Word Count: 1189

*A week later*
I stepped off the train, carrying my heavy bags behind me. I was blowing bubbles with my gum, trying to make myself look tuff, even though I didn't feel it. I felt scared and anxious. After all, I haven't seen my brother and dad since I was 5. I knew my brother was coming for me, but I wasn't sure where he was. I felt someone tug my hair, which pissed me off. I did not spend 10 minutes straighting my thick hair for it to be toyed with.

I whipped my head around to see Steve, grinning like a dufus. "Hey, sis. How you doin'?"

I squealed a little bit, and threw my arms around him. "Hi, Steve!"

He took me to his car and told me the ride was gonna be an hour long. I didn't mind though. I needed time to catch up with my big brother. On the way there he told me about his "gang." He wouldn't tell me what they looked like, but I was hoping at least one of them was hot. He parked in front of our house. I tried to hop out, but he stopped me.

"Nah, I got this. Stay here," he said.

I sat back down, confused. He took my bags from the back and tossed them in the house. Then he came back out and got in the car.

I gave him a weird look. "What the hell, dude?"

He grinned his dopey grin. "Calm your titties. We're goin' to my best friends house."

"Oh. Soda, right?"

"Yep. What's everyone else's names?"

"Why you askin' me?" I asked.

He laughed. "Just wanna see if you remember."

"Uh, alright." I took a deep breath. "Darry. And Johnny. And Pony?"

"Yep. Keep goin'."

"Soda, obviously. Um... Two-Bit. Oh gosh, I can't remember the last one."

"Da-"

"Oh," I cried. "Dally, right?"

He smiled. "Good job."

I grinned proudly. "Yay."

He turned to me. "You ought to steer clear of that Dallas character. He just got outta the cooler."

I smiled dangerously. "Ooo, a bad boy."

He glared at me. "No. Nope. No way. You cannot like him."

I laughed. "Calm YOUR titties. I haven't met 'em yet. But when I do, I might like him."

"Glory, ya didn't say you were boy crazy in your letters," he teased.

"And you didn't say you were crazy in general, so I guess we were both lied to," I shot back.

He smacked my arm playfully. "Turd."

I laughed, again. "Do you remember what you'd call me when we were kids?"

He smiled. "Yeah. Nugget."

"Were did you even come up with that?" I asked.

He shrugged. "I was a hungry kid."

"A fat one, too," I mumbled.

"I heard that."

"I know."
We pulled up to the Curtis house, and he hopped out of the car. We walked up to the porch. He was reaching for the door knob, but it was yanked open before he could touch it.

"Stevie!" A handsome boy yelled. He stepped out of the way and dragged Steve in. I stepped in close behind. Gosh, this boy was handsome. The boy turned to me and smiled. "Hi," he said. "I'm Soda. And you are?"

"Nugget," Steve interrupted.

I bushed and smacked his arm. "Diane. My name is Diane."

He smiled. "Nice name."

"Nice face," I muttered so quietly only I heard.

"You and Soda are gonna be great friends," Steve chirped. "Both of ya'll are wild and outgoin'."

Soda just smiled. "Well, come on in. Meet the rest of the gang."

I walked in awkwardly, as they led me to the living room. To be honest, I thought at least one of them were gonna be ugly. But they were all pretty hot.

Steve pointed to a boy with red hair and long sideburns eating cake and drinking beer. "This is Two-Bit."

I laughed. "Two-Bit? What's your real name?"

Two-Bit put his beer down. "I honestly don't remember. What's your name, baby?"

I smiled. "Diane Randle."

A cute boy, about 14 or so, got up and stood in front of me. "Hey," he said. "I'm Ponboy. And yes, that is my real name."

I smiled. "I like that name. At least ya don't gotta worry about someone mixing your name up with someone else."

He smiled. "Yeah. My name kinda sticks in your head." He pulled out a weed and put it in his mouth.

Steve dragged me to the couch. He pointed to a handsome man with cold blue eyes and huge muscles. "Nugget, meet Superman."

I smiled at him. "Ya'll have some weird names."

He stood up and held out his hand. "My name is Darry. Your brother is an idiot."

I shook his hand and whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, "Ya think I didn't know that?"
Steve hit my arm.

"Damn," I teased. "I have an abusive brother."

"Oh, hush it." He turned to an adorable boy sitting next to Darry. He had dark hair and beautiful olive skin. His eyes were dark black. My old friend, Lily, would have loved him.

"This little runt," Steve said. "Is Johnnycake."

"Hi, Johnny," I chirped.

Johnny grinned. "Hey."

Lastly, there was a boy with a cigeratte dangling from his mouth. So this must be Dally, I thought. He look like bad boy, with his dark brown hair, and bitter eyes. But he was mighty fine. I smiled at him. He looked at Steve.

"Ya didn't tell me your sis was such a good lookin' broad," he said, winking at me.

Steve stared at him coldly. "'Cause she's not," he practically growled.

I kicked him. "I'm better looking than you."

Dally laughed. "Damn right."

"Aye, Buddy," Soda said to Steve. "We oughtta get to work."

Steve sighed. "Fine." He turned to me. "You. Stay here till I get off. Got it?"

"Sure," I replied.

Darry stood up, too. "I gotta go, too. Be good, Pony."

Pony rolled his eyes and nodded his head.

As soon as those three were gone, Pony and Two-Bit left to go to the movie house. I sat down next to Johnny.

"Hey, Johnnycake. Go get me a beer," Dally demanded.

Johnny got up and scurried away to the kitchen. Dally turned to me. He grabbed my legs and pulled me closer.

"Come on, doll," he said. "I don't bite."

I grinned. "So, your the dangerous Dallas Winston?"

He grinned. "The one and only. You ought to see my record sometime. You'll never believe what I've been in for."

"A lot, I bet."

"Oh, you have no idea."

I took the weed from his mouth and put it mine. I took a puff, and blew the smoke in his face.

He smiled. "Fiery. That's how I like 'em."

I put the cigeratte back in his mouth."So, what have you been in for?"

"Too much to explain now. Maybe I should explain tonight over dinner."

I grinned. "Are you asking me out?"

"Yep," he replied. "I'll pick you up tonight at 7. I'm takin' ya to the Dingo."

"Deal."