The Curtis Sister - The Outsiders

Blueberry Pop-Tart

We had been waiting for days, but nobody had heard from Dally. The gang and I were starting to worry. I still don't know why he went to New York in the first place, but I do know that Tim Shepard is bad news... Or at least that's what I heard from the stories.

The first rays of sunlight filtered through the living room window, waking me up, I could smell the sizzling bacon wafting into the room. Groggily, I rubbed my eyes, extended my arms in a stretch, and tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. I spent the entire night sitting next to the phone, eagerly anticipating its ring, but it never came. I have been sleeping on the couch most nights just in case Dally calls in the middle of the night.

"Mornin' any late-night phone calls?' Darry asked while in the middle of brushing his teeth in our living room.

"No," I say, rubbing my back from sleeping on this uncomfortable old couch.

Darry rolls his eyes "You are sleeping in your bed tonight, we can't afford a chiropractor".

I don't even know what a chiropractor is but I guess I don't have to learn since apparently, we can't afford it anyway. My bed ain't much more comfortable than this couch if I am being honest, it has been passed down since Darry was a kid.

"Breakfast!!" Soda shouts. His voice booming through the house. Darry gestures his head towards the kitchen telling me without telling me to go get some breakfast.

I joined Soda, Johnny, and Pony at the table. Johnny is shoving the food in his mouth like it's going to run off of the plate. I only eat that fast when Two-bit is near. Soda sets a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast in front of me. I scrunch my face and slide the plate away. "Can I just have a pop-tart or somethin'?"

"What's wrong with my eggs? I worked hard all mornin' cooking a real meal for you hooligans".

"I just don't want em'" I complain.

"You can't live off of junk food Bay, All you have been eatin' lately is milkshakes, pizza, and pop-tarts". Pony chimes in pointing a fork towards me.

I fold my arms over my chest. "Why don't you butt out, I can eat what I want, it's my body".

Pony lets out a sarcastic laugh and shakes his head. "Whatever but you're gonna get a ton of cavities from all that junk food and the dentist is gonna take out all your teeth then what".

"Then I will live off of milkshakes". I remark back with a smirk making Johnny and Soda laugh.

"Pony is right Bay, you gotta eat some real food". Soda says with a soft smile.

I always feel ganged up on in this house. I wish Julie was here; she would be on my side and might even bring me more chocolate. I push my chair away from the table and make my way to the cabinet, grabbing a blueberry pop-tart.

"Ah, smells delicious," Darry exclaims as he walks into the kitchen. "Yeah? Tell that to Baylee, who insists on only eating junk food for the rest of her life." Darry instantly shakes his head and strides over, snatching the unopened pop-tart out of my hand.

"Hey," I say in an irritated voice. "I was gonna eat that". "No little lady you're gonna sit down and eat this delicious breakfast your brother worked so hard on this mornin' it doesn't even look a little burnt". Darry jokes, nudging Soda's shoulder and giving him a hard time.

"Then I just won't eat". I huff and turn to leave the room when Darry grabs my shoulder and turns me back around to look at him.

"It wasn't an option Bay, You're gonna sit here at this table until that plate is empty I don't care if it takes away your whole Saturday". Darry says sternly.