Sorry it took so long to put up the first chapter. To be honest I felt rather uninspired the last few day. Hopefully that won't last.

*Edit 12/6/2016*

First of all, this story is a modern AU specifically set in the early 2000nds. I decided to make my story a modern AU in the first version and decided, for personal reasons, that my rewrite would be set in a similar (albeit earlier) time. I am aware that some people don't enjoy reading modern AUs as I have avoided some as well. For those that are willing to overlook that detail and keep reading, you have my thanks. However, I won't think any less of people who decide this story isn't their cup of tea and leave.

What does bother me is when people note that it's a modern AU and request/insist that I ought to change it. These comments sting quite a bit as I have put a good deal of effort into this story and have no desire to change it.

Therefore, I have decided that after this point, I will remove any further comment on how I should change this from a modern AU. I don't enjoy making this choice, bu I can't tolerate any more reviews like the ones I mentioned. Sorry for the long author note, but this is something I felt I needed to say.

I do not own the Outsiders.

Andromeda woke slowly, as she was unwilling to get up. Her eyes slid shut as last nights dream played dimly before her eyes. Persephone's violet eyes danced with glee as impetuous giggles slipped from her lips. She scurried around on her short, child legs as tiny puppies scampered after her. A amused squeal slipped from her lips as she spun about and stepped over the puppies as she headed in the other direction. The puppies were a bit slower in turning but soon resumed their chase.

After a little, the little girl stumbled and fell. A frown spread across her face briefly, before she smiled and laughed as the puppies caught up and jumped on her. Her chubby little hand rubbed the head of the smallest one.

Andromeda was started from the faint remainder of her dream as she felt tears slide down her cheeks. It had been ten years, and even dreaming of her twin sister was painful. Andromeda's eyes clenched shut as she tried to drag back the dream, but it didn't work. A sigh escaped from her lips as she opened her eyes finally. There would be trouble if she stayed in bed any later.

Andromeda walked to her vanity and sat on a chair as she began to brush her long strawberry blond hair. Once she did, she slowly put on her mint green dress, lacy white cardigan, and white peep toe pumps. After tugging nervously at her cardigan, she made her way down the staircase and to the dining room.

She hesitated when she saw her parents already there. Her mother was giving orders to a maid and her father was reading the news. She studied them closely. Neither of them seemed to be in a bad mood, but she could be wrong. After a minute, Andromeda scolded herself mentally before she walked into the room. She would be eating breakfast, not wrestling a bear!

She sat at her seat at the long table, and forced a smile as she said, "Good morning, Mother, Father." There was silence as the one maid served breakfast. When breakfast had been served, Her father continued to read the news as he said, "You're late." Andromeda smiled sheepishly as she responded, "I'm sorry, father. I had a particularly good dream this morning."

Her father made no indication of hearing her response and her mother didn't so much as look up. After a moment she continued, "It was about Persephone. She was playing with this group of puppies and looked so ... "That is enough, Andromeda Campbell." Andromeda had barely began to talk when her mother had cut her off.

Her mothers lips were pursed as she continued, "You were late to breakfast so you have no right to speak. Especially if you're talking about you're sister." Andromeda flinched as she whispered an apology and turned to eat her breakfast.

Minutes passed in silence until her father lowered his fork as he said, "Your mother and I have something to tell you." Andromeda put down her fork as she said, "Yes, father?" Her father finally looked at her as he said, "You know how we were planning a family trip to our summer home in Paris." Andromeda nodded her head as she repeated, "Yes, father." Her father continued to look at Andromeda as he said, "Well, you're not coming with us."

Andromeda blinked in surprise, the trip had been planned months in advance, and would take place in less than a week. While she was nervous about going to an unfamiliar place, the idea of visiting a foreign country was thrilling. At least Seffy thought it would be thrilling. Persephone had always been the braver of the two, and she had always wanted to go to Paris.

A minute passed before she asked, "Why is that, Father?" Andromeda made sure to keep her tone respectful, she didn't want to accidentally insult her parents. Nevertheless, her mothers eyes flicked with irritation as she said, "Because, if you come with us to Paris, you will undoubtedly be easily agitated by the smallest of things. To put it simply, your nervous behavior would ruin of vacation, and that is something I could not take."

Andromeda's eyes dropped to her plate. It was true. She was easily upset at times, but it wasn't something she could help. She had tried to get over her anxiety in the past, but it had never worked. Andromeda bit her lip softly, her parents were right. She would ruin their trip, and that would be an extremely selfish thing to do.

After a while, Andromeda raised her head as she said, "Then I suppose that I shall stay at home while you are away?" Her father lowered his cup of espresso as he shook his head, "No, you'll be staying with your Aunt Christina. While you are there you will continue to go to school, not to mention learn how to get rid of that ridiculous fearful attitude you adopted ten years ago." Andromeda flinched at sharp tone of his voice, but knew that he was right. She nodded silently and ate the rest of her meal in silence.

After her parents had left, she walked up to her room and sat at her desk chair and reached for her phone. After hesitating for a moment she picked it up and started dialing the number. Perhaps she was over-reacting, but her Aunt Cristy had always been the least accepting of all of her Uncles and Aunts. If it was at all possible, Andromeda was hoping that she could stay with another of her relatives while her parents were away.

