I do not own The Outsiders.

Hello :) once again! I just want to take a moment to thank those who have been there for me when I was absent. Thank you so much for the messages, the reviews and e-mails of encouragement, support, wisdom and advice. Thank you so very much. There is no amount that I can measure to show you all how grateful, humble and loved I am because of you reviewers, fellow writers and readers.

"There are two types of writers: Those who imagine, and those who tell."

-Kylelover101

CHAPTER 1

The morning sunshine slipping through the trees had brought a sense of innocence and purity as it's luster glow warmed the face of a small boy giggling in the backseat of a black Buick. He looked up when his Mother turned around to check on him and seeing her lips draw a rosy smile made him give a toothy grin in return.

His Mother was beautiful, with hair a golden, curl fest of radiance of yellow he let her tug sometimes. She turned away from him seeing he was content and traced her smooth, slim fingers against the hand of her husband next to her. He turned to take his eyes off the road for a moment to smile at her. Looking up again, the boy's attention was that to his Father driving. His father was the strongest man he had ever known. The way Father kept a watchful eye over their family, making the boy feel safe and secure; the way his Father would pick him up and put him on his shoulders made the little boy feel like he was tall too.

The little boy rolled down his window to stick his hand outside, he held the car out too so it felt like the car was really flying.

"Keep your hand inside, baby." The boy looked up at his mother's stern command. He gulped and did as he was told to but Father just laughed.

"Aw, he's not hurting anything."

"What if he looses an arm?"

"He won't, dear, but if he looses that book of his he'll be one sorry little boy."

Father winked at him and the little boy knew by the tone of his voice that he wasn't in trouble, still, he gripped his book and continued to watch the pages flying against the wind. The boy's laughter brought the two parents in the front peace once more and they basked in the noise coming from their youngest.

The roads were twisting, winding and curving soon and the sky was getting darker it seemed. The boy had stopped holding his arm out and rolled up his window. Now that the sunshine was gone, and the skies were darkening; the air was colder. It would almost be time for the boy's bedtime, but he was already dozing off in the back. He felt his eyes grow heavy and the fact that his mother was singing a comforting tune up front wasn't helping him stay awake. The boy laid his head against the door of the car to look out his window at each glittering star in the night's sky.

He smiled to himself and decided he'd close his eyes just for a moment. They jolted open just in time to see his Mother turn around and reach out to him, screaming his name. He gasped as after she reached out to him, the car had collided with something and the innocent boy watched in horror as both his parents lay in front of him, dead.

Ponyboy Curtis opened his eyes from the redundant nightmare. Slowly he sat up to see it was early, neer five-thirty in the morning. He took a deep breath and looked to see daylight starting to peak. He took a moment to collect and calm himself before nudging his older brother Sodapop.

"Soda." He whispered.

"Hm?" Sodapop answered, not waking up.

"Almost time to wake up. What time do you gotta' work?" Ponyboy mumbled, laying back down on his pillow. Today's Monday, Sodapop works, Darry works and I have school. He mentally listed. Sodapop yawned, muttering something into his own pillow that Ponyboy couldn't make out. Ponyboy looked back at the clock, seeing it was no six in the morning. If he wanted a shower, he needed to do it now. He took of his black sweat pants and began to take off his shirt as he walked to the bathroom.

However, he bumped into someone's muscular body. He heard a chuckle and someone helped him take off his shirt.

"You okay?" It was Darry. Ponyboy nodded, turning to walk into the bathroom.

"Hey, that lazy brother of ours awake?" Darry asked. Ponyboy shrugged and didn't fail to see the smirk on Darry's face. Ponyboy smiled back and rushed to see what Darry was going to do. Slowly, the eldest Curtis approached the sleeping blonde in bed, taking off the towel he was using to get hair hair dry and whacked Sodapop on his exposed thigh.

Sodapop yelped and turned to see Ponyboy and Darry laughing at them.

"That's not funny!" Sodapop screamed, taking his brothers off guard. It wasn't until Darry got a pillow to the face did they see through their brother's act.

"Get em' Pony!" Darry screamed, jumping on the bed to tickle the boy. Pretty soon if went from tickling Sodapop to Darry, then to Ponyboy. Ponyboy leaped from the bed, racing away from his brothers to take a shower and Sodapop and Darry started to make breakfast.

