New story! Oh fun fun. Well, I do not own The Outsiders. Poor me, blah blah blah. Be sure to put in a review and tell me what you think!
-Jasmine
"I can't believe you!" A 14 year old Ponyboy Curtis screamed at his older brother. Darrel Curtis heaved a great sigh and rubbed his temple.
"Ponyboy..." He tried to once more to explain in a tired voice, but Ponyboy (again) paid him no mind.
"You're horrible!" The outraged teen yelled again, "How could you do that? How could you just let a stranger in! And in their room!" This time Sodapop decided to try and be the voice of reason.
"Ponyboy, you have to understand." Sodapop said and put a hand on his little brother's shoulder. Pony look at it in disgust and roughly shook it off.
"What is there to understand?" Pony ranted, "You cleaned out Mom and Dad's room and are letting a complete stranger live there. What did you do with the stuff, huh? Did you pawn it?" Ponyboy didn't get a chance to continue his rant because Darry and Sodapop shot out of their seats.
"Now, listen here," Darry said, wagging a finger in Ponyboy's direction, "We would never do that to Mom and Dad's stuff and you know that! So calm down, Pony! For God's sake, calm the heck down!"
"Come on, Pony." Sodapop chimed in, "None of us wanted to rent out Mom and Dad's room, but we have to. We need to money and you know it." Sodapop's words and Darry's yelling sunk in as Ponyboy looked down at his sock-less feet. Truth was, he did know it. Did he want to believe it? Not at all. He just had to stop lying to himself. Plus, if they had a steady rent, Darry would be able to take more time off.
"When is the new person moving in?" Ponyboy asked.
"His name is Jay, he'll be here tomorrow."
…
Linda and Jaime sat at the table for what was probably the sixth straight hour. Jaime swayed where she sat.
"Lindy, why are you making me do this? Why can't you do it yourself?" Jaime complained. Linda simply shook her head.
Jaime's Aunt Linda was a very strong woman. She worked hard. She was going to be a scientist and no one was able to stop her. They slowed her down, but they couldn't stop her. At the age of 26 she was three years into her own lab. She had frizzy dark brown hair and calculating blue eyes. Jaime was her favorite and only niece. When Jaime's parent's got separated Linda offered to take her. Jaime hadn't seen either of her parent's in years and she was just fine with that.
"No, Jay, I can't. I'll get too attached to my work. I need to be an emotionless scientist. So, you just need to go in for me for half a year!"
"Lindy!" Jaime yelled, jumping out of her seat, "Why do you think I can do this? I can't pretend to be a guy for half a year!" Linda shook her head and put a soothing arm on Jaime's shoulder.
"Yes you can, I know you can. Just remember, Jay, you are doing this for science."
"How does me going undercover as a boy help with science?" Jaime asked for the hundredth time.
"Jay. I've been studying male behavior for the past three years. I need this information. Do this for me, please?"
"Fine Aunt Lindy." Jaime gave in. She sat down and slid the scissors back over to her Aunt, "Go ahead. Cut my hair." Linda smiled at finally getting her way and went to work at shortening her niece's hair. Jaime watched with silent, tearful brown eyes and her golden blonde hair feel to the ground around her.
…
"Lindy, this really hurts my chest." Jaime complained. Linda looked over Jaime.
"Yes, well, guys don't have breasts, so you are just going to have to tough it."
"What if they ask me to take off my shirt."
"Just tell them you're uncomfortable with your body or something." Linda instructed, "Let's go through the fact's one last time. Name?"
"Jay Hopper."
"Where are you from, Jay?"
"Arizona."
"Where in Arizona?"
"Phoenix."
"How old are you?"
"Sixteen."
"Do you like sports?"
"Yes."
"Football?"
"Yes."
"Favorite team."
"Don't have a favorite."
"I think you're ready." Linda said. Let me hear you're boy voice. Jaime lowered her voice and began to talk.
"Is this okay?" She asked. Linda laughed and Jaime pouted.
"Is it that bad?"
"No! No, it's fine. It's just funny to hear it from you."
"Glory, thanks."
"Now get to bed, you have a big day tomorrow. Happy first day of summer."
…
Jay looked at the house before her. This would be her new home for the next half of a year. Provided that they people living in it didn't find out the truth and kick her out. But that isn't going to happen.
"Everything is going to be fine." She told herself. She frowned when she realized that she wouldn't be able to use her normal voice for a long time. She switched to her "man voice".
"Better get this over with." She said and walked up the porch steps and knocked on the door, suitcase in hand. A few moments later the door was pulled open by a very large and fairly good looking man. Great. Jaime thought to herself, because it would be way to easy if I was living with unattractive nerds.
"Hello." The man greeted, "You must be Jay?" Jaime nodded, "I'm Darrel, but you can call me Darry. Come on in." He moved aside and Jaime followed him in the house. There were two other (again, extremely good looking.) boys sitting on the couch. One of which looked like a movie star. The other... well, he had time to look even better. Darry pointed at the movie star like one, "That is Sodapop and the other is Ponyboy." Jaime's eyebrows went up.
"Nicknames?" She asked. Both the couch boys shook their heads.
"They're our really names. Even on our birth certificate." Sodapop told her. Jaime nodded, a little afraid. Within her first two days of coming her from Phoenix she had heard the name Sodapop a few times while spending one or two minutes in town between rehearsals. All from girls. (Most of which were warning her to stay away.)
"Interesting names." Jaime noted.
"At least they're not boring like, Jay." Pony said and stormed off into a room, slamming the door. Darry rubbed the back of his neck.
"Ponyboy is just a little..." He trailed off and Jaime held up her hand.
"It's fine." She said. Sodapop stood up.
"Well, I think it's nice to meet you, Jay." He told her and shook her hand. Jay smile and nodded at him. Sodapop gave her a confused look. Jay gave him the look back.
"What?"
"Are you wearing eyeliner?"