Disclaimer: I don't own 'The Outsiders'

A/N: A year or two after the book.

Chapter 1:

Paul amazed me. He really did. I never could grasp how someone could be so well-liked, yet so thoughtless.

Don't get me wrong. Paul wasn't a bad person. He wasn't a good person, but he wasn't a bad person. He was just so reckless and even though he was smarter than he let on, he made some dumb decisions. He started fights for almost no reason and he never thought before he did. He was one of the toughest guys at school, if not the toughest. That gained him a lot of recognition with everyone and before he was fourteen, he had his own gang, the River Kings.

The River Kings - what good things could I say about them? Almost nothing, to be honest. The River Kings were just a gang that was made up of my brother's buddies, Joey, Ricky, Chip and Todd. They fought with a lot of gangs, very roughly, over petty things, like whose girl was whose or whose territory was whose. Sometimes they fought about stuff that was worth fighting for, but rarely. The only good thing that came out of the River Kings was that they were like a second family to both Paul and I. They were always there when we needed them and always there when we didn't.

My other brother David was apart of the gang too, but he's smarter than the rest of them. He knew when to fight and when not to. Besides, he's usually too busy working to care about girls and territories. That was why David was my favourite.

"...And then I slugged 'im."

My brother got loud encouragement from his gang. Then it wasn't long before he needed something from me.

"Janey!"

"What?" I said loudly, so he could hear me from the kitchen.

"Get me a beer!"

I rolled my eyes. "Get it yourself!"

"Janey!"

"What?"

"Did you not hear me?"

I angrily my pencil down and stalked over to the fridge. I opened it up, grabbed a beer, walked to the living room and threw it into his lap.

"There." I smiled smugly. "Happy?"

Paul mimicked my smile. "Very."

"Hey, Janey, I heard you got expelled."

I rolled my eyes at Chip. "Where'd you hear that one from?"

"Is it true?" Joey asked.

I sighed. "Yeah."

Chip cheered and put up his hand for a high-five. "Yeah, Janey!" I reluctantly gave him a high-five. "Did you pound her good?"

I nodded. "Yeah, Chip, I did."

Chip smiled widely. "Right on."

"Janey," Paul said warningly. "I wanted a beer and I got it, now split."

I rolled my eyes, but listened. I walked back into the kitchen and picked up my pencil again, thinking about how anyone in the entire world could like Paul.

"Jane!" My mother called. "Dinner!"

I groaned, got up and went to the kitchen. I sat down with my mother, father and brothers at the dining room table, dinner in front of me.

"Jane," my father said in his always-stern voice. "We need to talk about school."

I picked up my fork at pointed at him. "Yes. Yes, we do." I started to dig in and my father breathed out like an angry bull.

"Jane. I'm not happy that you were expelled."

"Yeah." I shrugged. "Guess I wasn't really feeling it."

Paul laughed.

"Don't encourage her, Paul," my mother said.

"Sorry, ma." Paul didn't sound apologetic in the least.

"I'm being serious, Jane. I'm not happy and there will be punishment."

I got goose bumps at his voice, but didn't show the least bit on fright. I just put my fork down and stood up. "You know what, I'm not all that hungry. I think I'll just go to Donna's."

"You sit down right now!"

I ignored my father's protest and started walking out of the room.

He caught my arm with his strong grip and spun me around. "I said, sit down."

"Fine." I yanked my arm out of his grip. When he turned around, I booked it out of the house.

"Jane!"

I ran out of the house and down the street. I slowed into a walk when I thought I was far enough. I pulled out a cigarette and tried to light it, but I already knew my lighter was running out of juice, so I wasn't surprised when it didn't light.

"Shit."

"Foul words for a pretty lady."

I smiled at the voice and turned around. "Cut the shit, Ray."

He smiled too, walking over to me and giving me a big kiss on the mouth. After that, he pulled out a lighter and lit my cigarette. "I got you, baby."

I pushed him away and laughed. "Shut up."

"What're you doin' out here anyway?"

