Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders, its characters, or anything else belonging to S.E. Hinton.

A/N: This is the same story we all know and love with the addition of one other character, an eldest sister. Yes, this is a sister story. Yes, I am aware that there are no sisters (excluding Two-Bit's) in the book and that a lot of people are annoyed by them. No, I'm not writing this to annoy; I'm writing this to see how certain events would change if Darry wasn't the oldest. This is in the point of view of my original character and is pre-book. Please, give it a chance.

Here we go…

I disliked the little trip down memory lane I was being forced to take as I walked down the halls of my former high school. I never liked school. I was somewhat of a recluse. I stuck to myself and I concentrated on my schoolwork. My introverted nature probably helped me receive my good grades.

My family never seemed to understand why I didn't have many friends or why I didn't get involved with school activities. I had no desire to be a cheerleader, or whatever it was girls did those days. Graduation was the happiest day of my life; it meant I could go out and make it on my own.

So much had seemed to happen in the four short years I had been away. I worked two jobs in addition to school, received my bachelor of science in nursing, moved into an apartment of my own, and got a job nursing at the local hospital.

Right when everything started looking up, I lost my parents. I moved back into my parent's old house and got custody of my two youngest brother's Sodapop and Ponyboy. My 20 year old brother Darryl and I have been caring for them ever since.

I was brought back to reality when I reached the classroom I was looking for: room 316, Mrs. Reynolds's math classroom.

"Hello Mrs. Curtis," the matronly woman I assumed was Mrs. Reynolds said.

I was confused as to why she would refer to me as "Mrs. Curtis." It was clearly incorrect.

"Please, call me Linda."

"Of course, thank you for meeting with me on such short notice."

I had to restrain to keep my temper. Mrs. Reynolds had called me this morning requesting to speak to me. I had to call in and request to leave work early. My boss was less than pleased.

"No problem. I hate to be blunt, but what did Sodapop do this time?"

I loved my younger brother Sodapop dearly, but he struggled in school. Consequently, he often got himself into trouble.

"I didn't call you in here about Sodapop, this is about Ponyboy."

Ponyboy was different. He was very bright and had always done well in school; he had even been moved up a grade. Math had never been his favorite subject, but I was very surprised to be hearing from his teacher nonetheless.

"Ponyboy seems to be having trouble in my class. I don't think he understands the material. His grade has dropped severely."

I breathed a sigh of relief, "Well, if that's all, I wouldn't worry about it. Ponyboy is very bright, I'm sure he'll pick it up with time."

Mrs. Reynolds exhaled sharply, "Mrs. Curtis, I don't think you quite understand. I think it would be in your best interest to hire a tutor for Ponyboy."

Did it look like I could afford a tutor? I had already changed out of my work uniform and was dressed in a pair of ripped jeans and an old t-shirt. Now that I thought about it, I probably looked like a hooligan.

"I'm afraid to say this, but I don't think we could fit a tutor into our budget the way it is now. Would it be possible for him to stay after school and receive help from you?"

Mrs. Reynolds looked at me sourly and said, "I don't believe that will be possible."

I frowned. Something about this woman did not sit right with me. "Well then," I sighed, "I guess I'll just have to help him myself."

I started to get up to leave and I caught Mrs. Reynolds looking at my doubtfully. I turned back to her indignantly and said, "Mrs. Reynolds, are you doubting my ability to teach my younger brother his 9th grade math? I am perfectly capable of such a task."

I instantly regretted what I had said. I shouldn't have acted so unprofessionally even if the woman angered me so. When I looked back at her though, her face didn't show any signs of anger, just confusion.

"Brother?" she questioned.

I stared at her confused. "Ponyboy is my younger brother," stating what I assumed was obvious.

"So you're not his mother?" Mrs. Reynolds asked even though the answer should have been already made clear.

That's why she kept calling me Mrs. Curtis. Mother? That's absurd.

"Mrs. Reynolds, I'm 22. I'm Pony and Soda's older sister. Are you new here? Have you read their student files?" I questioned.

Mrs. Reynolds answered, "I've only been here for three months."

I could not believe this woman. "Well, since you clearly haven't taken the time to get to know any of your students, I'll fill you in. My name is Linda Curtis. I went to school here four years ago, but enough about me," I paused and studied her reaction; "Sodapop and Ponyboy are my younger brothers. My parents died in a car accident recently and I have had custody of them ever since."

I waited for her to speak but she was too stunned. "Next time you call me in here, please do your homework. I do appreciate your concern for Pony, but he is a bright kid, I would appreciate if you could remember that in the future."

I got up from my chair, shook Mrs. Reynolds hand and began to leave, "Good day Mrs. Reynolds."

