Disclaimer: Let me count the things I own and you will find out that The Outsiders isn't one of them. -Sigh-

Tikagem- About this point on she gets more dialogue… I'm doing something a little differently than most people. Yay, I feel special!

After the movie, Two-Bit convinced the girls to walk to his house. That way, he'd be able to get his car and drive him the twenty miles it took to get to the other side of town. By now, Ponyboy had started to talk up a storm. He mentioned everything and everyone. He even mentioned Soda's horse that wasn't really his, Mickey Mouse.

"Tell me about your oldest brother. You don't talk much about him," Cherry said. Pony had thrown my name in a couple of times, so I didn't care if I was asked about. If she needed to know anything, I was right here. Pony was silent a moment.

"What's to talk about? He's big and handsome and likes to play football." Wow, Pony had some nice things to say about Darry. I bet if he spent more time with him, he'd have more to say.

"I mean, what's he like? I feel like I know Soda from the way you talk about him; tell me about Darry." There was a bit of silence, and then she began to talk again. "Is he wild and reckless like Soda? Dreamy like you? Distant like Victoria?" Hey, when did I become distant? How did she even get distant? Was it because I was so silent? Yeah, well, I just don't feel like talking to Soc girls about my family. They don't need to know.

"He's," he started, then stopped. "He's not like Sodapop at all and he sure ain't like me. I guess he could be a little like Victoria. He's hard as a rock and about as human. He's got eyes exactly like frozen ice. He thinks I'm a pain in the neck. He likes Soda- everybody likes Soda- but he can't stand me. I guess he gets along with Victoria. I bet he wishes he could send me in a home somewhere, and he'd do it, too, it Soda'd let him." It was silent for a second, nobody moved. I hardly believed anybody breathed. Everybody stared at my little brother.

"No," Two-Bit said, confused. "No, Ponyboy, that ain't right... you've got it wrong..." For once, Two-Bit said what was thinking. Darry gave up so much for Ponyboy, for all of us. Why couldn't he see?

"Oh, c'mon on Ponyboy," I said sternly.

"Gee, I thought you and Darry and Soda and Victoria got along real well," Johnny said quietly. I was shocked. Ponyboy had said those things.

"Well, we don't," he snapped. "An' you can shut your trap Johnny Cade, 'cause we all know you ain't wanted at home, either. And you can't blame them." What the hell? Why did Pony say those things? What was it about Cherry that made him say things like that? Johnny looked like somebody punched him in the stomach and knocked the wind out of him. Two-Bit slapped him and it sounded like it hurt. I walked away, still pissed off that he would say something like that.

Darry was in the kitchen, doing dishes. It was quiet in the house, especially for Saturday night. I figured Steve and Soda were still at the game, or hanging out at Jay's or The Dingo. Darry had a plate of pasta on the table. I figured it was for me.

"Soda still out?" I asked, with pasta still in my mouth.

"Yes, where'd you go?" he asked me in return.

"I went with Pony and them. He's out with Two-Bit and Johnny." I wasn't going to mention his little outburst. Darry worried about enough, no need to worry him any more.

"Wasn't he with Dal? Where'd he go?"

"Tim was looking for him, something about slashed tires," I explained. Darry just nodded.

After I finished eating, I took a shower. I watched a little television. Then, Soda came home. It was near eleven. Darry was getting worried about Pony. I tried to tell him he'd be fine with Two-Bit and Johnny. Both boys carried blades. And so would Pony, if Darry would let him. I didn't have the guts to say that though. Darry was a little bigger than I was. Soda had fallen asleep.

I tried not to fall asleep, for Darry's sake. Darry read the newspaper and called Two-Bit. His mom said he came in drunk a few hours ago. Now Darry was getting worried, but he wasn't showing it. He probably wanted to be strong for Soda and I. I hoped Pony was okay. He's my family and we need him. Even though he gets on my nerves sometimes.

Around 2, Ponyboy opened the door. You could barely hear it, but the house was quiet. It was almost as if there was no life in it. Darry looked up, placed the paper down andgot up. He stared at Pony. Pony stood a few feet away from the door, chewing his nail. I got up to go to my room; I didn't want to be here.

"Where the heck have you been? Do you know what time it is?" Darry was fuming. Pony was standing there; he was like a deer in the headlights. "Well, it's two in the mornin'; kiddo. Another hour and I would've had the police after you. Where were you, Ponyboy?" He was close to screaming. "Where in the almighty universe were you?"

"I... I went to sleep in the lot..." he stuttered.

"You what?" Darry screamed. Soda sat up, quickly and rubbed his eyes.

"Hey, Ponyboy," he said, still tired. "Where ya been?"

"I didn't mean to," Pony whined. "I was talking to Johnny and we both dropped off..."

"I reckon it never occurred to you that your siblings might be worrying their heads off and afraid to call the police because something like that could get you three thrown into some kind of home so quick it'd make your heads spin. And you were asleep in the lot? Ponyboy, what on Earth is the matter with you? Can't you use your head? You haven't even got a coat on." Pony looked so scared. He had switched finger nails a few times. I backed up further. I don't know why I was trying to go unnoticed.

"I said I didn't mean to..." he repeated.

"I didn't mean to! I didn't think! I forgot! That's all I hear out of you! Can't you think of anything?" Darry boomed. I wasn't sure if the house shook, but I put my hand against the wall for balance anyway.

"Darry..." Soda pleaded, standing up.

"You keep your trap shut! I'm sick and tired of hearin' you stick up for him." Soda sat back down. I gasped.

"Darry," I whispered. He just glared at me, I guess it's because I never seemed to stand up for Pony. I moved even closer to my room. I was petrified right now. Darry never yelled like this, especially not to Soda.

"You too, Victoria…"

"You don't yell at them!" Pony shouted back. At least one of us had the nerve to. Darry faced Pony and slapped him. It was so hard he stumbled back into the door. It became really quiet. Nobody in our family ever hit anybody else in the family. Not even when I learned how to say some curses and taught them to Soda and Pony.

Soda was wide-eyed, I moved forward a little bit, so I could view things better. Darry's hand was bright red and I knew it must be stinging, along with Pony. I think Darry was shocked as well.

"Ponyboy," Darry said softly. Ponyboy didn't stay put. He ran out the door and down the street. "Ponyboy, I didn't mean to!" Darry called down the street. Hestarted to go after him.

"Darry, he needs some time to cool down. He'll be back in a half an hour. You need to get some sleep." He glared at me. "Oh, come on Darry. You can't roof houses if you are passed out from exhaustion. I'll stay up and watch for Ponyboy." Darry groaned and I glared him. It felt so good to be the one glaring. "Darry, at least rest on the couch. If you don't go to work we'll be taken away or something. I'd never forgive you for seperating us and I don't think they will." Darry laid down on the couch, his feet hanging off the edge.

Soda tried to go out the door. I grabbed his collar. It wasn't that I wanted Pony gone, he needed to cool off.

"Lemme go, Vicky," he pleaded. I shook my head.

"He needs to cool off, and don't call me Vicky. He won't be long." I wasn't sure of that, but I tried to believe it. Pony couldn't be too long, could he?