𝚂𝚗𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚂𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚘𝚕

I walked by the lockers at lunch time, just to see them by the backdoors smoking a cigarette. When they saw me they dropped the cigarette and squished them with the soles of their shoes.

"There you are." Two-Bit grinned, pulling me into a side hug before laying his arm around my shoulders.

"So what are y'all up to?"

"borrowin' some stuff from the corner store."

"Right–" I chuckled, "borrowing."

We all walked out, following the path down to the streets. It was beginning to be very sunny and worse was that the blue sky was clear from the clouds and I was melting like a popsicle under the fire. We rushed to the nearest corner store, slipping inside the building like gliding skates. The brass bell rang under me, making the cashier look up. The air was rushing from the vents, cooling us down from the hot sun waiting outside for us. I was looking for some cold drinks while Two-bit borrowed some stuff off the shelves, the cashier didn't notice him but Ponyboy who was already popping open a soda, gulping it down in a few seconds.

"I reckon you're paying for that glass aren't you boy?"

Pony looked up, nodding. I could see the satisfaction in his eyes, finally able to drink something cold away from the hotness of the sunlight. I paid the cashier the chocolate bar and soda, waiting as Two-bit walked nonchalantly outside the doors as if nothing had happened. I followed after.

"What did you get?" I asked, already leaning on the bricked wall, hiding from the window to my right.

He smirked, zipping open his leather jacket and shoving his pockets over to me, "Sweets for my beloved Y/n, oh, and of course for Ponyboy too."

I laughed looking at the pockets full of candies and other snacks. "You know this ain't lunch right?"

"That's why I brought these guys."

Ponyboy pulled under his sweater a brown paper bag, inside were small burgers and hotdogs wrapped in foil. He gave us one of each.

"Now, how d'you get this?"

He shrugged and took a bite out of his burger, "A magician never reveals his secrets."

Two-bit leaned over to me, "There was a mini concession stand on the back of the store."

I chuckled, "Right..."

The brass bell from the door rang, and we quickly ran, hearing the calls of the cashier.

I was never going to that store ever again.

We didn't stop running till we hit the empty lot down the block, the one with the patchy grass and busted fence leaning like it was tired of standing. Two-bit bent over, hands on his knees, laughing. "Man, you shoulda seen your face—thought you were gonna pass out in there."

"I thought you were gonna get us caught," I shot back, trying to catch my breath.

Ponyboy dropped down into the grass, laying flat looking up at the sky. "Worth it," he said, holding up the last bit of his soda like a trophy. I sat beside him, peeling open the wrapper of a candy bar Two-bit had swiped. The chocolate was already starting to melt, sticking to my fingers. Figures.

"You ever think," Ponyboy started, squinting up at the sky, "that we do this stuff just 'cause we're bored?"

Two-bit snorted, flopping down on the other side of me. "Speak for yourself. I do it 'cause I'm talented."

"Talented at getting us in trouble," I said.

He pointed at me like I'd just proven his point. "Exactly."

I laughed, shaking my head. The heat didn't feel so bad anymore, not with the breeze picking up and the noise of the street fading into something distant.

Then Two-bit suddenly sat up, eyes lighting up. "Hey," he said, grinning, "You guys wanna see what they have in the antique store?"

Ponyboy groaned. "Now with what money?"

Two-bit tapped his jacket pocket, that same crooked smile creeping back. "Now that, my dear friends... is another secret."

I rolled my eyes, already getting to my feet. "You're gonna get us banned from every place in town."

"Yeah," he said, hopping up beside me, "but it won't be boring."

I chuckled in disbelief, not backing down, "We better make it before class though."

"Noted."