I shook my head. "I don't really know. Just had to get out, I guess."

Ray smirked. "Wanna go back to my place?"

I scoffed. "No."

"C'mon, Jane." Ray put his arm around me. "Let's -"

"Jane!" my brother yelled at me. "Get your ass over here."

I sighed and shook off Ray's arm. I walked over to my brother and punched him in the shoulder, showing no animosity towards him. "You didn't have to come after me. I was doin' fine."

Paul scoffed. "Yeah. Meetin' up with Ray of the Tiber Street Wimps is doin' just fine."

I rolled my eyes as Paul stepped around me, and I tried to catch his jacket. "Paul, don't."

It was no use. Paul stepped around me and walked in front of Ray. "Ray."

"Paul."

"You know this isn't your turf. What're you doin' here?"

Ray's eyes glanced to mine. "I came for your sister, Paul. She's comin' with me."

"Like hell she is. Get lost, candyass." I put my head down to hide my smirk as Paul continued. "You stay on your turf and we'll stay on ours, you dig?"

Ray nodded. "Yeah, I dig." Then he winked at me. "I'll see you 'round, Jane." He walked off down the street with a confident stride, with only seemed to fuel Paul's fire.

Paul turned my way with an angry expression. "The hell are you doin' out here with Ray Tanner?" He pointed a finger at me. "I told you, if I ever caught you with him again, I'd skin you."

I smirked. "You wouldn't do that to your little sister."

Paul rolled his eyes and started walking. "Let's go."

"Where we goin'?"

"Home."

I turned in the other direction. "No."

"Jane," Paul said sternly.

"Paul," I mocked in the same tone.

"I'm gonna tell dad that you're hangin' out with older boys."

"Then you'll get lickin' too 'cause you were spying."

Paul crossed his arms angrily. "Shut up, Jane. We're goin' home now." He turned back around.

I sighed and followed. I didn't feel like fighting with Paul tonight and if I came back now, my father might not be so harsh on me.

"And take that damn thing out of your mouth."

I grumbled and threw the cigarette away. "Happy?"

Paul smiled smugly. "Very."

We walked back to the house slowly, enjoying the night air and the eery silence. When Paul and I walked back into the house, we were arguing, of course.

"I just don't see how -"

"Jane," David greeted me from the couch. "You're lucky dad's not here right now or you'd be gettin' it good."

I smiled, plopping down next to him. "How was work?"

"It was work. How was dinner?" David gave me a sly smile.

"She nearly got her ass kicked right there at the table, David." Paul made a face at me. "She's a ditz."

"At least I'm not a square."

Paul was definitely no square, but I knew it would bug him.

"I'm not a square!"

"Cut it out!" David stopped us from starting all over again. "You two are so immature."

I smiled, patting David's knee. "You love us."

"You do love us." Paul made a kissing face at David.

David laughed and pushed him away. "Go do your homework or somethin'." Paul nodded, though I had serious doubt he was going to do his homework. "You too, Jane."

My eyes narrowed. "Did mom tell you what happened today?"

David's full attention was at me. "What happened?"

"I got expelled."

David groaned. "Jane."

"I know, but the bitch was asking for it."

"Watch your mouth."

I resisted rolling my eyes, only because I actually liked David. "Yes, sir."

David went back to the TV. "What did dad say?"

"Nothing yet. As you know, I ran out before he could say anything."

"Well," David sighed. "You should go to your room then. Dad will be home soon."

I got up and went straight to my room, hoping that if my dad came home and didn't see me, he'd let it be until tomorrow.

In the morning, Paul went off the school and David to work. My dad was at work too, thankfully. That left me with my mom and, boy, did she have a surprise for me.

"Good morning," she said to me as I walked into the kitchen.

"Mornin'." I sat down at the table just as she placed a pancake on my plate.

"Eat up," she said with a smile. "You've got school soon."

"What?"

"Honey..." My mom sat down and grabbed my hand. "I enrolled you at Will Rogers High School."

My mouth fell open. "What? You - you did what?" I raised my eyebrows.

