Chapter 1 The Curtis Girl
I was racing my twin brother home it was some type of contest we had every day on the way home from school. Of course Pony won because he was a better runner and was on the track team at school. When we reached the house I just kept running to my room to drop of my books in my room and change into my jeans, a plain white tee and regular sneakers. As I finished putting up my hair in a ponytail I heard Soda calling my name. I ran back down the stairs and out the door, I Stopped as I reached the fence. I looked around it looked like every one was here. Then I started counting off on my fingers Soda, Steve, Pony, Two-bit, Dally, and Darry. That's everyone, no wait where's Johnny? Oh here he comes now. Now That everyone was here we headed towards the vacant lot. It was Friday and we were goin' to play football. Oh and by the way my name is Stephani Curtis, Steph for short. I should probably tell you about all the guys I'm with.
Darrel (Darry) is my oldest brother, he's also my guardian, He works two jobs and looks tough and mean but he's not.
Sodapop is my second oldest brother. I can talk to him about anything. He works at the DX. And he's really good looking, like a movie star.
Ponyboy is my last brother, and I'm proud to say that I am a whole minute older than him. But anyway He's the smart and dreamy one. He's also on the track team at school.
Steve Randle is cocky, smart and Soda's best friend. He also works at the DX
Dallas Winston is probably the toughest one in the crowd. And can be really rude to you if he doesn't know you.
Two-bit Matthews got he's nickname because he always has to get his two cents in.
Then there's me Steph, I'm basically one of the guys. All of my friends are guys; I have no problem talking to them.
Lastly there's Johnny Cade right now he's a nervous wreak, who wouldn't after what he's been through. Out of him, Dally, Steve, and Two-bit he's the only one that acts like a gentlemen.
As we were reaching the lot we started to pick teams. Naturally Darry and Dally were captains. It ended up Two-bit, Steve and Soda on Dally's Team. And Pony, Johnny, and myself on Darry's. About three hours later it was declared a tie. All of the guys went back to our house expect for Pony and Johnny. We headed over to the old maple tree; I sat down while they stood. It's this weird sort of thing we do; we watch the sun set after every game. I love sunsets. I was just staring into space when Ponyboy sat down next to me. After a couple of minutes Johnny did too.
Right when I was about to fall asleep they got up and decided to go. I figured Johnny would be stayin' at our house tonight, So I didn't ask. Everyone was there when we got in. At dinner it was hard to get two words out with out being interrupted. After that I went into Soda's room and got one of Pony's many books, then went in the living room. Steve and Dally had left and Two-bit was just leaving. Darry, Soda, Pony, and Johnny were in there playing poker. I grabbed my favorite blanket and curled up in the chair and started reading.
I must have fallen asleep at some point because only the Kitchen light was on. I looked around and saw Johnny laying in an uncomfortable looking position on the couch. I quietly got up and went over to him. I tapped him genteelly on the shoulder, and he jerked awake
" What's the matter Steph?" He asked
"Nothing you just look really uncomfortable," I started " And you sleep like that just about every night seein' as how your always stain' here. So I thought I would offer you my bed and I would sleep here tonight."
" I don't wanna be an inconvenience to you," he said earnestly
"You won't be"
"I dunno"
"Johnny Cade you sleep in that uncomfortable position every night. So tonight your gonna sleep in a bed." I said a little louder than necessary.
"Yes, Miss Curtis" he retorted
"Okay, know do you remember where my bedroom is?" he shook his head. "It's up the stairs and to the left." When he was gone I made myself a bed on the couch. I fell asleep soundly unknowing to how I was goin' to be woken in the mornin'.
Johnny's POV
I've always liked Steph. She's been one of my good friends forever. She's been there when I needed her, like after I was beat up by the soc with the rings, she was at my side whenever she could be. But as I think about it she is very pretty with her strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes, yes she is very pretty. And she's so smart like Ponyboy. She's so nice but in a rumble you would not want to up against her. Tomorrow were goin' to the drive-in. By we I mean Soda, Steve, Pony, Steph, and me.
"Come on Steph It's time to wake up" Steve shouted as Two-bit jumped on the couch.
"What time is it?" She asked sleepily
"Why it's seven in the morn" Two-bit said happily
"It's to early go away," said Steph
"No deal, I gotta watch Mickey" Said Two-bit. Steve and Soda laughed their way out the door to go get in Darry's car to go to work. Ponyboy was just sittin' in the chair trin' hard not to laugh. Johnny was on the bottom step of the stairs.
"Leave her alone Two-bit" he said
"Yes sir"
"Thank-you Johnny" Steph called from her spot on the couch.
"Hey Pony come here a minute?" said Johnny as he stepped on to the porch and sat on the steps. Ponyboy nodded and sat down next to Johnny. They both lit up what Dally would call a cancer stick.
"You still goin' tonight?" Johnny asked
"Yeah, why you ain't backin' out are ya? Ponyboy replied
"No of course I ain't. I was just makin' sure."
Steph's POV
"Ponyboy should I ware a skirt tonight or no?"
"Do you like Skirts?" He called back
"No" I said
"Then there's your answer," he said. With that out of the way I put on a pair of jeans, my sneakers and a black tee. I pulled my hair back in a ponytail and went down stairs. Johnny, Pony and I headed over to the DX to get Soda and Steve. We jumped the gate at the drive-in and got chairs. About twenty minutes into the movie Soda and Steve left and said they'd be back in a while. After another ten minutes Pony left. The guys that were behind us kept putting there feet on my chair and I guess what they were tryin' to do was pick me up but Johnny turned around and told the to leave me alone.
"Thanks"
"No problem. Hey do you wanna go get some popcorn?"
"Yeah" I said. As I got to my feet I realized how cold it was. Apparently that's what my expression said and Johnny took off his Jean jacket.
"Here, you look really cold"
"Thanks" I said. I put it on I was instantly warmed. I smelled the jacket it smelled so good. Like an old friend.
Pony, Soda, and Steve came back right before the movie ended
As we walked through the lot Ponyboy stopped.
"Hey soda, tell Darry we'll be there in a minute"
"Okay, but hurry up" Came Soda's reply as he raced Steve back to the house.
"Oh Ponyboy look at those stars" Steph said as she rapped the coat around her and sat down, she leaned up against an up turned picnic table. Johnny and Pony boy sat on either side of her. " Monday is our last day of school before spring recess. I can't wait to have two full weeks off from school."
"I thought you loved school," said Pony
"I don't love it, I just like it" she replied. They just sat there thinking about many different things but Pony and Steph both at one point were thinking about Johnny's birthday, it was only a couple days away. Johnny never really liked his birthdays because of how his parents act towards him, but every year he gets a new look at it with the party he gets from all his friends.
"You guys better go before Darry gets worried." Johnny said.
"Yeah, come on Steph," Said Ponyboy " See ya Johnny"
"I'm coming," she called to Pony who already started to leave. "Are you goin' home?" She asked Johnny
"No I think I'll stay out here tonight"
"Your not staying out here all night it's to cold. You can have my bed again."
"Okay" he said as Steph helped him up. In his experience you do not argue with her. As they started to walk she made to give back the Jacket.
"No you hold on to it until we get back to the house if you catch a cold I'll have to answer to at least Darry and Soda." Said Johnny.
A/N Thanks for reading please review I my have another chapter up today. Tell me what you really think ! :P