Ponyboy's POV

I heard murmuring voices, but I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes. I felt lousy. Like I just got in a fight with the wrong person. Oh wait. I did. Stupid socs. Then I remembered something…Stray. I opened my eyes immediately and shot off the couch like a fired bullet.

"Stray!" I shouted, looking around the room wildly.

Hands grabbed my shoulders and shoved me down on the couch. I sat down with a thump, and turned my head to glare at Darry, my oldest brother who was always too rough on accident.

"Sorry." he apologized. He really wasn't sorry. He never was.

Soda was at my side immediately. "Pone! Are ya okay?" he asked, for the caring brother he was.

I looked at him. I quickly glanced myself over and was surprised to see I had no wounds. I nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine." then I remembered my friend. "What about Stray? Where is he?" I asked anxiously.

Soda shook his head. "He's okay, Pony. Look." Soda pointed towards the hallway leading to our bedroom. I cocked my head to look and saw Stray standing in the hall, looking concerned.

"Stray!" I shouted joyfully. I was so relieved to see Stray was okay. He was, of course, the only close friend I had since Johnny passed. I was determined to keep it that way.

He smiled, the concern replaced with a relieved grin. "Hey buddy. Ya okay?"

I nodded, smiling. "I'm as good as ever." I said, and hopped off the couch, surprised I didn't feel and pain. In fact, I didn't feel any sign of discomfort at all. That's weird. You usually feel the after affects of a brawl. Odd. Very odd.

"I'm glad you feel so revived." a voice said from the corner of the living room.

I turned to see Shadow. My eyes widened in surprise. I had completely forgotten about my mentor. "Shadow?"

He smiled. "You didn't forget about me, now did you?" he chuckled.

I shook my head and chuckled also. Darry stepped in to speak up. "Yer friend came to get us. He fought off those socs and helped get ya back here." he explained. Darry cocked an eyebrow. "Shadow?" he questioned.

I nodded. I hadn't introduced Shadow to anyone yet. "Yeah…" I trailed.

Shadow stepped forward. He stuck out his hand and Darry grabbed hold, shaking roughly. "I don't believe we ever had properly acquainted. I'm Shadow."

Darry cocked an eyebrow towards me, questioning Shadows word choice. "I'm Darry, Pony's oldest brother. This is Sodapop, Pony's other older brother. And that's Stray over there. He's Ponyboy's friend." he introduced everyone.

Shadow smiled. "Nice to finally meet you. Well, I better get going. We'll pick this up tomorrow Ponyboy." and then he walked out the door.

Darry, Soda, and Stray looked at me in confusion. I shrugged. "What?" I asked, daring someone to speak.

Everyone shook their head…except Darry.

"When did ya meet him? Why haven't we heard of him?" Darry fired away with questions.

I held up my hands, breaking him off. "I just met him! He's nice." I said.

Darry still looked unsettled, but he didn't say anything else. Instead, he mumbled something about dinner and stumbled into the kitchen.

Sodapop left the room and into the kitchen, probably to talk to Darry. Stray stayed behind. I looked at him, waiting for some response. He looked back at me, but didn't speak. I was about to say something, when he beat me to it.

"So…" he started. "I'm glad we're okay." he said.

I laughed. "Me too. Want to stay for dinner?" I asked.

Stray looked uncertain. He glanced towards the door before murmuring agreement.

AN: I hope this chapter pleased you. I know it pleased me! Sorry its short, but short chapters are as good as any! I know that! Please review!