Disclaimer: Roses are red. Violets are blue so don't sue.

Darry's POV

After a hard day of work I sat in a chair looking over the mail. Mary Lou,my serious girl friend was reading."Hey Pony can you come in here." I yelled down the hall. Mary Lou put down her book. "What is this." I said pointing to his Math grade. "It's a B." Pony said taking a good look at it. "Yeah, and why don't you have an A?" I said. Mary Lou was sitting up watching the conversation."What? I ain't perfect, Darry. It's just a B." Pony said.

"It is, but you've been getting A's and so I'd like to know why you went down a whole letter grade."I said. "And I'd like to know why I always have to be so perfect!" Pony said getting mad. "Let's see you've been getting straight A's since I can remember and you getting a scholarship would make it better on me." I said maybe saying the part selfish but it was true. "I'm nothing but a huge pain to you Darry,why don't you throw me in a boy's home."Pony yelled.

"Boys stop you two shouldn't be fighting."Mary Lou said softly. She knew about the first time Pony ran away since she was helping Pony in History as a tutor. "Sometimes I want to...I don't know what to do with you." I said maybe regretting it later. "I knew it, you want me gone." Pony yelled running out the door."Pony, don't run away from someone who cares about you." Mary yelled from the door way. "We all know no one wants you at home, so shut your trap." I said to Mary instantly regretting it.

She grabbed her jacket and ran off after Pony boy.

The Next Morning

"Hey Darry you seen Pony or Mary?" Soda asked surprized Mary wasn't here. She doesn't like going home, listening to her parents fight, or her dad drunk beating her mom. "They gotta be some where,let's ask Two Bit." I suggested. If Soda found out me and Pony were fighting I'm dead. We walked to Two-Bit's house. "You seen Pony or Mary?" Soda asked. "No but they gotta be around here somewhere." Two Bit said.

We tried Steve's house with no luck. "Hey is Pony here or Mary?" I asked this time. "Nope, but If I do I'll holler." Steve said closing the door. We walked back into town. "What are we gonna do Darry?" Soda asked worried. "I don't know man this is all my fault." I muttered. "How what did you do?" Soda asked. I sighed knowing he'd want the truth. "I got into a fight with him." I said. "But you promised no more fighting." Soda said.

"I didn't mean to I was tired and frustrated." I tried explaining. "Well it cause Pony to run away again." Soda said. "Not just Pony." I said meakly. "Who else?" Soda asked closing his eyes so he'd calm down a little. "Mary Lou, I told her that no one wants her at home and to shut her trap." I explained nearly in tears. "You promised that you two wouldn't fight." Soda repeated. "I know but he's probably not that far by now." I said.

"If I were him I'd be on my way to Texas by now!" Soda yelled and started walking the other way. "Where are you going?" I asked. "Away from you." Soda said walking faster. I walked back to the house and sat on the floor not bothering to do anything. I wrapped my arms around my knees and cried. I want my mom dad,Pony,Soda, and Mary Lou back. I looked over and saw Mary Lou left her jacket but took mine by mistake.She hates me now.

Ponyboy's POV

I ran to the park crying. I just wanted to get away. "Dangit Pony why were you on the track team." A voice said behind me. I stopped and saw it was Mary Lou but she was crying. "What happen to you?" I asked sitting under a tree. "Darry yelled at me too." She said softly. Darry's never even raised his voice at her until now. "Pony don't run from those who want to help you." Mary said softly hugging me.

I noticed she was clinging onto Darry's jacket. We both yawned and leaned against the tree. She put her arm around me and said "Pony he didn't mean it." She was warm and I was frezzing. I snuggled into her shoulder and she covered me with the jacket.I didn't know I was crying until she said "Shh Pony it's okay no one will hurt you." We both fell asleep in the park.