Disclaimer: I do not and never will own the characters, plots and settings of S.E Hinton's "The Outsiders".

Title: By My Own

Author: So Yun

Ratings: M

Warnings: Language, Violence, Adult Themes

Genre: Angst/Drama

Chapter: 1/?

Summary: A year on, life is continuing for the Curtis brothers and the remaining gang. But things slowly go downhill for Ponyboy and the gang who have triumphed over so many things in the past.

AN: Hi guys, I'm new to this type of fandom, I usually frequent Harry Potter. I hope you'll be lenient on me for any future stuff ups! I hope you enjoy the first instalment!

Chapter 1-Birthday Boy

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Sunlight filtered through the bedroom curtains and I rolled to my side, groaning. I sheltered my face beneath the sheet and huddled closer to the mattress, clutching my pillow and Soda's arm still on my shoulder.

Though seconds later the gentle hand shook my shoulder; I opened an eye drowsily.

"So fifteen today Hun," Soda's cheerful voice drifted towards me, I nodded sleepily, closing my eyes again.

My second oldest brother smiled at me, yawning as I was forced to open my eyes again; his brown eyes now widened in excitement.

I stifled a groan, I knew what that look meant from years of experience. I don't understand what the big fuss is? It's just a birthday, but apparently my brothers and the rest of the gang thought otherwise.

I closed my eyes tightly and huddled down further only to be scared out of mind by an extra loud voice that I recognised instantly.

"Hey Birthday Boy! Rise and shine Pony!"

I moaned weakly, attempting to muffle Two-Bit's voice. But then the bed started jostling and I found Soda bouncing around like an excited puppy.

Against my blissfully wanting sleep will, I pulled back the covers and rested against the headboard; no way was I gonna get to sleep in. Even on my birthday.

I wiped the grit that caked around my eyes then looked around the bedroom blearily.

Soda was half dressed and sittin on the bed, grinning madly; so much so that it scared me.

Two-Bit stood at the foot of the bed, chowing down some chocolate cake while smirking at me. He just loved birthdays because he always got to annoy the birthday boy.

Steve leant against the dresser, a fag poking from his lips; he scowled; typical Steve on my birthday, or any day for that matter.

Then last and least, my oldest brother Darry leant against the doorway, his arms crossed casually.

"Fifteen now kid?" Steve managed to drawl in my direction, "Still a tagalong kid though."

I rolled my eyes at him, but he merely smirked. I'll always be the tagalong kid; no matter my age. I could be in my late twenties, them in their thirties and I'd still get a glare from good ol' Steve if I tried to join them at the pub. But hey, it was mutual.

Soda punched his best friend's arm roughly, but grinned at him.

"Steve, lay off. It's his birthday."

Steve just snorted and Two-Bit laughed then threw something at me. I caught it quickly and recognised the nice notebook I was admiring the other day in the supermarket. I smiled appreciatively and Two-Bit winked, "Well hey Pone, it wasn't nailed down or anything like!"

Everyone laughed while Darry approached the bed. He looked somewhat strange; uncertainty pooling in his eyes.

He carefully handed me something small then nodded at me.

I looked down and in my hand; I held the nicest switchblade I'd ever seen. I flicked the blade out and gasped in wonder.

It was pure white and if you looked close enough, you'd notice intricately carved swirls in the handle. With another gasp of awe, I realized that by the looks of the engineering; it was hand made and so was the beautiful design.

I looked up at my oldest brother; emotion glittering in my eyes.

"You made this Darry?" I managed to let out. Darry nodded and I suddenly wanted to leap up and hug him.

Since the whole incident, Darry and I had been gettin along just fine. Maybe a small fight here and then over curfew or homework, but that didn't matter. It had been almost a year since Dally and Johnny had died; it still tore at my heart, everyone's hearts but we had moved on.

I missed them both everyday and would never forget them.

Staying gold was my only inspiration; so I did.

"Thankyou," I said softly towards Darry.

He merely nodded and said, "Use it well Ponyboy."

I nodded, smiling.

Soda was next, he clambered across the mattress towards me, handing me a nicely wrapped present as he did.

I took it gently and started to undo the paper slowly.

"Oh just rip it already kid!" Two-Bit interrupted, so I complied.

In the shreds of the colourful wrapping paper, lay an authentic and expensive looking leather jacket.

My eyes widened and I looked up at Soda, my mouth wide open.

"How on earth did you manage to pay for this Soda!??" I exclaimed, holding up the lovely leather jacket in my hands.

Soda grinned; looking utterly nonplussed.

"I saved."

"You saved. And how many hard months of work did that take? Soda…your wages…"

"Are mind to spend." Soda cut in as he took it out of my hands and draped it across my shoulders caringly.

"See buddy? It fits perfectly!" He exclaimed, his eyes alight.

Soda, of course hadn't even answered my questions and I was about to complain some more, but I was rudely cut off by none other than Steve.

"Shut up you little shit. For Christ's sake, if you really want to know, it was two. Two months worth of his bloody wages."

This shut me up real quick and the room was silent. Although I caught both Soda and Darry shooting Steve a warning look.

Soda approached me gently, brushing my bangs back, "I wanted to," he said softly and rubbed my shoulders with a small smile.

I nodded and murmured thanks which just made him grin so wide it made me grin.

Darry chuckled at his two Cheshire cat brothers and shook his head.

"Birthday cake for everyone! Kitchen now or there'll be none left! Come on Pony, outa bed!" As he headed for the kitchen, everyone was racing behind him.

I sat in bed for a moment longer, smiling at my wonderful brothers and the remaining members of the gang, even Steve.

Life couldn't get any better.

"Come on Pone!" Steve and Two-Bit have nearly finished the cake!!"

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TBC

End of Chapter One.

Please review, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for reading.

Yun