Title: Runaway

Author: Blau Rhapsody

Dedication: Sashataco! XD

Summary: A/U. What if when Mr and Mrs Curtis died, Pony wasn't able to handle the pain, and ran away? What if, three years later, he comes back to Tulsa?

Disclaimer: The Outsiders does not belong to me. The characters belong to S.E. Hinton. I am merely borrowing them. No money is being made off of this - it is written for entertainment purposes only.

Notes: Unbeta-ed.

A/N: Got some questions for you all. Is this being updated regularly enough, or is it taking too long compared to some other people you have on your Author Alert? Also, would you like me to add an author's note, or should I just do it when I have something important to share/ask?

Johnny Cade was the kind of person who had a hard time trusting people. Like a puppy that was kicked too many times, he was wary of anyone who tried to help him. He was wary of everyone, actually. His father beat him, and his mother yelled at him, and so he didn't spend a lot of time at home. And because he didn't spend time at home, he usually slept in a lot. And because he slept in a lot, he got beat up by some Socs one night. Now he didn't trust anyone, adults or Socs or fellow greasers.

He did, however, trust his friends. Two-Bit Matthews, Dallas Winston, Steve Randle, and the Curtis', which now consisted of Darry and Sodapop. When Mr. Curtis and Mrs. Curtis were alive, he trusted them too. But they were dead now, so why trust a dead person? And as for Ponyboy Curtis…

Well. Johnny wasn't sure what to think of Pony anymore. Pony had been his closest friend, the one he could open up to. It didn't matter that Pony was two years younger than him. Age wasn't anything but anything but a number to them. They got along fine. Both were quiet, although it was because Johnny just didn't like talking and Pony had his head in the clouds too much. But, that was then. Now…

Supposedly Two-Bit had found Ponyboy. Although Two-Bit wasn't sure, because the kid hadn't given his name. But when Two-Bit told Darry, Darry told the rest of the gang. And now Johnny was going to school full time in hopes of seeing the supposed-Ponyboy, because Darry had asked him. Johnny didn't mind. He'd do anything for the Curtis'. And if he could see Ponyboy again…

That'd be swell. Real swell.

But because Johnny was a quiet boy, ninth graders were understandably shocked when he would come and ask if they knew the new kid. The ones Johnny had asked hadn't known him personally, but some of them shared a class or two with him. None of them knew his name though.

Johnny was a little disappointed, but he didn't let this get to him. Darry and Soda were counting on him, and Johnny would be so happy if he could find Pony for them.

And so a week after Two-Bit had met the new kid, Johnny found himself walking the halls of the school, his shoulders slouched and hands in his jeans pockets. He wasn't trying to look like a hood, but having walked this way for so long, Johnny wasn't entirely sure how to walk any other way.

"You comin' to track practice, Ponyboy?"

Johnny looked up in surprise, his neck whipping up so fast it cricked. Did his ears deceive him…? Pushing past a group of cheerleaders, Johnny watched as a taller, black-haired boy put his books into his locker. The tall guy was definitely a Soc. No mistaking it.

"Naw. Got a lotta homework."

Johnny looked at the owner of the voice, and his eyes widened. This boy was the one Two-Bit described. Red hair that went to about his chin, fairly short compared to his tall friend. A large sweatshirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and baggy jeans. Not a Soc, but not a Greaser either.

And if the Soc had really called this kid Ponyboy…

It was time to do some stalking.

The taller kid shut his locker and grinned down at the redhead.

"I'll tell Coach you want to wait until your completely healthy then?"

"Yeah. Thanks Randy," the redhead grinned back. Randy turned and walked away, and the redhead turned in the opposite direction, walking towards Johnny. Johnny quickly hid, but the boy walked right past him. Johnny followed, moving quietly. He may not be good at much, but Johnny was definitely good at being quiet.

Johnny followed the kid out of the school, and they turned and crossed a couple of streets before Johnny realized where they were heading.

The movie theatre. Ponyboy used to come here all the time.

Deciding if he was going to move, he might as well do it now, Johnny quickened his pace and soon caught up to the redhead.

"Ponyboy!" Johnny said softly. The boy stopped and turned, letting Johnny see the kid's eyes..

He had greenish-grey eyes. There was no doubt about it. This was Ponyboy Curtis.

"Who are you?" Pony asked, taking a step back. "How do you know my name?"

Johnny blinked. Did Ponyboy really forget about him?

"C'mon, Pony! You know who I am!" Johnny exclaimed, gesturing with his hands.

Pony blinked, his brow furrowing. "You sure? You're not confusin' me with someone else, are you?" he asked slowly, tilting his head. "I guess you do look kinda familiar though…"

"Its me! Johnny Cade!" At this, Pony's eyes widened, if possible, more.

"Johnny? Wha…What happened to your face?"

Johnny looked at the sidewalk, all his previous courage gone. Of course Pony wouldn't recognize him. Johnny had grown his hair longer, and with the scar on his cheek…

Deciding to keep away from that subject, Johnny said quickly, "Nevermind about that, Pony! Where've you been? Darry and Soda've been awful worried about you."

This time Ponyboy looked down, shifting his weight from foot to foot. He looked up, glaring at Johnny.

"You don't tell them you saw me, you hear? Just…just leave me alone!" Pony exclaimed, and with that spun around and ran.

And Johnny wondered if Ponyboy was the track's star runner. Glory, that kid could run. Already he was out of sight…

He had to tell Darry and Soda though. He didn't care if Ponyboy got mad at him, it was for his own good! Darry and Soda had been a mess ever since Pony had left. They said they were fine, but Johnny noticed they never ate chocolate cake or chocolate milk anymore. Soda wasn't as cheerful, and Darry didn't seem like Superman anymore.

"Johnnycake?"

Johnny looked up in alarm, realizing he had been standing in front of the Curtis' door. He blushed, and Soda grinned, but it was only a shadow of his former grin.

"Soda…I…" Johnny said softly, Ponyboy's voice echoing in his head. Soda blinked.

"I…"

"What is it, Johnny?" Darry said, standing slightly behind Soda. Oh glory, this was going to be…

What? This was what Johnny had wanted to do. He wanted to help Darry and Soda find Ponyboy, so that everything would return to normal.

"Johnny?" Soda asked, tapping Johnny lightly on the head.

"I found Ponyboy!" Johnny blurted out. Soda's grin disappeared, his expression turning into one of shock. Darry's eyes had widened, but otherwise his face was emotionless.

"You sure, Johnny?" Darry asked slowly.

"Yeah. I'm positive, Dar'," Johnny said. Darry inhaled deeply, and Soda rose a shaky hand to his forehead.

"I need a smoke…"