It was past midnight when Ponyboy awoken from his dream. The same dream that he had where he couldn't remember a thing, but had him drenched in sweat and screaming bloody murder. This time however, he only sat up, knocking over the arm Soda had draped around him. He was shaking and his heart rate was out of control.

He had to stay still for a minute, so his breathing could return to normal and he wasn't trembling anymore.

After pulling himself together, Pony turned his head back to see his brother still snoring lightly. He was grateful for this, he didn't like to bother anyone with his nightmares. Especially Soda.

The dreams were really starting to get on his nerves though. It was annoying really, waking up in the middle of the night screaming and crying, not having any clue why.

Ponyboy sighed and got up to his feet, the bed creaking under him. He was wide awake, so he figured why not get a Pepsi?

Yeah. A Pepsi at nearly one in the morning.

Sounds nice.

Pony's mouth watered at the thought of one, and so he crept as quiet as he could towards the kitchen and to the fridge. But right when he was about to reach for the glass, he heard something, throwing him off guard.

It sounded like it was coming from outside.

Pony shrugged it off, and took a big gulp of Pepsi, feeling way better.

Then there was a sound coming from above him. Almost like...footsteps.

Wait no. If there was footsteps, that would mean someone would be on the roof.

But why would someone-

"Cmon Johnnycake! Just a little further!"

Oh ok. Johnny and Dally are apparently on his roof.

That makes sense.

Pony groaned internally and headed outside, ready to deal with his friends stupid actions once again. A cool rush of wind hit him as he opened the door, causing him to shiver and the hair on his arms to stand up. He got through the gate and backed up into the road, far enough where his roof could come into view and sure enough, there was Johnny and Dally. It was then Pony realized his house was covered in strings of toilet paper.

So that's what they were doing.

Johnny was on the far left practically hugging the chimney, with his eyes shut tightly. He had a roll in one of his hands, but it looked like he was too busy being worried about falling then helping Dallas with his antics.

Dally had toilet paper in his hands and was kneeling over on the right edge of the roof, doing his best to set it on the crown of the tree, with this big dopey grin on his face like he was having the time of his life.

Darry would be pissed.

It looked like neither of them had seen him yet, so he yelled their names as quiet as he could, afraid of waking anybody in the neighborhood. Dallas stopped and turned his attention to him, "Aye Pony!" He laughed, "Looks nice don't it?"

"What the hell are ya doin?"

Dally gestured a hand, signaling for Pony to come closer, which he did. He leaned over the edge of the roof slightly, causing Pony's to feel a little nervous, but Dally didn't seem to be scared or bothered by it one bit. He was Dallas Winston after all.

"Well ya see me and Shepard were playin cards man. We made bets and he told me I had to come and do this if I lost, because well, he knew if Darry found out then he'd beat the tar outta me. So I said alright."

"So you lost?"

Dally furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and then scoffed, "Heck nah, I won man I'm just doing this for the heck of it cause I knew I'd get a kick outta it."

"Then why didn't you just tell me that to began with-"

"Ahem. Guys."

Dally and Pony turned their heads to Johnny, who was still holding on to the chimney for dear life.

"I'm still here."

"Right...wait why is Johnny here?"

Dally stood up and walked towards Johnny while cautiously looking down. When he reached him, he ruffled his hair, "Because he wants to be, right John?"

"Dal you practically dragged me here."

"Hehe shh.."

Pony was getting a little impatient. His friends really needed to leave so he could take this all down. The best he could anyway. Even if it wasn't him who did it, it's not like he absolutely loved it when Darry was upset.

"Alright you guys gotta get down now."

Johnny looked completely fine with that, relieved even. But Dallas only chuckled and reached in his jeans to fish out a cancer stick. "Who says we gotta come down?"

You don't tell Dallas Winston what to do. So what was the use of arguing? He had tried his best to prevent it, but if that's what Dally wanted then whatever.

Pony rolled his eyes and started walking up the steps to the front door. Exhaustion was starting to come back to him finally, and maybe now he could sleep. It was freezing out here anyway.

"Hey Pone wait."

Pony backed up and looked up again, "What?" He asked with a hint of attitude, unintentionally. He just really wanted to sleep.

"This ain't a bad view y'know?" Dally went on, "I can see the park from here man, huh Johnnycake?"

Johnny nodded his head an agreement, "Yeah Dal but I'd really like to get dow-"

"Why don't ya come up here Pony man?"

Get on the roof with Johnny and Dallas?

Nope.

"I don't think so Dally. Night."

"You scared or somethin'?"

Pony groaned, "No I aint, I'm just tired and cold."

Dallas shook his head and pulled up his jacket's collar to cover the nape of his neck more. It looked like he was chilly too, but he didn't care.

"Man look at Johnny! He can do it, you can't?"

It was then when Pony took a good look at his friend who was shaking slightly. Whether that was because he was cold or scared, Pony didn't know. But something told him that Dallas wasn't going to let this go, and he might as well get this over with.

It would just be two minutes anyway. He'd climb up the trunk of the tree and grip onto the branches, and swing his foot onto the roof. Then Dally would help him up all the way. He'd see the view, then come down the same way he came up. Then Pony could go into his room, under the covers and under Sodas arm, where it was warm.

If only that was how it went.

Pony really needed to learn to stick up for himself more.

And use his head.

The last thing he could remember was climbing up the tree and latching himself onto one of the branches.

Then he was falling.

And everything went black.

Now he was gasping for air and soaking wet. Pony coughed and looked up to see Dallas looking over him with a bucket, "Man you're alive. Jesus….Darry would have killed me." He threw the bucket to the side and laughed.

Ponyboy sat up, body throbbing, "Ughh," he groaned.

"What happened?"

"You climbed the tree and the branch broke man. It was freaking hilarious! Well until we thought you were dead...but you're not, so it's good."

Pony couldn't help it when his eyes started to water a little. He just wanted to be in bed. Was that too much to ask? Now he was soaking wet and even more cold. He'd have to change. What a night.

"You alright Pone?" Johnny was still on the roof, leaning on the chimney of course.

Pony smiled a little. At least one of his friends actually cared for him, "Yeah. I'm alright just a bit hurt now. And wet," he reassured.

Dallas chuckled and picked up the discarded roll of toilet paper that was left on the ground. "Aye we forgot one man. Might as well do the fence huh?"

Before either Pony or Johnny could protest, the house lit up inside causing all of their heart beats to quicken and eyes to grow huge.

Dally dropped the roll and hopped the fence, "See ya Ponybitch," he said and darted across the street, disappearing into the night.

Long story short, Darry came out and dragged Pony in, demanding answers. Ponyboy decided not to rat Dallas out and instead said it was some kids goofing around the neighborhood. He also said they threw a bucket of water on him, which was why he was soaked to the skin. Darry seemed to buy it and sent him to bed not noticing Pony limping as he went to the bedroom. He'd have to come up with another excuse for that tomorrow but it'd be no problem. He was real good at lying.

After changing into dry clothes he crawled underneath the covers, sleep overtaking him immediately after. He was worn out from the events that night anyway. At least he was now warm and safe in bed. Body a little bruised, but he was content.

Dallas walked down the streets, halfway to bucks when it dawned on him.

"Aw shit," he cursed, already turning back and breaking out into a run.

He had forgotten something.

Johnny wrapped his arms around the chimney again, while he looked out into the darkness.

"Uhm hello?"

"Helppp."