Ok so this is my very first outsiders story please review and let me know if i should continue or not! I dont own anything and please review all reviews welcomed!


Chapter 1

Darry's POV

IT's been three months since our parents died in a tragic car accident. It has been really difficult on the whole family including the gang. Ponyboy and Sodapop locked themselves in their room for days just crying while I had to deal with all the arrangements for the funeral as well as caring for our little sister Erica who being only nine had trouble grasping the concept that her mommy and daddy were gone forever.

But now things are going back to normal or as normal as possible under the circumstances. I gave up my dream of college to take care of my siblings whom I do not regret at all I love them and would give up my life for them. Sodapop dropped out of school and now works full time at the DX where his best buddy Steve works part time. Ponyboy has gotten a lot shier and reserved since the accident. And Erica well she's been clingier. You growing up with three older brothers she always wants to be by our sides for everything but now instead of her wanting to be there for fun she wants to be there like she's afraid if she can't see us we'll disappear.

I had barely gotten any sleep last night between Ponyboy's violent nightmares, which started after losing our parents, and Erica waking me up at 4am to make sure I'm alright. I got up and made breakfast like any other normal day in our house, than I went to wake up Erica. Even though she's the youngest and smallest in this house she takes the longest to get ready. I walk back to my room where my baby sister is sleeping since she was to scared to go back into her own room. That how life is with her now I can put her to bed as many times possible but she'll still end up with me in the middle of the night.

"Baby girl com'on waky waky eggs and bacy" I say as I try to gently wake her up. Eventually she opens her eyes and I see her gorgeous baby blues. I hate to admit it but my sister is freakin adorable I already know I'll hate the day she turns into a women and boys will be knockin down the door.

"Mornin' Dare Bear!" Erica squeals as she lifts her arms to me, meaning she wants me o pick her up. I oblige and carry her out of the room. We walk to the boy's room where I can hear Soda's soft snorin' coming from. I open the door and drop Erica on the two teens. Soda has been sleeping with Pony to help with the nightmares and it seems to be working so far. Pony grumbles when he feels Erica land on him. She immediately starts to giggle which than makes Soda pop his head up and scare her and they both start giggling eventually Pony gives up on sleep and sits up rubbing his eyes.

I am just leaning against the door watching my three siblings thinking how did I get so lucky with them?

"Come on breakfast is ready everybody up!" I tell them all Erica jumps right up and runs to her room to get dressed as the boys start getting ready as well. When I go back to the kitchen I finish up breakfast and I feel a tugging on the back of my shirt. When I turn around I'm met with nothing until I look down and see my baby sister with tears in her eyes.

Erica in my opinion takes after Sodapop in the looks she's got dazzling eyes, brown hair that's wavy and flows down her back. The best is she looks a whole lot like mama. Whenever anyone of us looks at her all we see is ma.

"Baby? What's the matter?" I ask er crouching down to her level. She hugs me tight her little arms wrapped around my neck

" I-I-I always we-wear my hair in br-br-braids when I wear this dress!" she sobs in my shoulder. Oh great she not even 10 yet and already crying over hair? Seriously I cannot handle that. I really don't understand why this is an issue until she continues

"Mommy always braided my ha-hair" She cries some more. I feel Erica being taken away from my arms and look up to see sodapop holding her upside down! She starts to giggle as he tickles her and I can see her pretty little smile come back.

"Hey Miss Erica America!" All three of us smile at the nickname dad gave her when she was born "No need for tears I can braid that pretty mane of yours!" Soda says eagerly. Soda puts her in her chair and starts doing her hair while Erica starts eating her breakfast. Ponyboy eventually makes his appearance in the kitchen and starts eating.

"Ok Pone I need you to pick Erica up from school today I gotta work and so does Pepsi!" I told him sternly I feel bad putting so much responsibility on him but I got no other choice!

"Oh Darry I was gonna hang out with the gang after school not babysit my little sister it aint fair1" he complained

"Life aint fair Ponyboy and I aint askin' that much just get her bring her home and you and the gang can hang here, aint that big of a deal. Now I don't want to hear anymore about it understood?" he nods and I turn to Erica "Erica you listen and be a good girl for Pony you got it?" she looks up and nods. Soda who is now sitting eating his breakfast is looking at Ponyboy worriedly. I know Pony gets mad when I make him watch Erica but we got no other choice we all have to make sacrifices its life.

Soon enough all the boys come hooting and hollering through the door. Two-bit already has a beer in his hand which I don't approve of in front of Ponyboy let alone Erica. As I shake out of my thoughts I see Dally pick up Erica sit in her seat and put her on his lap. Erica looks up to Dally like no other no one understand why or why Dally hates kids but has a soft spot for her?

I look over and see that Johnny, Pony and Two-bit are getting ready to leave I glance at the clock and see that were going to be late!

"Come on guys were late Steve, soda get in the car for work we still got to drop off Erica. You all" I say looking at the three high schoolers "Get to school now before your late and Ponyboy don't forget to pick up Erica or I'll tan your hind! And Dallas don't wreak my house" They all grumble their answers and soon enough were all out. Me soda and Steve dropped of Erica and all headed to work. Just another hectic day at the Curtis house.