Alright,everyone ! I want make some precision if you think this story a little bit difficult to understand . First, forgive me if the write seem a little weird . I am french and translate my stories for that you,guys,can read without have difficulties . But sometime,the translation from french to english can be a little bit different . So,please,think that I do my best for to make that as comprehensible as possible . Second,about the Curtis parents . Well,here Mrs Curtis call Emma and,but that we know already,Mr Curtis call Darrel . I called them in this story after the name that I give them in my story In Memory Of You . But I can understand that you can wonder who are Emma and Darrel if I not specify that it mean Mr and Mrs Curtis at least one time in this first chapter . Here that's all . What I can say now is enjoy,and if you want not forgot to give your review .

I do not own The Outsiders.

Friday, December 21, 1962.

Sodapop was sitting on the edge of the bed in Darry's room and absently watching his big brother try his thousandth shirt since twenty minutes. He didn't understand why Christmas Dance was so important to him, and the only reason he saw was that Darry will go with his new girlfriend, Stacey, a blonde doll with big green eyes of his class,he had succeeded to convince her to go out with him. It must be said that he rowed to finally get a yes from the sweet girl, shy and studious, while him passing for the popular and seductive guy he was. He had to be really in love, thought Soda, seeing for the first time him make a such circus for a ridiculous Christmas Dance. From the living room he can heard Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley and rang the joyful shoutings of his parents in conversation with Ponyboy. The little boy was delighted to show them his very encouraging report card of the first term of school.

"And like that, what do you say ?" Darry asked, passing his thousand and one shirt.

Soda shrugged. "As well as the thirty-six thousand others you tried ," he replied without enthusiasm.

"Yeah ! That's what I thought too," Darry smiled adjusting the neck of the blue flannel shirt.

"Why don't you put a suit anyway ?" Soda asked, watching him move a black leather belt with his jeans. Darry looked the innocent look on the face of his brother,was reflected in the mirror of his wardrobe,and smiled. Soda had just turned thirteen, in many ways he was still a child, although in some time, he knew he would put a point to care for his appearance to appear in his best in the eyes of the girl he liked,like him " It's a Christmas dance, he replied with a smile. We can afford to go to dress other than Penguin. You'll understand soon ."

"Yeah,Soda was shaking his head briefly. Maybe ."

"How are you "maybe" ? And this new girl you told me ? The new of your class ... What's her name again ?"

"Sandy ? She's a silly ."

"Oh yeah ? You didn't tell me this the other day ."

"Well ... I've changed my mind," Soda casted a furtive glance towards the wardrope where Darry was going on, one last,shot comb in the hair and seemed to have completely turned his attention to him. He sighed. Talk about Sandy brought him to think of school and of the folded paper in the pocket of his jeans. Taking care not to attract Darry's attention, he discreetly went out and unfolded it . He couldn't keep his mouth twisting into a resigned grimace when he laid the eyes on the paper.

"What is it ?" the voice of Darry suddenly startled.

"Nothing," he answered quickly folding the paper, but not fast enough to keep his big brother to seize briskly.

"Give me back this ! Soda furiously shouted,standing up and jumping to try to catch the paper that Darry held above his head."Come on, Darry! Give me that ! Please! "

"Catch it !" Darry laughs while holding the paper higher and higher. Soda made several new attempts then resigned and went back to sit on the bed, crossing his arms. He felt the tears of fury and frustration sting his eyes. "Keep it, I don't care,anyway," he said, containing the sob in his voice. Realizing that his brother was about to cry, perhaps his fault, Darry soon found his seriousness and approached slowly. " Take , he said handing Soda the paper he gently grabs. Excuse me ."

"No .It's not because of you," Soda said, wiping his eyes.

"So what ? It is because of this Sandy ?"

"Stop with this girl !" Soda angrily exclaimed, turning to him."I told you she is a silly !"

"Ok ! Ok ! Darry said, raising his hands and struggling not to smile. I understood ." Soda looked away to put on the paper folded in half in his hand. He felt again the tears of frustration coming to him.

