Soda's POV

It was about 7:00 a.m. on a sunny Monday morning so I had to get up for work at the DX gas station. I'm sorry to say I had to drop out of high school to help out my two brothers since our parents died. My older, firm, mature brother Darrel (Darry) Curtis and my younger, day dreamer of a brother is Ponyboy Curtis. I'm the middle man, Sodapop Curtis and out of my three brothers I think I'm the only one who doesn't mind being poor.

Ya see, I'm a greaser, poor white trash in other words. My brothers and I aren't as bad as most greasers though. Neither are the four boys who my brother and I consider family, Two-bit Matthews, the wisecracker, Steve Randle, my best buddy, Johnny Cade, the gangs pet, and Dallas, who actually is a bad guy but we don't turn our backs on our friends.

Anyway, so after I got dressed and had breakfast and all that good stuff I was late and out the door.I didn't grab a jacket becase even inside I could tell how ungodly hot it was I messed up Pony's brown/red hair on my way out and then had to wipe the grease on my jeans. Even in the car I could hear Pony complaining that he had just got his hair the way he wanted it. I love Pony more then anything and I hope he never ends up like .me, a dropout.

At the station I pump gas all day and at 3 o'clock my best friend Steve shows up for his part time job. Steve and I met in grade school and we've always been together since. When school gets out a bunch of girls show up at the station. Steve says its because I'm so good looking but personally I don't see what's so great about me.I a;ways thought Steve was the better looking one, with his swirly hair.

When I saw her I wanted to die she was so pretty, no, not pretty, perfect. Her dark brunette hair that reached just above her chest and those piercing green eyes bored into my soul. I've always been into girls but never like this.

To my disappointment she looked like a soc. She was wearing a pale plaid yellow skirt and a sweater to match and she had a real nice looking red mustang, I immediately went over to her to give her some assistance.

I filled up her car and to my surprise she didn't try to flirt with me, not once! Wow! Finally, I spoke up

" My names Sodapop Curtis," I said, trying to play it casual. I think she smiled. It was hard to tell because beauty marks on both sides of her mouth that made her look like she was always smiling. She said

"Oh, I'm Autumn, Autumn Greenfeld." Her cheeks seemded to turn a faint shade of red, which was sort of attractive.

After I filled up her tank she just drove off towards the West Side. I wondered if I would ever see her again. I walked back over to Steve and he told me I was blushing so I playfully punched him I the back. Stupid Steve.