Alright guys... here we go. And I just wanted to say that if you don't like it...

TOO BAD! *cackles madly* Have fun reading!


The light streamed from the windows into my eyes. And I knew what was coming next.

"Ponyboy! You're gonna be late for school! If you don't hurry up, I'll come in there and beat you with a pillow!" Darry sounded awfully in a rush, like always. I groaned and sat up, then Soda came in.

"Have you seen my work pants?" I rubbed my eyes and shook my head.

"And if you'd ever cleaned your half of the room I bet you'd find them, Mr. I-Know-Where-Everything-Is." But I was smiling, and so was he.

"Glory Pone, I thought that's what you were for. Man. That's a real bummer-" He was cut off as another voice came in loudly.

"Good morning, Curtis brothers!" Two-Bit was shouting from the living room, and I could practically hear Steve sulking in behind him. Me and Soda grinned at each other before Two-Bit came in and tackled me on the bed. He started tickling me, and I couldn't stop laughing. I had tears welling up in my eyes before he stopped. At some point in all of this, Soda had found his pants. I grumbled and stood up, getting my clothes and heading to the bathroom, both of the other guys tailing me.

"Aw kid, I was just messin'. Don't be mad at ol' Two-Bit." I smiled into my fist, but he didn't see. I stayed silent and I heard him shuffle past me. I shut the door and hopped into the shower. I had to hurry though, because I would be late. I got out and towel-dried my hair, reaching for the hair grease. I opened the container of it, and there was none in there! Soda must have used it all! I looked around for another canister, but there wasn't any. I sighed. Then I reached to get my shirt, but it was all wet. I sighed again. The clothes I brought with me were all wet, because I stepped on them when I got out.

I wrapped a towel around my waist like Soda always does and I walked out to the dryer. Unfortunately, the dryer was past the living room.

"Whoo-wee! Look at this kid! He ain't nothin' but skin and bones!" I blushed and hurried past their stares. Darry was in the washroom and he scrutinized me.

"Hmm..." he put a thoughtful finger to his chin. "Pone, you do kinda look skinny... Tonight you're going to eat. And you're going to eat everything on your plate."

"But Darry-!" Darry cut me off.

"Kiddo, don't argue with me. It's not healthy to be like that," he motioned to my jutting hipbones, which I hadn't noticed before. I sighed and threw my clothes into the dryer. I went and sat down in the kitchen, kinda sulky.

"Kid, I didn't mean-"

"Can it, Two-Bit." I snapped, eating some cake that was on the table. The dryer buzzed and I hurried to get dressed. I stepped out with my bag, and hopped in Steve's car.

"Bye, Pone!" Soda waved as we went our separate ways. I waved back half-heartedly, smiling weakly. I sit back, waiting for Two-Bit to hop in as Steve revved the engine.

"Two-Bit, hurry your ass up!" Steve yelled, honking the horn.

"Stevie, your patience really is astounding." Two-Bit said as he got in. He shot me an apologizing look, but I looked out the window. Today was not his day. I wasn't mine, either.

"Hey, kid. Pony. Ponyboy!" I then realized that Steve had been saying my name. I turned my head towards him.

"Sorry." I say, getting out.

"Shit, kid. Ain't nothing wrong. Don't go apologizing." Steve said, getting out also. Two-Bit was beside me, his hand on my shoulder. I jerk from his grasp, and he gave me a hard look.

"Look, Two-Bit, stop being so serious. Ain't nothin' happening. I ain't some little kid who can't defend himself." He absent-mindedly fingered his sideburns.

"I didn't know you were so tiny. You're nothin' but bones." I sighed and walked inside. I really didn't want to talk about this right now. Why did he have to bring it up? I went to my locker and grabbed my English II book. I hurried to class, so I could sit in back, along with the other greasers who took the class. I sighed. I really thought that maybe I wouldn't be left alone about all this. But, this is not a main concern at the moment.

"Ponyboy?" my teacher called me up after class.

"Yes, Ms. Roenne?" She smiled and I wondered what could possibly be happening.

"Your grades are very good, Ponyboy." I thanked her, but haven't they always been good? She continued, "I think it would be in your best interest to take an Honours English class." I cocked my head.

"Aren't I already taking a higher course?" she smiled and shook her head.

"There are three classes. Reading skills, English II, and Honours English. I think you'd be great in that class." I thought for a second.

"Okay." I shrug, and she seems to like this answer.

"Great. You'll start it next quarter." I nodded and thought about that. Darry'll think that's amazing. But... I'll get more homework. More homework equals more nagging, and more nagging equals a very unhappy Ponyboy. I laughed inwardly, then accidentally bumped into somebody.

"Hey, greaser watch where you're- Hey wait a minute... you're that kid! The one who killed Bob!" He took me by my shirt collar.

"I-I didn't k-kill anybody!" I stammer out, and he just ignores me.

"You're going to wish that it was you who died when we're done! Ricky! Hold him against the lockers." I wondered foolishly how no teacher has seen this going on yet. Ricky pins me against the lockers and I thrash, trying to get free. He just hold me tighter, then the other Soc smashes my nose with his fist. I feel I dripping from my nose instantly and I turn my face so he'll his my cheek. He's a coward, though, and goes for my stomach. All the air is knocked from me and I slump forwards, trying to curl in on myself. I need to breathe but the air just wouldn't come.

"HEY! What're you doing?!" I hear a familiar voice, but I can't process anything. Ricky-or whoever-drops me, and I fall to my hands and knees, sucking in a shaky breath after another. I feel rough hands puling me up, but I'm still bent forwards.

"Kid, kid. Look at me. Don't lean that way. Kid! Dammit, kid." Steve is there, hauling my ass so I'm standing straight up. I feel so much better when he does that. I can breathe easier. I look at him, and he's still muttering curses. He wipes at my nose and Two-Bit comes running down the hallway.

"Hey, Pony, what happened?" I don't really want to say right now, so I just hold my nose and keep my trap shut. Steve speaks up.

"He was getting beat by a couple'a Soc's that's what, Two-Shit." Two-Bit looks lost for words and I somehow find the strength to smirk. Steve looks at me.

"Kid this ain't funny. Darry's gonna blow the roof. Soda ain't gonna be happy either." I snap back.

"Well maybe if he wasn't a dropout, he would'a been there to help." I yank my arm from his grasp, and he looks like a fish out of water for a second. Two-Bit's eyes look stormy.

"You know why-" He starts, but I cut him off.

"Yeah, I know why. But look at me," I motion to my thin frame. "I ain't looking so hot. Darry's tired that I'm the only one going to school. He wants all of us to at least get our Diploma." I back away a few steps. "I'll see you around." Then I walked to the last class of the day. Chemistry.