By Myself, But Never Alone

Rating: T

Disclaimer: I don't own the Outsiders

Summary: Ponyboy is going off to college, and Sodapop and Darry are moving on with their lives. SodaOC, DarryOC. I'm not exactly sure where this story is going yet, but I can tell you that it is focusing on Darry. I know that this chapter is a little slow; sorry 'bout that. It should pick up as we move along. Also, this is my first Outsiders story, so go easy on me :)

Reviews are always welcome. I don't mind criticism, but naturally I find constructive criticism to be more helpful than flames.

Enjoy!

"Hey Darry!" Two-Bit yelled.

Darry winced. Two-Bit was standing roughly two feet away from him, a blonde girl in each arm. "What do you want, Two-Bit?"

"Shannon an' Heather an' I are gonna go inspect one of Buck's bedrooms. If I'm not out in five minutes, don't come in after me." Two-Bit answered loudly, tilting his head towards both of the girls in turn before guffawing at his own joke. Darry just shook his head as Two-Bit stumbled towards the back of the house in his drunken stupor. Now almost 22, Two-Bit hadn't changed a bit since high school.

Darry leaned back against the wall, observing. There was no denying it: he was downright miserable here. Somehow, in a moment of great weakness, Darry had allowed himself to be convinced to come to one of Buck's parties. He hadn't been to a "real party", as Two-Bit put it, in years, and besides, they were celebrating Ponyboy going off to college. After his parents died, Darry had lamented the fact that he could no longer go out and party, like most people his age. Now, Darry realized that he hadn't been missing much by skipping the beer-fests: the music was too loud, the number of drunken people too great, the scent of vomit too strong. He wished he was at home, maybe sipping a beer, watching TV. Here, he felt like an intruder. He didn't fit in here. Darry wasn't like Two-Bit, who could drink himself into a happier state with a blonde or two, or like Steve and Soda, who each had their girls to keep them company. No, he was alone. Except for the gang, nobody here even seemed to know him; and of course, they all seemed to know each other. They were a different generation than him, he reasoned; they still clinging to their teenage years, he a full-fledged adult. A few of them sent less-than-friendly glances in his direction; they probably thought he was an undercover cop, sent to bust up the party. To sum it up, he could not wait for the ordeal to end.

Darry glanced around the room, searching for the people he knew to distract himself from his unhappiness. Over on one of the couches lie Soda, eyes nearly closed, the very definition of relaxed as his girlfriend, Diana, slowly massaged his shoulders and neck, seemingly oblivious to the blaring music and rowdy people. Dancing near the keg were Steve and Evie. Based on how closely they were dancing, he estimated that it would only be a few minutes before they left the party in favor of the privacy of Steve's car. The door Two-Bit had entered was now closed and presumably locked. Ponyboy was perched on a chair, in the middle of a heated debate with a few of his friends. Darry had passed them earlier, curious to know what they were talking about; he caught the words "Shakespeare" and "iambic pentameter". Darry couldn't help but smile upon hearing this; while discussing the Bard at a party clearly put Ponyboy on the nerdier end of the spectrum, Darry was glad that his little brother was not taking after Two-Bit.

"Hey Darry!" A voice asked right next to him. "How's it going?"

Darry turned and saw that Soda had left the couch to come stand next to him. "Not bad." He replied, turning to face the partiers again.

"You know, this is a lovely corner you're camped out in here, but if you like, I can introduce to someone." Soda offered, hooking his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans.

"No thanks." The older brother said. "Where's Diana?"

Soda tilted his head. "Restroom. We're leaving in a few minutes. She's gotta be at the salon early tomorrow." He explained. Diana worked as a hairdresser and beautician at a salon.

"Things are going pretty good for you two, huh?"

Soda nodded slowly. "Yeah, yeah we're pretty serious."

Darry pulled him into a one-armed hug. "Look at us. Ponyboy going off to college, you and Diana…"

"And you, landing that promotion at work. You're practically management now."

"Associate assistant supervisor is hardly management. I still mostly lift things." Darry pointed out.

Soda shook his head, grinning at Darry's modesty. "Look at us."

"You ready, Sodapop?"

Darry and Soda turned to see a petite girl with dark, curly hair standing nearby. "Sure thing, Diana." Soda replied, extending his arm. Diana obediently latched on. "See ya later, Darry." Soda called over his shoulder, as he steered Diana towards the door. Darry lifted a hand and waved good-bye.

Suddenly, Darry decided that he had had enough of the party. He was tired, he had a headache, and he was ready to go home. Darry wove through the people to get to where Ponyboy's discussion appeared to be wrapping up. Darry tapped his youngest brother's shoulder.

Ponyboy twisted his neck. "Oh, hey Darry."

"Hey. We need to get going. Early morning tomorrow." Darry said. Tomorrow, they would be transporting Ponyboy and his belongings to his dorm at the University of Oklahoma.

"Yeah, I know." Ponyboy took one final sip of his beverage, before standing. He bid farewell to his friends, and then followed Darry out to his pick-up truck, prattling on and on about what exactly he would need to pack. Darry was a little too tired to care at this point.

"Hey, Darry?" Ponyboy asked, taking a momentary break from his one-sided conversation about college as they drove away from Buck's. It was now well after midnight, and the streets were mostly deserted.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for coming to the party."

"You're welcome, kid."

Sooooo? What'd you think? Please review.