Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders

Ponyboy doesn't know why he let Twobit drag him here. A house full of booze, drunken greasers, and slutty girls isn't fun. He would rather be at home reading a book, but it was Friday night.

The whole gang had plans. Dally and Johnny went to hang out at the Dingo. Soda and Steve went cruising for chicks, and even Darry had plans to go hangout with some buddies from work. Pony was the only one without plans, that is until Twobit came over and practically dragged him to a party at Buck's. Buck always threw parties. Everyday was party day for that guy.

Pony felt so outta place here. Everyone was drinking and he didn't drink. He just didn't fit in. Darry was right, these kind of parties weren't for him. If Darry found out Pony was here, he'd skin him alive.

Pony turned around and went through the crowd to get outta here. He was just to uncomfortable here and wanted to leave. Just as Pony reached the door, a hand grabbed his arm. He jumped a little, startled. He turned around to see a drunken Twobit, hugging two cups to his left side.

"Where ya goin' kid? The party is just getting started!"

"Well its ending for me! The only reason people come here is to get drunk and laid! I don't even know why you brought me here! How could you possibly think I would find this fun? You should know me better than that! I ain't having fun, so I'm leaving!" Pony snapped.

Twobit didn't seem fazed at all by Ponyboy's sudden outburst. He just smiled his drunken, goofy smile and said,

"Come on Pony, don't be such a party pooper. Lighten' up and have some fun."

Pony opened his mouth to reply, but instead he looked down at his hand questioningly, when Twobit handed him something. He turned his questioning look to Twobit.

"Why'd you give me this? You know I don't drink."

Twobit laughed, unknowingly spilling his own drink to the floor.

"Ya have to drink kid, otherwise you'd die of thirst."

Ponyboy rolled his eyes in annoyance, but couldn't help but crack a grin.

"You know what I mean."

Twobit rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and smacked Pony on the back with the other.

"It ain't beer kid. I know ya hate that stuff. Its peppermint snops."

Pony thought for a second, staring down at the cup. He did like peppermint. He almost liked peppermint as much as he liked chocolate. But, it was still alcohol.

He didn't drink alcohol for a reason. It kills your brain cells. It makes you do things you normally wouldn't do and you would regret doing them later on when you where sober. It makes you horribly sick. And Ponyboy didn't want any of that. Plus, Darry would kill him, even if he only took a sip.

He looked back up at Twobit.

"Sorry Twobit, but its still alcohol and I don't drink any kind of alcohol. Anyways Darry would kill me for drinking it and he would kill you for giving it to me."

Twobit chuckled, wrapping an arm lazily around Pony's shoulders.

"Don't worry about big ole' Superman. I'll take care of him. And I'm not askin' ya to get drunk kid. I just want ya to loosen up a bit and live a little. What could it hurt?"

Pony snorted. He was about to tell him everything that could go wrong, but he decided against it. Twobit already knew what all could happen, he just didn't care. Twobit was Twobit, he never took anything seriously. Everything was a joke to him.

Pony sighed, giving in.

He hesitantly brought the cup to his lips and took a sip.

"Mmmm." Pony said, licking his lips. "It tastes like peppermint candy."