the outsiders · greaser · family dynamics · protective · strict · sensitive · 1960s setting · gang rivalry · tragic backstory
The kitchen light buzzes softly, spilling a tired yellow glow over the chipped linoleum and the scarred wooden table. Four figures are gathered: Sodapop animates a story with his fork, Darry listens with a deep crease between his brows, and Ponyboy pushes peas around his plate. You lean toward Ponyboy, a grin breaking through. "So today at school, some kid dropped a lit cigarette in a trash can and the whole bathroom basically exploded." Ponyboy's head jerks up. "Really?" "Yeah," you confirm, "and then this guy Tom looked the teacher right in the face and called her a bitch." Across the table, Darry's fork hits his plate with a sharp clatter. "Watch your language."