"Look," he said, giving him the sheet. Darry unfolded the paper to discover what it was noted in his little brother's record card that he traveled quickly. "Oh, shit, he dropped before recovering quickly. Oh uh...I didn't mean ..."

"No, Soda cut. You're right. It really sucks! I'm really zero ." He leaned over to watch again the table listing, subject by subject, his average rating in the first quarter, and shook his head in disgust.

"Stop it,Darry said softly. You're exaggerating. Look, you have the average in gym, and almost in mathematical ." He paused, realizing that his attempt to reassure his little brother was futile. Unless he didn't choose the best way. Soda had lowered his head and suddenly seemed so fragile. "You aren't zero, buddy, okay? I don't wanna hear you say stuff like that ."

"Mom and Dad will be disappointed ," Soda sighed in a small voice.

"Why are you so sure? They will tell you to try to make progress, that's all ."

"Progress," Soda sighed in disbelief.

"Yes ! I can give you a hand ."

"Pony too . Is that the problem ." Darry smiled sweetly before the defeatism of his little brother.

"Come on,little buddy, he said, shaking him gently on the shoulder. In any case you shouldn't have to fear the reaction of the parents. OK?"

"But ... uh ... I ... I told them that it wasn't too bad . And ... Maybe I could ...," Soda suggested timidly.

"No, Soda, you have to show them ! You don't want to tell them that you lost it or something like that, huh?"

"But... You saw the comments of the teachers . I don't want Mom and Dad are disappointed and Christmas is spoiled because of me ."

Darry crossed his arms and shook his head. "It was your idea ?" he asked suspiciously.

"Well ... it was Steve's,Soda confessed embarrassed. But, uh ... He just wanted to help me, you know ."

"Yeah ... but well, it's not terrible as help, Darry replied. Well, listen. I think,me, that it's better not lie to them, right? That would be the best way spoil yourself Christmas. Mom and Dad will understand. I'm sure. If you want, I can help you . "

Soda thought for a minute. It was so ironic that he fears to show his dismal note to his parents, who were the best in the world, while Steve was proud to make his father to sign his while he was so often close to correct him at the slightest prank.

"No, he firmly decided. It's ... it's me who has to do it. Alone ." Darry smiled and squeezed his shoulder gently. "Well, little brother, I'm proud of you ." He noticed that Soda's eyes filled with tears again when he smiled back and patted his back comfortingly sign.

"Darry !" Pony's child voice called from the corridor. "Darry! he said, opening the door wide. Mom said you shouldn't expect your date to the dance ! Soda, you come ? Johnny will arrive, we will make popcorn for garlands . And we can eat some of it ! Soda ? "Pony stopped dead in front of his brother who had just had time to pull the sheet from the hands of Darry and stuff it into his pocket. "What happen, Soda?" he asked, seeing his reddened eyes.

"Nothing, Pony ,Soda answered quickly. I'm fine ."

"Looks like you cried ! What did you do to him, Darry ?" Pony turned an angry face toward his older brother hoping well get a valid answer.

"Oh ! Slowly, little buddy ! Darry replied, a half smile appears on his lips. What will you imagine ? I have no reason to make Soda to cry ! While you... " with a quick move, he grabbed Pony by the waist and threw him on the bed before going to tickle nervously. It didn't take five seconds for Pony lost in large bursts of laughter which redoubled when Soda began to imitate his brother.

"Stop, guys ! cried the little boy. Ah ! Help! I can't anymore ..."

"So ? You shout grace ?"Darry asked in a tone of mock threatening redoubling his tickling.

"Yes ... Yes ... I shout ... grace ... Please, just let me go !" Darry exchanged a mischievous look with Soda and asked, "What do you think ? He has his own ? "Soda pretended to think while not letting go of his grip on Pony before nodding. "Yeah ... he said smiling. I think he understood ."

Darry gave him a nod and gently straightened his little brother caught his breath.

