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Ponyboy stood on the street corner he had Cherry drop him off at and looked down at himself. He was wearing the Madras jacket, light yellow shirt underneath and jeans Cherry bought for him. A bag in his hand held the wine-colored sweater. His hair didn't have grease in it, he looked like…a soc.

Ponyboy walked over to his house and a bright smile came to his face when he saw Sodapop standing out on the porch smoking a cigarette.

"Soda!" Pony yelled and started running over.

Soda turned his head and as soon as he saw Ponyboy, the cigarette fell out of his mouth.

"Ponyboy?"

He was about to launch himself at Soda, but Sodapop stopped him and looked Pony over.

"What in the world are you wearing?"

"Well…I told you I'm living with socs now."

"Forget that, get in here before somebody sees you!" Soda said, grabbing Pony's wrist and pulling him into the house.

Sodapop shut the door after they came into the house and turned to look at Ponyboy again.

"You don't think I look good in this?" Pony asked looking down at himself.

"No," Soda said.

Pony shook his head and playfully pushed Soda.

"So, they've got you dressing like a soc now. I guess it's only a matter of time before you're driving a mustang and jumping greasers."

"It's nothing Soda," Pony assured.

"Do you still have clothes here?" Soda asked.

"Yeah, but I'll wait to change, I want Darry to see me first."

"I just go get him."

"Darry's here now?"

Sodapop nodded and walked down the hall, knocking on Darry's door.

"Hey, Darry! Someone's here to see you!"

Inside his room, Darry put down a weight he was lifting and opened the door walking out into the living room and his eyes widened when he saw Ponyboy.

"Hey Darry," Pony grinned, outstretching his arms. "Did you miss me?"

"What are you doing here?"

Ponyboy put his arms down.

"I guess that means no."

A rare grin then came to Darry's face.

"Yeah, I've missed you," Darry said and walked over to Pony, pulling him into a hug. "But you're suppose to stay at the foster home."

"They're letting me stay over here tonight."

"I'll start cooking dinner," Soda said and walked into the kitchen.

"So, how's everything here?" Pony asked, sitting down on the couch.

"Nothing new is happening here, Two-Bit and Dally were running around the house a few days ago, fighting over the last piece of cake," Darry said, rolling his eyes. He sat down on the chair across from Pony. He started really looking at Pony's new clothes.

"Well, you look nice," Darry grinned.

Pony smiled.

"I'm living over in the west side now."

"Yeah, Mrs. Rhodes told me. Are you comfortable in a soc house?"

"Not really."

"I wouldn't imagine you would be...I'm sorry...I'm working as hard as I can."

"I know."

"Anyways, the hearing is set for next month. I know it seems like a long time from now but that was the only day that was open. Think you can hang on until then?"

"I guess so," Pony sighed.

Their conversation was interrupted when the heard the crashing of silverware.

"He hasn't been sleeping that good since you've been gone," Darry said looking back at the kitchen.

"Me neither."

"Come on, let's go help him out."

Ponyboy and Darry walked into the kitchen and helped Sodapop cook dinner. As soon as they were done, Pony quickly ate everything on his plate, he missed Soda's cooking.

When they were finished eating dinner, the rest of the gang came by, Pony made sure he change into his normal clothes before they got here. Everyone looked happy to see him, including Steve who gave Ponyboy a playful slap on the back.

"So what are we going to do tonight?" Steve asked.

"Let's watch Mickey Mouse!" Two-Bit shouted, turning on the television. "Mickey Mouse!" He shouted again. Dally snatched the remote from his hand and turned the television off.

"Two-Bit...do me a favor and shut up."

"Let's play football." Pony suggested.

"It's dark out,"

"We've never played at night before, come on!"

Sodapop grabbed the football and they all rushed out of the door and ran until they reached the field.

Darry and Dally were the team captains and started picking people.

"I choose...Pony." Dally said.

"Soda," said Darry.

"Johnny."

"Steve."

Two-Bit was the last person.

"Oh, come on!" Two-Bit yelled.

Darry looked over to Dally and grinned.

"Your turn."

Dally muttered something and picked Two-Bit

"The teams are always uneven," Steve complained.

"Maybe Two-Bit should be a cheerleader," Dally suggested.

"Cheerleader?"

"Too bad we don't have a dress in his size," Pony grinned.

Dally looked over his shoulder.

"Fine, whatever. Get over here jackass," Dally said to Two-Bit and the teams got ready.

"HIKE!"

"Ack!" Dally grabbed at it, bounced it off his hand and, after some interesting feats of accidental juggling, caught the ball. "Two-Bit, go long!"

"What?" Two-Bit, forty yards down, asked.

"GO LONG!" Came the replay.

"WHAT?"

"GO LONG!"

"I CAN'T HEAR YOU! YOU'RE TOO FAR AWAY!" Two-Bit called back.

Dally took in a deep breath, opened his mouth and was flattened by Darry. The ball went flying.

Johnny looked around and dashed over to where it was going to land and caught it. Johnny then threw the ball to Ponyboy who rocketed into the end zone.

The game kept going back and forth, after one team would score a point the other would score a point. It was now tied and they all agreed that the next play would be the last.

Darry had the ball and when Dally tried to tackle him, he spun and Dally went right past him and crashed to the ground. Darry passed the ball to Steve who ran pass Two-Bit and to the end zone when Ponyboy tackled his legs from behind.

The football flu from his hands and Sodapop grabbed it and started running to the end zone, only to be intersected by Johnny.

Ponyboy quickly got to his feet and Johnny passed the football to him and he began running in the opposite direction as Darry chased after him. Pony smirked and ran faster as he heard approaching footsteps.

Finally, Darry was able to tackle Ponyboy but it was too late as they passed the end zone. All the others then ran down to them.

"That's right, that's how it's done," Dally bragged.

"Blah blah blah," Sodapop retorted.

"Wow, I think this is the first time Darry's team has lost," Johnny said.

Steve still looked mad that Pony was able to tackle him.

"Fine. You win, but watch out Pony, paybacks are a bitch," Steve growled and stalked past Dally, ignoring the smug look on Dally's face.

"All right, let's go," Darry said.