ETHEREAL | OUTSIDERS

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜʀᴇᴇ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

♪ : are you bored yet? — wallows ft. clairo

❝ i think of you. ❞

"DARRY, THE CAKE'S ready to be put in the oven." I said, examining what we had made. I decided to help him with the cake today, since he always does it by himself. If I do say so myself, it looks pretty good.

"Alright let me put it in the oven." Darry picked it up, and slid it in the oven, then closing the oven door. Making my way over to the counter, I sat up on it.

"So, while we wait for the cake, let's get to know each other." I suggested, I've only met him like yesterday.

"Well, my parents died in an auto wreck a while back. I've had to take care of the two bimbos that live here ever since." He explained, referring to Sodapop and Ponyboy. I couldn't help but giggle at his joke.

"Well, I'm sorry about your parents, must be tough." I replied, looking down. I explained about how my dad isn't here anymore, and my life in general.

Eventually, the oven rang, signaling that the cake was done. Darry grabbed an oven mitt and pulled the cake out, which looked pretty good.

As we let it cool, I went over to the door and called out to nobody in particular, but the whole gang in general.

"I'm going out on a walk, be back in ten minutes!" I said, about to head out. I then heard someone shout back, telling me to wait. I swiveled my head around, seeing Johnny come towards me.

"I wanna come." He said, while stepping outside. I grinned at him, and we started walking to the vacant lot. He started telling me more about the gang, since I didn't know much.

I learned that Dallas has a cold, mean appearance to new people, Two-bit was the funny one out of all of them. Sodapop was the most gentleman-like, Steve messes around a lot. Darry was like a dad, Johnny was the shyest. And last but not least, Ponyboy was the nerd.

"Must be nice having the gang supporting each other-" I was cut off by the sound of an engine revving, a blue mustang. Then, the mustang parked right next to us, with three soc's emerging from the car. Bob, Randy, and another random soc.

Johnny's eyes grew wide, and he turned pale. I felt bad that he was so traumatized from them, it made my heart ache.

"It's okay Johnny, we're gonna be fine." I reassured him, or at least tried to. I glared at the soc's, hoping they'd get lost. I didn't like showing my mean side, but if i have to I will.

"Get lost, just let us enjoy our day for once." I said, loud enough for them to hear. I turned my back, grabbed Johnny's wrist and walked fast with him. It didn't take long for the soc's to catch up though. One of them pushed Johnny into the grass, which caused him to tumble. I could see him reach for his switchblade in his back pocket.

Before one of the soc's could kick Johnny, or Johnny stab them, I kicked the soc in the crotch. I stepped close to Johnny, which caused him to slightly cut my ankle. I cursed under my breath, then helped Johnny up.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry Ellie." Johnny said, with his eyes wide. I grinned at him and giggled.

"I'm fine Johnny, now put that switchblade away quick and let's get out of here." I tried to jog, but I couldn't do it well because of my ankle. Johnny ended up having to help me, since I was limping. We finally made it back to the Curtis's house, and we stepped inside.

"Ya'll okay, why are you guys so out of breath?" Sodapop asked.

"Got jumped by some soc's." I said, panting. I lifted my leg up to see the cut near my ankle.

"Let me clean that up for you." Sodapop said. He got a wet napkin, wiped the blood away, then cleansed it so that it wouldn't get infected. Lastly, he put a bandaid around it.

"Thanks Soda." I said, smiling at him. He returned the smile by giving me one of his movie star grins. I sat on the couch, and we all played games. At one point, we played Monopoly, Ponyboy won in the end.

"Screw you, Pony." Steve said, throwing the fake money at him. I giggled, as they just threw the fake money back and forth at each other. I sat back up on the couch, then Ponyboy joined me. The rest of the gang were arguing about some random stuff, and Johnny was just listening.

We talked about the most random things. School, our favorites, hobbies, and the gang. We had a lot in common, especially drawing and poems.

"Hey Ponyboy?" I said, out of the blue.

"What's up?" He replied, turning to face me.

"When's the best time to look at sunsets?" I questioned. I really wanted to look at sunsets now, ever since Ponyboy told me.

"Well, it's autumn right now, so around 6:00 pm." He said, after hesitating to think.

I made a small smile with my lips, and nodded at him. After a while, Darry drove me home at about 5:50 pm. I stepped into my house, smelling food.

"Hey El, had a fun time with your friends?" My mom called out, she was in the kitchen cooking dinner.

"Yeah, I'll be upstairs! Tell me when dinner is done." I yelled back, running up to my stairs. I changed into sweatpants and a hoodie, and laid on my bed. I stared at my ceiling, then my bulletin board.

'Look at the sunset everyday, for Pony.' read the sticky note hanging on the board. I then turned my head towards my alarms clock. the time read 5:59 pm. I sprung up from my bed to look at my window. My window had a small ledge that I could sit on.

I admired the sunset, the beautiful colors. The sight was amazing, just like Ponyboy.

P O N Y B O Y 

I stared out the window, it was 6:01 pm. Watching the sunset, it gave me a sense of relief. The sunset gave me time to think about a lot of things. I thought to myself.

I wonder if Ellie listened, and is watching the sunset right now, too. I really hope she is. I want to know, so that I can talk to the sunset, like she can hear me. Which I know sounds stupid, but it's true. I was so convinced that I said out loud.

"Every time I see, or am gonna see, the sunset, I think of you." When I looked deeper into the sunset, my mind drifted to only one thing. Eleanor.