Well here is the long awaited chapter 8. Again thanks to all who reviewed, you don't how much it helps me. I appreciate it greatly. Well enough with my blabbing and on with the story!

Ponyboy's P.O.V

"I wake up the next morning with the sun shining on my face. I turn over and notice that Soda's side is empty, he must already be up good I don't have to do the dishes. I thought to myself with a smile. Still groggy eyed I dragged myself out of bed and went into the bathroom. I took a nice warm shower it really relaxed my muscles which felt like they were all bent out of shape after yet another rough night I had of tossing and turning trying to escape the nightmares that continually haunt my mind. No, I wouldn't think about bad things today. Today was going to be a good day out with my brothers I told myself and tried to block it out of my mind as much as I could with a good thought, hell who am I kidding I haven't had a good thought in a long time. I don't know what it means to have happiness anymore. I quickly put on a pair of jeans and a red shirt. I went to the bathroom and combed my still bleached blonde hair back and put some grease on it. After giving myself the once over in the mirror I headed to the kitchen.

When I came into the kitchen I seen Soda and Darry eating and talking. They stopped when they saw me come in.

"Good morning Pony are you hungry?" Darry said smiling and getting up to get me a plate.

"Yes, I am thank you." " I said I knew I wouldn't eat a full plate but I was kinda hungry since I didn't eat the day before."

"Well, I'm glad that sleeping beauty is up and stirring." Soda said laughing with the reckless grin that can always make me smile no matter what mood I'm in. I playfully hit him on the back of the head as I sat down at the table. Darry handed me my plate and chocolate milk and then took his seat.

"What do you guys feel like doing today?" Darry asked me and Soda.

"I don't really care." "How about you Pony"? Soda asked.

"I don't care." I said.

"Well I heard they were having a baseball game today. How would like to start off the day by going to a baseball game." Darry asked.

I think that sounds great." Soda said excitely.

"Pony what do you think about it." Darry asked turning to me.

"I think it would be great." I said. I was excited about it I hadn't been to a baseball game with my brothers in a long time.

"Okay Darry said excitedly "let's go"

"We all piled into the truck and made our way to the stadium. The baseball game was so much fun. Darry, Soda, and I had a blast goofing off and playing around. Soda even caught a homerun. After the game ended we went to the Dingo to get some lunch.

"Golly that game was so cool." Soda commented taking a bite of his hamburger.

"Yeah, I still can't believe you caught a homerun ball Soda." That was cool! I said.

"I know." Soda agreed. "Hey Darry how did you get those good seats anyway?" Soda asked.

"I was wondering the same thing too. Cause those seats we had at the game were cool third roll center. We could barely have enough money to support ourselves and Darry and Soda are busting their asses to put food on the table. How could Darry afford those great seats."

"I knew that we needed to spend a day out together. So a couple months ago, I would save money here and there until I got enough money. So that's how I got it I wanted to spend a day with my brothers." Darry explained smiling.

Me and Soda just exchanged a look and then smiled and finished our lunches. It was getting dark out and we decided to take in a movie at the Nightly Double. Which surprised me because my brothers are not movie crazy like I am. Actually the movie wasn't half bad, not just because it had Paul Newman in it. We all enjoyed the movie which was a first, we all talked and laughed about our favorite parts.

After the movie we all went to the park to walk around and look at the stars. We all sat on the ground and looked up at the sky admiring how clear and clean the night was. I sat there for a long time and then the uneasiness started to settle inside of me. I began to have flashbacks of three months ago. Johnny killing the Soc, hiding in the church, the fire, and Johnny and Dally dieing. It got so bad, the images in my head that I just couldn't take it anymore, I needed to get away. All of a sudden I got up and I ran tears streaming down my face. I could here Darry and Soda vaguely calling my name in the background, but I didn't hear them. I finally got so exhausted that I just fell to the ground and cried. I felt arms around me and I heard Soda say.

"Hey there little buddy take it easy, your okay."

I cried a little more and I felt Darry put his arm on my shoulder.

"Pony, your scaring us, what's the matter?"

I calmed down enough to start saying words. "I can't take it anymore Darry, Soda I didn't tell you this but for the last three months I've been a mess, I haven't eaten, slept, or done much of anything in a long time. I keep thinking about Johnny and Dally dieing and I blame myself for it. That's why I have nightmares so much and that's why I don't sleep I try to escape the world of my dreams. I didn't tell you guys this cause I figured you have enough on your plates as it is and I didn't want to burden you.

By this time I looked at both of my brothers and they were crying even Darry before he wrapped me in another tight hug.

"Oh Pony why didn't you tell us this before. We are your brothers we love you and we want to help you as much as we can. We don't want to be shut out of our lives and when your unhappy we're unhappy."

Soda added "Yeah Pone why didn't you tell us before that you were so unhappy."

"I don't know" I said in between cries. "I don't think I know how to be happy anymore and I need help." "Please help me." I said before I laid down in Darry's lap and cried. Darry was shocked all he did was hold me and stroke my hair, while Soda said comforting words. I just cried my heart out.

Well hoped you liked it. I worked extra hard on this one. So please review and see ya next chapter!

Peace Out

ladyrose05