Darling

The Gang

The final bell rang. Darlene gathered her things and began walking to her locker.

"Curtis, wait up!" She looked behind her as Two-Bit struggled through the wave of people to catch up to her.

"Hey Two. Why in such a hurry?" She questioned.

"I just gotta know if you're coming with me to the DX."

"No, I'm just gonna walk home with Ponyboy."

"Oh, well BYE." He said, and walked to the doors. Darlene clamped her mouth shut to keep from laughing as Two ran right into a soc girl.

"Sorry, princess." He chuckled. The soc scrunched her face and rolled her eyes. Two-Bit usually was a pretty goofy dude. Loves Mickey Mouse and has a great sense of humor. He's overall a good guy. Darlene looks up to him for his optimism and cheerfulness.

She finally made it to her locker, which was conveniently right next to Ponyboys locker.

"Hey Pony." She poked him in the side making him jump.

"Qiute that, I'm ticklish!"
Darlene just laughed. She loved teasing her brothers. Especially Pony because he's the youngest. (All out of love of course.)

"Alright, hurry up, I don't have anything to put away and I wanna go home already. My back hurts." She complained.

"Okay, okay, shut up and let's go." He said, closing his locker.

The two siblings made their way outside and began the short walk home.

"How's your first week of 9th been so far?" Darling asked her younger brother. Ponyboy, who is 14 just started 9th, and Darlene, 16, 10th. Two-Bit, 18, is a senior but his lack of interest in school makes her question if he'll even graduate on time.

"How about you? How's being a sophomore?"

"It's been alright. Math doesn't look any easier." She sighed.

"Don't worry, I can help." He shoots her a smile.

"Thanks, kid, I appreciate that." Ponyboy is very smart. He's in all advanced classes, which Darlene is grateful for because he is great help. She sometimes thinks that if she didn't have Pony, she wouldn't be passing. Darlene Curtis is smart. She is. But school has never come easy for her. She'd rather spend her time outside and listening to music anyways.

When they got home, they opened the door to find Johnny sitting on the couch.

"Hi, Johnny, how's it going?"

"I'm doing okay, Ponyboy. Hey Darling." He nods to her.

"Hey Johnny Cakes." She smiled to him.

Johnny Cade is just the sweetest thing in Darlene's eyes. He's got a bright smile and a kind charm. His folks don't treat him right, though, so he usually stays at the Curtis home to escape the constant yelling. The
Curtis's see him as another brother, and the gang cares for him like family, 'cause that's what he is.

"Anyone else home?" Darling asks. She places her book bag on the chair and sits to take of her scuffed up Dr. Martin's.

"No," Johnny replies. He leans back on the couch and yawns. "I think Dal's coming over though. He mentioned maybe taking us to a movie." He yawns again. "Until then, I'm napping."

Darling giggled softly. "Alright, you do that. I'm starving. Pony, you know if we got chips?" She gets up and walks into the kitchen.

"I don't know, but if we do, get me some, will ya?"

"Sure, kid...Aha, chips!" She grabs the bag and two bowls, filling them to the top.

"Hey guys, I'm home!" Johnny's head shot up. Darrel Curtis swung open the door and set down his tool box on the floor right next to the chair, the same as everyday. There was even a small imprint in the carpet in the shape of the box.