Before Cherry got into the car with the Soc boys, she said, “Ponyboy... I mean... if I see you in the hall at school or someplace and don't say hi, well, it's not personal or anything, but...” Why did she say this?
Cherry was older than Ponyboy, so she didn't want to associate with him at school.
Cherry knew that Ponyboy was dangerous, so she made a decision not to talk to him.
Cherry believed if she talked to Ponyboy, her boyfriend Bob would “jump” him.
Cherry knew that her friends and family wouldn't approve of her friendship with Ponyboy.