I walked swiftly down the halls and out into the parking lot, glad to be leaving the high school. I hopped in my beat up car and started her up. I looked at my work uniform sitting in the passenger's seat and decided not to bother going back to work; my shift would be over soon anyway. I drove off in the direction of home.

I lived in a small house. It was slightly beat up, but I loved it just the same. I headed inside and set my things down on the table.

"Hey guys," I said while walking into the kitchen.

Pony and Johnny were sitting in a corner talking quietly. Pony looked up to say hello to me briefly and then turned back to continue talking. Two-Bit was sitting next to Steve laughing loudly about something on the couch and Soda was pacing around. Soda followed me into the kitchen.

I was looking in the icebox for something to cook for dinner. "Hey, sis, you're home early," he commented.

"Yeah," I laughed, "I took off work early, I had a meeting with you teacher, Mrs. Reynolds."

He looked at me with a horror stricken face. I laughed and patted him on the cheek, "Don't worry, it's nothing you did."

He flashed me a smile, "worried? Who's worried?" I shook my head and grinned.

"So if it wasn't something I did," Soda asked, "what were you talking about?"

"It was just something about Pony," I explained and his eyes widened out of what I assumed was surprise.

The only thing in the kitchen was some chicken. I yelled to the boy's in the living room, "who's staying for dinner?"

I heard a chorus of "me's." I turned to Sodapop and asked, "I still have no idea who's staying."

Sodapop laughed, "I think it's safe to say that Pony is staying."

"You're a helpful one," I joked. Soda returned, "Aren't I?"

Soda started to help with the cooking and I smiled, "Soda, you don't have to help if you don't want to."

He looked over at me, "Linda, go relax."

I stared at Soda intensely for a couple of seconds and then took his advice. I could let Soda cook for one day, how terrible could that be?

I made my way past the roughhousing and went into the bathroom. I looked into the mirror and let my hair down. Did I really look old enough to be Pony's mother? I stared harder into the mirror. I never really thought out about looks. I was rather tall and kind of grotesquely skinny. I had light brown hair and green eyes. Like I said, I never really thought about it, until now.

I entered back into the living room to see Two–Bit holding Pony's arm behind his back yelling, "Say Uncle!" "Never!" Pony shouted.

I looked around the room and saw that Steve was no longer in the room, probably in the kitchen with Soda. Johnny was now sitting next to Dally who must have arrived sometime when I was in the bathroom.

"Alright, alright, let my brother go," I said.

"Aw, come on, I had him," Two-Bit whined.

"He's thirteen Two-Bit."

Pony shouted, "I'm right here!" Everyone in the room laughed. I settled down in the couch and leaned my head against the arm rest.

Two-Bit looked over at me questioningly, "What's bugging you, Linda?"

"Do I look old to you?"

The second I said that I regretted it. I don't know what I was thinking. I guess the fact that Pony's teacher thought I was so much older than I was was getting to me.

All the guys in the room stared at me. Two-Bit broke the uneasy silence and heartily said, "You're the oldest one here."

Dally cut him off, "Two-Bit, you're an idiot. Linda, what's this about?"

I shook my head, "nevermind."

"Are you sure?" Johnny asked uneasily.

"Yeah, I'm sure. Forget I said anything."

Slowly all the guys left and left just the family. As if on cue, Darry came in through the front door. "Dinner's ready!" Soda yelled.

Darry started getting out plates and Soda got the chocolate milk from the ice box. Pony was still sitting on the couch reading. "Ponyboy, finish up." I said sternly and sat down.

We all started eating. Dinner was surprisingly normal considering it was one of Soda's creations.

"Soda, this is good," Darry commented reading my mind.

"You must be hungry," Pony muttered stabbing his chicken repeatedly with his fork.

Soda punched him playfully on the shoulder and stole his food off of his plate.

Pony looked at him and sighed, "Soda, you eat too much."

Soda pretended to look hurt and pushed his plate away from himself dramatically.

"I'm really tired," Pony said, "May I be excused?"

I thought on it and finally said, "Yeah sure. I wanted to talk to you before you went to bed, but go ahead. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Pony nodded, put his plate away, picked up his book, and started to leave.

"You're not tired," I accused, "You just want to read."

Pony laughed, "You know me too well."

"I guess I'll let you off easy this time," I said and Pony went off to his room.

"Linda?" Soda asked uneasily, "I've kind of wanted to talk to you too."

"Sure soda, what is it?"

"Well you know how I hate school right?"

I sighed and nodded. He continued, "Well I was thinking, I could drop out of high school and get a job."

Both Darry and I dropped our forks on our plates and looked at him shocked.

"Soda..." I started. "Let's discuss this tomorrow. I'm too tired for this right now."

A/N: I know this first chapter is pretty slow, and I hope that this story will pick up the pace as it progresses. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, positive or negative.