Well I'm back again for another installment of the story. Again thanks to all who reviewed it means so much to me. Well here we go! This story will be in Ponyboy's P.O.V. with conversation from the other characters. I just wanted to say in case anyone is confused.

The Next Day

I wake up with the sunlight streaming in my face. I realize I have to get ready for school. With my eyes still full of sleep I try to get out of bed when I feel an arm holding me down. I look over and I see Soda with his arm draped over my chest. I felt really bad that I was putting him through this; he's been through a lot lately. With Sandy leaving and Johnny and Dally were his buddies too and now he feels he has to protect me, his poor lost baby brother. I didn't want to put him through that, I've always had a close relationship with Soda and I didn't want him to feel hurt or worried because of me. Man, how I hated myself for what I've done.

With a sigh I get out from under his grasp he just turns over sleeping peacefully, which I was thankful for. I quietly go from our room to the hallway I look at Darry's door it's still closed which means he asleep. I slipped into the bathroom and quickly took a hot shower. I had to admit taking a shower and getting refreshed really helped me with some of my anxiety about what was going on. After my shower was done I slipped into a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt. I ran the comb through my hair and put grease on it. While I was looking at my reflection in the mirror I noticed that the blond was starting to come out and I wondered if I should dye it blond again. After thinking for a minute I decided that I wanted my natural hair color to come back. I had to admit I looked tuff as a blond, but I looked tuffer with my natural hair color! When I was finally finished I came out of the bathroom and walked into the kitchen. There Darry stood in the kitchen cooking what seemed to be eggs, bacon, and toast. He looked when he saw me walk in.

"Morning Ponyboy, did you go back to sleep okay last night?"

"I slept alright."

"Well, you better eat up. Two-bit and Steve should be coming by any minute to get you for school." He said putting a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast in front of me and a glass of chocolate milk. Normally I would have eaten the entire meal. Lately I just take a few bites and pick at my food not really hungry.

"So, do you have track practice after school today?" Darry asked me as he sat down with his own plate and a cup of coffee.

"Yeah, I do" I replied just taking a bite of egg and looking down at my plate.

"What time does it end"? He asked me.

"6:30, Why"

"I'm going to pick you up okay."

"Okay" I said plainly.

"Hey Pony, is something bothering you"? Darry asked taking a bite of eggs.

"Why would you say something like that?" I asked getting nervous.

"You just seem really distant lately you won't talk hardly to anyone or eat very much. So what's going on with you"?

"Nothing, I've just been distracted lately with school and everything." I said hoping that he would buy it. I didn't want to burden my brother with my problems. He had enough hardships already without dealing with me. Obviously Darry didn't buy it because he spoke again.

"Listen Pony, Johnny and Dally were our friends too. It's okay if you want."

"No, I don't want to talk about it; I'm fine so don't worry about it." I snapped and got up from the table leaving Darry shocked and just looking at me. I really didn't mean to snap like that and I hated myself for it. When Darry recovered from his shock he started to say something but was cut off when Soda came through the door and announced he was up and ready for work.

"Good morning everyone!" Soda said as he came in and sat down by me. Darry got up and got him a plate, Soda just looked at me and smiled and I just had to smile back. Soda could always cheer you up with his eyes and smile no matter how mad or sad you were.

"Hey, Pony you feeling better today, did you get back to sleep okay"? Soda asked as he looked at me.

"Yeah, I got back to sleep fine, I'm feeling better today." I said as I took my plate to the sink. I had hardly eaten any food. Darry and Soda looked at me as if they were going to say something about me eating some more. I mean I was starting to lose my build a little, but they didn't say anything, which I silently thanked them for. Before anyone could say anything we all heard a car horn. I went to the door and saw Two Bit and Steve in the car waiting for me. Man we must have been running late usually Steve and Two Bit would come in and clown around for a few minutes. I looked at my watch and noticed that we were going to be late; I quickly grabbed my books and went to Darry and Soda.

"Two Bit and Steve are outside now, I'm off to school." I told them.

"Alright Ponyboy, don't forget that I'm picking you up after Track today, goodbye."

"I won't forget Darry. Goodbye Soda

"You have a good day Pony, goodbye"

"With that said I was out the door and got into the car with Two Bit and Steve and was on my way to school. I still thought about the way I had snapped at Darry and the other night I had snapped at Soda. It hurt me something awful inside. I knew that they were just trying to help. Sometimes I didn't want to think of Dally and Johnny as dead or anything that happened in that awful chain of events. It was starting to affect the rest of the gang as well Steve and Two Bit had also tried to talk to me, well I should say mostly Two Bit tried to talk to me. Steve and I are not buddy- buddy. He only tolerates me cause I'm Soda's kid brother. I can't stand him sometimes. But we are one good terms with each other. I've always liked Two Bit and I know he notices that something is wrong with me so he's tried to talk to me but I barely say anything. I hate to do that to the people that care about me but I just can't talk anymore. I hadn't even gotten over mom and dad when Johnny and Dally passed away. I don't know it's like I don't have my spirit anymore like I don't know how to cope with things. So I just keep my emotions bottled up inside not letting anyone in. That's how it is this morning with Two Bit and Steve we said our hellos and I got in the back and just looked out the window waiting until we got to school. God, what the hell is wrong with me, I don't want to live like this."

Okay I hope you liked it . I worked hard on this chapter. Please read & review later