Well, I managed to finish the chapter. I still think this chapter really stretches the canon of the story. But, if you think about it, then entire plotline of the story stretches the canon of The Outsiders.
Anyway, I do not own The Outsiders.
Andromeda's eyes studied the list in her hand as she checked everything off. Planning this event had been difficult, but worth it. She smiled in thanks at the head maid who nodded briefly before leaving the room. Andromeda wasn't friends with any the household staff like she was at home, but they respected her enough that they wouldn't tattle on her aunt for carrying out her idea.
Two weeks ago, She had mused aloud that it would be fun to have her friends over for a party and watch a movie at her place. Ponyboy, Johnny, and her had laughed at the time, but Andromeda had wished it could really happen. A couple days later, a possibility opened up. Her aunt had to go to an important meeting in another state and would be out of the house for a while.
When Andromeda heard that, she spent several hours that night planning things out. The next day, she mentioned her plan to her friends. As she expected, the idea was promptly rejected. But, by some strange miracle, she was able to convince both of them to come over under the condition that Ponyboy could bring his brothers along. That was the only way Darry would agree to the plan, and Andromeda at least partially understood. Considering where her friends were being invited, there was safety in numbers.
Andromeda folded up the list and put it in her pocket, she had spent the better part of the previous day making most of the treats for the party so she only had to make the popcorn that day and she had just finished. She washed her hands and removed the apron she was wearing before going up to her room to get changed into different clothes.
Andromeda quickly picked out a simple, emerald green, flowy dress and paired it with a short, thick cream sweater which hung loosely off her shoulders. She specifically picked this outfit because the dress was cotton and the sweater was a soft wool, unlike most of her clothes which were made of more expensive materials, and Andromeda felt uncomfortable about wearing fancy clothes at that time.
Andromeda checked the time and hurried to the front of the house it was almost noon, everyone would be arriving soon.
A sigh slipped through her lips as she unconsciously wrung her hands. The party had been planed for that time specifically so that everyone would be back home before the sun set. But now that the day had come, Andromeda couldn't stop thinking of everything that could go wrong. She peeked out of the window by the door until she saw Ponyboy approaching with two others.
Andromeda smiled in relief as she opened the door and stood aside as the three boys hurried inside. Once the door had been closed and locked, Andromeda turned to Ponyboy and said, "I'm glad you could make it here. To be honest, I was kinda worried."
Ponyboy looked rather uneasy despite the grin on his face as he said, "Same here. You don't mind if we don't do this again, do you?" Andromeda shook her head as she said, "Of course not." Seeing them inside her aunt's house confirmed the notion that some ideas were better off not carried off.
The older of the two boys cleared his throat and gave Ponyboy a pointed look. Ponyboy blinked slightly before he said, "Anyway, these are my brothers Sodapop ...", he pointed at the shorter of the two boys who had long, golden hair and brown eyes. Andromeda had noticed him working him working at the DX and couldn't help but think that her 'friends' in California would be charmed by him at first sight. Not that there was anything wrong with that, Andromeda couldn't help but relax at the lighthearted grin on his face.
"... And Darry." Ponyboy pointed at the taller of the two who had dark brown hair and pale green-blue eyes. Out of the three of them, he was the most serious and looked liked like the sort of person who carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. Andromeda waved as she said, "Hello." and Sodapop raised a hand as he said, "Hi." and Darry nodded in greeting.
Andromeda looked back to Ponyboy and said, "I guess Johnny couldn't come after all."
Andromeda had been told about how Johnny had been attacked by socs after she had suggested that they visit her aunt's house. At the time, Andromeda had only been half surprised to find out considering how hostile the two groups were to each other. That was also the reason why Andromeda had been so worried that day.
Ponyboy shrugged as he said, "Yeah, when Dallas found out he said that he would stop Johnny if he tried to come." Andromeda nodded with a slight 'ah'. She had also learned recently that Ponyboy and Johnny were friends with Dallas Winston. At the time that she had found out, Andromeda had been rather surprised, but later admitted to herself that, given how little she knew about their lives, she shouldn't have been.
Andromeda made a gesture with her hand as she said, "Follow me." She promptly lead the group into the nearest living room which she had already prepared for the party.
She couldn't help but feel slightly bashful as she lead them inside the room as it felt like she was showing off how wealthy her family was. Sodapop whistled as he looked around and said, "I think you could fit another house in this room."
Andromeda blushed in embarrassment, but before she could respond, the doorbell rang and Andromeda excused herself to answer the door. She frowned as the doorbell was rang three other times as she hurried over. Whoever it was, clearly wasn't patient. Andromeda looked out the peephole and the door and blinked in surprise as she saw Johnny standing outside.
Within seconds, Andromeda had unlocked the door, and opened it wide as she said hurriedly, "Sorry for taking so long, Ponyboy said, you weren't coming so I didn't know to wait." Johnny smiled sheepishly as he answered, "Yeah, I didn't think I would be able to come either, but Dally agreed as long as he came with. You don't mind do you?"
Andromeda turned quickly to look at Dallas who had managed to slip into the house after Johnny without her noticing. There was a dark frown on his face that clearly said that this place was the last place in the world that he wanted to be.
