Disclaimer/Author's Note:
I do not own the Outsiders, they belong to S.E. Hinton. I only own Scarlet Rose and, of course, Audrey belongs to the lovely Megan H.
Uhm… I stole the cuckoo bird line from Stephen King but I couldn't help it. I just love that so much.
Ih. I know this is a little cheesy but I was watching Sleeping Beauty last night and it made it's way into the chapter. On to the reviewer gratification!
Volleyballlover- Well, eventually. But there's some crud that's going to happen before that. I'm happy there are updates! Updates make me happy.
Meg-a-dew-drop- I like pillow fights too. I wish I had hit you with a pillow Saturday night. That would've made my day. Here's something for you:
"I've been going to this high school for seven years now…"
King of Cups- I forgot when I wrote that, that they had been at the gas station. So then I just made Steve take it away because Steve's mean. I'm glad you can follow the story though. If you ever need reminders let me know.
Stayingold88- Maybe he will. Curly needs to get his butt kicked. Yay for updates!
BLoNdEaThEaRt- Thanks, I'm updating now. Score!
HazleSilver- I'm glad you like it. I'm looking over those stories right now and will send them back ASAP. Remember to send me any updates.
TheAngryPrincess13- Updating!
Duckie- Updates for you!
OTHlover04- Thanks!
Sodapop's#1gurl- I love Sodapop, so Scarlet has to too. Besides that, you don't see a lot of stories where Steve has a sister. It's mostly the Curtis brothers. Which made me think, I'm going to change that. And I did. Yay!

Chapter Four

Audrey and I were sitting at the dining room table, playing cards, when Steve came in. He kicked off his shoes and plopped down on the couch, feet on the table and everything. I put my cards down and sent Audrey a warning look.

"What's wrong Steve?" I asked, getting up and going to sit next to him.

"You're friend, Ponyboy," I sighed. Pony was always "my friend" whenever he did something Steve thought was stupid, which was about 85 percent of the time.

"What about Pony?" I asked.

"He was walking home from the movie house alone and got jumped by a couple of Socs. That boy doesn't use his head."

"Is he okay?" Audrey asked. The worry in her voice was the same I felt. I felt a little sick too. Hadn't Pony asked us to go with him?

"Yeah, just acut and a bruise." Steve replied.

"They pulled a blade on him!" I exclaimed.

"Yup. He's lucky he came out with just a scratch. Those Socs might've taken off his head if-"

"Knock it off Steve!" Here I was being smart again. I couldn't control my mouth. "You've been jumped plenty of times and no one says boo to a cuckoo bird. Lay off Pony for once would you?"

Somehow I had a feeling that this was about more than Ponyboy. Lately Steve was just getting on my nerves. There was always something he could complain about and usually it had to do with me.

"What is your problem Scarlet Rose? You've been awfully mouthy today and I don't like it." Steve said, sitting up.

"Sorry Steve." I mumbled. If we didn't stop it would escalate into an actual fight. That had only happened twice though. One of us, usually me, put a stop to it before the other threw a punch. Steve told me he didn't like hitting me and I didn't like hitting him either, but those two times things had gotten out of control and it had taken Dally and Darry to break us up.

"Dally and Sylvia broke up." Steve informed us, out of the blue. Speaking of break ups…

"Oh, really?" I asked, praying that Dally had left out about the part about Sylvia cheating on him with Curly. Sure I was upset, but that didn't mean I wanted the poor bastard dead.

"Soda and I are taking Sandy and Evie to a football game tomorrow."

Ugh. Sandy.

"Oh. I thought maybe I'd go do something with Pony and Johnny."

"Hey SR, you gonna come back over here and play or what? I'm not getting any younger." Audrey catcalled.

"Don't I know it?" I asked, joining her at the table. My heart just didn't seem into the game anymore.

The morning started off much better than yesterday.

Audrey and I woke up early, to make breakfast so she could get home and help out her mom. Steve left even earlier to go meet up with Soda, which meant I was left to my own devices. So what did I do?

I went to visit Pony and Johnny, of course.

"Hey Johnnycakes." I greeted as I opened the screen door and sat down on Johnny's outstretched legs.

"Hi Scar." Johnny said absentmindedly. He was watching a show in which I had no interest whatsoever.

"Hey kid." Darry said, walking by and tugging my ponytail. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Hi Superman. Where are you going?"

"The Gym. Be good." Darry called over his shoulder. The door slammed behind him.

"Where's Pony?"

"In here." Pony announced from the kitchen.

"He's makin' a cake."

"Ooh sounds interesting and it smells good Pony." I commented, letting the smell waft under my nose. I love Chocolate Cake.

"Thanks Scarlet."

"You know that movie you took me to see, Scarlet?" Johnny asked.

"Which one?" Johnny and I went to see lots of movies together. I could pay our way in if we didn't sneak in. Most of the time Pony went too.

"The one about the princess."

"Oh, Sleeping Beauty?"

"Yeah, that one."

"What about it?" That was the first movie that Johnny, Pony, and I had gone to see together. I think I was eight or nine then and that was my favorite movie. I loved it.

"I was thinkin' about the song she sings in the woods. You know, with the owl? I can never remember the words." Johnny grinned. I got off of the couch and pulled him up with me.

We danced crazily around the room, me leading Johnny as I started with that song. Pony took a break from cake baking to watch. I closed my eyes when he twirled me around, letting myself become the Princess Aurora.

"I know you
I walked with you Once Upon a Dream
I know you
The gleam in your eyes
Is so familiar a gleam
Yet I know it's true
That visions are seldom all they seem
But if I know you
I know what you'll do
You'll love me at once-"

"The way you did Once Upon a Dream."

I stopped dancing, feeling my face turn red. Johnny was sitting on the arm of the couch and Sodapop was twirling me around. He had a goofy grin plastered on his face. I could see Steve and Pony snickering by the kitchen.

"Where'd you come from?" I demanded.

"I thought you wanted to dance with a real prince." Soda shrugged. "Guess not."

"Sodapop, the day you become a prince pigs will fly. Besides, you just made it like the movie. It's not original." I mumbled, knocking Johnny off the arm of the couch and onto the cushions.

"Hey Johnny, we should go meet up with Dally. My cake's done. Scarlet, you wanna come?" Pony said. Johnny nodded and got off of the couch.

"Nah, I'm going to go find Audrey. She should be done helping her mom soon."

"Soda and I are going to get going too. We've got to pick up our ladies." Steve announced. I rolled my eyes.

"You do that."

"Buck up." Soda said, nudging me with his elbow. I gave him a cheesy smile and he laughed.

"'Bye guys." I waved as the door closed. I loved those guys to death, but it was nice being by myself.