Ever since Johnny death and Dally being in the cooler, every single person in the gang had changed whether that was for good or bad was questionable. For instance, Steve was still the hard working mechanic but he wasn't as cruel as he was to Pony. Two-bit was same old still making wise cracks every chance he gets. Darry still made him his mission to keep Soda and Pony together and away from a boy's home. Soda was constantly worried about Pony but he was still the understanding guy that Pony cared about. Pony had to be the one who changed the most for the worst, he wasn't one who cared about his grades anymore or he didn't care for sunsets. School for Pony was a different story, nobody tried to mess with him anymore considering he turned cold. It was like Pony was trying to take the place of Dally while he was stuck in the cooler. Darry was reading the newspaper while Two-bit was watching his beloved Mickey Mouse show with a beer in his hand. Pony walked downstairs from his bedroom and looked around the room and he was about to lit a cig. Darry rolled his eyes,
"Pony, no smoking inside" Darry couldn't help but cross his arms.
"Fine, I was going to hang out with the Shepards anyway" Pony put the cig back into his denim jacket. "No Ponyboy," Darry was in front of Pony with his arms crossed against his muscles underneath his black t-shirt. "You can't keep me here forever" Pony huffed before storming back upstairs to his room. Ever since Johnny died and Dally was in the cooler, Pony told Soda to go back to his old room which Soda did because he wanted to make his little brother happy. "What happened to Pony," Soda asked Darry and Darry just shook his head.
"I have no idea little buddy" Darry rubbed Soda's head and Soda rolled his eyes.
"Well, that's Steve," Soda said while rushing to meet his best friend since forever aka Steve Randle. They both were heading to work at the gas station like they always do on this day causing Darry to be left with Pony. Nobody could get through to Pony even, Two-bit tried one day when he advised Pony don't get hard because he wasn't like everybody in the group. It still didn't work so now at this point Darry was about to give up. Steve tried to talk him to once because Soda begged him to try to get his brother back.
"Two-bit, I have to get to work" Darry announced to Two-bit and he nodded.
"I'll watch the kid," Two-bit said taking a sip of his beer and eating chocolate cake. Meanwhile in Pony's room, he was lying down on his bed doing absolutely nothing really. He opened up Gone with the Wind book and he opened it where it was a letter from Johnny. Pony looked at the letter before crumpling it up and tossing it in the trash can. Pony didn't want to look at that letter anymore. Two-bit walked into Pony's room and Pony glared at him.
"You can't always watch me" Pony continued to glare at Two-bit and Two-bit rolled his eyes.
"Darry will kill me if I don't" Two-but was leaning against the wall and Pony once again rolled his eyes.
"Fine" Pony snapped before moving his hair out of his eyes. Pony's hair got long just like good old Dallas Winston. Don't get me started on Pony's eyes, it was cold and hard filled with hatred when the gang saw his eyes Steve, Two-bit, Soda, and Darry were freaked out and for a good reason to.
"What the hell is wrong with you Pony" Two-bit stated to him in a serious matter because this was Ponyboy.
"Nothing now move Keith" Pony spat before pushing him out of his way. Two-bit grabbed his arm and Pony pushed Two-bit causing him to hit the wall. Two-bit glared at Pony and watched as Pony walked out of the room. Two-bit rubbed the back of his neck.
"Darry is going to kill me" Two-bit mumbled to himself before sitting down on the couch. Two-bit was holding his head in his hand. Pony was walking around Tulsa lilting up a cigarette. "Hey Curly, Tim" Pony greeted the Shepards once he entered the Shepards household.
"Curtis" Tim nodded his head before walking out of his house. "What's up with him" Pony handed a cigarette to Curly and Curly just shrugged his shoulders.
"What's up with you" Curly raised an eyebrow at him. Pony just glared at him.
"Nothing is up with me" Pony growled at Curly causing Curly back away from Pony. The Shepards knew something was wrong with Pony especially Curly knew Pony wasn't himself for some reason.
"There is something wrong with you ever since we went to Buck" Curly pointed out to Pony and Pony eyes went wide before pushing Curly back against the wall.
"Don't you ever mention that name to me ever again" Pony glared at him. Pony walked out of the Shepards and Curly shook his head. Curly would never admit to anyone but Ponyboy scared the crap out of him. Darry picked Soda up and Darry kept driving in the opposite way of home causing Soda to be confused. "Where we going' Soda asked Darry and Darry turned his head.
"We going to see Dallas" Darry drove up to the jail. They sat in front of Dallas on the other side of the table. Dallas just tilted his head at both Soda and Darry.
"Guys" Dallas greeted them.
"Hey Dals" Soda smiled at him and Dal moved his hair out of his eyes. It reminded Soda of Ponyboy considering that Pony's hair was basically covering his eyes.
"What are you guys doing here" Dal leaned back in his chair.
"We need your help" Darry looked at his hands. "You do know where we are right. I can't do anything when I am in here" Dallas told them.
"Ponyboy basically turning into you" Darry crossed his arms.
"No, he's not" Dals looked shocked at Darry.
"His eyes are cold and icy Dallas" Soda jumped into the conversation.