Here we go:

The Smallest Curtis

Chapter Four

Sodapop laid in bed that night trying to think of that memorable day when he, Darry, and Sophie had gone to pick up the boys. Turning onto his side he remembered that Sophie wouldn't say a word on their way to the hospital. She was scared…

Summer of 1962

Darry drove quickly down the rode. Behind him drove Steve with Soda and Two Bit and Sophie. All three knew that they had to drive separately because Darry was going to have to rush up to the room.

In Steve's car everybody was pure silent. Two Bit was trying to comfort poor Sophie and her everlasting set of tears. She was afraid of what was ahead of her. She knew that Johnny was hurt badly…was it because of her?

"It's going to be okay, baby," Two Bit whispered in her ear as he held her. But Sophie didn't hear the words. She heard the cries of Johnny in pain. She heard the fear of Ponyboy up in the hospital. "C'mon, honey. Calm down." Two Bit cried as he held her tighter.

Up in the front Soda tried to maintain himself. Tears scratched at his eyes. He wanted to cry so badly. He wanted to let it all out. But he couldn't. He had to stay strong in front of Sophie. He had to.

"We're here," Steve said as he parked. As Two Bit carried Sophie out of the back seat he could see Darry waiting by the entrance of the emergency room. Why? Wasn't he going up to see them? Wasn't he going to make sure that everything was going to be okay?

"Darry!" Soda yelled running over to him. Sophie could see her two older brothers talking from Two Bit's arms. And then she say something that she never thought she could ever see…the two of them crying. And I mean literally crying. Sophie felt her body go numb Darry and Soda are crying. What have I done? What did I do that was so horrible?

Two Bit and Steve both received the same view as Sophie. The two Curtis boys crying. Both boys. This was crazy. Darry was superman. Superman never broke down. Right? But every person has a braking point…even Superman.

"C'mon, Sophie," Steve said as he grabbed her hand and led her to the entrance. She needed to be in the moment with her two brothers. She needed to be with her two brothers during this moment.

Leading her to two teary-eyed boys, both engulfed her in a hug. All three of them had something in common: they were scared. And I don't mean of what was behind those doors in that hospital. I mean they were scared of what the world had in store for them. This moment got all three of them thinking: will we always be together? Will we always have food? Will we always have money? Will we always be the Curtis'?

"It's okay," Darry finally gave up on crying. Instantly he went from this complete softy to his normal ice and cold self. This hurt the other two but this was their brother. He had to be like that if he wanted to keep watch of three kids.

Riding up the elevator with Steve and Two Bit the three Curtis' waited nervously for those doors to open. As soon as they did Soda plunged out and ran down the hall. Two Bit and Steve followed closely behind. But Sophie and Darry waited a few seconds.

"Do you think I'm a bad brother, Sophie?" Darry asked in a frightened tone. This was the first time Darry was actually afraid of what was going to happen.

Sophie shook her head, "I don't, Darry. I think you're the best brother a girl could have." She put on a small half smile as Darry picked her up and walked out of the elevator.

As the two walked up to Pony and Soda and the others Sophie felt a burst of happiness in her stomach. Sure, this was the worst moment in her life. But she realized that even if it's the lowest time in her life she has three brothers to watch her, to love her.

"Ponyboy," Darry said quietly as he took him into his embrace. He was different now. He was blonde. Sophie stood by Sodapop, watching her two brothers hug. She loved her three brothers. And they loved her.

"Soapy," Pony said happily as he picked her up in a hug. As low as he was right then and there he felt somewhat happy. Sophie was there. This innocent little girl who probably barely understood what was happening. But somehow she made everything okay.

"I missed you, Pony," Sophie whispered in her big brother's ear. Pony felt tears of joy and sadness run down his ashy cheeks as the two others joined in the big family hug. For the first time since their parents had died Pony felt whole again. He felt like his mother and father were actually there too.

After their embrace ended Darry wandered off with Two Bit to try and get some information on Dally and Johnny. Steve and Soda sat around with Sophie and Pony. They were all worried about Johnnycakes and Dally. But there was nothing they could do but worry.

"I want Johnny to be okay," Sophie whispered in Soda's ear. Soda nodded as he draped his arm around his little sister's body. She was slightly trembling. Poor baby.

Pony fell asleep on Soda's shoulder on the opposite side. He hadn't had a real night of sleep in a long time. He was drained from all of the worry and fear. This was something that Pony had never thought he'd have to experience.

"C'mon y'all. We're goin' home," Darry said as he and Two Bit returned. Both boys had defeated looks on their faces. Soda knew that they couldn't find out any information because they weren't family. But they were family! They were Johnny and Dally's family. They loved both boys…no matter what.

That night as they drove home Soda could hear Sophie in that back of Steve's car lightly singing a small tune to herself:

We're just ordinary people
We don't know which way to go
'Cause we're just ordinary people
Maybe we should take it slow
Take it slow
This time we'll take it slow
Take it slow
This time we'll take it slow

(Written by John Legend: Ordinary People)

There was chapter Four, which was a chapter that I was rather pleased with if I do say so myself. I don't know but I liked writing this chapter the best out of all the other ones of the story. I felt like there was bonding (and I love it when siblings bond, it's so cute!). Anyway here are my thanks:

x-CelluliodTears-x: it's funny that you say the music helped make it seem more dramatic because I always write to music. It helps me think and sometimes the lyrics give me ideas. This may seem somewhat stupid but for this chapter I wrote the song Ordinary People by John Legend. And I've listened to it like three million times in a row…but I never get tired of it. Lol. You probably think I'm a freak with a capitol 'F'.

Margaret Ames

Miru Amai

OTHLover04

Goldengreaser

Darkdestiney2000: right now I can't reveal anything about what happens to Sophie or Johnny or Dally or anyone else because I'm not exactly sure. But I can say that this is not your typical happy ending.

WhatGraceHasGiven: You ROCK, girl. Literally! I mean you are just so inspiring to me and I think you are just so awesome…YOU NEED TO UPDATE the Jennie Cade series otherwise you will sixty million emails in your inbox saying how good the story is and how you NEED TO UPDATE (ring a bell, lol)

Dreamer for lyf: I know this story is pretty sad and it will have it's up's and down's throughout the whole thing…. but prepare for a tearjerker. Anyway are you almost ready with the story? If you need me to write more I can. I just can't wait to get it out there, lol!