I don't own the outsiders

Ponyboy's body was still smarting from the weekend by the time he was back at school Monday. Keen on preventing the worsening of said injuries, he avoided the halls where most of The Socs were. He laughed a little to himself at the word, it was an old one from when his grandparents would have been kids; yet the name stuck with recent generations.

Though, he preferred just to call them assholes.

Third period was the worst of the whole day, it was the one class he really couldn't get past them. Being a year ahead in school, he was in the honors classes that were filled with Socs.

He always felt awkward with his old sweatshirt and scuffed jeans. The one thing he could get by with was his hair, it was a little above his shoulders and, according to the girls he knew, was fluffed up and soft. It was only worsened by the fact that he was barely 5'8; all the other boys in his class were at least 5'11.

He managed to get through the class, only having a few issues with the boys sitting behind him. He finally got to the lunch period, leaning back against the old fence by Two-Bit's truck. He went through his phone, scrolling through the posts about the recent book he'd fallen into.

He was half tempted to pull out a cigarette, but most of the gang would kill him. He'd started smoking after his parents died, but it was the only bad habit he had really, after finding a carton in Dally's jacket. He had even tried to vape once, but it was so disgusting that he tossed it completely.

Dally was the only one who knew he had smoked, he caught him behind the movies. He thought he was going to hit him with how pissed he looked. Other than him, no one knew he regularly smoked-not even Johnny.

At that reminder, he moved the cigarettes to the pocket behind his bag so it wouldn't be found.

"Kid, you'll never believe what Kathy Mary said to me today." Two-Bit smirked as he walked up to the fence, joining him in waiting for Steve.

"Told you to stick it up your ass again?" He teased, returning the smirk easily. He got cuffed upside the head for his trouble.

"Smartass," Two-Bit said, ruffling up his hair as he grinned larger when Ponyboy squawked undignified. "Nah, this time she actually offered to tutor me."

"Like you want anything to do with calculus." He laughed, Two-Bit only hit him upside the head, again shaking his own. Two-Bit gloated for a few more minutes, till Steve got there. Steve gave him a once over, eyes lingering on the slightly visible bandage from the burn for a moment.

"What?" Ponyboy asked somewhat defensively, crossing his arms over his chest to cover the bandage. Steve scowled back at him, reaching over to scuff him on the back of the head.

"Nothing! N' watch the mouth, brat." Ponyboy rubbed at his head. Why was everyone hitting him on the head now?

"I didn't say anything." He bit back, but Steve opted to ignore the retort and instead got in the passenger seat. Two-Bit rolled his eyes at the behavior despite his never ending grin on his face.

Everyone got in the car, Two-Bit started the engine and pulled out to go to the DX. The DX was a gas station that was so old you could probably wonder how it was still running. The main two reasons being that it was close to the school, and Sodapop worked there which attracted the girls from the school. Ponyboy wished they would just revamp it into a 7/11, which was far more popular in his opinion.

It didn't really matter what he thought anyway, considering the store owner was as old as the store. Boomers didn't exactly change or take options from others anyway. He smiled to himself, remembering the time he called Darry a boomer because he felt like it.

Ask everyone how well that turned out for him.

As soon as they rolled into the parking lot, Ponyboy made a beeline for the store front. Both to see his brother, as well as grab the one Pepsi Sodapop saves for them first.

"Jeez, can you go any slower? You're gonna choke, and I didn't take health class." Sodapop teased, Ponyboy hit him in shoulder and took another swig of the Pepsi as soon as the others came in.

"Aw, no fair, kid! Sodapop your baby brothers taking my only joy of the day." Two-Bit complained, reaching for the pop while Ponyboy leaned back out of his reach.

"I thought that was your daily talk with KM?" Steve butted in, using the well known nickname for Kathy. Two-Bit took a swing at him, making Steve duck and go for his own hit.

"Hey! I don't pay you to tussle with customers Steve Randell." The owner warned from the open door of his office. Steve rolled his eyes, knowing that he was in fact early, but he knew not to test the man who signed his paycheck. Steve headed back to change, Two-Bit following him to the back to find some snacks presumably.

