I do not own The Outsiders. S.E. Hinton does :)
Date: March 17th 2016

"You lied, Curly. You promised to do homework with me and you didn't," I groaned, finishing the last of my English homework. I still had math to do (which had been set my big brother and it was in for the next day) but I really couldn't be bothered doing any more.

Curly rolled the red lollipop in his mouth. "I never do homework," he grinned. I sighed; this was Curly we were talking about – I should have known better. And he wasn't even in any of my classes, since I was more 'skilled' than he was at academic stuff.

"I can't believe Darry's your teacher, man. I mean, bein' in his gang is tuff, but bein' his class is just…I know I'd die if Tim were ma teacher," my friend laughed, his curly tufts of hair flopping onto his forehead as he tipped his head.

"Shut up, clone!" Tim yelled from his room. When he wasn't in-front of his gang, I realized he limited how many cuss words he yelled at his brother. Though Curly seemed offended that Tim had referred to him as a 'clone'.

Still, he didn't yell anything back; he knew better. For as dumb as he looked, he used his head…unlike me.

I remembered at that moment that Darry had told me to go straight home from school, since he needed to talk to me about some things. I knew teachers left school earlier than the students, but now I knew I was screwed; it was nearing 6 pm.

"Ugh…" I grumbled in annoyance. Curly raised his eyebrows at me. "Just remembered that Darry wants me home. I'll havta go," I sighed.

Curly smirked. "Oh yeah…Darry don't want his little brother out with the big boys, is that it?"

I glared at him; he knew that wasn't the real reason, and I knew he knew that, but these little comments always angered me. However, being the 'smart boy' that I am, I just rolled my eyes and left. To say Curly was shocked was an understatement; I usually fought with him.

My big brothers plus Steve were sitting at the table, eating dinner, when I got back. Johnny was sprawled out on the couch with a black eye and appeared to be sleeping, and Two-Bit and Dally were nowhere to be seen.

"Nice for you to join us, Ponyboy," Darry called, clearly agitated.

I tossed my backpack on the floor and washed my hands; now was not a good time. I knew this because I was tired from doing all the homework (with Curly screaming at me in the background –don't ask why- which distracted me), and knew that if my brother said something to me I'd probably end up mouthing off to him.

Pulling out the vacant chair and sitting down it, I didn't make eye contact with anyone, though I could feel everyone's eyes on me.

"Where were you, Ponyboy?" Darry asked calmly, placing his utensils down on his plate.

"Curly's; we were doing homework," I answered, not looking up.

I heard Darry nod. "Well, you're grounded for the night." My head shot up then. "I told you to come straight home and you didn't; that's disobedience on your part and I won't tolerate it."

My jaw clenched as I shoved my plate away. Darry had been at school for one day, and already he was acting like a total jerk – at school and at home! He embarrassed me in-front of the whole class and now he was restricting my freedom, plus it was for homework!

"It was for homework, Darry!" I yelled. I think I might have woken up Johnny in the next room. "You're just mad because it was Curly, aren't you?"

Darry shook his head, his features still calm – not tense like they usually are. "No I'm not mad because it was Curly; in-fact I'm not mad at all. I'm simply giving you consequences for your actions: I told you to come straight home from school and you didn't, so now you're paying the price for it."

I growled and stomped my foot hard on the floor, though it hurt quite a bit because I was still sitting down. Without meaning to I winced, and Steve snickered.

"You shut up!" I shouted, pointing a finger at him. This just caused him to grin wickedly at me. Soda was looking around, as if trying to figure out what was going on. Poor guy.

"Ponyboy," Darry said, his voice lower and intimidating this time. "We don't speak to people that way. I saw what he did, but I'll deal with it in future. In the meantime I think you should go sit in your room."

Seriously, I was beyond frustrated now. Darry always hollered at me when I mouthed off to him; yet now he was being firm yet calm at the same time without making me feel like crying. Well, I did feel like crying now, but it was out of annoyance more than anything.

Getting up and shoving my chair under the table, I stomped away from the table and grabbed my backpack to finish off the rest of my homework. I slammed the door loudly, and I knew that Johnny was definitely awake by now, as he said: "Is Pony okay?"

No, I wasn't. Darry was annoying me without having to yell at me or anything, and I suppose you'd call it childish – I guess I seemed to be acting out for attention, but I really wasn't. But why did Darry's new job affect him so much.

Screw homework, I thought to myself. It was only math anyway. And even though it was due for tomorrow, I knew Darry would probably check up on me to make sure it was done. I smirked to myself; my backpack was in my room, and since I was so upset and felt the need to lock myself in, Darry wouldn't be able to get to me. And that meant he didn't know if I'd done my homework or not.

He'd embarrassed me today in class. Well, I'd embarrass him: it wouldn't look good if I didn't give Darry my homework, being his brother and all. I grinned; this would be fun.

XXX

Steve, Sodapop and I finished our dinner without any disruptions. Maybe I was a little hard with Pony, I don't know, but I do know he acted way out of line at the dinner table. If one of us had spoken to mom like that, dad would have grounded us for a month, along with extra chores, and might have even washed our mouths out. Vice versa I supposed, though mom had always been softer than dad.

I didn't expect Soda to stick up for me; Ponyboy was his brother while I acted like their guardian, but I know he knew I was in the right, because he didn't say anything to defend Pony either.

My own attitude surprised me though too, I guess. I know I holler at Pony way too much but I usually can't help it. I just want to make him into a better person, and I guess I realize that yelling doesn't really help at all. But then again, Pony's little fit showed me that no matter how calm I am, he'll still fight back. He's that sort of stubborn. And I guess I loved him for it.

Annette had told me how she dealt with Joey at home if he got out of line. She said she'd take his toys away and not give him any desert if he argued with her about a grounding (and she seemed to ground him for the silliest reasons, but it wasn't my place to judge). However, Pony didn't own many toys and he didn't play with the ones he owned, and also our breakfast was desert so I'd technically be starving him.

Though since I was such a kind big brother, I decided to let this one go. Though I wouldn't let my kid brother get off so easy next time. And the next day at school when he was in my class, I sure was mad I hadn't dealt with it right away.

AN: This chapter is shorter than the others, but I've been having some writer's block and feel bad for not updating this story. It goes for all of my other stories too. Also, I've got my mock exams coming up soon, so the teachers have been giving us tests and stuff…:/ If you guys could shoot some ideas I'd really appreciate it –for any of my stories- and be as creative as you want XD
Pony's little plan was inspired by a review from Ponygirlrunner25 (you really have good ideas! :D).
Happy 52nd birthday to Rob Lowe too! –Another reason why I wanted to update the chapter today!- You'll forever be Sodapop in my mind and heart, but you'll always be Rob in my heart too! XD :)
Thanks to everybody who has favorited, followed and reviewed this story so far; I can't thank you all enough :)