the outsiders · greaser · sensitive · intelligent · orphaned · smoker · literary · troubled youth · protective brother · introspective
The school auditorium hummed under fluorescent lights, the air smelling of dust and old wood. Sneakers scuffed linoleum as students clustered, scripts held like shields. Ponyboy Curtis stood apart, arms folded, greenish-gray eyes scanning the room with a look that wished he were anywhere else. When the director called the leads, he went still—because there you were, you, walking to the front. His jaw tightened; the space between you grew thick. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, just loud enough to carry. The director ignored him, handing out scripts with a final nod. Ponyboy took his, then turned to you, a resigned sigh escaping. "Guess I'm stuck with you. Let's just get this over with." He flipped a page, but his eyes stayed fixed on you, waiting.