"Two-Bit get her to go out with him yet?" Sodapop asked, making Ponyboy look up from his phone he pulled out.

"Eh, got a study date for 'Calculus' homework." He emphasized the air quotes, sharing a knowing look with Sodapop.

"I bet. How do you feel about Taco Bell tonight?" He asked, glancing up to the window where a group of senior girls were about to head in. Ponyboy gagged a little when he saw the blonde tugging down her shirt to show off her breasts.

Sodapop only smiled at him, eyes now drawn to the girl. He was glad that Sodapop was finally getting over Sandy, it had been way too long since he was open to dating again. Still, that didn't mean he liked to see girls readying themselves up for his big brother.

"Why don't you go ask Steve and Two if they're going to stay with us tonight? See if they want something." Sodapop said absentmindedly, giving him a little shove towards the back.

"Have fun with your little fan club," Ponyboy dodged a piece of wrapping paper that got thrown at him with a laugh. He headed through the halls, trying to be quiet seeing as how their boss was asleep. He reached the back and heard Two-Bit and Steve talking. He made it to the door and reached out to grab it open, when he paused.

"I'm just saying that he can't watch himself." He heard Two-Bit speak up, he stilled his hand leaning back to the wall to eavesdrop on the conversation. "He's only 14, Steve."

His ears perked up at that. Were they talking about him?

"We were doing a hell of a lot at 14." Steve pushed back, Ponyboy rubbed at his arms nervously.

"He shouldn't ever have to watch his back like we had to. He's a kid." Ponyboy winced at the words, he wasn't helpless he could do more than they thought.

"You're right, I know that, but it irritates me that he doesn't get it. He acts so dumb sometimes." He bit his lip at the insult-what didn't he get? He wanted to ask but he kept his mouth shut.

"Steve, we have to watch his back. He's our problem after all." Ponyboy gasped a little at the words, he clenched his fists into a tight grip.

Problem?

He didn't stay to hear the rest, he went out the back door. Heading down the alleyway, he forced himself to take a few breaths to calm himself. He paced at the edge of the alley, shaking out his hands in an anxious manner.

He should have known that they didn't actually care about him. He was just Darry and Sodapop's annoying little brother. Did Johnny even care about him? He was sure that if Two-Bit felt that way so did Dally. Despite the voice in the back of his head that had always warned him of the insecurity, he still felt like his world was falling around him.

It hurts to know you're not wanted by the people you thought you could trust.

He pulled himself together enough to walk his way back to school. Halfway down the block a familiar face rolled up in an old Jeep. He almost didn't notice till the call came from the care.

"Aw, don't be like that Baby Curtis, come back," He whipped around to the Jeep, there in all his glory, back from Juvvie, sat: Curly Shepard. Curly's smirk dropped from his face upon seeing Ponyboy's expression. "Jesus, you look like hell warmed over. Get in."

There were no complaints from the youngest end, so he hopped in the Jeep and leaned back into the seat exhaustedly.

"Fuck," Curly said after a few glances over at him. "What the hell happened to you?"

Ponyboy shrugged his shoulders, wanting to tell Curly everything, but it was like his words were stuck in his throat. He wanted to rant to Curly for hours on end about everything that had happened-but he couldn't make himself angry.

He just felt empty about it.

"I'm just a problem to them." He blurted out after a moment. Curly kept quiet, letting him explain what happened.

"...You sure you heard them right?" Ponyboy ran a hand through his hair exhaustedly.

"What else does 'problem' mean?" He questioned, tapping his leg anxiously. Curly rolled off to the side of the road, about a minute from the school.

"What classes do you have left?" He asked, a smirk slowly forming on his lips. Ponyboy looked up at the mischievous tone.

"Just electives, before you get any ideas though I have to go to PE today." Curly rolled his eyes but he didn't lose that look.

"You're no fun, let's go chill for a bit before going back." Curly was the headquarter for bad habit and it wasn't uncommon for him to offer a cigarette to the younger. He hopped out of the Jeep, jumping onto the hood of the vehicle. He pulled a cigarette out offering one to Ponyboy who pulled out his lighter. Curly smiled at the bright red lighter with the AC/DC on it.

