Ponyboy Curtis lay on his squeaky old bed. He could hear his brother, Sodapop's deep, calm breaths. He assumed Soda was asleep.

He heaved a sigh and stood up, looking around his small room, thinking. Darry was gone, Darry was gone… because of him. Ponyboy's mind was like being tied to a chair watching a horror film and having the goriest bits being played over and over again. All he kept thinking was the argument and how it was his entire fault.

Pony rubbed his temples and walked back over to his bed. His head hammered inside and tears began to foam in his eyes. As much as Darry annoyed him, he loved him.

The next morning Ponyboy woke up to the hopeless singing of Steve Randle and the sound of Mickey Mouse.

"Steve, will you shut up already. I can't hear Mickey 'coz ya keep singin'!" Two-Bit complained.

Ponyboy rubbed his eyes vigorously trying to wake up. His mind was peaceful and relaxed. Then the thought that Darry wasn't there slashed across his mind. The same non-migrating nightmare was stuck firmly in his head.

"But Two-Bit, ya'll seen that a million times anyways." Steve moaned, "Plus, y'all love my singin'!"

"And then ya wake up, huh Steve…" Soda muttered as he ate some blue pancakes.

"Hey guys…" Ponyboy said as he walked into the living room, " Where's… is Darry back yet?" Ponyboy waited for the response although he already knew it.

"Nah he aint. But he rang earlier…" Two-bit commented as he stole his eyes from the TV.

"Said he'd be back by twelve." Soda added. Food covered his mouth and his hair was a mess, as if the gel had not yet been applied.

"It is twelve. Shoot, where is he?" Ponyboy worried. His face turned into the perfect image of disappointment. His stomach churned and his head began to swell with pain.

"Shoot Pony, give him time." Steve commanded, "Anyways Sodapop, we still gonna go on that drive later on?"

"What drive?" Soda innocently asked

"The Drive. The drive we planned yesterday!" Steve reminded him, a sinister look on his face.

"Oh that drive. Yeah sure, why not." Soda turned to Pony, "Wanna come?"

Steve's jaw dropped slightly. His eyes held a look of hatred buried deep in them and a stubborn look fell across his attractive features. He looked directly at Ponyboy.

"Sure. Where we goin'?" Pony asked. He had not yet seen the look on Steve's face.

"Just a drive, we-" Soda stopped. His eyes flashed to the open door. Standing in the door was Darry, annoyed and ready for business.

The boy's faces were emotionless.

"Darry… you okay?" Steve asked, aware of the uncomfortable situation.

"Fine thanking you. We need to talk, all of us!" he turned towards Ponyboy and Soda, then to Two-Bit and Steve. "Sit!"

They all sat.

"Listen and listen good, I'm sick of being treated with disrespect, I'm sick of you guys being rude and using my house a fuck-nest." His eyes averted to Steve. "I'm sick of being classed as a joke, what the hell is wrong with you guys?"

"Errr…"

"Shut it Soda, hear me out. We're going to go around and say what we've done wrong and apologise for it. Soda, you start!"

"Err, I'm sorry Darry for making you feel that way… err, you're my brother… and… I shouldn't have?" Soda suggested, awed by Darry's new technique.

"Good Soda. Ponyboy, then Two-Bit, then Steve!"

"I'm sorry for arguing with you Dar, but sometimes it's hard. You put so much pressure on me and don't let me enjoy the things I need to enjoy, you don' let me live enough!" Pony moaned.

"Pony, I love you, I do. But you need to treat me with more respect. Look at it my way for a change-"

"Darry, why don't ya look at it my way? I'm fourteen years old, god-damn it, I'm not a kid. Let me make my own choices, stop putting so much pressure onto me!"

"We'll discuss this later Ponyboy!" Darry sternly said, "Two-Bit!"

"I'm sorry for…" He sniggered as if remembering something, "I'm sorry for… kissing that broad in your house."

"Steve…" Darry trailed.

"Geez Darry, this is stupi-"

"Ya should apoligise for singin' Steve, ya need some lessons!" Two-Bit interrupted.

"Aw shoot, shut it Two-Bit, y'all aint no better at singin' than I am!" Steve commented. Darry rolled his eyes and impatiently looked at the clock, "I'm sorry for…"

Darry mimed the words 'using your house as a fuck-nest' over and over again. Steve raised an eyebrow, copying off Two-Bit.

"Darry, I aint had no sex in your house!" Steve defended himself.

"Whatta 'bout Lisa Granger?" Darry said still looking at the clock.

"I didn't have sex with her. We only kissed!" Steve stated, "Okay… I'm sorry for being nasty to Ponyboy even though he continuously insists on coming with me and Soda when he aint welcome!" Steve's eyes widened. Had that really just slipped out of his mouth?

Ponyboy looked at Steve, his face emotionless, however his eyes full of distress. All eyes were on Steve, Pony's were diverted to the ground.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Soda looked at his best friend, Steve's eyes were firmly fixed on his hands.

"Steve… why did you say that?" Soda asked quietly.

"I, err… I was jokin'. I didn't mean it!" Steve stumbled.

"Steve leave, we'll talk to you later, for now leave!" Darry ordered, he felt the deepest feeling of disgust for his brother's friend.

"Yeah okay. See ya Sodapop…" Steve waited for him to say bye. Nothing was said. He walked out.

"Pony, are ya okay?" Darry asked as he put his arm around his younger brother.

"I'm real sorry Darry, I'm real sorry!" Pony cried into his brothers arm.

"It's okay Pony, it's okay!" Darry comforted.

Pony felt ill, he felt like his stomach had dropped. Why did Steve say that? Pony already knew he didn't like Pony coming, but he didn't have to say it. He never had said it…

Reviews:

dirtyd488, I didn't know I didn't. Thankyou

BlackLightningDX, thank you

FlipWise, Here's Ponyboy. Thank you

Fizzy, I love your story too… of course. Thankyou

PsYcHiC SeLiNa, Thankyou, here's the update.

Stratusfied247, Thanks. Steve's my favourite character so his was first.

x fever x, yeah Darry's a bit… unbalanced at the minute though isn't he. Well all is sorted in this chapter.

Fizzy, I know when you update. Thank you

FlipWise, thanks.

PsYcHiC SeLiNa, Thankyou. I try my hardest to fit Steve into it. Here it is, updated.

BlackLightningDX, yeah. He had lost it for a bit.

ghostofyou27, thankyou!

Everyone make sure you read 'A Twist of Fate' by 'FizzyWorms'. It's a good story. Sorry for not updating in a while.

Also everyone go see 'War of the worlds'. It's a good movie so gooooooooooo see it!