1957
"My name is Liberty Jade Parker, I'm 5, what is your name?" a small white haired little girl asked politely
"I am Ponyboy Curtis, I am 5 too." The little boy sitting next to her replied.
"Can we be fends?" She asked hopefully
"Yeah, if you want to be fends." He replied grinning.
"Course. We can be best fends. If you want to be my best fend?" She grinned back.
"Best fends." He nodded.
It was the first day of school for Liberty and Ponyboy. They were going to be in the same class. They went into class and had a great first day.
"Ponyboy! How was your first day at school?" A friendly woman asked.
Pony ran up to her and hugged her.
"Great." He smiled.
She laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Did you make any friends?" She asked
"Yes, I have a best fend. She is right over der." He replied pointing to the little girl who was standing alone. She looked upset and scared.
"Hello there, I'm Pony's mommy, where is your mommy or daddy?" She asked looking at the little girl's small sad face.
"My momma is not here. She will be at club. And daddy will be at bar. I think I have to go home by self." She explained.
Mrs Curtis smiled at her and picked her up. She was very small; she had white blonde hair and big blue eyes and she was very light.
"Do you want to come over to our house to play for a while then and then me and Pony will take you home?" She asked
She nodded and Mrs. Curtis put her down. She ran over to Pony and grabbed his hand. She smiled at him and they skipped along behind Mrs Curtis. They arrived at the Curtis house and they went inside. Pony and Liberty played together and waited for Pony's brothers to come home.
"My bothers will be home soon. They are big boys. Sodapop is seven and Darry is leven. My other best fend is coming too. He is called Johnny, he seven too." Pony said proudly.
"My bother is 8. He is not my real bother he has a different momma. Our daddy is the same. He is called Dally. I love him lots." She replied
"I know a boy called Dally!" Pony yelled
"Maybe it's my bother Dally!" She yelled back jumping to her feet.
The two children jumped around and shouted.
"What are you two yelling about?" Mrs Curtis laughed
"Liberty has a bother called Dally. He could be our Dally." Pony giggled.
"Well maybe it could be. We'll find out soon when they come in." She smiled.
The two settled down and began to play again.
"Hey mom." Two boys were standing at the door.
"Hey Mrs Curtis." The other boy said.
"Hey there Darry, Two-bit." She replied
"Darry! This is my best fend Liberty. She has a bother called Dally!" Pony shouted as he saw the two boys at the door.
He ran towards the boy and pulled him over to where Liberty was sitting on the floor drawing a picture. She smiled up at him showing her tiny little teeth.
"Hello. My name is Liberty Jade Parker. Who are you?" She asked politely.
"I'm Darrel Curtis, Ponyboy's big brother." He replied smiling back at her.
She stood up and gave him a hug and shook his hand.
She followed Pony to the door and was introduced to the boy.
"This is Two-bit. He is funny." Pony said grinning.
"Hello Two-bit" She smiled and shook his hand.
"Hey there. And who are you, Pony's girlfriend?" he laughed jokingly
Liberty and Pony looked at each other confused.
"She is my girlfriend. She's a girl and she is my friend. Two-bit you are so funny." Pony said laughing.
Liberty giggled and followed Pony outside. They were met by Pony's other brother Sodapop, Steve his best friend and Ponyboy's other best friend Johnny.
"Hello Soda, this is my other best fend, Liberty." Pony grinned
"It's very nice to meet you Liberty, I am Sodapop Curtis, and I'm 7!" He said pointing to his chest and grinning. He shook Liberty's tiny hand.
"And this is my best friend Steve Randle, he is eight though!" He beamed whilst pointing to Steve.
Liberty shook his hand and smiled at him.
"And this is my other best fend, Johnny, he is seven!" Pony said enthusiastically.
"Hello Johnny, my name is Liberty Jade Parker, I am 5 and Ponyboy is my best fend, can I be your fend too? " She asked her a huge grin across her face.
"Course, we can all be friends." Johnny said smiling.
Sodapop and Steve went inside of the house and the other three stayed in the garden.
"Where's Dally?" Johnny asked Pony.
"I don't know he not been yet. But Liberty has a bother called Dally!" He said smiling.
"He is 8." Liberty explained
So is Dally." Johnny replied.
"Maybe they are the same Dally." Pony suggested
"They might be. But Dally never told us he had a sister." Johnny sighed.
Mrs Curtis came outside and sat down beside the three small children.
"Any sign of Dally yet?" She asked
"Nope, he is late today. He is usual here by now." Pony said tapping his wrist as if a watch was there.
Liberty laughed and stood up.
"There is my Dally!" She yelled
"And there is our Dally!" Pony shouted.
Liberty ran out of the garden and up to the white haired boy who was coming towards them.
"Dally, I made some fends." She announced proudly.
"Where did you go? I told you I would be picking you up from school. I told you that you were to wait until I came for you." He said angrily.
"I forget. I went with Pony and his momma. I am sorry Dally. I was looking for Momma and she didn't come and I went with Pony's momma." She said tears streaming down her face.
"Don't cry Liberty, Its ok. Just don't go off like that with strangers. Who is this Pony anyway? Wait a minute did you say Pony? Ponyboy Curtis?" Dally asked
"Yes Ponyboy Curtis. He is my best fend. Do you know him? He said he knew you Dally. He told me but I don't know if it the same Dally." She said her face bright again.
"Yeah I know them. So Ponyboy is your new friend?" He asked
"Yes and Johnny is too. I have two fends now. And I have you and pony's momma and pony's bothers and their fends. I have lots of fends now Dally. Lots and lots." She grinned
"Yeah you do." He replied.
Dally walked in through the gate and was met by Pony and Johnny who were grinning at him, Liberty looked up at her brother and they all went inside for chocolate cake.
That night Liberty couldn't sleep as she was so happy. She had made lots of friends and was so happy. It was the best day she had ever had.
