By the time dinner was ready, I had told Darry about how I had ended up in the fight. He shook his head when I told him about how the soc had bothered me during study hall. He knows that the socs like to bother the greasers. Especially a greaser that is in all the smart classes.

"Who won?" Soda asked when Darry and I sat down at the table for dinner.

I thought about it. I wanted to say I won, but I knew that wasn't true. Then again, the soc really didn't win either. "No one. Randy came and broke it up. Cherry told him about what had happened in study hall."

"Smart girl." Darry said at the same time Soda said, "You would have won. I'll bet that soc had nothing against you."

"Don't encourage him to fight anymore. Okay, little buddy?" Darry said.

"Yeah." I agreed. "I didn't want to be in this one. Next time, I'll keep my trap shut."

Soda passed me a bowl of mashed potatoes which he had colred blue and grinned at me. He had told Darry when he started making dinner that he was trying to distract him because he didn't want us to get into an argument about me fighting. After all, it hadn't been that long ago since Darry and I had promised Soda that we wouldn't fight anymore and Soda would do anything to make sure that we would keep that promise.

"Hey, we're not going to argue, little buddy." Darry told him. "I might not be happy about Pony being in a fight. But, I don't think it's worth arguing about."

I ate slowly because my jaw still hurt where the soc had punched me. I wasn't saying much either and Soda noticed it.

"Are you okay, Pony? I know you're usually quiet, but for you, this is too quiet." Soda said looking at me from across the table.

I nodded. "I'm fine. My jaw just hurts, that's all. The soc punched me really hard there."

Darry frowned slightly. "I wish those socs would mind their own business. It would save the two of you a lot of trouble. And, I wouldn't have to worry about you so much."

Soda punched him lightly on the arm. "Like Pony and I don't worry about you carrying more bundles of roofing than you can handle up the ladder at one time?"

Darry gave him a small grin. "You know what I mean, little buddy. Speaking of which, I need you to give me a back rub later."

Soda winked at me.

"And don't you dare try to put me to sleep, Sodapop Patrick Curtis!" Darry warned. But he was laughing. Probably because he knew as well as I did that Soda would put him to sleep with his back rub. He almost always does.

"I should go start my homework." I said. "And this time, I'm really starting it."

"Do you want another ice pack for your jaw?" Darry asked as I stood up.

I shook my head. "No, I'll be fine. But, I might need help with my math assignment later."

Darry nodded. "I'll be there in a little while. After I finish helping Soda with the dishes."

"Why do I have to wash dishes?" Soda asked. "I cooked."

"Because I said so, little buddy." Darry said.

I laughed as I left the room. I went to the bedroom and sat down at my desk. This time, I started to do my homework.