Two-Bit's Little Sister

ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO S.E. HINTON BESIDES NICOLE!

I usually stayed in the shadows when it comes to my brother and his gang. It's not like they don't know of my existence, because they did. Heck, Two-bit never mentions me, but they know I'm just sitting at home or helping my mom out since our dad ran out on us. 'Our' dad, meaning Two-Bit's/mine.

I was really close with Keith even though he was always getting into some sort of trouble or fooling around. I'm not the exact opposite of him, but I'm more relaxed and laid back.

The gang never came over, so it surprised me when they dropped by our house out of the blue. 

Not thinking, I ran to my room. It was the tiniest room in exsistence, barely enough room for my worn-out dresser and my bed. But hey, it served as a cave when I needed it. Like a situation like this. 

"Nicole!!" Two-Bit yelled, from the living room

"Yes, big brother?" I answered back, in my mock sweet little sister voice.

"Um, come here. I got some people who wanna meet you."

Sighing, I padded towards the living room

A cute medium-sized guy with hair that looks like it was bleached said to my brother, "Hey, Two-Bit, I thought you said this placed looked like a twister hit it." Then seeing my eyes glance at him, said to me, "Um, I didn't mean it as a bad thing....I-It's just that your brother says it's always messy here..."

I nodded. Oh my gosh, it was the guy I read about in the newspaper! The one who got tangled in that conflict with Bob Sheldon! 

There was another guy in the room, he had a tatto of a.....bird on his arm. I also noticed his jean vest. 

"Sorry we couldn't get the rest of the gang to come along, Two." He said to Keith.

My brother responded, "It's alright...they can swing by another time." Then his eyes flickered to me then said to the guys, "This is Nicole, by the way..."

The cute blond one greeted, "Hi, I'm Ponyboy Curtis. Sorry we couldn't meet you earlier...your brother always said if we tried any treats on you he'd skin us."

I giggled. "Whatdya mean by 'we?'"

"The gang." He smiled.

I turned to my jokester of a brother. "Why'd you see you'd skin them?"

Two-Bit looked at the floor. The one with the tattoo shook my hand and said, "i'm Steve Randle, and the reason good ole Two-Bit here said he's skin us is because..."

"I'm protective of you, sissy." My brother finished.

I scoffed. "Okay, sure..."

"No, really, you're a pretty girl...I dunno...."

I smiled and punched him in the ribs affectionately.

"Wow, I liked you guys! How about the rest of your gang, they tuff too?" I asked, looking at all the guys.

"I guess you could say that." Ponyboy's eyes seemed to have a twinkle to them. He turned to Two-Bit, "The guys should be over at my place right now away...should we-"

Two-Bit nodded and whispered something to Pony.

"I'm just being friendly!" Pony said, opening the door so all of us could go to his house.

Steve said to me, "Your brother sure is protective.." Was he referring to what Two-Bit told Pony? What? I can be so slow sometimes....

"What?"