Disclaimer: S.E. Hinton owns The Outsiders.
You take a good, long moment to study him. He looks so grown up now, so much like a man that you have to wonder if he is still your kid brother. Is this how your parents saw you when you graduated high school?
He's so different, yet, he's still the same.
He's still Ponyboy, your baby brother, the "little colt," yet in front of you stands a young man with sharp features, a determined look in his eyes, and a collected exterior.
It'll only be you attending his graduation, and you tell yourself that you won't cry. No, you will be strong, you need to be. You wish desperately that Soda could be witnessing this with you, but you know that he'll be there in spirit. Steve is still overseas, and Two-Bit has to work.
The last part still sounded silly to you, Two-Bit working. Glory, that was still something you needed to digest.
Ponyboy looks at you, and you nod in approval. "Lookin' good there, little buddy."
He grins in response. You wonder how he's feeling right then, if he's nervous, if he's scared, but you don't ask him. You know you're feeling all of that and more for him by yourself.
You'll never admit it, but Ponyboy scares you something awful; he's your greatest fear. You know he's smart, that he's going places, and Lord almighty how that scares you.
You've thought about him out there alone in the world, wondering what kind of new adventures would find him. You keep telling yourself that Ponyboy is a smart kid, though. He will pull through, just like he always does.
You're so proud of him, so proud of the person he's become. You see yourself in him, and in yourself you see your father, and you know both of your parents, and Soda, are proud of him, too.
"Darry?" he calls, and it takes you a moment to snap out of your thoughts. Your eyes meet his, and he looks at you with a slight blush on his cheeks. "Can you help me with the tie?"
You almost chuckle, but you simply nod. "Of course, kiddo."
And you do, just like your father taught you. Once you're done, you grin at your youngest brother, still in disbelief that he's nearly your height. He's slimmer, though; he doesn't have your muscles, but that makes you smile inside.
Hey, you're still Superman, after all.
"I'm real proud of you, little brother," you admit, tossing an arm around his shoulders. The fact that he's officially graduating today still isn't quite registering in your mind.
Where has the time gone?
"Me, too," he says, leaning into your side. And then he looks at you, tilting his head only a little as his green eyes land intently on yours. "Don't let me fall."
"Never."