The Baby Of The Gang (Outsiders Sister Fanfic)

#18

Ponyboy's POV:

I laid down on my bed after coming home from the creek. I usually go there to have time to myself, but instead, everyone else decided to go too. I didn't have homework I needed to finish and I didn't have any books to read, since I've read them all. I got out my sketchbook and decided I was going to draw a picture for Johnny since his birthday is in a few weeks.

As I started to draw, Dakota came in. "Wassup Kodi?" I asked, not even noticing that she didn't knock. Dakota shrugged. "I'm tired." She said.
"Me too." I said back. I patted the bed. "Come up here."
She climbed up on the bed and laid where Soda does.
"Being down at the creek can tire you out, huh?"
Dakota nodded and rolled over so she was facing me. "What are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm drawing a picture for Johnny for his birthday."
"Can I help?"

Three words. Those three words accompanied by the word 'no' always makes up something bad. I sighed and tried to think about what she could do. "You can color when I'm finished." I said. Dakota nodded and snuggled into Soda's pillow. "Sleepy?" I asked. Dakota nodded. I set my stuff down on my bed and got out a blanket from my closet. I covered her up with it and went back to drawing.

An hour and a half later, Darry came up and told me it was time to eat. I nodded and put my stuff up. I looked over at Dakota and saw that she was asleep. I smiled.and shook her lightly. "Dakota." I said gently. "Dakota, we gotta go eat."
Dakota opened her eyes and rolled over. "No."
"No?" I asked. "What do you mean no?" I rolled her over so that she was on her back. "Are you saying that you're gonna stay up here and starve to death?" I asked tickling her.
"No." Dakota giggled. She sat up as I started to put the blanket away.
"Did you finish the drawing?" She asked.
"Huh?" I asked. "Oh, well, you see, I drew something else." I got out my sketchbook and showed her the drawing. Dakota smiled. "That's me sleeping."
I chuckled, sounding a little bit embarrassed.
"Can I keep it?" She asked.
"Of course." I said setting it to the side. "But first, let's go eat."
"Wait." Dakota said standing up on my bed. She turned me around so my back was facing her. Dakota jumped on to my back. I chuckled.
"A piggyback ride?"
"Yes." She giggled. "Now we can go."
I laughed and gave her a ride downstairs.

After dinner, Dakota followed me up to my room and sat next to me while I drew Johnny's picture. "I wish we could do this all the time." Dakota said cuddling into my arm. I looked confused at her. "What do you mean?"
Dakota's bright blue eyes stared into my green ones. "You're sometimes mean, and sometimes you say and do mean things. Like locking the bedroom door and taking my blanket." I nodded, understanding what she meant.
"Well." I thought for a minute. "You know how Darry has a short temper?" Dakota nodded.
"Well, my temper is a bit longer than his, but it's almost the same length. He's not as patient with me as he is with you and I'm not as patient with you than I am with Sodapop. Do you understand?"
Dakota shook her head. I sighed and sat up a little bit. "It's hard to explain." I thought for a second and then my eyes widened. "You're not old enough to have that talk."
Dakota looked at me curiously. "What talk?"
"Nothing. You'll find out when you're tall enough to reach the counter."
Dakota groaned. "That's what everyone says to me!"
I laughed and put my arm around her. "Don't worry about it now, baby."

After awhile, Dakota got bored and started hitting me with my pillow. I grabbed the pillow from her and hit her back. Dakota hit me again. I smirked while I grabbed her and flipped her upside-down. "You can't do that!" Dakota giggled.
"Yes I can!" I replied. "You weigh like 8 pounds!"
"I'm 27!"
"Whatever!"

It was getting near Dakota's bedtime. Darry got her ready, before reading her a story. "Can Pony read it to me?" I heard Dakota ask Darry. Darry said something that I couldn't hear and kissed Dakota's cheek. He came into mine and Soda's room. "Well, Dakota wants you to read to her." He said leaning against the doorway. I tried to hide my smile, but I knew Darry could see it. I nodded and got up from my bed and into Dakota's room.

Dakota was curled up with her Mickey Mouse stuffed animal that she has had since forever. Next to her, was her Snow White book. I smiled and sat next to her. "Alright, you ready?" Dakota nodded and laid her head on my shoulder.

After the story, she was asleep. I kissed the tip of her head before laying it gently on one of her pillows. I slowly crept out of her room and into mine. Soda was already getting ready for bed when I came in. He looked at me and held up the picture of Dakota. "This is cute." He said smirking.