"Hello-o-o? Oh, I'm just in time for breakfast, what a considance?" Two-bit Matthews chuckled, reached across the table to snitch a slice of chocolate cake.

"Eat at your own place, you bum." Darry muttered.

Two-bit his his hand to his chest, looking deeply upset. "Oh Darrel, surly you have better manners for you guests!"

"I haven't thrown you out have I?" Darry smirked to himself, "Hey, you going to school today?" Two-bit nodded, "Will you keep an eye out for Ponyboy today?"

Two-bit smiled, "Sure, why though?"

Darry shrugged, "Just see how he's acting, he's been pretty quiet lately."

"Isn't the kid always quiet?" Two-bit knew how silent Ponyboy could be. The kid could go days without talking unless he's addressed. It was always useful if you had a secret since he could keep his mouth shut. Darry fixed Ponyboy and Sodapop a plate of food so they could eat before leaving.

"Yeah, but he's also looking like he's keeping something."

"The kid is allowed some personal space and his own secrets, Darry."

It had nothing to do with trust; but knowing all that had happened to them with their Mother and Father, Johnny and Dallas, Darry just feared the worst.

"I know, just tell me how he is."

"Got'cha. Hey Soda!" Two-bit greeted.

Sodapop flashed Two-bit one of his famous smiles and took a bite of chocolate cake. "Ponyboy ready for school yet?" the blonde asked. On Que, Ponyboy walked into the kitchen with a plain light blue t-shirt and jeans.

"Morning, Pones!" Two-bit greeted. "Hey, wanna' go to school with good ol' Two-bit?"

Ponyboy's eyes widened slightly and he hectically shook his head; Sodapop and Darry couldn't help but snicker at the honesty their little brother was showing but Two-bit brushed it off.

"Soda, what time do you work till?" Darry asked.

"Um," Sodapop thought for a moment. "Seven." He answered. Darry nodded, "Alright, I work till six-thirty, Ponyboy you'll be home before any of us, so can you start on dinner? There's some chicken I need you to prep in the oven and cut up the vegetables. Can you do that?"

Ponyboy nodded. "Yeah."

"Okay, gotta' go." With that Darry put his dishes in the sink and waved goodbye before leaving. There was a car horn honk by the front door. "That's Steve!" Sodapop stated, standing up. Sodapop wrapped his arms around Ponyboy, pulling the boy in to nuzzle his nose in his fresh smelling hair.

"I gotta' go too, baby. You be good now." With that, Sodapop planted an embarrassing kiss on the top of Ponyboy's head and followed Darry's routine of putting his dish in the sink and waving goodbye. When Sodapop left, Two-bit let out a roar of laughter to which Ponyboy elbowed him.

"So we walking or taking you car?" Ponyboy wanted to ask.

"My new car!" Two-bit smiled. Ponyboy giggled nervously, recently Two-bit had stolen a new car after his junker stalled out on him on the road. Two-bit's old car was a rusty Ford that belonged to his father before he walked out on them. Now, six years later, the car had ran it's last race and the pick-pocketing Greaser had help with Tim Shepard finding a new car.

Two-bit's new car wasn't new at all, and the cars Two-bit normally drives aren't always the safest.

"Don't worry, it's got seat belts." Two-bit smiled, standing up to put his plate in the sink. Ponyboy gulped, seat belts were the last thing on his mind for safety. "You haven't seen my car yet, have you?!" Two-bit smiled, excitedly. Ponyboy shook his head and yelped as Two-bit grabbed him by the arm and yanked him out of the house.

"Ta-da!" Two-bit screamed, off-key. The Greaser was as excited as a kid showing off his new bike to his friends. Ponyboy laughed nervously at Two-bit's new car.

It was a 1949 Mercury. A car like that was a Greaser's dream to own, however, that condition was very questionable. The side door looked like it wasn't on properly and was tapped on the side. The front bumper looked like it would fall off at any second and the back window was cracked. No wonder no one wanted this car. Ponyboy bit his bottom lip.

"Two-bit are you this is-" Ponyboy was cut off by the front headlight falling off and busting into a million pieces on the drive way. ". . . Safe?"

Two-bit laughed. "Safety is my middle name, Ponyboy!"

