Darling

Keep Yourself Alive

Darlene heard the door slam. She waited to hear who's footsteps it was. She listened carefully, analyzing the heaviness of the steps. There were two people. It was Soda and Steve. She got off her bed and quickly made her way to the living room. As soon as Soda saw her he walked over to her and grabbed her face, turning it to look at her wound.

"What happened!? Are you okay!? Is Ponyboy okay!? Where are th-"

"I don't know." She lied. He let go of her. She could tell he didn't believe her, but she didn't want them looking for Pony and Johnny. She didn't want them to go to jail for murder.

"What happened to you!?" He grabbed her face again. She backed up and pushed his hand away.

"I got punched in the face, obviously." She responded and lightly touched her bruised eye.

"By who?"

"A soc. One of Bob and Randy's friends." She assumed her brothers already knew Pony and Johnny were involved with what happened that night, so she didn't try to hide the fact that she was also there.

"You were there too? Did you see what happened?" Steve asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah. I was there. And, yeah, I saw it and I don't wanna talk about it, let alone think about it anymore, so enough with the godd*mn questions." She snapped, shuddering at the image in her head.

"Darling, I know you've got freedom of speech or whatever, but I suggest you stop talkin' like that before Superman gets home." Soda warned.

She placed her hand on her forehead and sighed. "You're right. I'm real sorry, Steve, I didn't mean to snap at you."

Steve patted her shoulder and gave her a little reassuring smile. "That's okay, Darling. Sounds like you've had a hell of a night."

"I did. The hell ain't over, either. Darry'll never let me hear the end of it. He hasn't known where I've been since 10 last night." She sighed.

"Gee, Darling. He's probably just worried. I sure was worried. Still am." Soda said, still not knowing where is little brother was.

"Yeah, but the way he shows his worry is a bit aggressive." She bit the inside of her cheek, not caring that it already hurt.

"I know, but he just wants to make sure you're safe, that's all." Steve said.

"Sure." She rolled her eyes. She went to the kitchen and grabbed the kettle. She at least deserved some tea after this whole ordeal.

She hoped Darry would hear her out and let her explain herself before jumping to conclusions. She just wanted a moment to not worry. Just one moment.

---

She was able to finish her tea before Darry got home. Right at 6:30, just like any other day. Darlene sat on the couch, her knees tucked to her chest. Darry walked through the door and looked down at Darlene.

"Darlene Curtis." He said sternly.

"I know, I'm sorry, okay?" She stood up, but Darry still had to look down at her.

"Sorry? You're sorry? Darlene, you had me worried half to death, you didn't tell me where you were! What happened to you!?" His voice got louder with each sentence, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Darry, please! I've had an awful night and I don't wanna hear it!" She, too, began raising her voice.

"You've had an awful night? Really? I had to sit here wonderin' if you were okay! I couldn't even call the cops to go look for you!"

"Yes, I've had a terrible night that I don't think me, Pony, or Johnny will ever forget! You're lucky you weren't there."

Darry stared at her for a moment, observing her wound.

"Where's Ponyboy." He said coldly.

He doesn't care about me. Why would he? At least Pony has significance in Darry's life. I'm just his annoying little sister.

"I don't know." She lied again.

"Where did he go?" He asked, getting closer to her face.

"Darry, I don't know." She held her breath, waiting for him to yell again.

He sighed and stood up straight.

"Where were you last night." He asked again.

"Mary took me to a party. I didn't drink or anything, but she got spiked and I couldn't leave her there." Her voice was softer now, still worried for the girl.

"Okay. Where did you stay last night?" He sounded calm, but she could tell he was still angry.

"After what happened I went to Buck's." She looked down.

"You stayed with Dallas!?" He shouted.

"It's not like that, he slept on the floor! I promise I was safe!" She put her hands up in defense.

He groaned in frustration. "So you just upped and left Ponyboy by himself!?"

He thinks it's my fault.

"No! God, no! I was knocked out and when I woke up they were gone!"

Lies, lies, lies. Keep lying.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Okay. I understand."

Darlene was surprised. The argument was done. He believed her. Or, at least she hoped.

"Help me make dinner, okay?" He walked into the kitchen and washed his hands. She complied and went to help him.

As they were making dinner, Two-Bit showed up. He was really worried about Johnny. The cops were saying they had run off to Texas, and Two completely believed it.

"I don't think they went that far." Darlene said.

"I don't know, I wouldn't underestimate those two. Quick little legs Pony's got." Two said, shaking his head.

Darlene couldn't help but chuckle. Two-Bits optimism put a little warmth in her heart.

"Wherever they are, I hope they're alright." Darry said. Darlene nodded in agreement.

"I think they should turn themselves in. I mean, if it was self defense they should be okay." Steve said.

"Yeah, but the cops would probably take the socs side. Even though we were keeping ourselves alive." Darlene rolled her eyes.

"Maybe. I think they should try. It'll get them in more trouble if they keep runnin'."

He's not wrong.

"Either way, I just want them home and safe." Darlene said quietly. That's all she wanted.

---
🥀🥀🥀
"I was told a million times of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying and get better everyday
But if I crossed a million rivers and I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started, same as when I started
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money, honey, you'll survive"