"You're a smart girl, Jane. You deserve to go to a better school."

I pulled my hand away. "You only put me there because I got expelled. Are you sending me away now?" I stood up, ready to get out of the house.

"No, honey. No, that's not it."

I shook my head and crossed my arms. "Why would I go there?"

My mom sighed. "Your father is willing to forget about last night if you go easily."

"Fine," I said rather quickly, knowing there was no negotiating a better deal than that. "I'll do it."

"You'll like it here."

I tried to smile, but I couldn't. "Yeah."

"Well -" The teacher stopped and gestured toward the door. "This is your first class. Good luck."

I nodded, opening the door and walking in. The whole class stopped and looked at me, even the teacher just stared.

"Hey, uh, I'm the new student." I walked over to the teacher and handed him the paper I was supposed to give him. The teacher took the paper and gave it a look over, like he didn't care...Probably because he didn't.

"Take a seat," he said, not looking up.

"Thanks, man." The teacher raised his brows at me and I retreated. "I mean sir."

"That's better. Take a seat." The threw the paper on his desk and looked up at me. "I said take a seat."

"Oh," I said, walking to the back of the class to an empty seat. I sat down and put down my book, opening it and starting to write down something to make it look like I was paying attention.

I didn't notice someone staring at me until I looked around the classroom and my eyes met some guy two seats away from me.

He had light brown hair. That was the first thing I noticed. The second thing I noticed was that he was handsome. Not my type, but very handsome.

When he saw that he was caught, he seemed startled. He looked away quickly and coughed into his hand. I laughed and went back to my booklet, still pretending to pay attention.

I had to sit in that class for the whole hour. There were no bathroom brakes - the ones I usually took right before I decided I didn't want to go back to class. I just did my work at home and handed in the next day, and my grades were fine - better than fine even. But that time, I sat in the class and actually took notes.

When it was over, everyone rushed out of the small door. Some kid bumped into me because he was rushing out.

"Watch it, dude."

"Sorry," he said nervously. It was that kid that was looking at me.

I stopped in my tracks as he raced off down the hallway. "Hey!" I yelled before I could register it myself. "Wait up!" I ran after him.

"Oh." He seemed really surprised by my appearance beside him.

"Hey." I smiled. "My name's Jane." I stuck out my hand.

He took it hesitantly, his soft hand shaking mine gently. "Ponyboy."

"No shit." I laughed. "Curtis, right?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"Your brother is one sharp guy," I said. Sodapop sure was a looker. "You are too."

Ponyboy's cheeks looked like they reddened. "Uh, thanks."

I bumped his shoulder. Or I tried to with the height difference. "You can really thank me by walking me to my next class."

"Sure."

I handed him my schedule and he looked at it peculiarly. "What?"

"Jane King?"

"Yeah."

"Like the 'River Kings' King? Like Paul and David King?"

I nodded and smiled. "Yeah, you know 'em or something?"

"Everyone knows the River Kings. Sometimes my friend Steve talks smack about your brother Paul."

I smiled, loving that simple fact. "Someone should. Paul's an idiot."

Ponyboy laughed. "So what'd you have to do to get kicked out of your old school?"

I shrugged. "I beat someone up."

Pony raised his eyebrows. "A guy?"

"A girl." I corrected. "She was being a bitch."

Pony seemed uncomfortable with my sudden swearing, but he gave me a small smile anyway. "I'd hate to be that girl."

I smiled. I liked this kid. "I like you, Ponyboy. You seem pretty cool."

"Thanks."

"Anytime."

"Jane."

I nodded civilly. "Paul."

"How was your first day at Roger Will?"

"Will Rogers."

"What the hell ever. How was it?"

I sighed, setting my back down on floor and sitting down on the couch. "Not too shabby. You know the Curtis's?"

Paul nodded. "I know of them."

"I met the youngest. Ponyboy was his name."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. He was nice and pretty sharp. He -"

"Stop. No, stop."

I laughed. "Yeah, he was fine."

"Jane!"

