The Curtis Sister - The Outsiders

Best Behavior

"Please don't make me go" I whined to Darry.

"Would you stop acting like a baby"

I stood still, my body tensing up as the sound of a knock echoed through the room. Darry made his way towards the door, intending to welcome my date. However, I latched onto his arm, refusing to move and dragging my feet as I pulled backward. Every fiber of my being resisted the idea of going.

Darry leaned down to meet my eye level, pointing a finger in my direction. "Knock it off, Baylee," he insisted firmly. "I expect you to be on your best behavior. Do you understand?"

Feeling defeated and annoyed, I let out a frustrated huff, causing the loose strands of hair to fly out of my face.

"Best behavior," he firmly reiterated as he swung open the door.

As I stood at the door, waiting with anticipation, it swung open to reveal a strikingly tall, elegant brunette woman. Her fitted jeans hugged her curves, and she wore a cropped T-shirt that seemed too small, leaving me feeling a tad self-conscious about my outfit choices. The disapproving look Darry would give if I ever left the house like that flashed through my mind. She also appeared older than I had originally anticipated.

Darry greeted her with a kiss before putting his hand on my upper back and pushing me forward. "This is Baylee". He says. "Soda is working and Pony is out right now, but I'll have you all meet another time".

She shrinks down to my size and holds out her hand for me to shake it. "Hi Baylee, I heard so much about you".

"It's Bay" I correct. I am not returning her handshake.

Darry clears his throat and glares at me with warning eyes.

"Right, sorry," she says glancing an apologetic look towards Darry. "Are you ready to go?"

No "sure".

As we made our way to her worn-out car Jules courteously opened the door for me. Despite the outside of her car looking beat up the inside was fairly clean. Darry stood on the front porch and waved to us as we pulled away. I shot him the meanest, fiercest eye daggers for making me do this, Silently expressing my frustration at being coerced into the situation.

As the first few minutes passed I wondered why she hadn't turned the radio or if it even worked. The silence between us felt uncomfortable. I found myself nervously tapping my hand on my leg and she looked at me with a hesitant and awkward smile, and then it happened... my worst nightmare - the dreaded small talk.

"So Bay, how's school going?"

"Hate it".

She giggled, "Yeah, I hated school too. Darry says you're quite the baseball player."

"Better than him for sure, he sucks at baseball" I let out a small chuckle.

We get to the restaurant and I don't wait for her to open my door. The restaurant looks pretty nice and I am just hoping they have pizza. I should order the most expensive thing on the menu but I'm too picky to eat lobster.

They placed my water in an elegant glass, and she raised her glass for a toast. "Here's to new beginnings and new friendships."

I hold my glass up and say "And first dates with your brother's girlfriend".

I ordered a thick-crust pepperoni pizza with extra pepperoni and devoured it. Julie kept asking me questions while I ate, and I got the feeling she thought the date was going well. So, I did what I had to do to make her run for the hills. Even though Darry told me to be on my best behavior, I had to be prepared for the consequences if he found out I wasn't. Julie was asking me a bunch of questions, so I decided to turn the spotlight on her.

"Is your pizza good"? Julie asked. Julie thought my idea of getting pizza at a fancy restaurant was such a good idea she decided to get one too.

I nod "Yea, thank you". I pause "So Julie have you and my brother had sex?"

Julie almost choked on her pizza at my question.

"I'm sorry?" She questioned like she didn't hear me correctly.

"Have you and Darry done the deed"? I rephrase.

"Uhhh Bay I don't think that's a very appropriate dinner conversation".

I almost immediately interrupted. "Well don't. You seem nice and all but we can't afford a baby and Darry is stressed enough as it is. I am sure you know about our situation and why you would want to stick around is beyond me. Our house is full and we do not need another woman, mother, or baby taking up any space, food, or money. So do us all a favor and disappear".

She looked at me, stunned. She tried to speak again, but I interrupted, saying, "I want to go home." Then I got up and went to wait outside.

And I thought the car ride there was awkward. The ride home was 100% worse.

🚬🖤🍕🙅🏻‍♀️

Chapter Notes:

Happy Monday :P