The Outsiders meet elves: A Keeper of the Lost Cities crossover a Sophitz story

Chapter 71 - Darry

"Ooh, Pony's a tomato!" Steve shouted, causing everyone to turn to look at Pony. He was blushing bright red.

"Your ears are redder than when y'all came to Buck's, asking for help." Dally remarked.

"You went to Buck's?" I glared at Pony. I told them not to go there. I told them so many times. It's not safe for them. I told them. Pony shifted awkwardly.

"It was after the incident." Pony whispered, "We didn't know where else to go."

I softened. "Oh, Pony, ya could've come to me." I felt real sad, that he didn't think of me, when he needed help. He went to Dally.

"You had just hit him." Tess said, standing up for Pony. "Do ya really think we would've done that?" I really regret hitting him. I didn't mean to, I was just scared. That he'd get put in a boys' home with Soda. And that Tess would get put in a girls' home.

"I guess not." I said sadly. I wish I hadn't hit him. That was the one thing I'd change.

"Darry, when's dinner?" Pony asked. "I'm real hungry." Maybe he forgives me. I don't know. He's kind of hard to read.

"Ya just had that soup." I said. The kid eats like a horse. All of my boys do. And Tess. If something were to happen to any of them, I don't know what I'd do.

"But, Darry, I'm hungry." Pony whined.

"If I start it now, twenty minutes." I said, getting up from the floor. "Y'all can keep playing." I'll need to ask Soda to give me a back rub, later. My back's sore, from carrying all those bundles of roofing.

I walked into the kitchen, and got the chicken out of the fridge. I'd marinated it earlier. Now, I just had to pop it into the oven, and wait for it to cook. I could prepare a simple salad.

"Come here." Soda whined, "I ain't getting up."

"Lazy, bum." Steve taunted.

"I ain't lazy, she can just come here." Soda said.

Oh, Soda, you do have a lazy side to you. I shook my head, as I grabbed some greens, and put them in a large bowl.

"Hey!" Soda shouted, "Ya missed."

"No, she said a kiss. She didn't specify where." Alyssa countered, smirking. Not another Truth or Dare that involves kissing.

"Unfair." Soda whined.

"Man, she had you fooled." Dal commented.

I finished tossing the salad, and the chicken was ready.

"Dinner's ready!" I shouted, "Soda! Tess! Pony! Come help!"

"Sure thing, Muscles!" Tess shouted back, walking to the kitchen. Pony followed her in.

Two out of three siblings. Usually it's Pony who's lagging.

"Hurry up Sodapop!" I yelled, "Pony and Tess are already here!"

"Okay, okay, I'm coming!" Soda called back. They helped me set the table, then we all sat down.

"Vegetarian. Non-vegetarian." I pointed to the various dishes on the table. Chicken, salad, and potatoes.

"I'll get the chocolate milk." Tess said, filling Soda's empty glass with chocolate milk. Johnny, who was sitting next to Sodapop, leaned over, and whispered something in Soda's ear. It was probably related to Truth or Dare.

"Fine." Soda muttered, before taking a big sip of chocolate milk. He then spat it all over me, who was on his other side.

"What the hell, Sodapop!" I screamed, "Why would you do that?"