I know it's been a while since I updated but things have been crazy lately. So, what better chance to update than a rainy day? Hope you enjoy it.. all reviews are welcome.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of The Outsiders characters.. though it would be nice )

The next morning I woke to the sun shining through the curtains and onto my face. I was still tired and attempted going back to sleep, but that didn't work out too well. One thing I can say about hangovers is that I never get them. Wait -- That's a lie. What I mean is that I'm hung-over the next day, but I don't get those pounding headaches that some people get; I'm just really lazy and tired the next morning. So the only thing I could do to wake myself up was jump into an extensively long shower. When I got out, I pulled my long, curly hair into a braid. Everyone thinks my hair is black, even I do-- but in reality, it's a really dark brown. I changed into another pair of pj's, which for me is a pair of men's boxers rolled up and a wife beater tank or a short sleeve man's undershirt. Then it was off to breakfast and watching cartoons all morning. I started mixing pancake batter when I heard a knock at the door. I opened it, only to find two familiar faces.

"You're alive!" screamed Two-Bit.

"Why wouldn't I be? Dally warned you last night."

"Yea but I didn't actually believe him."

"Did you just get up?" asked Soda.

"I've been up for a while but I just started making breakfast. You guys want pancakes?"

"Hey if it's free, it's for me," Two-Bit shouted

We started walking into the kitchen and I couldn't help but notice Soda and Two-Bit taking in the scenery of the house. They didn't say anything but I knew they weren't expecting the décor after seeing the condition of the outside of the house. Nonetheless, the subject wasn't brought up, which granted me a wave of relief. Two-Bit and Soda sat on the stools near the island, while I stood mixing the batter.

"What kind are you making?" Two-Bit asked like a 5 year old.

"Plain."

"But I want chocolate chippppp."

"Go into that cabinet over there and grab a pack," I told him while pointing.

"Soda, could you get the door? I think I hear someone knocking."

As I occupied baby Two-Bit, who began naming and playing with chocolate chips, I heard the conversation in the living room.

"Hey Steve, what are you doing here?"

"I came looking for you. When you weren't home Darry told me I could find you here."

"Hey Steve," I called, "You fancy chocolate chip pancakes?"

"Fuck, anything with chocolate will do for me," he replied.

I start pouring bits of the batter into the pan when I heard another knock.

"I'll get it." Soda's so good. A lot better than chocolate chip game playing Two-Bit.

"Hey Pony. What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't find you this morning and I had to ask you a question. Darry told me you were here."

"Well, what was the question?"

"I dunno. I can't remember."

"Naturally," Steve mumbled, kind of ticked off if I had to guess at the strange tone in his voice.

"Come on in Pon, we're having chocolate chip pancakes." Looks like I have a full house.

So I set the boys down at the table, after setting it, and started passing around pancakes as I was making the rest. The boys were reluctant to raid the fridge—I guess they just weren't comfortable around me yet. So they kept asking me for the milk, the syrup, the orange juice, the beer—yes beer in the morning—and they kept sending me back and forth between the fridge, table, and stove. Finally, I put my plate down on the table and was about to sit when there was another knock on the door. So naturally I got up to get it and found the only missing pieces to the puzzle, Dally and John.

"C'mon in Dal, John, we got chocolate chip pancakes or whatever's left of them."

Dal walked right on in a plopped himself in my seat and started to eat my pancakes. There was no more batter left so I took out the milk and had a bowl of cereal. John didn't want anything and pretty much just sat there taking the conversation in. So we sat around talking about the neighborhood and people I should know and places I should go. And then I decided to clear of the table, which wasn't as messy as I expected it to be. It wasn't normal that 6, or should I say 5, teenage boys left an immaculate table with no mess. Regardless, I put all the dishes and forks and stuff in the sink and started to rinse them, when Soda came up behind me.

"Here let me help you with that," he said as he grabbing a dishtowel.

"O it's okay you don't have to"

"It's the least I can do after you made us all breakfast."

"Well, I was just gunna rinse them before I put them in the dishwasher."

"Well even better. Less work for the both of us. Say, what grade are you going into?"

"Junior year. You?"

"I, uh, work full time at the DX. But," he turned to the table "ya hear that Steve-- looks like you and Two-bit are gunna have some company during class."

"You any good in class?" Steve asked nonchalantly.

"Any good. You're looking at the next Edison fellas," Dally piped in from the other room.

"It's Einstein," Ponyboy corrected.

"I'm not so bad."

"Don't be modest. You're a walking encyclopedia." Dally again. Sometimes he talks too much for his own good.

"I wouldn't go that far Cowboy. But I would say that I'm smarter than you."

"Well, maybe I'll actually pass junior year this time around." Two-bit said optimistically.

"Can we stop talking about school. It hasn't started yet and I don't want to think about it. Switching gears, what in hell's name are we doing today?" as I shifted from the kitchen to the hallway leading to the living room.

"Well I don't know about you but Steve and I got work today lil' lady."

"I'm watching Mickey for another 3 hours."

Silence. I hate silence.

"Pon, John, Dal?"

"No idea." Times 3

"Wellllll, how about I learn how to navigate Tulsa? I know you're all just dyiinggggg to take me on a tour and walk around all day in the scorching hot sun."

Dally gave me the look from across the room. I knew exactly what I was going to do.

In a flash I was running through the hallway and jumped right on top of Dal like I did in the diner, legs wrapped around his torso.

"Pwwweeasse Dawwyyy. Do it for the littlllee babbeeee," I begged Dally in the most irresistible baby voice. Whenever I want something I know that the combination of the voice and quivering bottom lip always works.

"Oh alright. I guess it's better than you getting lost out here. It's not so safe."

"Psh. Should be a piece of cake out hea compared to Manhattan."

"I wouldn't be too sure of yourself toots," Steve said jaggedly.

"It starts with your basic soc/ greaser rivalry. But we'll get into that later."

"Can you put me down now Dal."

"Nope. You're gunna have to pay for the baby voice."

With that I was swung over his shoulders and then slammed against the couch where he tickled me to no end. If anyone is ticklish, it's me. I flinch when someone comes near me with their fingers ready to jab and poke me. I winded up pissing Two-Bit off from screaming and laughing because he couldn't hear Mickey. I was so squirmy that I rolled off the couch in an attempt to get away and winded up on top of Two-Bit. He decided to join in the fun so I had him tickling me from underneath and Dally straddling me and tickling me for the top. There was no escape. I had tears in my eyes from the laughter and shouting. At least Soda, Pony, John and Steve got a laugh out of it. Finally, Soda stepped into my aid and dragged me out from underneath the two troublemakers.

"Don't think this is over Winston. I'll get you back"