"Thought it was Jeffory." Ponyboy mumbled and he nearly jumped when Two-bit started up the engine. It roared like a bear. Ponyboy didn't know much about cars, but he knew something was wrong.

"Um, Two-bit, is it supposed to sound like that?" He asked.

"Sure? Sounds tuff, eh? Now hop in Ponyboy, we've got book learning to do!" Ponyboy did the sign of the cross before stepping a toe into Two-bit's vehicle. The auburn sat in the front and closed the door, not liking the amount of rust that fell off. Ponyboy couldn't help but notice a funky odor in the car. He nearly gagged. "Aw, Two-bit! What's that stink?" He cried, covering his nose with his shirt.

"Sorry, forgot to keep the windows rolled down." Two-bit replied.

"What is that smell, Two-bit?"

Two-bit looked guilty. "I didn't rip ass if that's what you're accusing me of." Ponyboy shook his head. The smell was burning his eyes. He stuck his head out of the window to get some fresh air into his lungs.

"No, Two-bit this is worse than any human could ever make." Ponyboy stated. Two-bit bit his bottom lip, Ponyboy turned to him, glaring. Two-bit was horrible at keeping his thoughts to himself. Granted, he never had to say anything, it was written all over his face. Two-bit ran a finger along his side burns and sighed.

"Well, I got this car for a good discount cause. . . " Ponyboy waited.

"When I opened the front door, I saw a dead cat right where you're sitting. I'll say it was dead 'bout a month."

Ponyboy paled. He screamed trying to get out of the car but Two-bit held him back. "Just wait, Ponyboy! I gotta' drive you now or you'll be late!"

"I don't care!" Ponyboy cried. He didn't want to be sitting in the same seat in which a cat died on! He'd rather walk and face detention and Darry's wrath. But Two-bit already started the car and Ponyboy wasn't stupid enough to jump out of a speeding vehicle. Ponyboy nearly lost his breakfast as Two-bit ran red lights, cut off other cars and the smell lingered around the blonde auburn's nostrils.

When Two-bit found a parking spot, Ponyboy nearly jumped out of the window and ran five feet from the car to breathe the spring air.

"Aw, it wasn't that bad." Two-bit replied, still, he took out a can of Old Spice from his coat pocket, handing it to Ponyboy.

"Here," He offered. Ponyboy coated himself with a nice amount before walking into the school with Two-bit. School was still the same for Ponyboy, glares and stares because he's a Greaser and the whole thing with Bob Sheldon didn't blow over yet. The clash between Greasers and Socs was still very much alive, but after Ponyboy and Johnny's stunt and the rumble, it seems as if things have simmered down. There were still petty fights and jumping going on, but no murders, or threats.

"Hey, I'm skipping third period, you in?" Two-bit asked.

Ponyboy didn't answer. He had caught eye with Cherry Valance standing with her cheerleader friends in the foyer. Her green-grey eyes had locked with hers and she looked sad. He could tell. She didn't spare him another glance as she turned her back to him. He sighed and walked to his locker.

"Aw, don't mind her. You know how things are, she being a Soc and all." Two-bit reassured.

You're wrong. Ponyboy thought. Ponyboy thought about Cherry Valance and her red sting ray, her balcony in which she probably watched sunsets on. Cherry Valance and Ponyboy Curtis were not so different, living under the same luster of sunsets. Ponyboy knew he had probably broken the girl's heart with killing her boyfriend and Dallas, her crush, dying on her.

Ponyboy gulped. He was thinking about Johnny and Dallas again. He sighed and grabbed his textbooks and closed his locker.

"Maybe," He lied. Then he moved on to Two-bit's earlier question to get off the topic of Cherry "I can't skip, Darry will throw a fit."

"Okay, well, do you need a ride home? I'll give ya' a lift." Two-bit smiled, Ponyboy rapidly shook his head. "No, no, it's okay. I'll find my own way, maybe I'll hitch a ride with Mark, or maybe someone else other than you!" Ponyboy waved goodbye to Two-bit and left for his first period class.

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Sodapop smiled as he tapped on the side of the car. "All done." He called. With that the driver of a Ford left the station. The Blonde greaser looked down the road for anyone who might be coming for gas as well. When he didn't see anyone, he hopped back into the shop.

