We pulled up to the house and the party was just getting started. It was only about 7:30 so the real party probably wouldn't begin until later, but we would probably be heading home by then. Still there were already a lot of people here and the music was blasting and kids were all over the place.
Darry parked down the road and then turned to both of us. "Ok look we have to leave by 10:30 to not get caught. I'll keep watch of the time. Soda don't do anything stupid or let me find you in a position that neither of us want me to see got it?" Soda just rolled his eyes and then laughed "don't come looking if you don't want to see" he teased back and gave Darry's arm a shove.
Darry got real serious "Soda I mean it. Not tonight. Stay in the main areas with Sandy please" Soda just laughed again but agreed. I had gone completely red at this. Not a conversation I wanted to be apart of. I wouldn't be joking like Soda was if Darry was saying that to me.
Then Darry turned to me "Ponyboy you don't take anything anyone gives you got it? I can't have you drinking on accident. If you need some water or something have Soda or I test it out first. Stay where we can see you and stick with one of the guys. Do not and I mean do not leave with anyone else or go somewhere without telling us. Got it?"
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes "yeah, yeah I got it. I'm just going to hang with Johnny anyways. You think he is here yet?" I asked.
Soda and Darry just shrugged "no idea. He usually shows up with Dally a little later so maybe. Alright lets go. Don't be stupid tonight. If we get caught we are dead" I knew Darry was probably just worried about Mom and Dad taking his truck away, but he was right they would be really upset if they found out about this.
We all hopped out of the car and Soda immediately took off saying he needed to find Sandy. He quickly disappeared into the crowd. "Come on lets go see if we can find the gang" Darry said to me as we headed inside.
If outside was loud and wild it had nothing on being inside. There were so many people packed into this house. The music was twice as loud in here and was giving me a headache. It smelt like booze, smoke, and sweat and I didn't know how anyone could hear each other. I couldn't even hear myself think. I wanted to leave already, but knew Darry would be mad if I asked. I made him bring me after all and he said I wouldn't like it. I couldn't back down and admit that he was right. I only had to tough it out for about 3 hours and then we would have to leave to make curfew. If I could just find Johnny then maybe it wouldn't be so bad.
"Ponyboy!" Darry was yelling at me to get my attention, but I was so overwhelmed by everything and it was so loud that I didn't hear him. "What?" I yelled back. He rolled his eyes and looked like he let out a grown but I couldn't hear it over the music. He probably already regretted bringing me.
"I said follow me. It's a bit quieter in the kitchen not by the speakers and that's where you can usually find whoever you're looking for. Kitchens at parties are meeting areas. Come on" Darry said and started walking through the crowds. I was shoved and pushed around as I followed him. I really didn't like this.
We walked into the kitchen and Darry was scanning the room. I know he was just trying to find one of the gang so he could drop me off and go do what he actually wanted to do. I didn't need a babysitter, but I also didn't want Darry to just leave me alone so I'm glad he was trying to at least find someone for me first before leaving.
As we were looking around the room Tim Shepard walked up to Darry and clapped him on the back. "Hey man I hear it was your birthday the other day and you got some new wheels from your folks"
Darry turned and they started chatting. I could barely hear them, but Darry was right the kitchen was a little quieter, but not by much "Oh yeah the truck is all mine now. Hey have you seen any of my boys around here?"
Tim just shook his head "nah I just got here though. I was actually looking for Dally myself. Guy owes me two dollars so if you see him send him my way." Darry just nodded "will do."
Tim started to walk away, but then he saw me. He looked confused and then shocked and then turned back to Darry "you brought the kid to a party? What are you crazy? Ain't no way you get laid tonight while babysitting"
Darry looked at me and then back at Tim "I ain't trying to get laid tonight, I just wanted to have a good time. I had to bring him though. The folks are out so it was either he came or I had to stay home."
Tim raised an eyebrow and then said "My folks ain't ever home but you don't see me bringing Curly to a party. Kid can watch himself"
"Yeah and where is your kid brother right now?" Darry shot back.
Tim just waved his hand "oh he's at the station. Got picked up about an hour ago for vandalism or something like that. I told him I would pick him up after the party. He can sit there and wait and think about how he got caught for a bit. If I end up getting lucky tonight or too wasted I'll just get him in the morning."
Darry's mouth slightly dropped open from shock, but he quickly recovered "You're just leaving him at the station?"
"Kid got caught. It's his own fault. He can sit and think about it. I'm not his parent. My job is to just make sure that kid isn't dead on the street. When I was his age if I got picked up for doing something stupid there wasn't anyone bailing me out. I had to wait until the holding period was over and they let me out. He's lucky he only has to wait a few hours. Anyways it's free babysitting. Means that tonight I don't have to worry about him dead in the street somewhere. I get to just enjoy the party knowing he is safely behind bars at the moment." Tim responded. Then he turned to address me "I hear you joined Curly's little gang he is putting together."
Darry whipped around to give me a stern look and cross his arms. I looked at Darry as I responded. I wasn't going to look Tim in the eyes. That guy scared me "I didn't join his gang. He just sits with me at lunch with all his friends. I don't say nothing to him though." Darry didn't seem convinced but Tim just waved it off "Figured as much. That kid brother of mine is an idiot clearly with him getting caught and all. I was just hoping maybe someone smart would be around, but I guess that was just wishful thinking. Well I'll see you around Curtis brothers." and with that Tim walked away.
