𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏'//𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒔 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏×𝑶𝑪

💥|ONE|💥

I SQUINT MY light-sensitive eyes as Ponyboy and I exit the movie theater. The glaring sun and hot air were a lot different than the dark, air-conditioned movie theater. I had taken my little brother, Ponyboy to see The Hustler which starred Paul Newman, who he idolizes. "Like the movie?" He questions me as we walk.

I nod my head as my eyes shift around. I had made the mistake of leaving my blade at home, which is a really big mistake. Socs jump Greasers all the time, in groups of usually 3 or 4, and Pony and I looked like the perfect target. He's small for his age and I'm a girl, we seemed like an easy target, especially with no weapons.

We had a long walk home and I hoped we wouldn't run into trouble. If we did and things went south I knew I would never hear the end of it from our brother Darry. I have three brothers, Darrel— Darry for short, my twin brother Sodapop, and my younger brother Ponyboy.

Darry is the oldest at 20 years old, though he works and looks like a 30-something-year-old. He is muscular with broad shoulders and pale blue-green eyes. He's got dark brown cowlick hair and is the strictest man I'd ever met. I don't blame him though, he's got a lot on his shoulders like taking care of my brothers and me, his job as a roofer, and making sure the lights stay on in our house. I try my hardest to help out as much as I can but Darry just doesn't accept it.

Sodapop, my twin brother is the most laid-back of my brothers. 16 going on 17, he's got dark-gold hair, dark brown eyes, and a slim, tall build. He's the most attractive of all of us and gets hit on almost everywhere he goes, though he ignores most of the women because he's already gotta girl. Her name's Sandy and I can tell he loves her. He dropped out of high school last year and works full-time at a gas station with his best friend, Steve.

Ponyboy is the baby, he always has been. He's 14 with light brown, almost red long hair and greenish-grey eyes. He's got a small but good build. He's caring and the smartest of us all. Darry is smart too but he's not Ponyboy smart, I've never met anyone who can beat Ponyboy smart. Though I worry about him more than any of my brothers. He's the most sensitive one and his and Darry's relationship has been on ice ever since our parents passed 8 months ago. Sodapop and I have tried to get Darry to back off him but nothing we say works.

Then there is me. I'm the only girl in my family, and I'm fine. I've got blueish-gray eyes that match Darry's, long light brown almost blonde hair, and a slim tall build. I try to keep the peace in my family. I help with the bills, cook, clean, and try to maintain good grades for Darry's sake. Which is a lot, but it's what I need to do to keep my breaking family from breaking any more.

"Think it's time for a haircut Pony." I hum nudging his shoulder playfully with a grin.

Ponyboy grins back and runs his fingers through his greasy, long hair shaking his head. "I like my long hair it makes me look tuff," He argues "And I don't trust you with scissors ever since you cut Two-bit's hair." He adds. Two-bit is a boy in our gang, he's 18 and a half and the funniest guy I'd ever met.

I let out a laugh "That was 2 years ago and I was drunker than hell." I retort.

"Still happened." Ponyboy mumbles. I punch his shoulder lightly before throwing my arm around his neck, leaning on him a little causing us to stumble, laughing as we walk.

My grip on my brother tightened and my playful demeanor disappeared when my eyes caught a red Corvair trailing behind Ponyboy and I. Ponyboy must've noticed it too because I felt his shoulders tense under my arm. We are just two blocks from home so we might be able to stay out of trouble if we just walk faster. "Walk faster, stay calm," I mutter to Ponyboy. I drop my arm from around his shoulders in case we would have to make a run for it.

Ponyboy had never been jumped before, I have only once by three Socs. I remember not being able to open my right eye because of how swollen it was. Cuts and bruises peppered my skin for weeks after that.

The fast walking was useless as the Corvair pulled up beside my brother and me, 6 Socs hoping out of it. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I meet the cool gray eyes of one of the Socs. Todd Moore stood at 6 foot tall, he had a slim build but he was muscular, of course, you wouldn't be able to tell unless you'd seen him shirtless. I have, he was my old hook-up buddy after all.

I glance around looking for something, anything. A pop bottle maybe or even just a fallen tree branch to use as a weapon, of course to my luck, there was nothing.

"Hey, greases," The one in the front smiles, his voice-over-friendly, "We're gonna do you a favor. We're gonna cut all that long greasy hair off." I knew he was talking to my brother as his eyes were trained on Ponyboy, an over-friendly smile on his face.

Ponyboy was scared. His face didn't show it, but his trembling hands in his pocket and his eyes said it all. "You better get back to your side of town, the lot of you white-livered gits." I seethe.

One of them laughed at my threat and they all started walking towards my brother and me. I stand taller, yanking Ponyboy behind me. The medium-sized blonde pulls a knife from his pocket and flicks the blade open "I think the minikin grease behind ya needs a new haircut. Move outta my way, greasy broad." The blonde demands.

"Fuck you," I hiss spitting at him before grabbing Ponyboy by his sleeve and yanking him away from the group of Socs.

"Get back here, grease!" I hear one of them snarl as Ponyboy and I run. I didn't have to look back to know that they were right behind us.

I turn the corner of the street into an alley, Ponyboy right behind me. I was so close to the other opening when I felt a rough tug on my hair and I was yanked back hitting a hard chest behind me.