Disclaimer: Sorry for the wait again but it wasn't as long as last time. :) Hope ya like it.

-Casey

Chapter 8.

Soda woke up just as the sun was setting. "Bout time you woke up Coca cola." Two-Bit said while flipping channels on the TV. "How long have I been asleep?" Soda asked yawning. "I'd say about like uh....4 hours roughly." Two-Bit said transfixed with the TV. "Say.....where's Darry?" Soda asked sitting up. "Well uh he went somewhere and asked me to babysit ya. As long as I don't gotta feed ya or change your diaper I think I'll live through it." Two-Bit joked ducking a pillow that Soda sent flying at him.

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"Darry!" Ponyboy shouted running into his brother's outstretched arms. "Pony, I've missed ya buddy!" Darry said joyfully embracing his youngest brother. "How's Soda?" Ponyboy said almost immediatly. "Well....the foster home wasn't working for him much..." Darry said slowly. "But...the hearing is only one week away..." Pony said excitedly. "Yes.....only a week away....which I want you to hold up here for only one more week....are they treating you alright?" He said the last part quieter.

"Yeah I 'spose they are." Pony responded, taking a short glance at the observing Mrs. Valance. "I'm gonna do my best little buddy. I ain't losing my brothers that easily." Darry said with serious frown. "Hope it turns out ok." Pony said as a short response. "Me too little brother.....me too."

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"GET THE DOOR SODAAA!" Two-Bit bellowed from a bedroom. 'Jeez, him and Kathy must be having a field day in there...' Soda thought to himself. He opened the door and was welcomed by arms tightly grabbing him. "What the....?" Soda said finally realizing who it was. "Sandy....how are ya baby girl?" Soda said happily. "Soda sweetie.....I'm so sorry about what happened....I heard you'd been sent to a foster home....and....well uh...I freaked..." Sandy said embracing him again.

"Well I was in one....then I ran away..." Soda said shortly stroaking Sandy's hair. "I should've known something was wrong when I didn't see you at school.....then that....Cherry Valance girl told me your brother was in foster care at her house...and that you were somewhere else...." Sandy said quietly.

"Ohh....." Soda said bringing her inside the house and holding her tightly. He gently sat down on the couch and pulled her onto his lap. "I missed you." She said softly into his ear and she threw her arms around his neck and sobbed. "I mised you too." He said softly still stroaking his hair. "What's going to happen to you?" She asked sadly. "I don't know....the hearing to declare custody to Darry is in a week from now." He said wishing it was sooner.

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Ponyboy sat in his room alone Darry had left minutes before. Mrs. Valance walked nervously into the room. "Ponyboy...I wanted to ask you something... "If the whole brother custody doesn't work out...you do know that I would be declared your guardian?" Mrs. Valance asked. "Yes I know." Ponyboy muttered back.

"You know your brother wont win most likely...he's just a boy....and it's time we turned your life around...which is why I want you to go take a shower and wash that disgusting grease out of your hair. I'm tired at looking at you in such a filthy manner." Mrs. Valance said. "Listen lady, I'll wear my hair the way I want. No one ever tells me different. So do yourself a favor and back off." Ponyboy said menacingly.

"I'll let that one slide....for now. But if you want to make it into the world you need to leave these childish fantasies of yours behind because one day you'll have to make something of yourself. And believe me your time is running short Ponyboy Curtis...."

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"Hey fellas." Darry said walking in the door. "Hey Darry, how'd it go?" Two-Bit asked looking away from the TV. "Well it looks like they're treating him ok....well better then the other people treated Soda." He said his voice growing tighter. "But, I'll deal with that issue later....first....I got to get some more paper work done." Darry said filing out of the room and and into his bedroom.

-----sorry so short but I have lots to do today. I'm sick too. :(

-Casey