"Ah, another customer satisfied!" He smiled. Sodapop looked around at the empty shop, he knew Steve would be here later at noon, but it was still pretty lonely being by himself. Sodapop can't stand silence unless he's really tired or sick, so he flipped on the radio and went back to stocking the shelves.

While stocking, Sodapop thought about Ponyboy. The kid had another nightmare last night. At first he was awoken by the boy whimpering and tossing around. Sodapop brought Ponyboy closer to him and that had ceased some movement and crying, but he wasn't sure Ponyboy had left the nightmare, especially since he woke up gasping as if he had finished a marathon.

Sodapop was never the one to bring up the subject of nightmares, he wanted Ponyboy to tell him himself. Besides, he told himself, maybe they're not so bad, maybe he doesn't remember them.

Sodapop wasn't too sure. He'd have to get Darry's opinion.

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"A detailed poem, like in it's title, is one that talks about descriptive words, rather than it rhyming. Can I please have a a name of an author that does something like that?" This girl is not ready to be a teacher, Ponyboy thought.

It wasn't that she was stupid, because Ponyboy thought she was fairly smart, but Ponyboy guessed she just wasn't ready to teach Greasers. She looked liked she wanted to scream and call the cops when one approached her just to ask for a pass to use the bathroom.

Ponyboy held up his hand, she nodded. "Walt Whitman." He answered.

"Correct." She softly beamed. Ponyboy smiled back "As homework for you all, I want you to write me a poem to be ready to share to the class, please."

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The sun beamed down on the Greaser's brushed back curls. He lit a blunt and inhaled, he was given a slap on the back from a friend and he smirked.

"Didn't think you'd be back, Curly." One Greaser laughed, "How did ya' get out early?"

Curly Shepard was not a boy of wealth, considering the circumstances of being a Greaser and Tim Shepard's kid brother, but he was a fan of taste. He looked around his rag-tag group of Blumy boys, all of them poor, wild Greasers who were ready to do whatever Tim or Curly told them. They were loyal, Soc hating, pricks to Curly's standards and he loved it.

"Good behavior," Curly bragged, "Dumb fuzz can't tell an actor if they ever met one." Curly had been sent to The Reformatory for theft over five-hundred. He had pick-pocketed nearly two crates of alcohol that were outside of the liquor store. By the time he had gotten the crates into his trunk ( a stolen vehicle ) and down the main road the Cops were waiting for him.

Needless to say Tim didn't bail him out and because of that he was sentenced to three months but only served two.

"We need to make sure that old coot downtown knows better than to call the cops on you, Curly?" One Greaser asked.

Curly shook his head, "Naw, Tim already paid him a visit. Don't know what he did, he won't tell me, but I don't really care about that. Anything happen while I was gone?" Curly asked, taking another puff on his weed. A few of the boys gave a slightly panicked look to each other before one spoke up.

"Well, remember Dallas Winston?" A Greaser with long black sideburns asked.

Curly snorted, did he remember Dallas Winston? Who the hell couldn't? He asked himself. It wasn't that Curly hated Dallas, in fact he secretly admired him from afar, only wanting to top his reputation the cold-hearted Greaser had down at the station. Curly looked around, scowling.

"What about him?" He asked.

"He's dead."

Curly's eyes widened. Dallas Winston, dead? Although Curly knew one day Dallas would die, he didn't think it would happen while he was away.

"He died a while back ago. He and some other kid too. Other things happened while you were gone, That Curtis kid killed a soc there was a rumble about it and everything."

Curly's jaw dropped open and he nearly lost his weed. Curtis? "Which one?" He asked. "There's three of them." The Curtis Brother are known either because of their strength or good looks.

"The one with the funny name: Ponyboy."

"Ponyboy. . . .Curtis?" Curly breathed, then he laughed, "No. . .no fucking way! Baby Curtis?" Ponyboy Curtis? As in the same kid Curly used to play 'Chicken' with as a kid? The same kid that would try to squeeze in a chapter before a rumble?

That kid killed someone?!

"Ya'll are fucking joking." Curly scoffed.

"No, we're serious man; even ask Tim he knows!" One Greaser declared. Curly thought about it for a moment. He didn't know if now was a good time to head on home just yet. He wanted details on how Winston died. Curly went to light another weed when a certain Greaser caught his eye.

