Sophie And Lane

Chapter 6

Lane's POV

Ponyboy walked into the kitchen as Darry and me were making breakfast, "you know Steve has a sister?"

I cocked an eyebrow, a trick I picked up from Two-Bit, "a little slow on the uptake, huh?"

He narrowed his eyes at me, "you're hilarious," he muttered sarcastically. "Did you take my smokes again?"

"Yeah," I tossed them to him, "you goin' out now?"

He nodded as he walked out the door. I followed him out, knowing Darry was giving me adisapproving look. I had started smoking a lot more after my parents died. I used to have one here an' there, but now I smoke close to a pack a day.

We went out back and lit up. Sophie had come out too. I offered her one and she eagerly took it. "You an' Steve good now?"

"I guess," she flicked her ashes, "thanks for letting me crash in your room."

I nodded, but Pony goes, "wait, she slept here last night? How come I didn't know?"

I shrugged, "ain't my fault your heads in clouds. Maybe you'd notice more if ya quit daydreaming so damn much."

"Daydreaming ain't so bad," Sophie chimed into the conversation, "it's a nice escape." She smiled at Ponyboy.  Pony grinned back her.

"Wow, and on the note," I jumped in, "some of us have adult things to take care of."  I walked in the house making sure I slammed the door.

Sophie's POV

I kept sneaking looks at Ponyboy.  He looked pretty hot.  His eyes were a shade of green/gray, but in the sun, they seemed to sparkle green. 

"So, you're really Steve's sister?" He asked.  I nodded as I took another smoke.  "You two do look alike.  Have you seen your dad yet?"  I shook my head.  I remembered what Steve had said about our dad kicking him out and I shuddered.  "Are you ok?"

I forced a smile, "yup, just tired.  So Steve said there are others?" I was trying to keep the conversation going.

"Yeah, there's Johnny, Two-Bit, and Dally.  They'll be here any minute.  Darry's making breakfast."  I must have looked confused because he said, "our house is always open.  My mom ways made sure we had extra food and a place to sleep.  Even if it was just the couch or floor."

"What happened to your parents?"  Pony got quiet and I regretted asking the question.  "Sorry. You don't have to tell me."

"No, it's ok.  Our parents died in a car accident about a month ago.  The courts decided yesterday morning that Darry is fit to be our legal guardian."

"I'm sorry.  That must be hard."  Pony shrugged.  We finished our smokes and went back inside.

There were more guys in the house when we walked back in.  One guy in a blue Mickey Mouse shirt with killer rusty sideburns sat on the floor eating chocolate cake, one was in a brown leather jacket standing next to Sodapop and Steve, his blues eye looked mean, his hair was almost white.  The last boy was real tan with jet black hair and dark eyes.  He looked about Pony's age.  He looked scared.  Steve waved me over.  "Guys, this is my sister, Sophie." 

The one in Micky Mouse shirt jumped up, "Damn, where Stevie been hiding you?" He put his arm around me, "names Keith, but my friends call me Two-Bit."

"That's a dumb name." I remarked and shrugged his arm off, "ain't you a little old for Mickey Mouse?"

He clutched his heart as if I stabbed him "she doesn't like the Mouse?" He glared at Steve, "you ruined her!"  Steve playfully punched him in the gut.

Two-Bit ruffled my hair, "ya dig ok, Kid."

Steve pointed to leather jacket guy, "that's Dally Winston."  He grunted some kinda greeting.

"Is this Douche Canoe?"  As soon as the words left ny mouth, I instantly regretted it. 

Dally grabbed me and threw me against the wall, "I oughta beat the living daylights outta you!" He growled in my face.  His breath smelled like beer and cigarettes.

Steve intervened, "chill out, Dal. It was just a joke." Dally dropped me and Steve gave me an apologetic smile.  I was gonna get him back for that.

"This here is Johnny Cade," he pointed to the dark haired boy.  Johnny offered me a small hello.

Darry called us for breakfast.  Two-Bit made some comment to Dally about me bein' a "Randle."  Steve grinned a toothy grin, and gave me a sideways hug.  For the first time, in my entire life, I felt like I belonged.