However, her Uncle Jeffery said no because he felt that her 'constant anxiety would undermine his daughters self-confidence'. Next, her Aunt Adelaide said that being around her would prove to be detrimental to her prize winning bulldogs Oscar and Pookie. Andromeda had some hope as she called her Aunt Marge who she spent as much time as possible with. But, her hopes sank as she heard her answer the phone. Unfortunately, her Aunt Marge had caught a particularly contagious sickness and wouldn't be well for a while. And although the sickness wasn't particularly dangerous, her Aunt Marge still did'nt want to pass it along to her.

After she hang up, Andromeda sighed and closed her eyes. It seemed that hardly a moment had passed before the phone on her desk rang and her hand drifted over to pick it up and she said, "Hello, this is Andromeda Campbell speaking, may I ask who is calling?" The person who had called snorted as she said, "Please, don't pretend that you didn't know I was going to call after hearing what you did." Andromeda winced and instinctively sat straighter as she fidgeted and said, "I'm sorry Aunt Cristy, I didn't mean to offend you by asking to stay elsewhere."

Andromeda sat rigidly as her Aunt scoffed and said, "I know that you idiot. You're always going about try not to offend people or cause conflict. I should mention you failed at both right now. Whether you like it or not, you will be staying at my house while you're parents are enjoying themselves. And while you are here, I expect you to grow a spine for once and stop allowing yourself to act pathetic!"

Andromeda shuddered involuntarily as she said quickly, "Yes, Aunt Cristy, I shall try my best!" Her aunt scoffed lightly, and ended the call abruptly. Andromeda sighed lightly. Talking with Aunt Cristy was never a pleasant experience, even before the incident.

Her head turned at the sound of someone knocking politely on the door and called, "You can come in." A moment later, a tall woman entered the room and said, "Good day, Miss Campbell." Andromeda smiled as she said, "Hello, Mrs. Williams." Lisa Williams had been the first of the nannies Andromeda's parents had hired to look after their daughter nine and a half years ago. Out of all the nannies, Mrs. Williams had stuck around the longest and always been the kindest. Even now, when Andromeda's parents no longer employed her, did Mrs. Williams come to check on her every so often to see how she was feeling.

Mrs. Williams brown eyes scrutinized Andromeda's face carefully before she said, "You're Aunt Christina called just now, didn't she?" Andromeda smiled lightly as she said, "Yeah, she did. Apparently I'm going to stay at her house instead of going on the trip with mother and father." Mrs. Williams nodded before she said, "But that's not all that's bothering you, is it?"

Andromeda chuckled softly before she said, "No, it isn't. I've been thinking about my boyfriend too." Andromeda's eyes dropped as she said softly, "Edward ... seems to have changed recently. I feel like he's withdrawn some, and I don't know why. I don't think I've done anything to upset him, but I'm not certain." Andromeda bit her lip gently as she though about her boyfriend, Edward Maison. She and Edward hand been dating for roughly for roughly five and a half weeks despite her parents saying that she couldn't date until she was sixteen. The relationship had gone rather smoothly until she had refused to sleep with him two weeks ago.

Mrs. Williams smiled as she said, "Well then, it seems we have to do something to remind him how much you love him. How about you cook something special for him? Most couples in a relationship enjoy eating food made by their lover, and you are actually good at cooking." Andromeda nodded quietly, on her eighth birthday neither of her parents could be around, so the chief who prepared their meals had made cookies with her to celebrate. Ever since then, Andromeda had loved to cook and taken special care to prepare good food. In fact, she enjoyed cooking so much that Andromeda wanted to own a bake shop when she grew up, or at least work in one.

A smile slipped across Andromeda's face as she said, "Alright." Mrs. Williams checked her watch as she said, "I wish I could stay longer, but I have to get to work." Andromeda nodded as she said, "I understand, thanks for coming." Mrs. Williams gave her a fond smile before she waved goodbye and walked out of the room.

Once she left, Andromeda began to plan out the meal that she would make. If everything went well, her relationship would be alright. At least, she hoped it would be.

Dallas Winston took a drag on his cigarette as he looked at Sylvia, his girlfriend, who was currently leaning against him. After a minute she propped her chin on Dallas' shoulder as she she said, "Alright Dally, I can tell somethings eating at ya. Well, unless you want a little something that is." Sylvia flutters her eyelashes and leaned closer in a seductive way, but Dallas just snorted.

After a minute, he said, "Two-Bit said he saw you getting cozy with a Brumly boy a while back. You have anything to say about that?" Sylvia snorted and rolled her eyes as she said, "Of course he did. Two-Bit is just one of those guys who don't like me. I'd bet he'd say anything to get me away." Dallas scoffed lightly as Sylvia steadfastly refused to give a straight answer.

He supposed he ought to break up with her again, but at the moment he didn't really care. Even if he broke up with Sylvia, they'd wind up back together again most likely. In the end, breaking up with her would be a waste of time and effort.

Dallas put out his cigarette and stood up as he ignored a complaint from Sylvia who sulked as he left. Ten minuted later, he met up with Tim Shepard who nodded in greeting before they headed to the drugstore intent on stealing something.

So there it is, the first chapter. I think I did alright, or at least a little better than before. I think Andromeda seems more like a genuine person this time. Also, I'm not quite certain about the part about Dallas. Anyways, I would be very happy to get a review or a critique. Obviously I don't want to be flamed, but a little advise would be very welcome.