"Speak of the Devil," Curly smirked, "Be right back boys, don't move." He ordered. Curly hopped off of the black car and strolled down the parking lot back to the school building. Ponyboy Curtis looked around making sure no Soc had followed or seen him. He wanted to take his lunch break outside to begin writing his poem for class. He found a bench and began writing before he was startled by a switch blade that was chucked towards him, standing up on the wooden table.

Ponyboy looked up at who could play such an awful trick and was rewarded by Curly Shepard's toothy grin.

"Got'cha." Curly smirked.

Ponyboy smiled, "Hi Curly. I didn't know you were out today."

"Yeah," Curly sighed, sitting on the bench across from Ponyboy. "Got out for good behavior." Ponyboy couldn't help but smile at how much Curly was sounding like Dallas. His smile faltered and he focused back on to writing his poem.

"Cha' got there?" The curly haired boy asked. Ponyboy covered his work. "It's not done yet. But it'll be a poem for my English class."

"Always knew ya' liked that book crap. Was never too found of it." Curly stated as if it were an amazing fact. Ponyboy smiled and continued writing down ideas for a poem. Curly wasn't too found of being ignored and he leaned in closely to the boy. Ponyboy looked up and nearly jumped.

Curly squinted his eyes seeing Ponyboy's hair. "What in the hell happened here?" Curly brushed his fingers through a few strands and Ponyboy blushed.

"Uh, I dyed it." He mumbled.

"Why? It was better before." Curly pointed out. Ponyboy's natural colored roots were coming through but the blonde was still heavy on his head. Curly smirked. "Why?" He asked again.

"Why what?" Ponyboy bit his bottom lip.

"Why did you ruin your hair?"

Ponyboy didn't want to talk about Johnny, about Dallas, about Windrixville. He didn't want to re-live that nightmare. He wanted to forget all about the fighting, the fire, the death of Bob. Curly's skinny, cat-like body curved off the table so he could sit across from Ponyboy. There was one thing about Curly Shepard that was unlike any other Greaser, Unlike Dallas or Tim who would blow up at any god-given moment, Curly had patience. While at times, it seems he could explode at any moment, it's because he's waited too long.

"Well, something happened." Ponyboy started.

Curly nodded, slowly.

"Johnny Cade and I were at the park one night when some drunk Socs came to jump us, one tried to drown me, but Johnny killed him. We ran away cause we'd get charged with murder or something." Ponyboy mumbled. "I used this as a disguise."

Curly snorted. "That's where you went wrong."

Ponyboy smiled softly and returned to his homework. It wasn't that Ponyboy was deliberately trying to avoid Curly, it's that he didn't want to fail his class from not doing his homework.

"Bet that wasn't fun." Curly stated.

Ponyboy shook his head 'no', agreeing with Curly's statement.

"When was the last time we did something fun together, Ponyboy?" Curly grinned, showing each and every one of his sharp teeth. Ponyboy's head jerked up at the memory of him and Curly playing Chicken and burning their fingers. Ponyboy held up his index finger, showing off the scar.

"About five months ago," Ponyboy replied, sourly. "I've got that for life now."

"Just proves you ain't chicken." Curly grinned. Curly and Ponyboy had played Chicken lots of times before Tim caught them. It all started when they were six, they saw some older kids playing it and thought it would be fun, first it was little things, like "Stand in the middle of the road", or "I dare you to knock on mean old Mr. Cade's door during football season". Then it progressed to "I dare you to steal that" or "I dare you to burn that.". Ponyboy was always found of how far Curly would go to prove he wasn't a Chicken.

"So, lemmie get this straight, you haven't had fun in five months?" Curly smirked.

"Well, I wouldn't call it fun, but I've been busy. And I have homework to do, The State is already breathing down our backs, I can't let Darry down." Ponyboy replied, going back to his homework.

"Aw, a little fun, Baby Curtis. Nothing that won't kill ya'. Tell ya' what, skip the rest of the day with me an the Shepard Gang. We won't do anything 'legal, I promise." Curly crossed his heart and Ponyboy bit his lip. He had been working pretty hard.

"I don't know." He mumbled, the risk of being caught or in trouble was stuck in the back of his head. Not to mention, they call home to inform your parents that you skipped school.

