*I don't own The Outsiders, Mrs. Hinton does. So, please don't sue me.
People didn't like the name Dragonfly. Honestly, I didn't do it because it was cute; I just like the meaning behind dragonflies. Anyway, people didn't like it and I'm writing this for the readers, so I changed it to Evelyn. Hopefully, you all like that better. It was a common name in the 1950's and 60's…
(PPOV) (Two months before the first chapter)
I can't believe Darry was making me bring Evelyn to the movies with Dallas and Johnny. Neither of them cared that she was tagging along. I did mind. How is it, that I always get stuck watching after her? I'm not her guardian. I don't mind watching her when Darry and Soda work. I don't want to sound like a whining Soc-y brat, but Soda never watches her when he's off.
Nope, Soda gets to go out on dates with Sandy. It's great that he loves her and he's happy, and I understand he's sixteen, going on seventeen, and doesn't want to watch after his little sister. I really get that, because I feel the same way.
But, that doesn't matter, I always lose. Why does it seem lately that I just get shoved aside and I'm expected to do all this shit. Want to know what I spent the last two hours doing before heading out? Well, besides watching Evelyn while my brothers worked (nothing unusual there), I cleaned Lyn's room.
Want to know why I had to clean my perfectly capable sister's room? Because Darry told me to have it clean or else I wasn't going out tonight. She is nine years old, she doesn't have chores like the three of us, therefore she can be responsible for keeping her own room clean. But no, I got stuck cleaning that pigsty.
I never want to see another doll again. I don't like cleaning up my sister's dirty clothing that she knows belongs in the hamper. Does she get in trouble? No she doesn't because of "The Face," as I like to call it. Nobody can resist it. My sister's secret weapon, and I'll admit it, even I have fallen victim to its-its cuteness.
My Dad was a sucker for it. Somehow, Mom had been able to say no, probably because she knew no one else would be able to. Darry can't even look at "The Face," without breaking down. Forget Soda, he's a goner the minute she pouts; even the gang can't resist it. Once in a while Dally can, but it's rare that Lyn would ever ask him for something anyway.
Where are your balls men? Why are we a nine year old girl's victims? It's wrong, unnatural; a brother should be able to say no to his sister. An older brother, by five years, should be able to boss his sister around, but no. I was going to just stay home with her tonight, but she pulled out "The Face" and I cracked. Now here she is beside me, holding my hand, as the two of us, plus Dallas and Johnny, head off to the movie house.
God help me. I haven't had a girlfriend yet, I can't be putty the minute my sister pouts and makes her eyes water a little. Ugh, those hazel eyes widen and water, her lower lip pouts out and quivers…YOU CAN'T LOOK AT IT WITHOUT SOFTENING YOU.
Now I'm stuck with my little sister at the movies, holding her hand. It's like I'm a Dad at the age of fourteen. When am I going to have some fun? I feel bad that Darry has to work all the time, so I don't mind babysitting when he works. I feel downright horrible that he gave so much up for Soda, me, and Lyn. I feel bad that Soda dropped out and works full time, but that was his choice. He can help by watching Lyn on Friday nights.
I watch her every day after school and Saturdays. Meaning, the only day I get off is Sunday because Darry's home, which I do feel a little guilty how we took his social life away…But, Soda could watch her this one Friday night so I could go out like a normal teenager.
But no, he was taking Sandy out for the third time this week. I can't watch her, I made plans with Sandy. We're supposed to double with Evie and Steve. Please, Pone. Soda begged me to watch her, what kind of brother would I be if I said no.
This isn't the first time it happened either. This has been my life since my parents died. I haven't even been able to hang out with Johnny without Lyn coming up to us and asking for us to play a game with her. I feel like I'm parenting my little sister and I honestly don't think I can do it.
It's hard knowing she's looking up to me for guidance, more so than ever now.
(Flashback)
"Pony? Johnnycakes? Dally?" My sister sang from behind us.
I sighed in annoyance, without turning around I asked, "What do you need, Evelyn?" What could she possibly want now; I just let her eat cookies for a snack. I know Darry's going to chew me out for that one later. We all know she doesn't need any more sugar in her system.
