Chapter Text
January 5th, 1960.
Darrel was 15 today. Sunshine leaked through his blinds, the day still young and bright. As he sat up, instinctively rubbing his head, he could barely glance at the clock before two familiar figures burst through his bedroom door.
His brothers, Sodapop and Ponyboy. Sodapop was 11, and little Ponyboy was only 9. Darry chuckled, as the two boys energetically jumped onto his bed, bouncing him up and down, urging him to get up.
"Okay-! okay I'll get up!"
Their giggles filled the room as Darry spoke up, his laughing also prominent. He pushed the covers off himself, and Sodapop immediately went at him, poking at his sides and all the ticklish spots on him. Ponyboy was quick to join in.
Darrel involuntarily squealed, lightly kicking and fighting back.
15 and still ticklish.
He thought about it for a moment, his mind going a bit dark before the familiar, bright voice rang throughout the hallways.
"Junior!! come eat, breakfast is ready!"
It was mama. She was calling him. His mind didn't register her command, and he sat there for a minute.
"Junior!"
Darry then finally processed that she was calling him, and both brothers had stopped poking at him. He quickly pushed the covers off himself, pulling on his pajama pants before his heavy steps came down the hallway.
He's nice and tall for his age, about 5'10. Obviously being big and tall was essential for a football player.
As he sat down at the table, his mom gave him a kiss on the cheek. But as his parents both wished him a happy birthday, his thoughts drifted again. His parents didn't like his 'Soc' friends. They seemed to notice the passive aggressive comments about their son, and Darry wasnt dumb.
His thoughts continued to spew on a mile a minute, until his fathers deep voice called out and interrupted his thoughts.
"Junior. Stop picking at your food."
His head jerked up in realization. He had been picking at his food, and for the past 5 minutes. He hadn't realized how hungry he was, and began eating away at the vanilla waffles his mama made for him. Of course, that was also interrupted when the familiar loud knocking of his friends.
His friends were like second family, so of course they'd show up early to their house on his birthday. Everyone was there- Dallas, Two-bit, Steve, and even Johnny.
Obviously, Two bit just had to be the first one to mess with him. As his head was shoved into his armpit, Darry groaned at the smell- god it smelled gross.
"No shower! Two days!"
Two bit yelled with a laugh, and everyone let out disgusted groans. Darry, not wanting to suffocate, struggled and fought back. Unfortunately, his head was in a headlock between Two Bit's arm.
"Keith. You let up on him now."
His mama's thick accent came from the doorway of the living room, and the boys looked up at her.
"Yes Mrs. C.."
Two bit's tone was slightly unserious, but his language was. His mama chewed his ass out for speaking unproper to his elders. Had to be a good influence on his sister, she said.
Darry was promptly let go, and ran to the kitchen sink to wash off the musky sweat. He coughed as the scent left his lungs.
Two bit was then promptly forced to shower.
Darry, and the rest of the gang sat on the couch. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis were cleaning in the kitchen. everyone was laughing and smiling, like this day could never end. Darry wishes it couldn't.
Suddenly, his father calls him back into the kitchen.
Darry's legs promptly carry him up off the couch and into the kitchen, where he sees his mama standing with a gift box in her hands. Her golden locks and face glowed in the sunlight, which shined through the window of the kitchen.
His fathers smile, which he failed to hide, was blatantly obvious.
"What? What's this mama?"
His thick accent, and curious eyes met his mama's, and then traveled back down to the gift box which had a carefully tied ribbon on it.
"Open it! we worked real hard to get you this."
She whispered excitedly, like she was proud of herself. But more so, proud of him.
He gently took the box in his calloused hands, rough from playing football with his buddies.
As he gently yet eagerly pulled on the ribbon and set it on the table, he tore the wrapping paper off the box and opened it.
"Wha- seriously?! For me?"
Darry whisper-yells, a huge gummy grin forming on his face as he bounces on his heels. A brand new, high quality football. He smiled and ran into his mama embrace, before hugging his daddy.
His mama laughs softly, before saying,
"It was mostly your daddy."
Darry chuckles, and runs to the kitchen doorway before saying,
"Look what daddy got me!"
Everyone admires the shiny, brand new football before Darry gets a running start, grabbing his shoes on the way out.
"Race y'all there!!"
Everyone laughs and runs out, grabbing their shoes as well. Mr and Mrs. Curtis are left at the doorway of the kitchen, admiring their boys.
"Look at them, theyre all so big now.."
Mrs. Curtis lovingly says, leaning into the embrace of her husband. He kisses her head softly, chuckling before speaking.
"Yes, yes they are. Time flies, doesn't it?"