Curtis Tea

Chaotic Morning

All of this started the second Darry got Pony and Soda up for school and work, as well as Steve, who was sleeping on their couch. All morning, Pony had an attitude. At first, Darry brushed it off, thinking he was just tired or didn't want to go to school. Boy was he wrong...

Darry made everyone waffles for breakfast. After Ponyboy ate, he just went and laid right back down on the couch after. Darry was quite annoyed, but decided to still be nice to him and let him be a bit cranky. That was, until, he asked Pony to take an extra house key with him, just in case no one was home after school.

Darry: Alright Pone, I know you're not feeling too tuff this morning, but can you do me a favor?
Pony: No!
Darry: You haven't even heard it yet!
Pony: *sigh*  What do you want Darry?!
Dary: Listen, can you please just take an extra key in your bag for me? Just in case I need to leave later.
Pony: No Darry. I'll take an extra key when I know  you're gonna leave.
Darry: Um. Okay. But I really don't know if I'm gonna have to leave for work later. Please take a key with you.
Pony: I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE THE KEYS ARE DARRY! THE LAST TIME I HAD THEM WAS 3 DAYS AGO AT TRACK!

Darry was struggling to keep his cool at that point. He understood being cranky, but still didn't appreciate Pony's screaming and yelling. Despite this, he calmly went over to the desk, got a key, and gave it to Ponyboy.

Darry: Here pone. I know you don't want it, but you'll thank me later. *hands pony the key*
Pony: I don't want an extra key Darry! 
Darry: I know you don't Pony... but please just take it. And don't lose it! Be responsible please.
Pony: *throws key on the floor* THERE! YOU HAPPY NOW?!

After Pony threw the key, Darry knew his patience wasn't gonna last much longer. He almost chose to go off on Pony right then and there, but decided to let it slide so Pony wouldn't get dramatic and cry right before school. 

20 minutes later, everyone was ready except for Pony, who was still packing up his stuff and mumbling to himself about Darry. Soda and Steve were following Darry around like hawks out of boredom, but Darry wasn't bothered. He was more focused on Pony. He had completely changed his mind about letting it slide and decided to punish him really quick. With Soda and Steve watching, he snuck right up to Pony and got ready.

Darry: Whatcha doing, Pone?
Pony: *sigh* I'm getting my school stuff ready. What does it look like I'm doing?
Darry: Well, I'd like to know why you're so cranky today. What's going on in Pony's world?
Pony: NOTHING'S GOING ON DARRY! GOD, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!

Darry was at his limit. Without missing a beat, he grabbed Pony by his hair and yelled, "PONYBOY! DON'T YOU EVER TALK TO ME LIKE THAT AGAIN! I DON'T DESERVE TO BE TALKED TO LIKE THAT! I HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT NICE TO YOU THIS MORNING BEFORE SCHOOL!". As soon as he let go, Pony started to bawl. Darry wasn't phased though; Pony learned a lesson. Soda and Steve both stood there in shock before backing away and seperating themselves from the situation.

After another 5 - 10 minutes, everyone was gathered at the front door and ready to leave. Well, almost ready. Right before leaving the door, Soda and Steve were stopped by Darry for not wearing a jacket. He thought they just forgot, but turns out, it was completely intentional.

Darry: Woah you two!
Soda: What?
Darry: It is way  too cold for just a DX shirt and jeans! It's 40 degrees out! Here, put your coats on.
Soda: Darryyyyy stop! We're tryna be tough! All the tough greasers don't wear coats!
Steve: Yeah! We're tough; we can handle a little cold!
Soda: Just let us do this! Please?
Darry: No! You guys are gonna get sick! Even Dally wears a coat! C'mon!
Soda: We don't care Darry! We're just trying to be cool for once! Pleeeeaaassseeee?
Darry: *sigh* Fine. It does not matter to me.
Steve and Soda: Yay!

Seeing Soda and Steve not listen to Darry for that minute made Pony feel a bit better, but he was still pretty upset. Him and Darry argued all the time, but it rarely got physical. His feelings were more hurt than his hair.

Darry: Alright everyone! Let's go! Have a fun day!
Pony: Bye Darry...
Darry: You come home in a better mood, Pony. Get on the bus and stop crying. 
Steve and Soda: Bye Dar!
Darry: Bye boys! Good luck without a coat.

Once everyone left, Darry was finally able to relax. He thought about everything that had just happened with Ponyboy and laughed. Man, that kid was crazy somedays. Most of the time, he's pretty sweet. But when he's got an attitude... well, brace yourself for the worst. 

After 15 minutes of daydreaming, the phone rang. Darry was pretty confused at first; who on Earth could be calling at 7:50 in the morning? He picked it up immediately when he saw it was from the DX.

Darry: Hello?
Soda: Hey Dar. It's S- Soda.
Darry: Soda? Are you okay? What's going on?
Soda: Darry, can me and Steve p- pleeeeaaaasssseeee come back and get our coats really fast? W- we're freezing.
Darry: Ha! Nope, you're not allowed back home 'til you're done work.
Soda: W- what do you mean I'm not allowed back home?
Darry: I told you what would happen and you didn't listen, little buddy. I'm looking out the window right now. The manager's car is right around the corner. He'll let y'all go inside.
Soda: Alright... thanks I guess.

Darry hung up the phone and started laughing to himself. Truth is, he was bluffing when he said the manager was around the corner. He just figured that he'd mess with them a bit for not listening earlier and let them suffer the natural consequences. But of course, Soda being Soda immediately called back 10 minutes later when the manager still  hadn't arrived.

Darry: Hello?
Soda: Darrryyyyyy!! Y- you said the manager was coming! He's st- still not hereee!!
Darry: Don't worry, Pepsi-Cola. He's just taking a bit slower than usual today. You guys will be okay.
Soda: O- okay Dar. T- thank you.
Darry: No problem. Now get to work. I don't wanna hear from you until this afternoon!

After the mini coat drama was over with, Darry finally got to start his day. Dallas stopped by before going to Shepard's house and Darry spilled all the tea to him. Dal obviously found it hilarious, as any sort of "action" excites him.

Later that day, they could all laugh off the entire morning. Pony apologized to Darry for his attitude and Darry apologized for losing control, Soda and Steve decided to never leave without a coat again, and everyone wondered how all this started from a key. They all watched a movie before heading home for the night. And before bed, Pony fell asleep on Darry's lap...