"What?" I laughed. "I listen to you go on about how 'Caroline is a stone fox'."

Paul shook his head and pointed a finger. "That's different!"

"Hi, honey." My mom came into the living room.

"Hey, mom." She gave me a weird look and fiddled with her apron. "Mom?"

"Your school called today."

I quickly thought back earlier in the day.

I could only take so much, and let me tell you, my five minutes of fame were up.

"Hey." Someone grabbed my shoulder.

I spun around, knocking their hand off me in annoyance. I stopped when I saw who it was. "Ray. What're you doing here?"

"Heard you got put up in this hell hole. I'm here to rescue you." Ray smirked.

I resisted the urge to grab his hand and run off, thinking about the disappointment I'd earn later on. I don't wanna get in trouble on my first day, Ray."

"What? That's not you, Janey."

"No, it is me. It's you that wants to me to skip."

Ray leaned in and kissed my cheek. "Janey." He stuck out his bottom lip. "Janey, please. For me?"

My shoulders slumped, giving in. "Fine."

I groaned. "I can explain."

"Explain what?" Paul asked.

"Butt out, Paul," I said to him.

Paul held his hands up and leaned into the couch. "I'm out."

"Your school called and said that you didn't show for your last two classes." My mom sighed, rubbing the permanent wrinkles on her forehead. "What happened?"

I tried shrugging it off. "I didn't feel like going."

My mom sighed again. "Jane."

"Ray showed and he wanted me to skip with him."

"Ray?" Paul said unbelievingly. "That son of a -"

"Paul!" My mom tried to scold him.

"Ma, Ray's a bad guy."

I rolled my eyes. "You just don't like him because he's a Tiber Street Tiger."

"Yeah! That isn't reason enough?" Paul asked, waving his hands around. "Ma, Ray's twenty!"

"Twenty?" My mom looked at me, eyes wide. "Jane, you're sixteen. Tell me this isn't true."

I got up. "Yeah, it is. Can we keep this between us?" I said, quickly changing the subject.

"Your father will find out eventually."

I sighed and shook my head. "Fine. Call me when dinner's ready."

"Jane."

"Don't." I put my hand out to stop her, walking to my room.

I went to my room and I sat on my newly washed sheets and I waited for the yelling. And it came sooner than I had thought. With the hour, I -

"Jane Teresa King!" My door swung open. "You are in big trouble, young lady." He walked over to me and grabbed my arm and made me stand up before bending me over his knee and whacking my backside.

I cringed, but sat through it. The less I said, the quicker it would be over. And eventually it ended, but being myself, I had to say the last word.

"Asshole." I only muttered it, but I muttered it loud enough for my dad to hear.

He spun around quickly, landing the backside of his hand on my cheek. "Don't ever say that to me again."

I held my cheek and nodded. He left, finally satisfied with himself.

I hated him. I knew you were supposed to love your parents no matter what, but I couldn't find it in me to love him.

I wasn't invited down the dinner and I had to sit in my room for the rest of the night alone until someone came knocking on my door. It was Paul.

"Hey." He closed the door behind him and held up an ice pack. "I come in peace."

I smiled, taking the ice pack from him. "Thanks."

"Yeah, sure." Paul sat down on my bed with me. "Why are you such a smart ass, Janey? If you hadn't said anything, you could've gotten off without the slap."

I sighed. "It was worth it."

Paul laughed. "You're so stupid."

"Hey." I smacked his arm. "Don't be an asshole."

We sat in silence for a couple minutes before Paul spoke up.

"Why'd you go with Ray anyway?"

"I don't know."

"God, I need to pound that guy."

"Don't have a cow, Pauly." I laughed. "And do me a solid. Don't tell David about this."

"About Ray or dad?"

"Both," I said, dabbing the cold pack against my burning cheek. "I know he doesn't like Ray and he'll start something with dad, so please keep this on the DL."

"You got it."

"Thanks, Paul."

"Am I your favourite brother now?"

"No."

A/N: There it is! Intro to a new Outsiders Fic.