Summer of '69

Prequel

Its been a while but this is the FINAL chapter of the 'One by One' series. Or whatever you can call it lol this time, it'll have a bit of a more happier ending for sure (:

DISCLAIMERS: I DO NOT OWN The OUTSIDERS or THE SONG: Summer of '69. I ONLY OWN MY OWN OC's.

CHAPTER ONE: Three Years Later

The hot July sun felt like as if it there was a desert outside. There weren't any tumbleweed, but only a few cars roamed the streets and very few people walked the sidewalks. A light breeze gently blew in the air making it barely noticeable and according to a nearby thermometer, it read 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Greasers chatted amongst themselves at local drive ins, small restaurants and even the DQ, which was crowded with people. Anyone would go anywhere where there were fans, keeping it cool.

In the far greaser side of town a young greaser laid cooped up in his room, reading a book. The heat was unbearable and he would have rather stayed inside where it was slightly cooler than the treacherous heat.

Knock knock!

I grumbled as someone knocked on the door. The heat was wafting through the house and I had even opened all the windows. Who would want to come over? I sighed, setting my book down and swinging my legs off the edge of the bed and hopping up, sprinting towards the door, hearing the knocking get obnoxious.

"I'm coming!" I yelled an annoyance in my tone. Opening the door stood Howard, his fist prepared to knock again and his other arm slacked beside his side. I rolled my eyes.

"What do ya want?" I asked in a playful but serious tone. Howard snorted and raised an eyebrow, hooking his thumbs in his pockets. He had a lanky figure with brown hair and cheap, black rimmed glasses. He could be considered a nerd. He was taller than me and his sister. Today he wore a baggy tee shirt with jeans; he must've been out of his mind.

"C'mon Curtis I aint got nothing to do." I laughed and leaned against the door frame.

"So you bother me?" I asked him. Howard grinned knowing the answer.

"Shoot yeah. My sister went off to the Library with some of 'er friends and said to find something to do beside sit around the house." I rolled my eyes and sighed. I then wondered what Chris and Darwin were doing.

My so called now "step brothers" were out and about. Chris was 18, Howard's age, and Darwin was 16. They always liked to hang around the Sheppard's which I pretty much avoided or tried to. Chris and Darwin couldn't ever replace Darry and Sodapop, but they were kind enough to take me in and let me be family. Their mom was hardly home so it was just us three being responsible.

I then noted Howard mentioned his sister going to the library. His sister was Mable Marballow. She was a pretty brunette with green eyes and was my age. I had met her in the public school library three years ago after the 'incident'.

"Why don't we go tag along with yer sister or something?" Howard let out a deep sigh, just like I knew he would. It bugged him a lot when I mentioned his sister to him.

"Dude quit talkin' about my sister like she's some other girl from school." I bit the urge to laugh at his remark.

"I'm not, relax. I can't help but crush on your sister." Howard's face reddened and he adjusted his glasses.

"Leave my sister be to be with her friends. Let's go find Chris and Darwin." He said and sighed. Howard didn't take much of a liking to them either. He didn't mind Chris because he was Howard's age and was friendly, but Darwin bothered him a bit because of his swearing and attitude.

I only shrugged. "Whatever. Let's go." I said shutting the door behind me and starting to walk down the street, feeling the sun beat down on us. It was already feeling like torture with the sun blazing down on us, but having to walk around and search for my brothers was just a pain. Luckily though we didn't have to search far; Darwin and Chris were at a nearby DQ with the two Sheppard's.

"Ponyboy!" Chris yelled out my name a grin spreading wide across his face. I gave him a nod and Howard and I slipped into their booth. I was squeezed up against Darwin who gave me a smirk while Howard was smooshed uncomfortably next to Curly.

"Hey guys what's up?" I asked meeting all of their eyes, except Howard's. Curly and Tim shrugged and Chris looked real giddy.

"We're talking about girls!" he squealed excitedly. He glanced over at the counter then back at me.

"See the broad behind the counter?" I glanced over to see a blonde in a DQ uniform. She was petite but she looked average. She was a looker.

"Yeah? What about 'er?" I asked. Darwin looked down and Chris grinned.

"That's Darwin's crush!" Chris hissed making Darwin smack Chris's arm. I laughed and the girl from the counter looked up, making us burst out laughing, except for Howard and I. We kept quiet for the sake of the girl.

"What's her name?" Howard asked.

"Marylyn." Curly responded raising a quick eyebrow and back. I nodded and glanced at the girl one more time before back at Darwin. I nudged his side.

"You really like 'er?" I whispered. He didn't answer but his cheeks turned a slight shade of red, something very rare you saw from him.

"Awww!" Chris cooed, "Is my baby brother blushing?" Chris teased making Darwin glare at him. "Shut up!" Darwin growled crossing his arms. I glanced at the counter to see 'Marylyn' taking someone's order. At least she wasn't taking notice. Chris laughed only more and slapped Darwin's shoulder.

"C'mon Darwin take a chill pill." He said with a good natured grin. Darwin rolled his eyes before a girl walked over. It was Marylyn, with a tray filled with drinks.

"Sorry about the long wait. It's a hassle in the kitchen." She said placing drinks in front of everyone. I raised an eyebrow slightly and Howard glanced at me then to her. Marylyn looked at Chris and Darwin then to Tim and Curly.

"Curly, who're your friends?" Curly? How did she know Curly? Curly sighed and introduced us one by one.

"These greasers are Darwin, Chris, Ponyboy and Howard." He pointed us out one by one. Marylyn nodded with a small smile.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Marylyn Rose." She said. Curly only smiled admiring her and Darwin had a hint of jealousy in his eyes.

"Well, I gotta get back to work." She chirped before rushing back to the counter. Curly turned to Darwin with an angry stare.

"Alright here it is. You may have a "crush" on my girlfriend, but you aren't getting her. And if I DARE catch you with her, doing anything with her or to her, I will kill you with my bare two hands." Curly threatened before standing up and storming out of the Dairy Queen. Darwin only sat there, unaffected by his threat. I sighed.

This was going to be a long day.

Well? What do you guys think? Ideas? Please REVIEW! Tell me what you think! no flames pleassseee! Thank you!