as dallas winston's 10 year old sibling, you sure do carry some of the same traits. for example, the ability to hold rage and frustration in you like no other. at first, it started small. dallas taking johnny every where, and then him leaving you by yourself to hang out with johnny. or when he took johnny to get ice cream on his birthday, and you merely got a pat on the head and a congrats. you were grateful, of course, but the consuming feelings of confusion and anger grew slowly but fiercely.

luckily, there was darry. ponyboy's oldest brother. he seemed to understand like no other. taking you places, letting you watch what you wanted on the tv, making you a whole chocolate cake for your birthday. it was attention you needed, as you weren't getting it from dallas anymore. and your parents sure as hell didn't care less.

it's a normal day at the curtis house. sounds of the gang shouting and wandering the old house filling the air. its familiar, and it's soothing ― at least to some degree. you are practically attached to darry's hip, trying to get him to play, to watch tv, to have fun. anything.

dallas is here, as well. and for the first time in a while, he's awestruck. of course, he doesn't show this, but why the hell is his little sibling clinging to someone else to hang out? it puts a unfamiliar and unwelcome feeling stirring in his gut. and suddenly, he's up and picking you up by your underarms.

"how 'bout we go and get some ice cream, just fer a bit?" he asks, a smile that you hadn't seen directed at you in a while glowing on his face. ice cream? that's what he and johnny do all the time.

"we'll be back. we can get ice cream, and then maybe drive around town, how's that soundin'?"