Darling

Paint it, Black

That morning everything seemed back to normal. It wasn't really, but Darlene liked to think it was. Pony was home and making breakfast, Darry was getting dressed, Soda was showering and Darlene was picking out a record to listen to. She couldn't wait to sit down and chill before Darry sent them back to school on Monday. She wasn't looking forward to it. She wasn't ready for all the bullying that would happen. For all her classmates to make fun of her and her family. Four days wasn't nearly enough to prepare. As she sat down, someone called from outside.

"Anybody home?" It was Two-Bit and Steve!

"In here. Don't slam the door." Pony yelled from the kitchen.

They came in and slammed the door anyway. Darlene could practically feel Ponyboys eyeroll.

Two-Bit and Steve immediately went for the kitchen. Darlene decided to follow him to see his reaction to Pony finally being home. It was 100% worth seeing. Two-Bit smiled and picked up the boy, spinning him around, making the eggs he was making fly out of the skillet. Darlene snorted, trying not to laugh.

"What are you doing? You made me ruin my eggs...and drop my spoon." Ponyboy groaned.

Two-Bit ignored him. "Look at that hair!" He laughed.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it in the paper." Steve smiled. "Tell me, Ponyboy, what's it like being a hero?"

Pony looked up from his new egg. "A what?"

"A hero, ya know, like a big shot."

Darlene frowned. It's not like she wanted to be a "hero" in the first place, and she knew they had all missed Ponyboy, but she wished they would hug her too. Tell her they're proud of her too.

Don't be selfish. Ponyboy has been through way worse than you. There's no reason for them to worry about you right now.

"Beer for breakfast, Two-Bit?" Steve asked, watching him take a swig of the drink.

Ponyboy scanned the newspaper, reading the article about them. "They're charging Johnny for manslaughter?"

"Seriously? It's not his fault, though." Darlnene said.

Pony kept reading. "What do they mean 'if he recovers'?"

Her stomach dropped.

It must be bad...

Darlene tuned out the rest of the conversation and walked back to the living room, taking a seat on Darry's chair.

Johnny...

She didn't want to lose anyone else. Johnny doesn't deserve this. He needs to be okay.

"Where's Soda and Super-Dope, anyhow?" Steve's voice was slightly too loud.

Darry walked out of his room, picking steve up and setting him aside like he was a piece of furniture in the way. "Super...what?"

"All brawn, no brains." Steve mumbled under his breath.

Sodapop got out of the shower and almost dropped his towel, flashing everyone in the process.

Wow...classy.

"Darry, have you seen my DX shirt somewhere?" He asked like he didn't just reveal his entire everything to the whole household.

"Hey, Seltzer Water, you have to wear pants too. I think there's a law." Darlene whisper-shouted sarcastically, pretending to tell him a big secret.

Soda scoffed, but nodded. "How about my jeans?"

"I ironed them. They're in my closet." Darry responded, "Hurry up, you'll be late.