Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders of benefit from anything that S.E. Hinton writes besides the enjoyment of reading it.

Ponyboy's POV

"Goodbye boys, we are heading out." I heard dad call to us. Him and mom were going out for a New Years Eve dinner.

"Darry, thank you for babysitting your brothers."

"There old enough to take care of themselves." Darry reminded dad but was silenced with a look.

"Okay Okay, I promise." Darry complied. When they left, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach.

"Dinner!" Darry called but I told him I wasn't hungry.

He look worried, it was strange to not be hungry in this house.

He felt my forehead. "I'm fine Darry, just not hungry." I told him.

"Lie down just in case, okay?" He told me. I nodded and laid down on the bed. I really hoped I wasn't coming down with something, I had a test tomorrow and a really important track meet.

Third person POV

There was a knock at the door. Nobody ever knocked. Suspicion grew as the Curtis boys saw a cop at the door.

"Does Darrel Curtis Jr. Live here?" The officer asked.

Darry nodded. "That's me."

"I'm sorry son. There was a accident involving a drunk driver, everyone was killed." The officer told them emotionlessly.

"There are two minors here that need a place to stay." The officer said.

"I'll take them, there my brother. I want custody." Darry stated. The officer nodded and left.

Darry held it together for his brother. Soda looked ready to break down when Ponyboy came out of his room.

"What is he talking about Darry. They'll be home soon. He has the wrong house." Ponyboy told Darry.

"I'm sorry baby but it's true." Darry replied softly, wishing Pony was right.

Ponyboy sobbed,"No, it's not true. Soda..." He stopped when he saw tears running down Soda's face and the news fully hit Ponyboy. His knees gave out and Soda helped him to the couch. Ponyboy was close to hyperventilating.

"Pony, you need to breathe, you are going to make yourself sick." Darry told his newly 13 year old brother.

Just then Two-Bit walked in to the depressed sight.

"W-What happened?" Two-Bit asked, his eyes locked on the two youngest brothers sobbing in each other's arms.

"There was a car accident. Our parents are dead." Darry told him evenly, trying to hold in emotion.

"What?" Asked an appalled Two-Bit. He let out a steady stream of curses before leaving muttering a, "I need a drink."

Needless to say, neither of the three brothers slept well that night. None of them new that Ponyboy wouldn't sleep well for months on end and that nightmares would plague his dreams.

Darry's POV

A bloodcurdling scream erupted through the house. I jumped out of bed and ran into Pony's room.

It looked like he was having a nightmare.

"It's just a dream Ponyboy. Come on lil' Colt." Soda murmured in Ponyboy's ear.

He woke up with a start. How green eyes filled with tears as they darted around the room. He cornered himself against the wall, breathing hard. Sobs racked his body. I'd never seen a nightmare like this before.

"It was only a dream, Pone." Soda told him. I felt useless, just standing there.

"I've got it Darry, you gotta work early." Soda told me.

As I left I heard Pony's small voice whisper,

"Could you sleep with me Soda?"

I heard the blankets rustle as Soda got in the bed.

X

I made eggs and bacon for breakfast. Soda ate it all like a pig but Ponyboy refused to eat at all. No matter what he just said he wasn't hungry.

People wonder why he's so skinny. It's because when he's stressed or upset he stops eating.

I was going to figure out a way to get him to eat.

Later that day I left to identify my parents body's. Seeing them mangled and bloody was the hardest thing I ever had to do.

My father was my hero and all because of too much beer him and my mom are dead.

I ran to the nearest bathroom and threw up.

Soda's POV

When we were little we would sneak chocolate cake for breakfast. When we were sick or had a bad day we would get to eat chocolate cake. I wondered if that would get Ponyboy to eat.

"Hey Darry, can we eat chocolate cake and eggs for breakfast?"

He stared at me for a moment before shrugging.

"Knock yourself out, Soda." He told me.

"We will." I emphasized. Understanding lit his face.

Darry started to make the batter. Ponyboy always liked Darry's more than mine. Mom's was the best, even if it could use a little bit more sugar.

Ponyboy ate half a slice of cake. Even if it was a little bit it was better than nothing.