"Hey ! You will be late, son." Darry turned to the door where his father had just appeared. Leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, Darrel smile at the scene unfolding before his eyes, his three sons heckling happily.

"Oh, I'd tell you ! Pony exclaimed hurring to run to his father, to escape a new "attack" from his big brother. Go, you come, Soda ?" Soda cast a quick glance towards Darry. He wanted to believe he was right. Better to show his report card to his parents, spend the storm and have a good Christmas. But,he could possibly do it later .

"I arrive !" he said as he rushed to the door, with much less enthusiasm than usual .

The street was very quiet, a few hours later when Darry cut the engine of his father's old pick-up that he had carefully parked safely in front of the screen door of their small yard . He took a minute to savor the last moments of the evening. He had never enjoyed at this point little Christmas Dance of his high school. Yet he began his last year. With a satin blue dress slightly neckline, her hair held by two thin strips, her beautiful green eyes that seemed to finally see him, Stacey had dazzled him. They danced almost every hits of the moment played by the small orchestra of Will Rogers High School who took care of integrate the dance some Christmas song discs. Darry and Stacey had finished the evening with a slow rhythm of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra. Then he was able to discover that the shy girl had a great sense of humor and repartee. Stacey was the middle class, she wasn't concerned with the eternal war between Greasers and Socs. "It will end one day," she told him with great conviction, when they had approached the subject by joining the old pick-up. Darry had felt her soft, warm hand in his, and then he looked and didn't know how he kept kissing her, he had wanted to believe she was right.

A car passed on the road so far deserted interrupted his reverie and brought his thoughts to Soda. He had never really bothered to ask how his brother felt with his problems at school. Comments from teachers that he had read on the record card of Soda were very hard and humbling. What discouraged from making progress. Soda had since his childhood reckless and facetious temperament. Also, Darry was disturbed to see him so upset. But how could he help without hitting a little more his pride.

The evening had been rather quiet in the house Curtis. After dinner, Emma had prepared popcorn in a large bowl she had placed on the coffee table so that Pony, Johnny and Soda can thread onto the horsehair yarn and make beautiful garlands. And she had moved to the piano to play some sweet Christmas songs, including Silent Night, We Wish You a Merry Christmas and many others. Darrel had spent the evening trying to repair an old musical automaton offered by Grandmother Joan to Emma after Darry's birth . Poor old Santa had seen all the colors in the hands of children who adored him until three years old ago when Soda was fun to turn it into a snowman. The freezes was beat up the mechanism that forced the old automaton sleeping in a box since this day .

Emma had then sent the children to bed. Johnny had, of course, was kindly invited to sleep at home, to joy of Ponyboy. "Since your parents are late at home," Emma told him subtly. Of course, she knew that the real reason was that the Cade didn't care about where their twelve year old son spent the night, but was it worth more to confront Johnny neglect of his parents? He was conscious enough like that.

About two hours had passed since the boys had gone to bed. A soft dim light, scattered by candles arranged here and there, reflected on the walls permeated the living room a warm atmosphere. Darrel and Emma had given Darry the permission to return at midnight, knowing that after the dance he would certainly hang out with his friends, they trust him enough to know that he wouldn't seek to interfere in any fight or conflict,and they wanted to enjoy this little quiet time, just simply enjoy each other as they could do at the time when they were still two young lovers. On the record player was playing The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole. Darrel was sitting at the corner of the couch and gently hugged Emma who had removed her shoes to sit comfortably against him. Both kissed tenderly, slowly swerving to the passion of their twenty years, the hands of Darrel through in Emma's sweet hair as she gently pressed hers against his robust torso ,when the door opened noisily.

"Darry ? Emma gasped, sitting up quickly. Oh ... Uh ... You ... You're already gone ?" She grabbed her shoes that she pulled quickly before to readjust her hair while Darrel slipped discreetly from the couch to get up.

"How was your night,son?" he asked as he walked briskly to the door, retending to check whether it was indeed close for to hide his embarrassment. "And that dance ?"

