The Outcast

Chap 21

Dream-

I was standing in a pitch black room looking into a mirror I couldn't move only just stare I looked disgusting. My hair was just a black mess, my pale skin was covered in red black and blue bruises . My eyes normally they'd have fire shining in them but now it was only replaced with pools of water the bags under my eyes darker than before. I was skinnier and weaker now, no longer lean and toned. " Gloria " two voices said behind me but I couldn't turn too see I blinked and my parents appeared both on each side of me. I smiled looking at my mum, she was really beautiful her black hair kept up in voluminous waves her amber eyes looked brighter with her dark smokey eye. She was curvy but tall I took most my looks from dad. " Heya Sweetie" she said hugging me but I couldn't feel her arms I looked over to my dad he was tall as well with broad shoulders with a sharp jawline and piercing grey eyes.
" Gloria we miss you I hope you can forgive me for leaving you like that" my mother said half smiling " It's okay mum.. You're with dad now" I looked at her in the mirror " My baby girl all grown up " my dad said his accent coming out thick, " You've changed so much" they both said I smiled feeling proud but that was quickly taken away when they both scowled and sneered " Look at you, what happened to MY daughter you were so tough and brave" my dad said in disgust " You've became weak, Thought you were better than that you're supposed to be our legacy " My mum roared removing her arms from me " what no. I'll be strong I promise " I begged they shook their heads " Don't say , Show us remember what happens when you open up right? When show softness or weakness be carful who you open up to" My dad said looking down at me I nodded " Of course . You get tough you can't get hurt" I remembered what he used tell me " What's happened to you since you've got here?" My mum said hugging me again and so did my dad " Get hurt" I glared at myself in the mirror " You want to be strong right?. Live up to our names " They said together I nodded and smiled so did they " Goodbye for now Baby. Remember what we said" My mum said as they began fade.

End of dream-

I shot up panting I was sweating glancing over to the window it was just about time the sun rises I rubbed my eyes getting up heading into the bathroom. The words my parents said kept repeating in my head It was true I've been pathetic since I got here. In Chicago I was probably just like Dally or even worse but now I've turned into Ponyboy. I stripped jumping into the shower letting the lukewarm water run down me I got washed taking my time.
When I got out dried my hair and got changed

It was gonna be freezing I tiptoed into Johnny room but he wasn't in . The room was clean like no one lived in it Johnny liked keep his room clean for some reason. I shrugged and walked down the stairs and out the house it was quiet and freezing. I looked to my right the sun was rising Orange, Pink and purple hues filled the sky I stared in awe the city was a black silhouette against the sky . " Pretty isn't it?" A voice said behind me I glanced back seeing Ponyboy standing admiring the sky " Yea I guess" I muttered looking away from the sky and looked at the ground " You can stop acting tough it's just me" He said moving beside me " Where's Johnny " I asked glancing at the sky "Staying at Dally's " He said his eyes glued to the sky " Could you bring these bags back that I have in the house" I asked squinting as the sun continued to rise " Sure, Whats the bags for?" He replied " The gangs Christmas presents I got them when I got out the hospital " The sky started changing from purple and pink to blue , orange then eventually yellow as the silhouette of the city disappeared as the city same to life " You okay? When you left you were pretty stressed " Pony asked looking at me " I'm fine don't worry . " I went back into the house grabbing the bags when I came out the sun had fully raised " Here" I handed him the bags " Bye pony" I half smiled then walked in the opposite direction of him. I noticed a boy walking across the road from me he had a slouched walk his hands jammed into his pocket his leather jacket collar blocked most of his face , He has curly black hair . He must of sensed me staring cause he looked at me and glared showing a pair of dark blue eyes I glared back both slowing our pace down still we both stopped he gave me a bitter smile before crossing the road to me. I looked at his face I saw he had a scar from temple to chin, a nose that was slightly squint probably from being broken. " New around?" he said in a husky voice " could say that" I shrugged we both stooped down the street not talking or anything just walking. We made it to the park before we actually talked " Whats your name kid?" I asked offering him a smoke which he took lighting it I patted my pockets looking for my lighter " Curly.. Curly Shepard and don't call me kid " he took out his lighter, lighting my cancer stick. I closed my eyes as I inhaled the smoke " Whats your name doll" he stood up straight he was a little taller than me " Gloria Everett . Don't call me doll" I let out a bitter laugh "What you doing walking around it ain't safe for broads" he asked blowing messy smoke rings " I can protect myself and you better watch you mouth before you get another scar" I smirked he gave me a grim smile showing shark like teeth " Could say the same to you Doll" he put the emphasis on doll we both glared at each other then erupted into laughter " How old you Curly?" I asked snubbing out my cancer stick " 15 what about?" He looked across the street watching as a small group of greaser climbed over a fence " 16" I replied seeing the greasers throw trash and break windows of the house . " CURLY SHEPARD!" A male voice shouted as a large group of boys stormed at us It was Tim's and his boys Curly groaned as Tim marched forward " Where ya been? You know not walk around on your own cause them Soc" Tim growled grabbing Curly's jacket " I was just walking and Im fine aren't I so lay off?" Curly shoved Tim off they began arguing I stood at the side just watching and occasionally glaring at one of Tim's boys that made eye contact " Ay Tim lay off the kid's fine ain't he, he been with me alright?" I said splitting up the two brothers " Oh so you stay out picking up broads? And don't tell me what to do with my brother Broad" Tim spat I rolled my eyes sounds just like Darry jeez. " Who you calling a Broad?" I spat moving in front of Tim, Curly was slowly making his way away from Tim . But wasn't the best at it since Tim grabbed him " Little Shit" Tim said as he punched Curly . I grabbed Tim collar throwing him back " Tim just go. I know ya mad but hitting your kid brother won't do anything Go before you mess up big" Tim spat at my feet " I'll be seeing you later" he pointed at Curly before walking off with his gang " Thanks" Curly said looking down he had been embarrassed " It's fine. Just hate it when people thinks it's okay hit someone because they're mad" I muttered Curl let out a sarcastic laugh " Ironic isn't considering you jump people when you're mad" He said " You know what I mean though right?" He shook his head I sighed " Hate abusive family members or guardians" I sat down on the bench. Looking up at the sky watching clouds go past " You ain't into that stuff like pony?" He questioned I looked up " No? You know pony as well" I started cracking my knuckles " Yea he's my best bud" Curly grinned as if he was proud to be friends with Pony " Actually let's go see him" Curly announced and started walking but I remained seated " Do we have to?" I complained " Yes now Come on or Ill tell Pony you like sun sets too then he'll go on his rants about them" Curly threatened which worked I jumped up jogging over " Hate them as much as me huh?" He raised an eyebrow " not really I mean everyone passionate about something like me I'm passionate about stomping Soc's" I joked as we headed to the Curtis's " I'm passionate about Stomping Soc's too" He said.

