Used to Wish I Meant Anything, to Anyone

Series Metadata

Creator:
Series Begun:
2021-03-26
Series Updated:
2026-01-15
Description:

A canon divergent series of moments before and after the book takes place. Canon-compliant (mostly, other than some ages and dates) until post-book. Dally and Johnny survive their injuries, which is the main divergence.

Notes:

There are some timeline differences for the sake of clarity and my own sanity. Primarily, the ages/birthdays of the characters. If you're interested, here's that timeline.

Darry-January 5, 1947 (This makes him nineteen when the book happens, not twenty).
Two-Bit-June 20, 1948 (This makes him seventeen-going-on-eighteen when the book happens, rather than eighteen-going-on-nineteen)
Dally-November 9, 1948 (This keeps him at seventeen during the book)
Steve-April 15, 1949 (This keeps him at seventeen during the book)
Soda-October 8, 1949 (This keeps him at sixteen during the book, albeit not 'sixteen-going-on-seventeen')
Johnny-March 1, 1950 (This keeps him at sixteen during the book)
Ponyboy-July 22, 1951 (This keeps him at fourteen during the book)

MOST IMPORTANT EVENTS:
September 13, 1965: Mr. and Mrs. Curtis die (Darry is eighteen, Soda is one month from being sixteen, and Ponyboy is thirteen)
January 15, 1966: Johnny gets jumped (he is fifteen).
May 2-May 10, 1966-The events of the book take place
May 11, 1966-Canon divergence in which Dally and Johnny survive.

Other fun additions, if you're curious:
February 4, 1954-Dally’s mom dies
July 1954-Two-Bit and Darry meet
September 1954-Steve and Soda meet
May of 1957-Dally gets sent to New York
January-February of 1959-Dally goes to jail for the first time
February 1959-Dally returns to Tulsa, living with his father
March of 1959-Two-Bit and Dally meet
April of 1959-Two-Bit finally brings Dally to meet Darry, Soda, and Steve
September 1960-Ponyboy meets Johnny at the park
October 1960-Ponyboy brings Johnny to meet everybody
June of 1964-Darry begins working, attempting to save for college.
September 19, 1965-Funeral
September 25, 1965-When Darry was supposed to begin classes as a freshman at OU
October 8, 1965-Soda turns 16
November 9, 1965-Dally turns 17
December of 1965-Dally is in jail*
January of 1966-Soda does not return to complete his junior year
January 5, 1966-Darry turns 19

Stats:
Words:
24,862
Works:
3
Complete:
No
Bookmarks:
6

Listing Series