Standing there, facing the embarrassment of his parents,Darry couldn't help smiling. He was himself a little embarrassed for having found them like that,tenderly entwined, it wasn't something he was accustomed to witness, far from it . But he knew his parents loved each other like the first day and, basically, he hoped that,one day,him too could know a such love.

"It was great," he simply said, smiling.

"Oh yes ? But ... uh ... I thought you would return later. It is hardly eleven," Darrel noticed looking at his watch.

"Oh, it's because Stacey had back at ten thirty . I ... I escorted her at her home ." Darry felt a bit ill-at-ease. He didn't want explain in detail his evening to his parents, but the eloquent smile on his face spoke for him.

"Darrel Shayne Curtis Jr ! Emma warned. I hope you got properly driven with ..."

"Don't worry, mom, Darry interrupted her with a mischievous look. I led in perfect Southern gentleman," he said leaning over to kiss her on the cheek. "Good night, Mom ." Then he spun quickly to his room to escape to others questions .

"Hold on, son!" Darrel stopped him in the hallway. Darry stopped dead, wondering if his father didn't want to turn to lecture him.

"Dad ...," he sighed impatiently.

"Oh, don't worry, Darrel smiled giving him a pat on the shoulder. Your mother is best than me regarding this kind of lesson . I let her that role. Even if...I guess your evening ended much more pleasant than you want to admit, not true, the Southerner gentleman? "

Darry ran his hand through his hair, embarrassed. "No comment," he said by exchanging with his father a telling smile.

Indeed, as he drove Stacey at the door of the house of her parents, she was raised towards him her green eyes where he could see shining stars of miles when she said, smiling: "You have been a very wise man tonight, Mr Curtis .Don't you think it's time to exchange our Christmas gifts now ?" Darry had suddenly felt stupid for not having nothing brought to her , especially knowing that she was leaving for the holidays with his parents, then his eyes had crossed hers who stared him insistently. And he understood where she was going. He didn't want to ruin their budding relationship, as had he applied all evening to remember to not kiss her, and yet God knew how many he wanted ! Then,he gently grabbed her face ,feeling the soft skin under his fingers,and slowly leaned toward her, placing his lips on hers. The kiss that was meant chaste became more fiery, just enough to make it clear to Darry that the sweet young girl allowed it. Darry would could kiss her for hours, but he knew it was wise to stop. "I have waited for this moment all the night, he had whispered in catching his breath, resting his forehead against her "And I, Stacey had smiled, I was wonded when you would decide. " In response he had filed a gentle kiss on her lips before letting disappear inside.

"I'm happy for you,Darrel said sincerely. But it's not what I wanted to tell you ."

"So what is it ?" Darry suddenly saw the face of his father take a keen mine.

"Well ... I don't know but...Soda seemed me eerily quiet tonight .You ... you haven't noticed,you ?" Darry bit his lower lip, Soda therefore hadn't yet said anything.

"Uh...no,he answered vaguely, avoiding eye contact with his father. ."

"Come on, Darry ! I'm not stupid, you know. I saw he had been crying just now, when you're gone . So ?"

Darry sighed. Would it betray the trust of his little brother to talk about his problems at school with their parents ? Soda had seemed so distraught, he wanted to give him a hand. But he had given him a chance to talk to them by himself. All this wasn't so tragic after all !

"Yeah,he casually said. It's ... uh ... it was just a conversation between brothers ." In the wary look of his father he realized he wasn't going to settle for this response. "About something at school,you see ? A girl he says find stupid," he added quickly. Darrel seemed surprised, visibly upset and surprised to realize that his barely thirteen's son is already to worry about the girls. "Ah ... I see .It might be that I talk to him, so ..."

Darry couldn't help but to issue a small smile. He would certainly could find a better explanation, especially thinking back to the reaction of Soda when he told him about Sandy, but now nothing else had come to him to save his bet. "Dad ! he laughs . Don't worry, I manage, okay. Trust me. "

"Hey,Darry ! Darry, you sleep ?"