"Look at me, sillies," she giggled.
The three of us turned around. My sister had Darry's old leather jacket on. You all know how big Darry is, even though he was a little smaller in high school, it didn't matter. The jacket nearly touched the floor and made her look like she was going for a swim.
Her blonde hair that usually hung in her face was brushed back. She wore the only pair of black pants she had, a very nice dress up pair of pants. A pair that were not play clothes, and she had on a white t-shirt that was hers as well.
I scowled at her, not amused. Dallas and Johnny, however, though it was hilarious.
"Show me a strut, doll! Show me how we greasers do it!" Dallas laughed out.
Johnny grinned towards me, but it faded when he saw my scowl. "What's the matter, it's cute. She's trying to be like us."
I felt the blood drain from my face; she was trying to act like us. I hadn't realized how much we rubbed off on her that much…it scared me to think that she watches us that much. Instead of focusing on that, I scolded her, "Why are you wearing those pants? Those are your good pants, Evelyn. Take them off and hang them back up in your closet like they were. There are not for playing around, they're the only nice ones you have and I know you don't want to wear dresses if you ruin those and you need to dress nicely."
She eyed me coolly, cocking an eyebrow like Two-Bit taught her, "Calm down, Pone. I'm not going to ruin them." She strutted over just like Dally told her to. She giggled afterwards, ruining the façade she was trying to put on.
I crossed my arms and frowned at her, "Go change, Lyn. Right now," I ordered her. She wouldn't be the one to get in trouble if those pants got ruined somehow. I would be. Even if I wasn't the one to go into her closet, take them out, and put them on, it would be my fault because I didn't keep my eye on her every moment and wanted to talk to my friends.
She laid a hand on her hip and struck a very greasy girl pose. Honestly if she was bigger, the jacket fit, and had a cigarette in one hand, she would be the definition of a greasy girl. Dallas grinned widely when she did that, apparently, he saw it too.
I didn't want my sister to be a greasy girl. Most of them are kind of slutty, and I don't want that for Evelyn.
I stood up, took her hand, and dragged her back to her room. I'd change her myself; I wasn't getting in trouble for this. I didn't need to be grounded again.
"Pony, Ponyboy," Lyn called me out of my revive.
"Yeah, Lyn?"
"Can I get popcorn?" She asked.
"What do you say?" I reprimanded her.
"Just get her some damn popcorn, Ponyboy," Dallas grumbled.
I looked at her, "Please," she murmured as if Dal hadn't spoke. I nodded, causing her to jump up and down and clap her hands excitedly. I had been planning on it anyway; she'd been pretty good today, probably because she knew she wanted popcorn at the movies tonight.
I looked over to Dallas and glared, "Don't talk around her like that, Dal. She's starting to pick up on it," I said quietly as Lyn got distracted by a red Mustang going by. I didn't really feel like Dallas hitting me for being a smart mouth, but I didn't want her cussing anymore either.
Dallas merely rolled his eyes, "Either way, she's going to pick it up eventually."
"Tell Darry that then," I snapped. Dallas gave me a look and Johnny looked at me questioningly. I was rarely in as fowl a mood as I am today. I didn't mean to dampen the mood, it's just I was pissed at Soda's refusal to watch her for one night. I was also mad that Darry has been on my case about anything and everything.
I sighed; Dallas wanted to go in through the hole in the fence. I debated, ugh; Lyn doesn't need to be learning this sort of stuff from us. Johnny saw my hesitation and shrugged, "Its only one time, Pone."
"Go through the whole right there," I told her.
She gave me a funny look, "But we got to pay first," she looked at me with childish innocence.
I leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Only this one time, okay? Don't tell Darry though."
Lyn nodded, "It's like the rabbit hole Alice does down," she laughed. Dallas scooped her up on the other side and placed her away from the fence so me and Johnny could get through.
I grabbed Lyn's hand and turned towards Johnny. "Go get seats; I'm going to get her popcorn before she bugs me to death about it." He nodded. I knew from experience if I did not get her the popcorn soon, she would ask about it over and over and over again. It was better just to get the popcorn first, that way she's stuffing her mouth and won't be able to talk anyway.
