Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders
AN-This chapter has a time skip. So now everyone in the gang is now a year older. Pony is 5, Soda's 17, Darry's 21, etc.
I have another chapter ready to be posted but I wanted to post this one first since it's everyone's least favorite time of the year (back to school.) So this chapter will be Pony's first day of kindergarten. And I don't know if they AM or PM kindergarten classes in the 60's but Pony's in PM. Also I don't know if parents/guardians are allowed to go in with their kids on the first day so I'm just going to say that they could.
Lastly, I hope that you're all having a great holiday!
Anyways thats enough of my rambling, on with the chapter!
"Pony!" The five year old heard his older brother call out. He hurriedly climbed back in his bed, tossing his blankets over himself. He knew why he was being called. It was his first day of school. Ponyboy knew that he'd be going, Darry wouldn't stop talking about it. In his mind, he figured it would help Pony feel better about it but really it just made him more nervous. The previous night he was excited about it but now that it was time he was more nervous than he ever was.
"Pone?" He was glad it was Soda. Soda would let him linger without getting upset. Sodapop lightly shook him, waiting for Pony to sit up. Eventually he did, albeit slowly. Soda smiled down at his little brother, affectionately rubbing his auburn hair.
"Ready for your first day, kiddo?" Ponyboy hid a grimace. He never wanted to start kindergarten. He was scared to be away from the gang for so long. He was also afraid that his teacher would be mean and he was afraid of not being able to make any friends. A bit hesitantly he shook his head.
Soda furrowed his eyebrows, remembering how excited Pony looked the night before when they talked about school. "What's the matter Pone?" he questioned but to no avail. He sighed, standing up he walked over to his closet and picked up the clothes that Pony had picked out the night before. He laid them on the edge of the bed, bribing him to get dressed by saying that he'd take him to the park. Enthusiastically Pony jumped off of his bed, grabbing his clothes, practically running to the bathroom. Smiling, Soda followed him out.
"That wasn't so bad," Two-Bit commented. "My sister was practically screaming and threw her toys all over the place. Which is why she has to go to the p.m. class."
"I had to bribe him with the park." Soda shook his head. "I thought he'd be excited like he was last night. What's Amanda's problem with going to kindergarten anyway?" Darry bit his lip, wishing that he could go with Pony but he and Soda had flipped a coin, which Soda won, to see who would go with Pony and who would go to work since someone had to.
Two-Bit shrugged, picking at his nails. "I don't know. I booked it out of there after she started screaming."
"You just left?" Darry looked at him. "Your Mom probably could've used your help. I had to help my Mom when Soda started school. He just wouldn't quit bawling." Darry chuckled at the memory.
Soda blushed. "Shut up," he mumbled, embarrassed. This caused Steve and Two-Bit to start snickering at him. He was beyond relieved when he heard Pony running out of the bathroom and into the living room. He ran up to Soda, tugging on his hand, babbling about going to the park.
"Okay, okay," he said, lifting Pony up. "We're going." Ponyboy smiled happily, glad his brother wasn't lying. Two-Bit got up, following the two.
"Might as well try to bribe Amanda with the park."
"Don't you have school today too?" Soda questioned as they walked to Two-Bit's house.
Two-Bit scoffed. "I'm not going today. I don't know today just feels like a skip day."
"Can I skip too?" Pony excitedly asked Soda, who gave Two-Bit a now look what you did look.
"No Pone you can't skip. Don't you wanna go to school and be smart?" His only reply was Pony shaking his head and Two-Bit snickering. He sighed, placing Pony in his lap as he sat down on Two-Bit's porch while they waited for him to get his sister, whom could still be heard screaming and throwing a fit. Soda took this time to try and figure out why his own sibling was so upset about going to school.
"Pony? Why don't you wanna go to school?" He decided to be blunt, hoping to get a quick response. Which he got.
"I won't have any friends," he stated sadly. Soda rested his chin on top of Pony's head. He remembered that he had the same fear when he started school but that wasn't as bad as waking up early. He also remembered meeting Steve only three days later.
"You'll make friends baby, I promise," he assured him.
Pony's bottom lip pushed up forward as he pouted sulkily. "But I don't wanna go! I'm too scared," he whispered sadly.
"What are you scared of?" Sodapop asked softly, rubbing his brother's back comfortingly.
"I don't know what it's like. Will I get to play a lot? Do I have to do a lot of work? What if I can't do the work?" he replied, still sounding upset.
Soda grinned. "The only work you'll be doing in there is playing and making friends. And you'll learn the alphabet which you already know so you're already ahead of your class!" he praised, eliciting a small smile from Pony. "You know they've got books in there too?" Pony's small smile turned into a bigger, happier smile at the mention of books.
For the next five minutes Soda shared some of his own experiences in kindergarten with him such as when he met Steve, what toys he always played with and a time when he thought he got cooties. He made sure to leave out anything that got him in trouble. He didn't need Pony trying that and then hearing Darry chew him out for it.
He had just finished another a story when Two-Bit finally came back out with his sister looking unexpectedly happy then Soda remembered that they were going to the park. Glancing down at his watch he saw that they'd only have twenty minutes in the park. He hoped that would be enough for Pony.
During their walk Pony climbed up on Soda's back, wrapping his arms around his neck as Soda held Pony's hands.
"Do we get to have a nap time at school?" Pony questioned, yawning.
Two-Bit answered for Soda by shaking his head. "Nah kid. Probably the worst thing about school."
