Ahh, I'm so sorry! I know it's been like forever since I've updated, but many things have been going on and no time to do this. But don't worry, I'm back for now!

A few minutes passed... in complete silence.

There were many things I wanted to ask but some just didn't seem right and I just didn't know how to begin anyways.

Soda, one of my brothers, looked as if he wanted to say something too. He told me about the 'gang' we're in, and it turns out that a 'two-bit' is actually someone's (nick)name. Whaddya know?

He also told me about Steve, Johnny and Dally.

I was given some warnings too.

If I didn't know what to say to Dally, who's full name is actually Dallas, then I should just not say anything at all.

Johnny is really quiet, and sometimes hard to talk to, but apparently him and I get along real well.

Steve is Soda's best buddy, someone I can count on... although I had a strange feeling when he said that... as if I was missing something.

Two-bit, whose real name was Keith, is always joking around and stuff, so he probably won't take everything I say seriously.

Quite a list, I must say. And he expects me to remember all of this? I don't know what these guys look like, let alone figure out who's who.

I decided not to say anything though, instead just (tried to) smiled at Soda. He seems really lost and I felt kinda bad, ya know?

"Uh-oh." I heard him mutter, and saw him looking at the clock when I turned my head. "I'm gonna be late for work..." He trailed off, looking back at me.

Should I say something? "Uhh... well, I guess you'll be leaving then, huh?"

Aww man, he looked like he wanted to cry right then and there. Did I say something wrong again?

"Pony, I'm so glad you're back. I was so worried. You're my baby brother and I just really care about you, ya dig?"

This poor guy. He seemed to have it rough while I was 'sleeping', but what should I say? I'd hug him if I felt like I knew him.

"It's okay. I'm okay now. So you don't have to worry anymore." Yeah, that seems appropriate. He looks a little relieved now.

"But... maybe I should wait until someone gets here. That way you won't be lonely."

"Don't you have to go to work? Won't you get in trouble or something?" Hey, I didn't want this guy getting fired or something, just because he was late for sitting here with me.

"Don't worry, Steve will cover for me 'til I get there."

Steve? Umm... is he the one I don't talk to? I can't remember.

"Well... okay." I honestly didn't know what to say. What do I say? Should I ask questions or wait for him to say something? "Uhh..."

He was looking at me, waiting. I guess I should ask something.

"What... am I like?" Hey, I can't think of anything right now.

He blinked, then made a (seemingly forced) smile. "Well...umm... you're kinda quiet, not like Johnny though, but since you're the youngest of all of us... yeah. Umm... you read a lot... you like to draw too. You're real good in school, even skipped a grade, so you're in high school with Johnny, Steve and Two-bit. Uhh... you're real easy to get along with... ya know, you don't really cause trouble or nothin', unlike Two-bit or Dally. Sometimes you go into those dazes... daydreams or whatever, and dun really pay attention to anything, but it's cool. Umm... you're a pretty nice guy, good-lookin' too if you ask me." He laughed right there, while I could feel my cheeks burning.

Well, I guess he's not gonna tell me any bad traits of mine, but did he really have to add that last part?

"Good afternoon Ponyboy!" A voice called out from the door. "It's a nice day out, not a cloud--" And it stopped once the face turned towards me. "P... Pony?"

I coughed, feeling a little uneasy. "Yes?"

"Y-you're... a-a-awake! Is this for real?"

"... yes?" Have I really caused a that big of a commotion? I didn't realize that there were people worrying about me besides Soda. Come to think of it, who could this guy be? Looking over at Soda for an answer, he was staring at the guy. When he saw my gaze, he blinked and then stood up.

"Two-bit, lemme talk to ya real quick outside, 'kay? Pony, we'll be right back."

"All right." It's not I could stop him, being stuck in this hospital bed.

Looking to my left, I saw some flowers on the desk. They were real pretty ones too. I wonder who they're from.

On my right was the window. Can't really see much though, just a parking lot and some trees.

They came back in a few minutes, Soda was smiling at me while the other guy was kind of looking at me funny.

"Pony, this is Two-bit. Remember what I said about him?" He gestured towards the other guy, who smiled.

"Umm... Keith?" I questioned, trying to piece it all together.

"Right. He's the jokester too. You'll get along real good with him."

"That's right. We're pretty good buds." Two-bit piped in, patting the sheet over my leg. "Don't you worry about being lonely or nothin'. Good ol' Two-bit is here to save the day." With that said, he plopped down on the chair, propping his feet onto the bed.

