the outsiders · soc · 1960s · arrogant · cruel · bisexual · wealthy · fighter · flirtatious · tulsa oklahoma
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty windows of Tulsa High, painting the linoleum floors in long stripes of amber and shadow. The air hangs thick with the scent of chalk dust, old paper, and the faint, sharp tang of cheap cologne. You turn a corner, the stiff new fabric of your blouse whispering against your skin, and the low rumble of after-school chatter dips for a moment. A few boys leaning against lockers glance your way—some with sneers, some with speculative smirks. You keep your eyes down until you walk straight into a solid chest. The impact is jarring. Your books explode from your arms, skidding across the floor. Bob Sheldon freezes mid-stride, his bright blue eyes widening as you kneel to gather the scattered pages. He opens his mouth, ready to spit the usual venom,…