, Hamilton and Jefferson, Curtis and Hills..." She continued listing names as I looked around. There wasn't a Hills here. That sounded like a name for some rich kid, "Hills", I dreaded having to work with a Soc, they usually just left me with all the work. if I was lucky this person would actually help.
I decided to put a pin in that as the bell rang, lunch. Finally. I gathered my things and quickly rushed out the door. Walking to the cafeteria, I wondered what I would do this time. I didn't have lunch with any of the gang, just Curly Shepard. But he got caught in some stuff and was sent to reformatory. Again, lucky me. He was supposed to get out soon, but since then I'd just stuck to myself. I ate my lunch and then headed to class, like anyone else.
Sitting down at my usual spot, I could see someone coming from the side of my eye as I took the room temperature Pepsi out of my bag. "Hi." I heard a real southern sounding voice say. Now I was pretty sure I had an accent, but this one sounded way more country than mine. But not enough to get on my nerves. I turned around to get a look at them.
It was this tanned, sharp blue eyed boy with an oval looking face, with light freckles on the tip of his nose and ends of his cheeks, he had wavy, chestnut colored hair. He styled it in a middle part. I thought of when Steve tried to do a middle part. I shuddered, before focusing on the boy. "Hi?" I said slowly, my eyebrows furrowing as I thought of why this guy was talking to me.
He fixed up his sweater collar before speaking again. "Ponyboy Curtis, right?" He said in this unsure voice, like he didn't believe it was my name. I didn't blame him, you didn't hear that name everyday. I gave him a quick nod. "Yea, that's me." I replied, taking a small sip.
The boy flashed me a polite smile, the kind I had used for family photos. "Allie, I'm your partner for the project in Wilson's class." He stated, sitting down next to me. I blinked a few times, before quickly nodding again in acknowledgement. "Oh." I said simply. "Oh yea, Hills? Um, so where do you think we could go for the assignment?" I finally asked. Allie, well I thought that was a..unique name. But then again I had a brother named Sodapop..
The boy--Allie, drummed his fingers against the table before taking out his own lunch. "Well, My house is free, or maybe the Library? Or your house?" He suggested. I resisted grimacing at the idea of him going to MY house. It wasn't exactly dirty or anything (not as much as Two-Bit's). Or real loud when Darry wasn't hollering at me. But with the risk of Steve, Two, or Dallas coming around and saying something stupid or doing something to scare him away wasn't exactly nerve-soothing. I shook his head. "Um, my house ain't free right now. We have family over." I lied, pursing my lips.W
Allie hummed in understand (Or I think it was) and turned to look at me. "Well then we have the Library or my house, whatever you want, I don't mind." He said with a shrug. I thought for a few seconds. "I don't mind either.." I stated. tossing my plate into the stack nearby.
"Soo..." The Boy drawled out, l decided to maybe talk about something other than work. "So?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.
Finally I thought of something to say. "Are you..new here or something?" I asked, chewing on my nails. Dad used to tell me I'd end up without any if I kept biting them. But I never broke the habit. Allie nodded. "Yea, I moved here from Texas, My Dad got a new job so we had to relocate." he explained. That explained why I didn't recognize the last name.
"Have you made any friends?" I said, wishing Johnny was here. Maybe it'd be less awkward. But had lunch with Two-Bit instead. Allie, Al? Al shook his head. "Um, sorta? It's this group of kids. I have a few classes with them but I don't think I'm a 'Sit-with-at-lunch' friend yet.." He admitted quietly. Fidgeting with his fork.
The bell rang again, lunch was over. I internally cheered. Not that I didn't like the guy, but it was too awkward for me. I paused. "Hey, are we gonna meet up after school today?" I asked, watching Allie throw his leftovers away. "Uhh, My house, is that good?" he replied, I wasn't sure if Darry would let me go. I was lucky if he let me go to The Shepards. Then again, it was The Shepards.
"Yea, sounds good." I nodded, I eventually got his address and looked it over. It was on the other side of town! Well, maybe I could walk there at the risk of getting bothered by some Socs. Maybe I could get a ride by one of the Gang, they might ask why. But it was just some silly project. The day wore on in three more painfully long hours. As I heard the last bell ring, I was the first to get out that room like it was on fire. I met up with Johnny outside the building.
Johnny walked slowly, but then sped up to match my pace. "Who'd you get paired with for Ms. WIlson's project?" he asked, the same suspicious look in his eyes as always as he turned to look at me. "New kid, Allie Hills. Heard of him yet?" I asked, but I doubted he did since, well, he was new.
He shook his head. "Nah, maybe Dally does." He shrugged. I rolled my eyes. "When doesn't he?" He said in a playful tone, nudging Johnny's ribs with my elbow. Johnny stared at me for a second, before cracking a smile.
We reached the house, I opened the door and slung my backpack onto the door knob. "I'm heading to Hill's house to work." I said. Johnny raised an eyebrow. "Ya better wait for Darry to come home.." He muttered. I shrugged, looking at the clock. "He'll be home soon...probrably." I stated confidently.