"And she doesn't give a damn about me. 'Cause I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby."
- Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus
As they neared the Curtis house, Danni took in it's looks. It had a fence running around it with a gate for the walkway. A run down truck was parked in the small driveway. The house wasn't nearly as bad looking as Tim's was. It gave off a homey vibe. She was led to the porch and Two-Bit led her inside after Dally and Steve had gone in.
"Honey, I'm home!" Two-Bit called loudly. A man sitting in a large chair chuckled at the comment as he skimmed over the paper, sitting it down to look at the group that had arrived.
The man looked curiously at Danni, who stood awkwardly beside Two-Bit. The guy had broad shoulders and muscles. His dark-brown hair kicked out in the front and he had a small cowlick in the back. His eyes looked like blue-green ice. He was tall just sitting down and looked older than the rest of them, at least in his early twenties. She couldn't help but admit to herself that he was quite handsome. "Who's your friend, Two-Bit?"
Two-Bit shoved her forward so she could be seen better, making her scowl at him. He just chucked as he said, "This is Danni Shepard. Her cousins are Tim and Curly."
Steve and Dally took a seat on the couch near a timid looking boy. He looked like a puppy that had been kicked too many times and was lost in a sea of strangers. His black eyes were wide in a dark tanned face. He seemed smaller than the others, with a slight build. His jet-black hair was heavily greased and combed to the side, but fell in shaggy bangs across his forehead. He looked at her with suspicion in his dark eyes. A light scar ran across his cheek. She watched as he tugged his jean jacket closer to his body.
"Danni, this is Darry Curtis," he informed as he pointed to the man, "And Johnny Cade." A young looking boy walked in from what seemed to be the kitchen at that point. His greenish-gray eyes looked at her with such strong curiosity. "And that's Ponyboy Curtis." Two-Bit then told him my name as well.
Ponyboy had reddish-brown hair that was long in the front and short in the back. It was coated in grease so it shined in the lighting. He looked a lot younger than everyone else, most likely the youngest she had met. He gave her a slight nod as he analyzed her like she was doing to him.
"Uh, hi," was the only thing that seemed to come out of her mouth. She never seemed to function normally around new people.
Ponyboy gave her a warm smile, "Hey."
Darry leaned forward on his chair, "So, where you from, Danni?"
Two-Bit showed her to the couch and she took a spot next to Dallas. His eyes were focused on some show playing on the television. "Well, I'm from Chester, Pennsylvania. I stayed there with my foster mom."
Darry nodded as he took in what she said. "Where are your parents? You seem pretty young."
Dally looked at her indescribably as she shifted in her seat with her muscles clenched. "Um, they passed away when I was ten."
Darry looked at her with a slight regret on his face, as if he wished he hadn't asked. "I'm sorry. We lost our parents as well. I know how it feels." She nodded her head as her gaze fell to the television. On it was a cartoon playing: Mickey Mouse. She watched without taking in any of the episode. She heard talking around her but paid no attention. Her mind was somewhere far from here. Danni couldn't help but think of the night her parents were killed.
Young Danielle was sent to her room for misbehaving. Her parents lived in a small town in northern California at the time. They were probably middle class. Her mother was gorgeous. Blonde ringlets with pale blue eyes. Her figure was like an hourglass. Her father had tanned skin with icy blue eyes and ebony hair; he always wore it slicked back with hair gel.
Danni sat in her room, pouting as she flipped aimlessly through some small book her mother had got for her on her birthday. She flung her short curls over her shoulder as she read. It was quiet downstairs, but the loud bang caught her attention. She stared at her closed door and her heart rate increased. Danni wondered what was going on.
She stood up from the bed, sitting her book aside before walking towards the door. Slowly twisting the knob and pulling the door open, she quietly peaked out into the hall. "Just give me the money and no one will get hurt," a monotone voice commanded. Danni couldn't see anything, but got frightened. She ran back into her room and dived under the bed.
She watched the door, waiting and listening as the volume of the voices increased. Chills ran down her spine as she heard the first shot of the gun go off. Then a scream. Ending with another bang of the gun. Silent tears strolled down her face. Surely the man hadn't taken her parents from her?
Danni waited and waited under her bed for what felt like an eternity. She heard the sirens before the police had come in. They searched throughout the house, finally finding her curled under the bed fame sobbing uncontrollably. They warned her of the scene that was in the next room over, telling her to close her eyes but she didn't listen. Her parents lay there in the living room with their bodies laying in pools of their own blood. Louder sobs erupted from her throat at the sight, causing the police to rush her out quickly. The next week she was in foster care.
"Danni?" Ponyboy asked as he waved a hand in her face. Her gaze snapped up towards his face which was twisted in concern.
"Sorry. I kind of zoned out," she mumbled as she leaned up from the couch.
Ponyboy snorted, "I was askin' if you wanted anything from the fridge. Like drinkwise."
Danni's face heated in embarrassment, "Just a Pepsi, if you have it." He nodded.
Darry looked up from the paper and said, "Hey, Pony. Get Sodapop up. He's slept in long enough." Pony left the room and brought her the Pepsi before bounding off to get what Danni guessed was his brother.
"Y'know," Dally began as he leaned forward from the couch, an eyebrow arched as he looked everyone over. "I think we should all see a movie tonight and go to the Nightly Double? It's been a while. Danni can come if she wants."
Darry looked at him, "I won't be able to. I have work early in the morning'."
Steve nodded his head, "I don't have anything to do." Two-Bit offered to bring the booze and Johnny simple nodded. Ponyboy walked in on that moment, and agreed to go as well.
"What about you, Dan the Man?" Two-Bit asked with a chuckle.
"Shut up, moron," she growled, only making him chuckle.
A boy walked in at that moment, rubbing his eyes as he asked tiredly, "Did you just call someone 'Dan the Man', Two-Bit?" he asked before looking up and meeting Danni's blue eyes. Her cold gaze warmed unwillingly.
The boy looked like he walked out of a movie. He wasn't as tall as his older brother, and was slimmer with a nice build. His face was finely drawn, sensitive looking but seemed like it could be thoughtful and devious at the same time. His hair was dark-gold that was combed back, it was silky looking. His eyes seemed to be one of his best features. They were chocolate brown and looked so lively. He looked at her closely, seeming to drink in her features.
"Soda, this is Danni Shepard. Danni, this is Sodapop Curtis."
Sodapop grinned widely at her, his teeth were so white and straight. "Hi."
She felt herself look away from his intent gaze, "Hello."
Steve brought up the Nightly Double, asking if Sodapop was willing to tag along. As she stared straight ahead towards the television, she could feel Soda's eyes watching her. "Is everyone here going?"
She watched the sly look Steve gave before answering the question, "Everyone but Darry."
Soda nodded before walking into the kitchen, scratching at his bare chest, "Yeah, I'll go. I'm off tonight anyway."