"Didn't know you still had that." He handed the lighter back to Ponyboy. It was an old present that he got a few months back right before Curly went to Juvie. Curly described it was a 'going away present' which was ironic considering that the lighter was one of the things that had gotten stolen.

"It's a good lighter." He felt the small blush creeping up his neck, but pushed it down as he lighted his own. "Though, I would have preferred it to not have ended in your juvvie sentence."

Curly scoffed, hitting him playfully in the arm, Ponyboy snickered, leaning back from the hit. They sat there like that for the next hour or so until they decided to head to the movies. Curly snuck them in through the back and they stayed for a showing of Endgame.

They left before the final battle ended, and headed back to school.

"You gonna be good?" Curly asked as he dropped him off, Curly knew well enough about the issues he had at school. After all, he got detention enough times for punching the lights out of a guy or two.

"I'll be fine," he rolled his eyes, wishing that for once someone wouldn't worry about him. "You coming to school tomorrow?"

"Why? You miss me?" He teased. Ponyboy laughed, kicking the door closed behind him.

"You wish. I just need a ride tomorrow from Track after school." They didn't have track today because it was supposed to pour hard, and their school wasn't supposed to have an indoor track until next year. Curly grinned at him, saluting him goodbye as he drove away.

Ponyboy did not, in fact, end up being fine.

Despite what he said, PE was the worst class of the day-right next to his 3rd period class. He knew that the boys in the class had been tailing him for the past week over an incident with a girl he knew. Though he had tried to explain before that they were just friends, the four boys, especially her boyfriend, didn't see it that way.

He should make a score board at this point for how many times he gets in trouble, he could convince Darry to let him do online at this point. If he was being fair to himself though he wouldn't do online school even if he could.

"Curtis!" He heard the yell from behind him, the only people that called him that were his coach and people who decided to be assholes.

"What do you want Dylan?" He asked tiredly as he turned around to meet the four boys. He looked around the hallway for an exit or even a teacher, but it was futile. He'd stayed after class to talk to his coach and by the time they were done talking the school was empty.

"You know what the hell I want. You're messing around with Izzy, and I've told you before to stop talking to her." He growled out, Ponyboy sighed exasperatedly stepping away from the locker he slammed it shut.

"I've told you before me and Izzy are just friends. If you don't like that maybe you need to rethink your relationship." He probably shouldn't have said that last part, but, in his defense he was tired of these guys.

"What the hell did you just say?" Dylan said sharply, he stalked towards Ponyboy, making the younger tense up. "I'm going to give you one more warning. Stay away from her."

The boys began to walk away but he was feeling pissed on behalf of his friend. Izzy should get to pick who she likes and who her friends are, not him. So, seeing as he could never keep his mouth shut, he yelled back at him.

"I don't think I'm the one who should be staying away from Izzy!" The moment he opened his mouth Dylan had turned back around and grabbed onto him. Ponyboy was slightly surprised from the contact so he didn't struggle until a hand grabbed his head.

'Shit' was the only thing he could think of before his head was slammed into the locker. He yelped at the hit, reminding him of the brick wall from this weekend. He felt his head hit on of the slots on the locker. It cut open his forehead on contact.

His hands shot up to his head, covering the bleeding area. He waited for the next hit to come, but the group hesitated. He didn't know why but they took off, maybe they felt bad. He was proven wrong when he finally heard the footsteps that were coming towards him. He wondered who had caught him, he hoped that wasn't a teacher.

He looked up through the blood oozing from his forehead, he winced.

There stood Steve and Two-Bit, he cursed his luck for today. So much for avoiding the two for the rest of his life. Two-Bit was holding something to his forehead while Steve was pushing him into the bathroom.

He would've rather taken the teachers than deal with this right now.

He knew he was being harsh but right now he didn't really care. They obviously didn't care, as they said, and we're just trying to make the cut look better so they won't get in trouble with his brothers. He hated that that was how he thought now, but you can't hate the truth.

