"Hey Coke, Wake up." I opened my eyes and found Sodapop standing right over me. "Hey come on, it's time for breakfast." At that moment I got up when Darry asked, "How do you want your eggs?"

"Huh? Oh, umm how I usually eat them. With ketchup, oh wait no I want them with jelly this time. I wanna see why Soda likes them like that." I turned to Soda and he gave me a smile, then he said, "Don't worry you'll like them." I then went to the breakfast table, and there was the usual chocolate cake, the one cup of coffee, the plates filled with eggs, the cups of chocolate milk, but one thing was missing.Ponyboy. I could see it in Darry and Soda's faces that they were thinking the same thing. I felt guilt running through me because I couldn't tell them where he was. I had to stay there and pretend I knew nothing about where he was or what happened last night.

"I wonder where he is," Soda said, "I mean after you, um, you know. hit him, we haven't heard anything from him."

"Are you blaming me for him not being here?" Darry asked.

"No I didn't mean that it was your fault it's just that_."

"Forget it. I know it was my fault for him not being here. If I hadn't hit him he would be here eating breakfast with all of us. I guess I just lost control and wish more than ever I could take that moment back, but I can't no matter how much I want to." He looked like he was about to cry, but knowing Darry he would hold back his tears.

"But you would think he'd be back by now. I don't think he would ever leave for a long time if it were just because you hit him. I mean something else could've happened. I just hope he didn't die or something." I regretted saying the last part, but I knew I had to. I had to cover up for what I knew, and that was the only thing I could think of. The thing was that after I said that I scared the hell out of them. They were really worried now, or so they looked.

"You don't actually think he is," Soda hesitated, "dead, do you?"

"I don't think so," I said to reassure them a little, "Ponyboy is a. a. a. kid who knows how to take care of himself. Yeah I know sometimes he doesn't use his head, but he knows how to protect himself." I looked at both their faces. They were still worried, but a bit calmer. At that moment Two-bit came in.

"Hey you guys! Did you see the newspaper?"

"Umm no why?"

"Here." Two-bit handed Darry the newspaper, and from the look of his face he was real worried.

"Texas? They're headed to Texas? When did they haul in Dally to the station? How does he know where they were headed? Does he know their exact location? Where is Dally, anyway? How long have they_."

"Whoa, Darry calm down." I said, "Everything will be alright. Be happy they're not dead. If you want I could find out from Dally where they are or whatever."

"If they're in Texas I'm gonna go get them." Two-bit said this as if he was being sarcastic, but his face looked determined.

"Two-bit, you are not going to Texas to get them. Maybe Dallas just said that to get the fuzz out of the way. I'm gonna go check with Dally, but I'm not promising I'll bring in information." With that said I left. I had no idea where I was headed so I just decided to go over to the Dingo.

When I got there I found Dally there. He saw me and gestured to come. I then went over to him.

"Hey, how ya been Coke?"

"Just fine. The brothers are worried sick about Ponyboy. I felt real bad that I couldn't tell them, and so I pretended I didn't know where Ponyboy was. I really want to tell them, at least just Soda. You know how much I hate keeping secrets from him, and I hate it even more when he's worried sick about something. Come on let me tell him."

"No. If he wants an answer he'll have to come to me and even then I won't tell him, but after I say no he will stop asking, so don't worry about it, baby. So how bout that Coke I promised you."

"Okay, and ya I'd love to have a Coke right now, but that doesn't cost 50 bucks so you still have to find some other way to pay me back."

"Yeah I know. I will. How about I take you into a drive-in. I hate paying, but for you I'll do it."

"Um, no thanks. I didn't like the last experience at the movies too much. I'd rather you repay me in some other way."

"Okay fine I'll get 49 dollars by next week, okay?"

"Okay." I then finished drinking my soda. "Well I best be going now. I promised the gang I'd be back soon, and they're headed to work in a while so I best be going."

"Can I join you? I mean it's not safe to roaming the streets by yourself. Someone might jump you or something."

"Okay fine, but hurry up." He got up quickly, and he put his arm around me. We then walked all the way back to the Curtis' place.