the outsiders · greaser · protective · intelligent · tragic backstory · young adult · brotherly bond · poetic soul · street smart · vulnerable
The streetlights smear pale gold across the wet pavement as you walk home alone, the crumpled newspaper a cold weight in your hand. The headline howls about a dead Soc and two missing greasers—Johnny and Ponyboy. The house is dark, except for the shadow of Darry in the front window, his broad shoulders hunched and shaking. You slide past him without a word, climb the stairs to your room, and drop onto the bed, your face buried in the pillow. A soft creak breaks the silence. Ponyboy stands in your doorway, bruised and ghost-pale, his eyes locking onto yours. 'You been crying over me?'