The Outsiders: Randy's Little Sister

Chapter 21: Just a Prank

"It's a prank Zo. Just a stupid prank." Pony scrunched up his face. "It sounds like something a Greaser would—"

"It wasn't." I interrupted him. "It wasn't a stupid prank. They were looking for something." I started pacing 'round the room, fiddling with my hair.

"Well, a Greaser saw an empty Soc house." Darry started. "Money, Zola, they were looking for money."

"But it wasn't a Greaser." I was desperately trying to reason with them. My arms flailed by my sides, acting out my frustration.

"How do ya know?" I looked at him like he was killing me. They were killing me. They didn't believe me.

I got out the pin and held it up to the light. "This pin is hand painted."

"And—" Darry was getting impatient.

"There's a diamond, Dar'. An expensive diamond."

His eyes widened as he looked at it.

"Is it real?" Steve stood up to look at it, grabbing Darry's arm so he could see it clearer.

"I don't know, but think 'bout it, a Greaser wouldn't be seen dead with a pin like this." I paused. "It's just too..... Soc like." I shrugged, raising my eyebrows. "Tuff."

"And you're sure it's not your mum's." Johnny asked, from behind me.

"Positive."

One by one, the gang each went up to see it, completely ignoring the mouse that was dancing up and down on the TV.

"And you're sure it's a Soc?" Darry had sat back down on the armchair.

"C'mon Guys, have ya ever seen a Greaser wear this?"  My patience was wearing thin 'bout how they weren't believing me.

"She has a point." Pony chipped in and I looked at him relieved. "And I know how to prove if it is real or not." He stood up and walked straight out the still open door.

**********

"Ponyboy Curtis." I shouted into the orange of the sunset, when I finally caught up with him. He ran out the house but 'cause none of the gang followed, I decide to go with him. "Ya are not going to Cherry Valance's house. Especially on your own."

"Ya don't have to come." He stopped walking and looked back at me.

"C'mon, use your head." I paused. "And anyway, I have the pin."

He chuckled as I ran up more to be slightly in front him.

"Then why not, ya her friend." He started.

"Are we talking 'bout the same Cherry here. Anyway, wasn't she the reason ya nearly got drowned—"

"But—" he cut in. "Isn't she then the reason we're best friends." He raised his eyebrows and I sighed.

"Touché."

A comfortable silence fell over us as we walked past rows and rows of identical houses. Brick after brick after brick, with the slight stop of a certain window.

"Hey, I'll just be backup. You know, in case we get jumped."

I scoffed, looking at him like he was mad. "We both very well know who will be protecting who if we get jumped." I said, real smart-ass like.

"Me."

"I'm older." I snapped, playfully.

"By five months." He answered back, quickly, but he laughed, punching me softly in the side.