Looking Back
A/N - This is my first attempt at putting fanfic out for other people to read. The majority of my story was written over 15 years ago when I was in junior high and first discovered the Outsiders. I always wanted the Curtis brothers to have a sister (at first, I think that was just because what teenage girl did not want to be in the middle of a hug between Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and C. Thomas Howell). To me, it became much more than that. I have added to it over the years, and after getting hooked on this website, I have decided to try my story. It starts out with mainly familiar territory for all the Outsiders fans, but eventually goes beyond the story you are accustomed to.
Disclaimer - Of course, the majority of these characters, and this story belongs to the fabulous S.E. Hinton. My sincere respect goes out to her.
Chapter 1
Ponyboy's P.O.V.
My name is Ponyboy Curtis. Of course, you probably already know that. Most people anywhere near Tulsa, Oklahoma have heard my story. It's been all over - TV news, newspapers, and worst of all, gossip that has run rampant. The fact is, it's not really my story - it's my family's story. And I want to make sure everyone knows the truth about our story. So, here it is, told by me and my family.
I guess the best place to start would be the day I got jumped walking home from the movies. Not one of my favorite days, but not all that bad considering the weeks and months to come. Then again, I didn't know that at the time.
I had been at the latest Paul Newman movie (he's one of my favorite actors - tough and cool). I had gone by myself, because that's how I enjoy movies the most - alone, with no one bothering me. That way I can really experience the movie, and not worry about the person next to me liking it, or not liking, or asking me questions. I walked home by myself, not even thinking about calling one of my brothers or one of the gang for a ride. I often don't think in the most sensible way, plus, I was too busy thinking about the movie.
I soon found that I was being trailed by a red Corvair full of Socs. Looking around, I could tell that I probably could not run for it, but decided to speed up a bit, since I was within a few blocks of home. It didn't help, though. They were out of their car and had me surrounded before I knew it. They pinned me down in no time and the one on my chest slugged me several times. I was smarting all over, and struggled to get free. One of them pulled a knife and muttered something about a haircut. I've been in many fights in my life, and even though I'm kind of small for my age, I can usually fight pretty good. But not when the odds are 5 to 1. And especially not when knives are pulled. I panicked and began yelling for my brothers. That got me slugged several more times, and one of them began stuffing a handkerchief in my mouth to shut me up.
The one on top of me got me with a hard swing to my nose, which knocked me senseless for a minute or two. Next thing I know, the guy on top of me jumps up, I get kicked in the side, and they all run. I heard shouts and more pounding feet, but it sounded far away. My ears were ringing, and I tried opening my eyes. Everything was spinning, and I decided opening my eyes was not such a good idea. Suddenly I was hauled up to my feet and being shaken. That sure didn't help the spinning. I recognized my oldest brother Darry's voice, but for some reason, couldn't make out what he was saying. He shook me again and my mind snapped to attention.
"Are you okay, Ponyboy?"
Then I heard another voice. "Darry, quit shakin' him. He's gonna puke." The shaking stopped.
The second voice belonged to my older sister, Stephi. I opened my eyes slowly, and after I got used to the spinning, I saw her standing next to Darry, who still had a tight grip on my arms, which was good, cuz I felt like I could fall over at any point.
"I'm sorry," he said. Wow, I thought to myself - he really looks like Dad. They both had the same broad shoulders, dark-brown hair, and squared-off chin. His eyes were the only thing that set him apart from Dad - cool and distant. Darry's handsome, in a rugged sort of way.
Stephi reached over and cupped her hands around my face. "Pony, baby, are you okay?"
I started to say that I'd be okay, but when I opened my mouth, a lump swelled in my throat and I thought I would start bawling. I shut my mouth, nodded, and shrugged Darry's hands off my arms. I sat down against the fence behind us and held my head in my hands. Stephi dropped down beside me and put an arm around my shoulder, pulling me in close.
Stephi is a beautiful person, both inside and out. She cares about everyone - she's always been a mother hen, but even more so after Mom and Dad died. Stephi is impressionable, she feels things very deeply and it takes her longer to deal with things than it does anyone else (especially Soda, my second oldest brother - he just lets things roll right off his shoulders). You wouldn't know it by looking at her, she hides it well. Stephi has a beautiful smile (she got that from Mom) - full lips and almost perfect teeth. One on the bottom grew in a little crooked. Mom always wanted to get it fixed, but Dad said it gave her character and was part of her beauty. She always has that smile on her face, no matter what she is feeling inside. She wants to make everybody happy.
Stephi has long, curly, dark-golden hair and blue-green eyes. She and Soda look a lot alike (except for the eye color) and are very close. Closer than anyone else in the family. She was born only 10 months after Soda, and they have shared everything. Soda is her best friend. I know it sounds strange, but I think some times they can read each other's minds. Darry, however, is her protector. Darry was always who she would go to if she was scared. She knew that he would never let anything happen to her. Of course, everyone in the gang would do anything for her. Stephi takes care of us and the rest of the gang - she's everyone's little sister and we are all a little protective of her, especially Darry. Stephi had a real hard time with Mom and Dad's death and wasn't herself for several months. Darry got extremely protective - he didn't want anything bad to happen to her again - not as long as he could help it. She was finally coming back to herself and putting everything behind her. Even though Darry made her feel safe, she felt it was beginning to be a little too much.
"They didn't hurt you too bad, did they?" Darry asked.
"Nah," I said, wiping at my eyes and willing the tears not to come. I couldn't let Darry see me cry. Just then we were distracted by the sound of Sodapop coming back toward us. The rest of the gang was still off, heaving rocks as the Socs retreated in their car.