We were just on the porch " Let's see who's in" I said opening the door " Ladies first" I mocked as Curly walked in flipping me off. " Hey Curly haven't seen you in a while " Soda greeted I walked in after everyone except Darry was in even King the gang must had him staying here "Oh hey Gloria " Two smiled " Thanks for the gifts" Pony said moving over so Curly could sit. " No problem " I Shot a glare at Soda " Gloria I want apologise.." Soda said looking at me I just sneered " Whatever I don't want you sympathy " I looked at Johnny he seemed happy talking to Dally "I just want say anyway it wasn't right calling you a murderer" he frowned sounding upset I ignored him " Woah , back up murderer?" Curly questioned looking at me " I was pregnant had an abortion " I said bluntly " Oh " Curly just said " Two told us what the doctor said" Johnny spoke up " yea yea whatever " I began talking to Curly and Pony ignoring the rest of the gang " When did you two become friends?" Pony asked " This morning " Curly said I just gave him a questionable look " Pony me and Dally going to movies wanna come?" Johnny asked as him and Dally stood up " Sure , Curly Gloria you two wanna come?" Pony asked hoping we would " Yea I guess, Gloria you coming ?" Curly asked standing up " Nope" I stretched out on the couch my boots just touching Soda " well see you later " they said and left. Steve and Soda were talking about some car that they worked on while Two watched Tv. King decided he was gonna lay on me, I was really tired still so I decided to take a nap using King as a blanket.

I must of slept a while because Darry was already in when I got up King was playing tug of war with Steve " Gloria you staying for dinner?" Darry asked walking into the kitchen " No" I said sitting up Dally was leaning against the wall talking to Johnny " Johnny c'mere I want a word with you " I said sternly moving into hallway " Whats up man?" He asked his cheeks pink from the cold " Why have you not been coming home " I scowled crossing my arms " You were in hospital..." he looked away from me " I was back yesterday, I hope you're not avoiding me" I walked off heading into Pony boy's room I opened the door seeing Curly and Pony pillow fighting they froze when they saw me I closed the door behind me " Please don't tell the rest they'll tease us" Pony whine I remained silent I grabbed a pillow smacking Curly in the face with it then we began pillow fighting I decided Pony and Curly were two people I could open up to. We eventually got tired I was laying on the bed my back against the headboard. Curly had his head in my lap and I was sitting playing with his hair Pony was leaning on me his head on my shoulder. I don't why but I started to sing Tim Hardin- How Can We Hang On To A Dream.

What can I say, she's walking away
From what we've seen
What can I do, still loving you
It's all a dream

How can we hang on to a dream
How can it, will it be, the way it seems

What can I do, she's saying we're through
With how it was
What will I try, I still don't see why
She says what she does

How can we hang on to a dream
How can it, will it be, the way it seems

What can I say, she's walking away
From what we've seen
What can I do, still loving you
It's all a dream

How can we hang on to a dream
How can it, will it be, the way it seems
How can we hang on to a dream

When I finished the boys remained silent " That was good" Pony said first " yea" Curly mumbled as I ran my fingers through his hair. We just sat quietly " You guys dig " I said closing my eyes but they didn't reply I looked at pony he fell asleep and so did Curly I just smiled at their sleeping faces " Man I am getting soft" I said quietly looking at the wall someone knocked on the door " Come in . But be quiet " I hushed Dally walked in Johnny just behind him " Whats going on here?" Dally raised an eyebrow smirking " They fell asleep " I continued running my fingers through curly's hair Dally sat on the end of the bed " You okay. Man?" He asked. Johnny sat on Pony's desk chair " I'm fine why?" Pony stirred a little mumbling stuff I froze remaining quiet as he did. He just rolled over wrapping a arm around me his head tucked into my neck " Just cause.. you know man what's all happened " he said awkwardly I nodded "I'm fine. Just gonna feel a little off for a few days " I frowned remembering the dream " Anyway why you care?" I said a little bit too aggressively Dally didn't say anything he just laid across the bed at my feet. "Who knows man" "Stop saying man" I complained Dally just smirked " Don't tell me what to do ... man" he winked I just rolled my eyes Johnny moved from the desk chair and went to my other side slightly moving Curly down more so he could fit in " I missed you " he mumbled resting a head on me "Am like some sort of pillow for kids" I said looking at Dally he just laughed and shrugged I was getting pretty sleepy from all the heat I guess everyone did since they fell asleep I mean even Dally was out cold I noticed he snores in his sleep not like the loud annoying type but the type you'd expect a kid to do. I sat looking out the window watching the stars I started understanding why Pony digs this type of stuff.