Darry had finally asleep after returning a hundred times in his bed, the events of the day turning loop in his head. He got up and went class,as every day, so far nothing extraordinary. Then at lunch, Stacey had finally agreed to the dance together, which was one of the best night of his life. Then there was Soda ... Maybe he had been wrong not to tell the truth to his father? Anyway, he would see ! He ended up saying before he felt his eyelids grew heavy.

He was diverted to a dream in which he saw himself dancing with Stacey, just the two on a huge dance floor to the sound of Eath Angel by The Penguins, one of many dances they had shared during the dance, him in an elegant three piece tuxedo and her so dazzling in a blue dress glittering night . They circled their eyes locked with each other, alone in the world ... When Soda suddenly appeared in the middle of the track.

"Darry ! Darry !Hey !You sleep ?" Darry opened his eyes to see his little brother standing in front of his bed. He rubbed his eyes growling.

"Um ... what do you want, Soda ? I sleep there ."

"I was waiting for you to come home, I couldn't sleep." Soda sat on the edge of the bed, which creaked slightly. "I ... I didn't. I wasn't able to talk to Mom and Dad ." Darry sighed heavily and stand up on one elbow.

"I know, buddy. Dad asked me what happen with you ."

"You didn't say anything to him, huh?" Soda worried immediately.

"No,Darry replied yawning loudly. I ride him a boat, but ... I don't want to lie to them for centuries ".

"Thank you, Dar,Soda smiled, thankful . I will tell them, it's just... I don't know how ." He lowered his head and added ruefully: "I'm really zero ". Darry rubbed his face and glanced at his younger brother. Soda was so sparkling natural, it was strange to see so concerned about his report card, but at the same time, it was enough to read the murderous remarks of his teachers to understand him .

"Hey ! I told you I didn't want to hear this,Darry reminded him gently, sitting down completely. Look,try not to make a drama,okay. It is only a bad time to go. What bored you as deep ? "

Soda shrugged, before replying in a small voice: "It is ...to...To have lied . They will be disappointed by that .I wonder ..." he paused and narrowed his eyes taking a thoughtful pout.

"What ?"

"Maybe that I can find a way to catch up me ," Soda thought aloud.

"Yeah,if you did do that ,Darry said lying down again,his voice deviant back to sleep. You count stayed up all the night, or what ?"he added, noting Soda that didn't move, still lost in thought.

"Hmm. Anyway,I can't sleep, then. As racking my brains !"Soda said jumping out of bed.

Darry shook his head and smiled slightly, well there he recognized the wacky nature of his little brother. "Go, come !" he said, pushing the edge of the bed, freeing some space. Soda gave him a dubious look. "Are you sure ? I'm too old, no ?"

"If it can keep you from going in circles all the night and wake up me every time you have an idea. It's ok !" Darry said throwing a pillow he grabbed the fly. "Hurry up, before I change my mind ." Soda looked at the pillow in his hands and nodded. He slid into the bed next to his big brother and crossed his arms behind his head.

" There is indeed something I can do, he muttered to himself causing a low growl of Darry." Sleep now ,"he moaned wearily.

"Ok," Soda said turning his front side to stand up again. "Hey, Darry ! In fact, it was good,your evening ?" Already half asleep, Darry turned his head and said with a half smile, "It was really great. And that's all you have to know for now. Go,good night, little buddy. " He turned on his left side and sank back into a deep sleep.

"Yeah. Good night," Soda remained a waking moment. But it wasn't because of his brother's pronounced snoring . What could he do to catch up his lie ? He thought that Darry had said : "Try to not make a drama ". But he couldn't help but worry. His parents were so good, make them happy might be able to erase their disappointment . He had to find ! One of the songs that his mother had been played on the piano through his head. Silent Night... While he was attending to the sleep of others past Christmas images associated with this song was passing in his head ... He suddenly opened his eyes and almost jumped, lacking wake Darry and whispered. "I think I found !"