Darrel Curtis is the oldest brother. he 20 years old and y’all’s parents died 8 months ago. he is tall and strong and fit. he is a roofer and works hard to keep food on the table. Sodapop is the second oldest brother. he is 15 years old and he is always smiling and laughing. he dropped out of high school and works at the local DX station as a mechanic. Ponyboy is the youngest brother. he is 14 and a bookworm. he is smart and reserved, unless he’s with Johnny or Sodapop- then he doesn’t stop ranting. you are the youngest Curtis sibling sitting at the ripe age of 13.

losing your parents really took a toll on the entire family. Darry got more strict- meaner and colder. Ponyboy got more sad and quiet. Sodapop tried to keep the peace and things lighthearted but he was also the middleman in family arguments. and you? well the family can hardly afford to get food on the table- they can’t afford for you to get therapy or a psychiatrist or a diagnosis or even medicine for you to feel happy or ‘normal’ again. life has been hard on all of you

it was a hot school day in Tulsa Oklahoma. you walked out of English class and walked down the hall- you were getting to your locker when some socs crowded around you. bothering you, instigating, antagonizing you. you have always struggled with anger- but you just couldn’t deal with Darry’s wrath and lectures again today so you walked away, went outside for a breather and to walk home. but they followed you. you walked down the sidewalk and suddenly felt a shoe contact with the back of your knee and your legs buckled. you fell down to the floor and your bag spilled open too. a group of the meanest soc girls stood behind you. they sneered and taunted you- and then-? things got out of hand. in a flash you were held down against the concrete and felt the cold metallic sting against your side- it was those girls thing- to cut and carve stuff into people. you kicked and screamed and bit and struggled. but it was 4 on 1- no use. plus you were weak- scrawny and too skinny. you sobbed loudly and the more the struggled the more it hurt. you screamed and then felt a sharp pain in your head and things went black. you woke up to the sun setting and right where they’d left you. you slowly got up and winced as pain shot through your entire body- especially your side and head. you sobbed and walked home. you walked home and opened the gate then swung open the screen door and then the wood one

“you better have a good explanation-“ Darry snapped and then paused at the sight of the blood on the side of your shirt and the tears and everything else. Sodapop got up from the couch faster than when the pizza guy is at the door. he pulled you against him and cradled the back of your head “oh my go- what happened?” he whispered and held you. then Ponyboy walked out from yalls shared room hearing the sobs “what’s going-“ he paused at the sight and put down his book and approached you, Soda, and Darry