Andromeda opened her mouth quickly to say she did, in fact, mind his presence a good deal. But she shut it as soon as she saw the hopeful look on Johnny's face. Instead, she forced a pleasant smile on her face as she said, "I don't mind." Dallas was Johnny's hero, so Andromeda would tolerate his presence to make her friend happy. She turned to Dallas and said as nicely as possible, "Please, make yourself at home for the time being."
Dallas nodded briefly and Andromeda guessed that he too was trying his best for Johnny. Andromeda made a gesture for them to follow as she said, "Everybody else is in the living room already." As she turned around Andromeda heard Dallas say, "Alright then, Andy." She flinched at the way he made sure to emphasize the word 'Andy' like always.
Johnny looked amazed as he looked at Andromeda and said, "You never said that he gave you a nickname." Andromeda smiled tensely as she said, "I suppose I forgot to. Although, I don't really care for that particular nickname because 'Andy' is the diminutive version of the male name Andrew." Johnny nodded and Dallas added, "Whatever you say ... Andy."
Andromeda almost sighed in relief as they stepped into the living room and Sodapop grinned as he said, "Hey Johnnycake, I didn't know you were coming." Johnny then reexplained what had happened before it got time to pick a movie.
Andromeda walked over to the cabinet that held the DVDs and quickly found the one she was looking for.
Andromeda smiled as she held out one of her favorites, The Bourne Identity and asked, "How about this one?" There was a couple minutes of silence before Ponyboy said, "You don't have to pick that one if you don't want to." Andromeda glanced at the CD case before she shrugged and said, "I actually really enjoy this movie. Not to mention there is a sequel coming out soon."
Sodapop chuckled as he said, "Good enough for me." Both Johnny and Ponyboy nodded and Darry shrugged. Dallas simple gave her a look that said not to bother him. Andromeda put in the movie, and sat down next to Ponyboy. As the beginning credits started, she heard someone mutter, "And here I was thinking you'd insist on some dumb romantic comedy."
Andromeda didn't have to look to know that Dallas was the one who had spoken. She turned anyway and smiled as she said, "Oh, I don't really like romantic comedies. I'd watch one if I have to, but I'd prefer something with more action." Dallas made no reply, and Andromeda turned smugly toward the screen.
It didn't take much time though, to discover that Sodapop was unable to sit still for more than a couple minutes. Andromeda heard a soft 'psst' sound and turned to cover her mouth when she saw that Sodapop was holding a pair of cookies in front of his face like they were eyes. Sodapop grinned at her muffled laughter as he ate one of cookies. He looked appreciatively at the other chocolate chip cookie before he bit into it and said, "Where'd you get the cookies? They're good."
Andromeda smiled as she said, "I made them." Sodapop paused with the cookie in his mouth. Andromeda giggled at his expression before she admitted, "I like baking, always have." Soda shrugged and ate the rest of the cookie as he said, "I bet your family is thankful for that." Andromeda shook her head, "Not really. Both my parents and my aunt are strict with my diet and don't approve of me making sweets."
Andromeda held off on saying that her parents had claimed that baking was the cooks job, and that she shouldn't interfere. She didn't see the point in mentioning that as she had never followed that instruction. Not to mention that Andrew had specifically said that it wasn't a problem.
A moment later, Darry leaned forward to scrutinize her carefully as he asked, "Is that related to any heath problems." Andromeda shook her head and Darry continued, "So it's just to restrict weight gain?" Andromeda nodded hesitantly at his suspicious tone. As Darry was opening his mouth to continue, Sodapop threw an arm around her as he grinned said, "Ease up Darry, All she needs to do ...", his arm stretched out toward the plate, "Is eat a cookie!" Sodapop promptly shoved a cookie into her mouth to her surprise.
Andromeda sat blinking in surprise as she heard snickers around her. After a minute she ate the cookie, a blush on her face. Darry sighed, an expression of exasperated amusement on his face said such an event was not uncommon.
After that, the group was mostly silent as they watched the movie. eventually, Dallas scoffed as he said, "This is so fake." Andromeda bristled slightly as she turned to him and said, "So? It's a movie. It doesn't have to be real." Dallas rolled his eyes as he said almost inaudibly, "I've fought people. This ... " Dallas snorted as though he felt that finished the sentence well enough. Andromeda opened, then shut her her mouth. He had a point after all.
Once the movie finished, Dallas stood and said, "Come on Johnnycake." Johnny grinned as he said his goodbyes and left. As they walked away Andromeda found herself respecting Dallas a good deal more than she had previously. He had to have been strong to keep going in the hostile environment he lived in without breaking down. Well, that was her opinion anyway.
Andromeda turned to say goodbye to the Curtis family. As he was about to leave Darry handed her a slip of paper as he said, "This has our phone number and address. Feel free to call or visit if you want." Andromeda thanked him, and watched out the window as they walked away.
As she did, she couldn't help but wish she had elder brothers like Ponyboy. For the first six years of her life Andromeda had Persephone looking out for her. And then ... Andromeda shuddered and hurried to find something to distract herself with.
Ah, now that I've finished, I rather like this chapter.
Edit 12/6/2016 In case anyone was interested, DVDs were in use during the timeframe of this story if that makes sense.
Next chapter will bring a new introduction, and maybe some information about Persephone ...
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