I waited in line with her, God it was embarrassing being here on a Friday night with my kid sister. I feel like I have no life. Hell, maybe I don't.
"Here is your popcorn and a bottle of water," I handed them to her for her to carry. "Be careful, you don't want to spill it."
"Really? I was going to dump it on the floor and then eat it. I thought that was how it's done," Lyn replied sarcastically.
"Shut up."
"That's mean! I don't tell you to shut up. Well that's probably 'cause you don't talk much, but that's beside the point!" She wailed. I rolled my eyes at her, repressing a groan when people turned to look at who was yelling.
I saw from the back of the theater that Dallas was pissing off some Soc girls up front. I didn't want Lyn around that, knowing whatever Dallas was saying would be enough to make me uncomfortable. All I would need is Lyn to add her two cents in about it. I shook my head; couldn't he just leave them girls alone? It only causes problems when Greasy guys talk to Soc girls.
I sighed, walking towards them. The minute I heard Dallas talking, I covered my sister's ears and sat us next to Johnny. In order to keep her ears covered, I put her in my lap. This was a common occurrence and she didn't question it. Lyn minded her own business and started eating from the tub of popcorn, offering some to me and Johnny.
"Fiery, huh? Well, that's the way I like 'em," Dallas started to put his arm around the Soc.
Johnny stopped him, "Leave her alone, Dally," he glanced between the Soc girls and Lyn. Dallas huffed at Johnny, angry that he said anything. He got up without saying anything and stormed off. I let my hands fall from Lyn's ears.
She glanced up and smiled, "Is Dally mad again?"
"Well a little now, but he was just saying private stuff to those ladies in front of us," I explained.
Her eyes drifted forward, she cocked her head to the side looking at them. "Your hair is very red, I like it a lot," she said to the one Soc, much to my horror.
The girl turned and smiled, "Aren't you adorable," she smiled. She glanced at the two of us, "Thanks. He had me scared to death," she murmured to Johnny.
"You sure didn't show it," he grinned a little at them.
"You were scared of Dally," Evelyn asked, confused. "He wouldn't do nothing to you. He wouldn't hurt a lady," she stated confidently.
Both of the Socs looked at my sister in surprise and shock. Everyone knows the reputation of Dallas Winston, heck; it hangs in the air around him. He's dangerous, but my sister is right, he wouldn't hurt a girl or her. My sister has no reason to be scared of Dally, even if she does annoy him, he wouldn't touch her.
"What are your names?"
"Evelyn Ann Curtis," my sister said proudly, sticking her hand out.
"Well, Evelyn, I'm Sherri Valance, but everyone calls me Cherry because of my hair," she grinned. "This is my friend Marcia," she motioned to the dark haired girl.
"Cherry, Marcia," my sister hummed, "I like your names," she decided, causing us to laugh.
Cherry looked at me, "I'm Ponyboy Curtis." I waited for her to laugh or ask 'are you kidding,' like most people do.
"That's an original and lovely name," she told me.
"This is my buddy Johnny Cade," I motioned towards him. He just grinned a little.
"Y'all sit up here with us. You can protect us," Marcia grinned.
By the end of the movie, poor Lyn was dragging. We were heading towards Two-Bit's so we could get his truck and give the girls a ride home. I knew pretty soon, my sister would be begging me to carry her. She may not weigh a lot, but fifty five pounds get's heavy after a while.
"Cherry, look what's coming," Marcia gasped. A blue Mustang was driving up behind us.
Great, Lyn here is half dead, Johnny's face had paled to an awful white color, and Two-Bit looked unconcerned, "Who is it?" Two-Bit asked. "The F.B.I.?"
"No," Cherry said bleakly, "it's Randy and Bob."
I sighed, frustrated and on high alert. The car slowed down and stopped beside us. Two-Bit, Johnny, and I immediately took our stances, slouching, yet ready for anything. I glanced at Evelyn who had definitely woken up now, awake and alert to the situation.
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