I stared at this person for a moment, then looked at Soda.

He laughed, shaking his head. "I'll be back later tonight to see ya, Pony. So you be good. Darry should be around too. I dunno when though."

I don't know why but I was suddenly feeling a little queasy. "You will come back though, right?" What am I so upset about?

Soda leaned over, giving me a gentle hug. "Yeah, I'll be back. You just rest, alright?"

I nodded, watching him wave and walk out. Then I looked over towards my new guest.

He was watching me. Should I say something?

"So... you really dun remember anythin'?" I guess not.

"No." Well, it's true and to the point. I noticed this guy has some awful long sideburns though. Kinda neat. "Nice sideburns." Might as well compliment him.

"These?" He rubbed the side of his face. "Oh yeah, took me the longest time to grow 'em exactly how I wanted. Turned out nice, huh?"

"Yeah." The fact that we're getting nowhere is getting annoying. "Umm... so... tell me about yourself." Might as well make mental profiles of the gang.

"Me? Ya actually wanna hear me talk about me? Heh, if you say so." And so he started his incredibly long monologue about his life. What I got out of it is that he likes blondes, school and fighting. He also showed me this fancy, black-handled switchblade he apparently 'picked up' from a store AKA shoplifted, which he does quite often.

Despite the oddness in his character, I found this Two-bit guy to be rather interesting.

"Hey, uhh... Keith?"

"Two-bit."

"Huh?" Oh yeah, Two-bit is what he rather be called. "Okay, Two-bit."

"'Sup man?" He cocked an eyebrow... I wonder if I can do that.

"Well, Soda told me about... you know, the 'gang' and all that. But I was wondering if you could tell me about... you know, my family."

He didn't say anything for a moment. Did I say something wrong AGAIN!

"Soda... didn' tell ya nothin'?" He asked, letting his feet fall to the floor and scooting the chair closer to the bed. I noticed that his eyes were a smoky gray color that contrasts nicely with his rusty-colored hair.

"Well, he told me about me and him and... umm... Darrel, was it? But he didn't say anything about our parents and that."

I coulda sworn his eyes flashed when I said 'parents'. Does that mean...?

"Kid, ya want me to be honest wit ya? I mean, you're gonna find out anyways but ya wanna know now?"

Do I want to know the truth? Then again, I barely remember anything else so it wouldn't hurt to start now, right?

"Yeah... I wanna know."

"Dead."

"Huh?" Soda said that Two-bit may not take me seriously all the time. Is he serious now? Or is this one of his (really lame, if you ask me) jokes?

"Your parents. They're dead."

It was like my mind went blank for a minute. "W-wait... seriously?" I had to know.

"Yeah, they died in a car wreck. About eight months or so ago, I reckon."

Wow... good thing I didn't ask Soda about it. Eight months don't seem that long of a time. "I... see."

"You okay there, Ponyboy?"

I blinked. "Hey?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you... not call me Ponyboy?"

"Huh? Ya want Pony instead?"

"No, I mean... that's such a weird name. Is it my name for real? Or are you guys pullin' my leg or something?" I mean, who'd name their kid, Ponyboy... or Sodapop, for that matter?

"Hey man, I know I joke around a lot, but Ponyboy is your real, honest-to-goodness name. Says so on ya birth paper thing."

"I see. Well... I don't want to be called that though."

"Well then Sleepin' Beauty, what name shall we bestow onto ya?"

All right, now I know he's picking on me. And that 'beauty' comment! Where's the mirror?

"Umm... let's see... what did Soda say my middle name was?"

"I dunno."

"I wasn't talking to you."

"Well, gheez, seeing that I'm the only other in here, I just assumed that ya were. Sorry for buttin' into ya conversation over there."

This guy... "Michael."

"You're talkin' to Michael? Is he ya pretend pal or somethin'?"

"Huh! No! I mean, call me Michael."

"Okay, Mickey."

"Michael."

"Mick."

"Michael!"

"Michael Michael Motorcycle!" He blurted out real fast, I almost missed it.

"Eh?"

He just laughed, propping his feet back on the bed. "Gotcha Mike."

I give up. This guy is just too much.

I need a soda real bad right now.

And there's the fourth chapter. I apologize if it seemed odd and pointless, but I thought it would be better if Pony was introduced to everyone slowly, so he wouldn't get any more confused than he already is.

As for that "Michael Michael Motorcycle" comment, it's a nickname for a cousin of mine's friend, who's name is Mike (Michael), and I thought it would be something Two-bit would just randomly say.