"You can take one as soon as you get home," Soda promised. Pony smiled, hopping off of his back once they got to the park. He played on the swings, which were his favorite next to the slide. Pony squealed as Soda and Two-Bit took turns pushing him. Of course Two-Bit had to keep an eye on his sister as well but she was only playing in the sandbox and they were the only ones there so he wasn't worried.
Once it was time to go both of the older greasers were surprised when the two children followed behind them without any protests.
It was a short walk so they got there in less than five minutes. Soda was about to say his goodbyes to Pony when he saw other parents and guardians going inside the building with their children. He looked down at his little brother questioningly.
"Do you want me to go in with you Pone?" Ponyboy nodded hurriedly, not wanting his brother to leave him. Soda glanced around for a moment before seeing a familiar trouble making kid. "Hey Pony Curly's here." He pointed in his direction. He looked at him, smiling but staying close to Soda until he spotted someone else.
"Dally!" he squealed running over to the tow-headed greaser, embracing his legs in a tight hold.
"Hey kid." He kneeled down to Pony's height, ruffling up his hair.
"What're you doing here?" Soda asked Dally, looking confused but grateful.
He shrugged carelessly. "Just making sure these brats don't mess with the kid." He directed the next part to Pony. "And if they do, tell me. I'll put an end to it real quick." Ponyboy nodded, smiling brightly.
At that time Two-Bit came running back. "Well she's taken care of." He gestured to his sister who was playing with some dolls.
He then noticed Dally. "Aw Dal are you starting school too?" He burst out laughing. Dally simply glared heatedly but he wouldn't do anything else with Pony around. Two-Bit grinned innocently as Dally gave him a just wait till we're alone look. Two-Bit gulped, looking at Soda for help but he was busy staring at something near the doorway. Two-Bit looked in the same direction.
"Is that Steve?" he asked, stunned. Soda nodded. "And Johnny too?" Two-Bit questioned again once he saw another taller form standing by Steve. Soda nodded again, watching as Pony ran over to them both, greeting them the same way he did Dally.
Soda eyed them apprehensively. "Why aren't any of you in school? Your school," he corrected before they could say that they were in a school.
"Relax Mom. It's only one day. We'll go tomorrow," Steve said, rolling his eyes. Soda also rolled his eyes but let it go.
Johnny kneeled down next to Pony. "Hey Pone. Did you make any friends yet?" Pony shook his head. He didn't want to talk to anyone that he didn't know so he was glad Curly was there. Curly didn't have the patience to make new friends so he pulled out any toy that he saw, played with them for a minute before leaving them on the floor and getting a new one. He even broke a few but no one noticed. Pony figured that it was best if he just stayed with the gang. He was happy that they came. Briefly he wondered if they would come everyday but he knew they couldn't.
Pony was starting to get bored when the teacher announced that it was lunch. He smiled, grabbing his lunch box from Steve. He was happy not only because it was lunch time but also because he had managed to avoid talking to anyone new. Just as he thought about that the teacher came up to him with a smile. Even though she looked nice she still frightened him so he ran to Soda and Dally.
The teacher looked a bit startled when she saw the gang, knowing that they couldn't all be related to the child. "Who are you?" she directed the question to all of them, eyeing them curiously. Sighing, Soda stood up, quickly introducing himself, not wanting to converse with her.
Smiling, she shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Mr. Curtis." She then turned her gaze to the rest of the gang, silently asking who they were.
"I'm his brother too," Two-Bit replied lazily.
Rolling his eyes Soda shook his head. "They're friends." The teacher nodded, going off to talk with the other adults.
After they finished eating they took Pony outside so he could play on the schools playground. As usual he made his way to the swings, not bothering with the slide since it was just barely above the ground. As he swung another boy sat on the swing beside him. He looked at Pony and smiled.
"Hi my names Alex! What's yours?" he asked excitedly. Pony gave him a weird look but answered him anyway.
"Ponyboy."
"That's such a cool name!" Pony looked at him confused. Were they friends now?
As if he read his mind Alex handed him a piece of paper. "Heres an invitation for my birthday party!" Pony took it, reading it. He smiled as he and Alex jumped off the swings at the same time, both running off in opposite directions.
Ponyboy ran back over to the gang, handing his invitation to Soda. He could feel everyone else reading over his shoulder. He smiled, ruffling Pony's hair. "I told you that you would make friends!" Pony grinned, running back to find his new friend. They watched run off, smiling softly at his retreating form.
xxxx
When it was time to go home the gang expected Ponyboy to complain but he didn't. Instead he ran over to where they were and rushed them out the door. They looked down at him confused. They thought he had a good day.
"Soda can I stay home tomorrow?" Pony asked, green eyes glowing.
"Why don't you wanna go back? I thought you liked school."
"I do. But I already played with all of the toys and I know the alphabet. It'll just be boring tomorrow," he complained.
"Did you already read all of those books?" Steve questioned. He remembered that the classroom should've just been a library with all of those books in there.
Pony shook his head. "Then you can do that," Steve replied with a smirk.
Grinning wide, Pony nodded. He'd forgotten about reading. It'd probably take him awhile but he didn't care. And the best part, at least in his mind, was that he wouldn't even have to share the books since the other kids couldn't really read too well.
"Well lets get you home. You can have some cake and take that nap I promised you."
Pony smiled again. He could get used to going to school, just as long as he could have some cake.