A Haunting of a Greaser Spirit

I DO NOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS. THOUGH I WISH I DID. NO HATE MAIL AND MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT A STORY (A REAL ONE ANYWAY) ENJOY AND COMMENT!

PONYBOY

It had been a year since Johnny and Dallas's death. Things seemed pretty normal around Tulsa and my house. Two bit was same as always – bickering with anyone who tried to change the channel if he was watching Mickey on Saturday mornings, Sodapop – my brother- who was his happy go lucky old self with his best buddy, Steve, who I didn't find very fun to be around and was cocky. And Darry, my older brother who took care of me and Sodapop both, so we didn't end up in a boy's home.

Everything was still the same, well, except with me.

I was still in the grieving stage, and it was driving my brother's nearly off edge. They had taken me nearly to Psychiatrists, doctors and anyone from anywhere who could've helped me. But nothing worked. They just gave me some medicine that made me feel kind of loopy during the day, but at least I didn't feel as worse as I did a few months after their deaths.

"Boy how I love Mickey!" I heard Two bit said as he reclined in the chair in the living room, a beer in his hand and was fully relaxed. I was sitting on the couch, sunk in the cushion watching the stupid cartoon with him. I used to not care if I watched the show or not. Now it seemed pretty stupid to me now.

Steve rolled his eyes and Sodapop chuckled.

"You've always loved that show, since you was a kid." Steve remarked trying to pin Soda's arm down in an arm wrestling match he knew he'd win at. My brother was strong, but against Steve he wasn't as strong as he'd liked to be.

"Why so quiet there, Pone? Cat got your tongue?" Soda joked as he looked over at me, seeing as if I wasn't saying a word. I hadn't been. Something was bugging me as we sat out in the living room, but I didn't want to announce it in front of the whole (or what was left) of our gang.

I shook my head but still said nothing.

Soda slightly frowned letting his arm get pinned by Steve's in the process and Steve let out a victory "whoop" and laughed. I stood up, leaving this "Cozy" scene and walked outside and onto the porch, where seconds later Soda came and joined me.

"Ponyboy what's the matter? You haven't been talkin' since you got up this morning." He said looking at me concerned. Unless my loud yawn this morning counted as talking he was right. I was absolutely fine. The silence, though was bugging Soda and I could tell just by the expression on his face.

He had the stubborn look and puzzled look all at once. Too many emotions I couldn't place at once look.

"You're bein' stubborn, kid. Why aint you talking? I'll force you to talk." He said in a serious manner making me look up at him. His eyes were serious and I wondered what in the world he'd do. But I didn't have time to brainstorm all the things he could do, because I then busted out laughing.

My sides were being tickled and I had to bite my lip from saying anything. Tears sprung in my eyes because I was dying of laughter.

"Say uncle, Pony!" Soda said and grinned as he tickled me to what seemed to the death. No way was I going to give in. Finally what seemed after moments of tickling of death, I shouted,

"Okay okay! Uncle! Uncle!" I shouted, out of breath and Soda stopped, his stupid grin still on his face. I couldn't help but smile too and didn't even notice the guys in the doorway staring at us. Those were the first four words I had said all morning and I wondered from then on if I'd say anymore.

SODAPOP

I smiled relieved I could get Ponyboy to speak even four words! Four! He hadn't talked all morning and yet, when I tickled him he managed to holler for me to stop. That's a start. He suddenly got up and went back inside and the shutting of our bedroom door was heard. I sighed.

"Don't worry Soda, he'll start talking more eventually." Two bit tried to reasurre me. Steve looked out and at the neighborhood.

"It's better when the kid don't talk. He's already quiet enough as it is." He remarked making me roll my eyes. He doesn't even know Pony when he's at home. Pony and I have interesting conversations, sometimes. Sometimes even about girls. Well, we used to anyway. Before the events of last year, happened.

Before Johnny and Dallas died. I winced on the inside and tried not to think of them. I stood up brushing the dirt off my knees and walked back inside. Darry was at work and it was too nice of a Saturday to spend inside.

"What's there to do?" I whispered mainly to myself.

"What'ja say there buddy?" Steve asked, cocking his head to the side a bit and looking at me strangely. I shook my head.

"Nothing." I said quickly and he just shrugged, looking back at the Tv screen where Two bit had actually put on a different T.V. show. I suddenly shivered and goosebumps shot up and down my arm. My neck hairs pricked up and I did a three sixty. No one was there but I felt a random shiver.

I shrugged it off knowing it was nothing.

"C'mon guys, let's do something. Like a drag race or something." I said but suddenly remembered Johnny loved those and my heart sank a bit. The guys shrugged.

"Alright." Two bit said turning off the Tv. "Go get your brother. He needs some sun or he'll look like a zombie for the next apocalypse." He said heading for the door, Steve behind him. I chuckled a bit and headed for our room, going to go get Ponyboy.

"Pony?" I asked, pushing open the door and saw him lying down on the bed.

"Hey buddy were going to a drag race. Wanna come with?" I asked and he stayed quiet for a moment before shrugging and sitting up, looking at me and nodded. I smiled.

"Alright c'mon lets go. The guys are waiting on us." I said and waited for Pony to get on his shoes and grab a jacket. He didn't go slowly, but Steve complained he didn't go fast enough.

"Leave my kid brother alone." I smacked his arm playfully making him roll his eyes. I could've sworn Pony cracked a tiny smile at the corner of his mouth. I smiled and we all headed to the Drag Race.