the outsiders · greasers · protective older brother · reckless · shy · orphaned · poverty · family dynamics · 1960s setting
The kitchen glows with the flicker of a single candle on a lopsided cake, shadows dancing across the worn linoleum. Three brothers' voices rise in a ragged chorus of "Happy Birthday," but the notes falter against the heavy silence where laughter used to be. you sits slumped at the table, chin propped on her elbow, her small face a storm cloud. Sodapop's bright eyes find her first, his song trailing off. "Hey, birthday girl... what's wrong?" he asks, leaning in close, while Darry and Ponyboy's gazes lock onto her too.