I knew Darry was about to lecture me on staying away from Curly when Two-Bit stumbled on over. He threw his arm around my shoulders and leaned on me with a beer in hand "What's our little Ponyboy doing here?"
"Hey Two. You seen Johnny or Dally around yet?" Darry asked in way of greeting. Two-Bit just shook his head "no you're the first ones I've seen tonight. Did you bring the wrong brother to the party Darry?" he asked.
Darry just laughed "no Soda took off the second we got here probably getting in trouble somewhere. Hey can you stay with Ponyboy for a minute? I want to go talk to Paul before it gets too crazy in here." Two-Bit just nodded and Darry walked away.
"So how did you end up here kid?" Two-Bit asked. His breath already reeked of alcohol and I knew he was just getting started.
"Mom and Dad went out for the night and I convinced my brothers to let me sneak out with them." I told him while shoving him off of me. He stumbled a bit without me holding up his weight.
Sodapop finally came over with his arms wrapped around Sandy and Steve was also with him. "Hey guys what's up?" Soda asked stopping to form a circle.
"Oh I was just giving the kid something to drink" Two-Bit responded while spilling some of the beer he was holding and laughing.
Soda just let out a laugh and then said "you give that kid a drink and Darry will have you blacked-out in seconds and not the drunk kind of blackout you are used to." and he laughed some more. "Honestly I'm surprised he even let us sneak out tonight. We get caught and Darry loses the car for sure. I can't believe he is risking that. If Pony gets drunk though no way we get away with this. Keep it away from him Two." But Soda was laughing the whole time he was speaking. It's not easy for Soda to be serious even when what he is saying is serious.
Darry walked by with Paul and saw that I was now with most of the gang. He pointed and mouthed 'watch him' to Sodapop and kept walking. He stopped at a group of girls and they all seemed to be chatting it up and flirting with the old football stars.
A group of girls then walked up to us and all the guys started making fools of themselves. I struggled not to laugh as they all tried to chat up the new girls and were clearly trying to show off. No one paid much attention to me as they all spoke. I just listened in and scanned the room for when Johnny got here.
One of the girls must have just noticed me because she gave a little squeal and then she was pinching my cheeks. I swatted her off and was mortified as she said "he's so cute and little! awwww who's kid is this?" she turned to look at all the guys who weren't holding back their laughter. Finally Soda answered "that's my kid brother he gets his good looks from me clearly." Everyone laughed at that except me. I hated the way these girls were treating me like a baby and telling me how cute I was.
Two-Bit was getting a real kick out of it though and whispered to me "I'm going to start taking you everywhere with me." and then he started chatting up some blonde. The girls quickly lost interest with me luckily and turned back to the guys. Man I just wanted Johnny to show up.
Finally as if I spoke it into existence Johnny and Dally walked over. Johnny was sporting a new black eye. I'm sure I knew where that one came from. I hated how he was treated at home. Dally jumped right in with flirting with the girls, but Johnny slid over to stand by me. He gave me a quiet hey and we both just stood there and watched the guys with the girls.
They seemed to be pairing up and were going to head over to dance closer to the music. Soda turned around and said to Johnny and I "Why don't you two go sit over there on that couch. We are just going to be dancing nearby." he pointed to a nice looking couch off to the side of where everyone was dancing and the music was the loudest. I just nodded and Johnny and I headed over that way.
We sat there for probably an hour. Johnny and I couldn't really talk on account of the music so we mostly just sat watching everyone around us. No one came up to us or even acknowledged us. The music was loud and I wasn't really feeling all too good. Johnny must've noticed because he tried asking me something. I couldn't hear and had to say 'what' three times. Finally I think he said he was going to get water, but I'm not sure. He stood up and walked towards the kitchen at least. My head was really pounding at this point and I was ready to leave. This party wasn't all that fun.
I realized when Johnny left that I didn't know where anyone was. I couldn't see any of the guys dancing anymore. I knew they must be around somewhere, but I was all alone on the couch. I really started feeling sick then.
Out of nowhere this girl sat down right next to me. She wasn't a Greaser girl, but I don't think she was a Soc either. She looked to be a year or so older than Soda and she smelt like flowers. It probably smelt good, but surrounded by the beer, smoke, and sweat that filled the room it just made me feel more nauseous.
"Hey kid. What's your name?" she asked me. I just looked at her but didn't respond. Was she really talking to me? I looked around the room for either of my brothers but couldn't see them at the moment.
"You alright kid? You aren't looking too good. Who brought you here?" she tried to ask. But once again I didn't respond. I was scared that if I opened my mouth I would throw up. I was really starting to feel sick. Couldn't this girl just leave me alone?
"Hey you aren't looking too good. Let's get you out of all this noise and some fresh air. Come on" and then she stood up and grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet. I knew I wasn't supposed to leave with anyone, but everyone had technically left me. And the idea of fresh air and getting out of the noise seemed good so I followed her up the stairs.