Starboy - DarLas -The Outsiders

Chapter 1

I stared down at the paper in my hands. It was old, a school assignment from a few years ago. There were creases in the stained surface from years of being shoved in a folder. I wasn't in school anymore, or at least I didn't care about going. Nowadays I just hung around, maybe crash at Buck or Darry's place. 

Buck's my buddy, I work for him rigging races. I've never cheated myself, though. I ride fair. He's several years older than me, but were close. There's always some party going on at his place, some nights I join in, some nights I don't. We're close, and we have lots in common.

Then there's Darry. He's the leader of our gang, us and five other guys. He lives with his two little brothers, and took on the burden of raising them ever since his folks passed away. He should be in college, but I guess they couldn't afford to pay tuition. He's still a proud greaser, though. He's pretty tough. But he was always running around making sure everything stays together. Life's put a stick up his ass, but he deals with it out of love for his little brothers. There was something about him though. Something I couldn't place...

I brought my attention back to the piece of paper I was holding. It looked like an English assignment, maybe a vocabulary worksheet. I read the first few questions, and one of them caught my eye. Define Society. I then shifted my attention to the answer below. A group of people living in an ordered community. I didn't feel like that was the entire truth, but I guess I just wrote it because it what the school wanted to see. I shoved the paper back into it's folder and stood up from my bed. 

As I walked out the front door, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I was glad I was welcome over to Darry's house. Most of the guys in our gang come from broken homes. My friend Johnny's parents are always fighting and yelling at him. He's like a little brother to me. My house ain't nothing like his, and I'm real thankful for that. My house is empty and foreign. I live with foster parents, but they don't really care for me. I'll come home from a rumble and all my old man will have to say is "Do the dishes" or something stupid like that. I wasn't wanted at my place. That's why I liked Darry's house so much. There, with my buddies, I'm a part of something. I'm wanted. Everything about the place made me feel like someone cared. Pony and Johnny, who I hang out with a lot. Steve, Sodapop, and Two-Bit, who are always there to add chaos. Darry, who will always let me stay for dinner or stay the night when I need to. Darry, who is always there for me when I need it. They were my buddies, as I was theirs. And nothing could split us up.

I walked up to Darry's house and took a minute to observe the chaos from the outside. Man, that place was batshit crazy. Pillows were going flying left and right. People were hollering at the TV and each other. Pony and Johnny were probably hanging out on the couch, discussing something profound, like a book. It was pure anarchy. It was home.

I walked up to the front steps and walked into the house, proudly announcing myself.

"Morning."

Darry looked up from the newspaper and smiled. "Morning, Dally." He put the paper down and got up from the table. "Everything alright with your folks?"

I smirked. "The usual."

Darry gave me and understanding nod and went back to reading the paper. He isn't usually like that. No, he isn't the most social person on the planet but he's usually up and moving by this time in the morning. I dismissed the thought and walked around, looking for Pony and Johnny.

"Hey, Dally," Johnny yawned. I looked over at him and Pony, who were sitting on the couch watching Mickey with Two-Bit. 

"Hey, Johnnycakes." I ruffled his hair a bit and sat down next to him. "Hey, Pony."

"Morning Dal."

I got back up and pursued my usual morning hobby: Badgering Darry.

I walked over and stood right behind him.

He sighed and then turned his head to look at me. "Yes?"

"Watcha doin?"

"Nothing."

"Are you sure you're doing nothing?" Darry then gave me a look and then continued to do "nothing".

I looked around for something to do, and then saw the old football on the table. Perfect. "Hey, Darry..."

Darry groaned and turned around, looking me in the eyes. He was taller than me, but only by one or two inches. "What do you want?"

I stood on my toes, now taller than him. "Wanna play a game of football?" I gave him a grin, which made him laugh. He then sighed and sat back down.

"I'll pass." I then realized he was doing nothing, just staring at the wall. Probably brooding. Seems like a Darry thing to do. 

"You sure?" I leaned over the back of the chair, trying to look where he was looking. Just through a window. Nothing special. 

"Yep," he said blankly, still staring out into space. He then checked his watch, and rubbed his eyes. "I'm gonna get ready for work."

I watched as he made his way down the hall towards his room, dragging his feet behind him. 

"What's up with Darry?" I asked.

Soda walked toward me, buttoning up his DX shirt. "I dunno," He looked down the hall, then at me. "He's been acting kind of weird lately."

I sat down and sighed. Something about Darry acting like that didn't sit with me right, even though I couldn't figure out what it was.