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The winter season was always a rather boring time for Ponyboy. They couldn’t really go out to play football or goof off. The gang could barely go outside at all, the ground was constantly covered in a foot of snow. Not to mention the obnoxious coats and winter gear Darry made them wear.
Luckily, now that Dallas had an actual drivers license Darry let Ponyboy ride home with him. I no longer have to walk home in pounds of snow, so I guess it’s better now than it used to be.
Dallas and Pony were headed out to the older of the two’s car. Suddenly Ponyboy felt something tug on the hood of his jacket, a rush of cold hitting his back. He turned quickly.
Two-Bit was there with another handful of snow in his hand, giggling his ass off. Before Pony could yell at him, Two shoved the snow directly into his face like a clown would with a pie.
Pony stood there for a moment, frozen (pun intended). He didn’t move again until he heard Dallas laugh behind him.
“Shut up Dallas!” He yelled, rushing to peel off his jacket and get the snow out. Two-Bit was literally on the ground, laughing it up with Dallas. Ponyboy rolled his eyes. He threw his jacket at them and sighed.
“Two, what the hell was that?” He muttered. “Don’t be such a downer! It was funny!” Two-Bit said between spurts of laughter.
“To you- and Dallas, I guess. Now I’m gonna be cold the whole way home!” Ponyboy cried, brushing some spare snow off his shoulder. “Speaking of, shouldn’t you already be home by now?”
Two-Bit stopped laughing, finally sitting up. “About that… My car broke down again.” Two sighed. “Again?” Dallas laughed.
“Yes! The cold messes up the engine all the time! I was about to ask you if I could catch a ride.” Two-Bit pleaded. “Why would you shove snow down my jacket if you wanted a favor?!” Pony frowned.
“It ain’t your car.” Two smirked, turning to Dallas. “Can I please catch a ride Dally Wally-“ Dallas chucked a ball of snow square in his mouth. “Yes, you can. As long as you never call me that again.” Dallas scoffed.
Ponyboy rolled his eyes, picking his jacket back up and putting it on. Even with snow off of it, it was still ice cold. He kicked Two-Bit in the shin once for good measure. He turned to Dallas.
“You’re really gonna give him a ride after what he just did to me?”
“Better you than me.” Dallas shrugged, “besides, it was funny.” Dallas and Two-Bit high fived. Ponyboy was going to murder both of them. Two smiled, scrambling to his feet. “Thank you kindly, Winston.”
“At Least let me get one on you.” Pony smiled, balling up snow in his hands. “No way! My hair looks wonderful today.” Two-Bit frowned, doing a weird version of a hair flip. Since his hair was plastered to his head, it didn’t move. He looked like he was having a neck spasm.
“Thanks not how it works anyway. You gotta be stealthy!”
“Oh yeah? Like this?”
Just as Two turned around to ask him what he meant, Ponyboy shoved a large handful of snow in his face.
Soon enough, a full-on snow brawl broke out amongst the boys. They were still in the school parking lot, but now it was dark and there were only a few cars around. Kids looked at them like they were loony, some threw snowballs at them.
It was real late now, the streetlights were on and only two cars other than Dally’s were there. One of which belonging to Soda. Soda was kind enough to call Darry from one of the school phones saying they’ll be home late.
Soda and Steve joined the fight, everyone shivering and covered in snow. They were so busy obliterating each other that they didn’t notice the back doors open. They didn’t notice there was another person, until Two-Bit threw a snowball right at someone’s face and he realized he didn’t recognise the person it belonged to.
Everything was silent for a moment, everyone staring at the random guy Two-Bit just threw a reasonably-large ball of snow at.
Soda was the first to move, running over to him. “Johnny! I’m so sorry man!” He yelled, helping the boy get the snow off his face. They all shared a look of confusion. Who the hell is Johnny?
“It’s alright man, I don’t mind none.” The boy, Johnny, laughed. He pushed away Soda's hands and shook his head a few times to get the last of it off. “No it ain’t- Glory man, We’re really sorry.” Soda glared at Two-Bit and motioned for him to come over.
“I'm Keith.” Two-Bit shook the boy’s hand, “and I’m really sorry- I’m sure this isn’t the best first impression.” He laughed awkwardly, giving him a guilty look. Johnny shook his hand, giving him a small smile. “I don’t mind, really.”
It was awkwardly silent for a moment. Steve scrambled to his feet, walking up to the three boys. “Sorry to say, I don’t think Soda’s ever mentioned you before. How’d you meet?” Johnny looked like he was about to speak, but Soda interrupted.
“You have met him! At the beginning of the year, remember?” Soda glared at his friend. “We have? Oh… oh! I do remember you!” Steve smiled. “You’re that one who saved me from the wrath of Mr.W! How the hell are you man?”
Steve pulled the boy into a quick hug. Johnny looked stunned for a moment, before he shook his head and smiled. “Y-Yeah it was no big deal. I’m okay, man.”
Soda sighed, brushing a chunk of snow out of his hair. “Sorry this is how y’all have to meet, these are the guys I was telling you about.” Johnny looked confused for a moment, then he gasped and turned back to them.
“Oh! These are the ‘tuff friends’ you’ve been telling me about?” Johnny laughed when Soda rolled his eyes at the quote. “Yes, though I’m sure you don’t believe me after this.”
“Hey! We’re Tuff!” Ponyboy yelled from behind them. Johnny peeked around Soda to see him. “You’re Ponyboy, right?” Johnny asked as he walked over. Pony nodded, shaking the boy’s hand.
“The one and only! How’d you know?”
“You fit the description.” Johnny shrugged, not elaborating. Ponyboy decided that was good enough for him. “I’m sure this isn’t a good look for us, but I want you to know that Two-Bit started it.” Ponyboy said quickly, dodging the smack Two-Bit tried to give him.
“Quit giving me a bad rep!” Two-Bit frowned. Soda elbowed him before turning back to Johnny. “I really am sorry for them. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you? Do you need a ride home?”
Johnny shook his head, a weak smile on his face. “It’s seriously okay, I don’t mind at all. So don’t worry about making it up to me- I’d really hate to be a bother.” Johnny slowly backed away as he said it, walking off before Soda could really respond.
“Bye Johnny!” Soda yelled after him, followed by a chorus of many other goodbyes from the rest of them. Johnny turned around to wave and smile at them before continuing on his walk.
Soda turned back to the group with a sigh. “You guys are the worst, you know that?” He said sarcastically, flicking Steve on the ear. Steve rolled his eyes. “You were throwing them too!” He retorted.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t hit an innocent man.” Soda laughed, before glaring at Two-Bit. The rest of the boys followed suit. Two slowly backed away, arms up in defense.
Another snow fight commenced. Ending in two black eyes, a bloody nose, and a stern talking to from Darrel.