A/N - This is my first attempt at putting fanfic out for other people to read. The majority of my story was written over 15 years ago when I was in junior high and first discovered the Outsiders. I always wanted the Curtis brothers to have a sister (at first, I think that was just because what teenage girl did not want to be in the middle of a hug between Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and C. Thomas Howell). To me, it became much more than that. I have added to it over the years, and after getting hooked on this website, I have decided to try my story. It starts out with mainly familiar territory for all the Outsiders fans, but eventually goes beyond the story you are accustomed to.
Disclaimer - Of course, the majority of these characters, and this story belongs to the fabulous S.E. Hinton. My sincere respect goes out to her.
Chapter 1
Ponyboy's P.O.V.
My name is Ponyboy Curtis. Of course, you probably already know that. Most people anywhere near Tulsa, Oklahoma have heard my story. It's been all over - TV news, newspapers, and worst of all, gossip that has run rampant. The fact is, it's not really my story - it's my family's story. And I want to make sure everyone knows the truth about our story. So, here it is, told by me and my family.
I guess the best place to start would be the day I got jumped walking home from the movies. Not one of my favorite days, but not all that bad considering the weeks and months to come. Then again, I didn't know that at the time.
I had been at the latest Paul Newman movie (he's one of my favorite actors - tough and cool). I had gone by myself, because that's how I enjoy movies the most - alone, with no one bothering me. That way I can really experience the movie, and not worry about the person next to me liking it, or not liking, or asking me questions. I walked home by myself, not even thinking about calling one of my brothers or one of the gang for a ride. I often don't think in the most sensible way, plus, I was too busy thinking about the movie.
I soon found that I was being trailed by a red Corvair full of Socs. Looking around, I could tell that I probably could not run for it, but decided to speed up a bit, since I was within a few blocks of home. It didn't help, though. They were out of their car and had me surrounded before I knew it. They pinned me down in no time and the one on my chest slugged me several times. I was smarting all over, and struggled to get free. One of them pulled a knife and muttered something about a haircut. I've been in many fights in my life, and even though I'm kind of small for my age, I can usually fight pretty good. But not when the odds are 5 to 1. And especially not when knives are pulled. I panicked and began yelling for my brothers. That got me slugged several more times, and one of them began stuffing a handkerchief in my mouth to shut me up.
The one on top of me got me with a hard swing to my nose, which knocked me senseless for a minute or two. Next thing I know, the guy on top of me jumps up, I get kicked in the side, and they all run. I heard shouts and more pounding feet, but it sounded far away. My ears were ringing, and I tried opening my eyes. Everything was spinning, and I decided opening my eyes was not such a good idea. Suddenly I was hauled up to my feet and being shaken. That sure didn't help the spinning. I recognized my oldest brother Darry's voice, but for some reason, couldn't make out what he was saying. He shook me again and my mind snapped to attention.
"Are you okay, Ponyboy?"
Then I heard another voice. "Darry, quit shakin' him. He's gonna puke." The shaking stopped.
The second voice belonged to my older sister, Stephi. I opened my eyes slowly, and after I got used to the spinning, I saw her standing next to Darry, who still had a tight grip on my arms, which was good, cuz I felt like I could fall over at any point.
"I'm sorry," he said. Wow, I thought to myself - he really looks like Dad. They both had the same broad shoulders, dark-brown hair, and squared-off chin. His eyes were the only thing that set him apart from Dad - cool and distant. Darry's handsome, in a rugged sort of way.
Stephi reached over and cupped her hands around my face. "Pony, baby, are you okay?"
I started to say that I'd be okay, but when I opened my mouth, a lump swelled in my throat and I thought I would start bawling. I shut my mouth, nodded, and shrugged Darry's hands off my arms. I sat down against the fence behind us and held my head in my hands. Stephi dropped down beside me and put an arm around my shoulder, pulling me in close.
Stephi is a beautiful person, both inside and out. She cares about everyone - she's always been a mother hen, but even more so after Mom and Dad died. Stephi is impressionable, she feels things very deeply and it takes her longer to deal with things than it does anyone else (especially Soda, my second oldest brother - he just lets things roll right off his shoulders). You wouldn't know it by looking at her, she hides it well. Stephi has a beautiful smile (she got that from Mom) - full lips and almost perfect teeth. One on the bottom grew in a little crooked. Mom always wanted to get it fixed, but Dad said it gave her character and was part of her beauty. She always has that smile on her face, no matter what she is feeling inside. She wants to make everybody happy.
Stephi has long, curly, dark-golden hair and blue-green eyes. She and Soda look a lot alike (except for the eye color) and are very close. Closer than anyone else in the family. She was born only 10 months after Soda, and they have shared everything. Soda is her best friend. I know it sounds strange, but I think some times they can read each other's minds. Darry, however, is her protector. Darry was always who she would go to if she was scared. She knew that he would never let anything happen to her. Of course, everyone in the gang would do anything for her. Stephi takes care of us and the rest of the gang - she's everyone's little sister and we are all a little protective of her, especially Darry. Stephi had a real hard time with Mom and Dad's death and wasn't herself for several months. Darry got extremely protective - he didn't want anything bad to happen to her again - not as long as he could help it. She was finally coming back to herself and putting everything behind her. Even though Darry made her feel safe, she felt it was beginning to be a little too much.
"They didn't hurt you too bad, did they?" Darry asked.
"Nah," I said, wiping at my eyes and willing the tears not to come. I couldn't let Darry see me cry. Just then we were distracted by the sound of Sodapop coming back toward us. The rest of the gang was still off, heaving rocks as the Socs retreated in their car.