Home Is Where The Heart Is. An Outsiders Fanfiction

Chapter 11 Family Troubles

Jessie’s POV 
    When I wake up my face is tucked into a rock hard chest, I thought it was Dally but when I lifted my head I realized it was Darry. I smiled. It's been a long time since Darry cuddled with me, I missed it. I snuggled deeper into his chest and hugged him tighter. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked down at me. “Morning princess,” he says kissing my head. “Morning Darry,” I say hugging him tighter. “Thanks for staying with me last night.” “No problem honey. Hey why don’t you spend the day with your brothers today,” he asked, smiling? I nodded, kissing his cheek and sitting up. “Am I wearing one of your t shirts,” I ask, smiling? He nodded smirking. “So you found my stash huh,” I say laughing. “How often do you steal our t-shirts?” “Oh every so often, I love them, they help me sleep,” I say blushing.

“I’m so sorry Jessie,” he says, dropping his head. “Darry, what are you talking about,” I ask surprised?  “I should have protected you,” he says quietly. “What?” “Your my sister and because I didn’t protect you, you have a scar on your side and you're having panic attacks, and instead of beating the shit out of the guy I’m sitting here ranting to you on the verge of tears. I mean what the hell is wrong with me!” He ranted till he ran out of breath, then he just stared at his hands glumly. “Darry listen none of this is your fault, it is Bob Sheldon's fault, he did all of this not you. I love you, and all I want from you now is your Superman hugs and your cooking. Ok?” “You're a really great kid, you know,” he says with a smile. I laugh and hug him. “I love you Superman.” “I love you too princess, so much,” he says squeezing me tight. “Ok enough of this mushy stuff, how about some of that cooking,” he says smiling. Then he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. I scream and laugh all the way down the stairs.

When we get downstairs Darry tosses me on the couch laughing loudly, then he goes to make breakfast still laughing. Soda and Pony are sitting at the table grinning. “Where's everyone else,” I ask, sitting up. “Oh we told them we were spending the day together today, no boyfriends, no girlfriends, no friends, just us,” Pony says grinning “No we can’t, you guys have to work and we can’t afford it anyway,” I say flopping back down. “Jess stop, we're hanging out today, no questions,” Soda says glaring at me. “Now go upstairs and put on a swimsuit, we're going to the lake,” he says shooing me upstairs. “Fine, fine,” I muttered and ran upstairs. I put on a plain black halter top bikini, I also put on a white sheer cover up and some black flip flops and run down stairs. “Alright you're here, let’s go,” Darry says and we all run out to the truck.

Once we get to the lake I jump out of the truck and take off my cover up and flip flops and sprint towards the water. “Woah Jess, hold your horses girl,” Soda yells! I jump in and let the cool water envelop my body. I swim out to the middle of the lake where there's a small wharf. I hear my brother’s jump in after me but I just keep swimming and I don’t stop till I get to the wharf. When I get there I see that Darry is almost there and Soda and Pony are a little further behind panting. “Come on slowpokes,” I yell laughing. “Were not all swimmers baby sis,” Darry says hopping up on the wharf next to me, panting slightly. I laugh and flop down on the wharf. Pretty soon Pony and Soda join us. “Not…. fair,” Soda pants, flopping down next to me. “What’s not fair” I ask? “You're a swimmer and yet you still had a head start. Also Pony why are you panting, you're a freaking track star!” “I need to quit smoking,” he says, still panting. I laugh and slip back into the water. I dive down and do a backflip and come back up. Soda jumps back in and dives underwater. He swims under me and lifts me up on his shoulders, making  me laugh.

For the rest of the day we just messed around and laughed and splashed around, we had a blast! I haven't felt this carefree in a very long time. After we swam we were lying on the shore eating food that Darry brought. I was lying on Soda’s shoulder. “I love you guys, you know that don’t you?” “We love you too Jess,” they chimed. I snuggled into Soda’s chest and yawned. “Tired,” he asks, chuckeling? I nodded. “Well maybe we should go then,” Darry says standing up. I nod and stand up and start walking towards the car. I didn’t get very far though before I’m scooped up by Soda who started walking. “I can walk you know,” I say chuckeling. “I know but you look exhausted.” “Thanks Soda,” I mumbled, snuggling closer to him. I was asleep before we reached the car.