𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒏'//𝑫𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒔 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏×𝑶𝑪

💥|TWENTY-FOUR|💥

AS I SPRAY the table with the cleaner I could practically feel my insides squishing together, nausea making my head spin. I scrub so harshly that my knuckles start to ache. Today was the day Johnny and Ponyboy went to court. The day that my and my brothers' fate is determined. Stay together or be separated.

I had been cleaning since I woke up, trying to get everything in order in case they wanted to do a house inspection and make sure the house looked suitable to care for children. There was that reason and the fact my nerves were shot. I didn't want to risk them smelling cigarettes on me so I couldn't even smoke to calm my nerves.

"Angela we're about to...are you okay?"

My head snaps up to see Sodapop looking at me with a concerned slightly scared expression. Light breaths left me and beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I wipe them away, dropping the rag and wiping my hands on my jean-clad thighs.

"I'm fine, doing some housework. We're going to the courthouse now?" I question. I had worn my best flannel with my nicest blouse and the only pair of jeans I owned that didn't have grass stains. My hair was pinned into a very soppy braid but I wanted to try and at least look presentable.

"Yeah...are you sure you want to go?" Soda asks looking at me as if I'd grown three heads.

I scoff at his words, waving him off. "Please, I'm perfectly fine," I answer.

"No your not." Dally retorts blandly from the living room in the armchair he sat in. He flipped another page on the newspaper I gave him, his bare feet propped up on the coffee table.

I had almost forgotten I put him there. Yes, I made Dally sit there, but I couldn't take it anymore. He was following me around the house, just talking while I cleaned. I got over-simulated, so I made him take a shower, get new clean clothes, and sit on the armchair. I told him if he moved that he would be back to sleeping at Buck Merle's and wouldn't visit him.

He wasn't exactly the happiest with me at the moment. And right now I wanted to hit him.

"Shush it Dallas, this doesn't concern you." I snap at him.

Dally heaves a dramatic sigh, sinking in his seat and letting his head fall back. He looks at Soda with a bored expression. "Your sister is a real pain in the ass sometimes, man." He drawls out.

"I'm right here!" I scoff, rolling my eyes.

"That was the point, darlin'," Dally answers, dropping the newspaper on the side table and reaching his hands above his head as he stretches.

I shake my head at the boy and turn back to my brother. "Let's go, Ponyboy and Darry are in the car, I assume?" I question, my feet carrying me towards my brother, to the front door.

"Pony is in the car. You're staying here." I turn at the new voice, watching as Darry walks out of the bathroom, freshly showered and shaved, wearing his best clothes. All of us were trying to look our best, even Soda and probably Pony.

My face scrunches up at his words. "Excuse me?" I ask, almost believing I heard him wrong.

Darry walks past me, putting a hand on the front door knob "You're staying here and no funny business Dallas." Darry warns the brunette, pointing a finger at him while giving him a stern look. Dally gives him his signature lopsided grin and a small salute motion with his hand.

"Why am I staying?" I question following my brothers outside into the chilly Sunday morning air. Both Ponyboy and Johnny sat in the car we had borrowed from Buck Merle.

"Because you're on edge enough as it is. It's best if you stay here." Darry explains, grabbing one of my biceps to gently pull me back towards the house.