"Tell ya' what, we'll drop you off at home around three so that way you can get that phone call I know you're so scared of Darry answering." Curly taunted, reading Ponyboy's thoughts. Ponyboy blushed, "Am not." He muttered. Still, he stood up.

"Okay, let me get my bag." Ponyboy smiled. There was such an Adrenalin rush that came with skipping school. Ponyboy had never done it before and he was excited.

"There's your Greaser blood singin'!" Curly shouted. "I'll be waiting, Curtis."

Ponyboy nodded and raced back inside to get his backpack. He opened his locker and started putting his things away when he heard his name being called, he turned around and frowned seeing Steve Randle walking to him. There was just something about Steve that had always put Ponyboy in a bad mood, whether it's calling him a tag-a-long, or a dumb kid, Ponyboy just never liked the Greaser.

"What are you doing?" Steve asked.

"Could ask you the same thing." Ponyboy replied.

"Don't get mouthy with me, Brat! I'm on my way to work; where are you going-" Steve narrowed his eyes then he couldn't help but gasp realizing what Ponyboy was about to do "You're cutting?!"

Ponyboy shut his locker. "Steve. . . mind your own business." Ponyboy replied, walking away with his bag. Steve watched Ponyboy walk down the hall and he felt his blood boil. The way Ponyboy mouthed off to him just made him want to get revenge.

"I'm telling Soda when I get to work!" Steve threatened.

Ponyboy jerked around. Steve wouldn't do that! Well, when it came to him he would. Ponyboy scowled. "Dumb and a snitch?" the blonde questioned. That angered the older boy to no end as he stomped to the fourteen year old kid, gripping the front of his shirt.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't beat the living tar out of you right now?!" It wasn't a threat, Steve really wanted to punch the kid. "You've got some big mouth on you, Ponyboy Curtis!"

"And you've got bad breath." Ponyboy covered his nose and that only made Steve angrier.

"Why I ought'a-!"

"Temper, temper, Randle."

Steve looked up and Ponyboy turned around. Curly Shepard stood leaning in the door frame watching the scene in front of him. Steve growled, showing Ponyboy away.

"I see what's going on here," Steve stated. "you're cutting with him."

Ponyboy clapped his hands. "Good for you, want a medal?"

"Nice observation Randle, you should join the Feds." Curly put his own input in. Steve kept his scowl, as he turned to Ponyboy, pointing to him.

"Don't think Soda won't hear about this!" He threatened, pushing past the two so he wouldn't be late to work. Ponyboy bit his bottom lip. Knowing Steve, he was sure Sodapop would hear about Ponyboy skipping class. He turned to Curly and sighed.

"I don't know, Curly. He's gonna' tell Sodapop on me." Ponyboy replied.

"Aw, I wouldn't care too much about what Randle says, he just thinks he's hot stuff cause he's best friends with a Curtis." Curly dug into his pants-pocket, searching for a match or a lighter to light up the cigarette that dangled from his lips.

Ponyboy looked up slowly at Curly. Did Curly feel the same way? He wondered. Anyone who knew The Curtis' knew they were loyal, and strong people. Mess with them and you've signed a death wish seeing they had ties with Dallas Winston, Tim Shepard and Motorcycle Boy.

"Curly?" Ponyboy asked.

Curly turned to the younger Greaser.

"Are you. . . only friends with me cause I'm a Curtis?" Ponyboy had trouble already dealing with Socs and Greasers, the last thing he wanted, or needed was a fake-friend. Curly's eyebrows knitted in confusion. Why would Ponyboy think something like that? Curly didn't know, but he didn't want to deal with any emotional crap either.

"Naw, I ain't," Curly replied. "I only hung out with you cause you tickle my fancy. Now let's go."

Ponyboy wasn't sure how to feel about that answer but nevertheless, he followed Curly out to the pack of Shepard Boys.

"Let's have some fun." Curly grinned, hopping in the driver's seat of a Hot Rod. Ponyboy smiled and for once, nothing else mattered.

He was numb.

First Chapter is Up!

What do you all think about Ponyboy skipping class? Uh-oh, right? Well, let's see about some reviews coming in, maybe 10 to start off?

*kisses baby Ponyboy's head*

-Kylelover101