"Jesus Christ kid, hold still." He heard Two-Bit grumble, "You're making this way harder than it has to be…! Just lemme look!" It didn't take long for Steve's cold, irritated glare to hit him, catching him off guard as he sat still just long enough for the two to get a look at his wound.

They hissed.

"...Again?" Steve's tone said more than the contents of his words. "You gotta be fuckin' kidding me."

"Shut up, Steve." He growled out, pushing away from Two-Bit again when he started to look at it again. Two-Bit scowled at him, reaching for him again as he gestured for Steve to grab some towels.

"I mean, how do you manage to get in this much trouble? What are you doing?" He questioned as if it was Ponyboys own fault. Ponyboy gritted his teeth in irritation, grunting angrily at Two-Bit, who was trying to grab at his head.

"I'm not doing anything!" He lost his temper yelling back at the two, he yanked out of his grip again. "Just fuck off already, yeah?" The crude remark only seemed to make the two more eager to help-probably out of spite more than anything, he assumed.

It felt as though not even a second had passed before Steve launched a ball of folded up towels at his gut. "You ungrateful brat!" Two bit approached once more, but rather than attempting to grab him again, he rather guarded him from moving too far, allowing Steve to grab him again. "I swear to God,"

"You-!" Though once Two-Bit had grabbed him as well, Ponyboy knew he was fighting a losing battle. Perhaps verbal assault was his only option. "Just, get off me! I know you don't care-!"

"If we didn't care would we be holdin' you down like this?" Two-Bit quickly interrupted as he forced a towel against the gash, making him yelp.

"I heard what you said," He thrashed around in the grip making Steve tighten his hold. "I know I'm just a problem to you!"

Despite earlier tactics not working on either of them, this seemed to make the two of them pause. Ponyboy tried to thrash again, but Steve held tight as he looked to Two-Bit in confusion. Two-Bit seemed just as perplexed, until something came over him, making step away and run a hand down his face.

"We didn't mean it like that, Pone." He said more quietly, Ponyboy's struggles died down ever so slightly. "Let me explain, ok?"

Ponyboy relented his struggles enough for Steve to release him from the hold. Steve stepped back, leaning against the wall beside the two of them. Ponyboy rested against the counter in the bathroom, he winced as the towel was replaced on his forehead.

"How much of that conversation did you hear?" Steve piped up when Two-Bit seemed to be at a loss for words. He shrugged his shoulders, telling them the bit of conversation he heard. He kept his head down and didn't see Two-Bit shake his head at the words.

"Kid-Ponyboy, it's not like you think. Of course you're our 'problem', that's because you've always been like our little brother." Two-Bit admitted rubbing at the back of his neck, Ponyboy looked up in surprise at that, Steve looked away a little embarrassed. "We've known you since we were kids, you can't get rid of us kid. We're as much as your problem as you are ours."

Ponyboy stared dumbfoundedly at them as if the very concept of this was completely forgein.

"Well, what did you think?" Steve shot at him, making him quickly anxious as well as embarrassed. Ponyboy did not want to admit what he thought at all. Especially since it had been what he'd thought since he was old enough to understand the words "Tag-along". He knew that if he told Johnny that he had the same feeling about him, no matter how timid Johnny was, it wouldn't stop him from kicking Ponyboys ass.

"Nothin'." He offered, making the two roll their eyes in irritation at him.

"Uh, huh." Steve humored his pathetic response, grabbing more towels to place on his head. He wet them and threw the bloody ones away, allowing Two-Bit to place more on the wound.

"Come on, Pone. Just get it over with and tell us, or i'll tell Superman that you get into trouble again." Two-Bit decided to go for the brothers tactic, which usually worked like a charm.

"That's dirty, Two-Bit." Ponyboy glared at him under the towels, Two-Bit only shrugged at him.

"Talk." Steve laid it out for him, Ponyboy sighed tapping his hands nervously against the counter.

"...I doubted that any of you actually cared about me; most of you, I figured, hated me."

I have a ton of idea but I would love some suggestions in the comments!