CHAPTER 2

As I lay in our bed with Steve's arm draped around my waist, a thousand thoughts hit me like a bullet. We just got home from Soda's place about an hour ago, and we were both tired. And if you're wondering why Steve's sleeping beside me, it's because there's only two bedrooms in our house, our dad's bedroom and ours.

I lay there, staring up at the ceiling above me, wondering thoughts I've never thought of before. I wanted answers too. But Steve was sleeping peacefully, and I didn't want to wake him up because he had to go to work early in the morning tomorrow, and he wanted his sleep. So I left him alone, but I would ask him the questions that kept racing through my head tomorrow at the DX.

I looked over at Steve and smiled. I always found it funny watching people sleep, and I don't know why. Steve was breathing lightly, a slight snoring sound could be heard, but he didn't snore very loud. Not like some people I know, who snore so loud that you're hardly able to get to sleep and you can't wait till morning comes. But Steve's not like that, he never was.

But tonight, I didn't know what was wrong with me. Usually I fall asleep quite easily, but tonight, my body and mind seemed to say "stay awake! Don't fall asleep." And it really bugged me. I really wanted to fall asleep. I tried over and over again, but it didn't work. It was the thoughts that ran through my mind that kept me awake, I knew it. And I really hated to do this, but I had to wake Steve up and get at least a couple of the questions answered, that way my mind would stop pestering me, and I'd get the rest answered tomorrow.

I propped myself up on my elbow and poked Steve with my right hand. He turned a little, but didn't wake up. I sighed and poked him in the cheek. Just then, his arm reached out, grabbing my arm in his hand, and pulled me down and wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"Crap…" I muttered. I tried to get out of Steve's grasp only to have it tighten, so I gave up and cuddled against my brother's chest.

"What's wrong Jay?"

I jumped and saw Steve's clouded grey eyes peering at me through slits. I sighed and smiled. "Give me a scare why don't you?"

Steve smiled gently. "C'mon, you didn't poke me in the cheek to wake me up for nothing? What's up?" he whispered.

I looked at him and flopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling once again. "Nothing," I lied. "I… can't get to sleep."

He sat up, pulling me into a hug. "C'mon Jay, you can tell me. What's on your mind? Do you need to ask me something? That's usually what keeps you awake. C'mon, spill the beans." He said gently.

I put my arms around my brother and buried my head under his chin. "I got a couple of questions on my mind, screaming to be answered…" I said. "You don't mind answering a couple of questions do you? If you don't want to, we can go back to sleep, I have no problem with that. I know you work early in the morning and all, and I'm sorry I woke you up, it's just…"

Steve put a finger on my lips and smiled. "Don't worry about it. I'm gonna end up being in late anyway, so what's the point right? Anyway, go ahead. Ask away." He took his finger off of my lips and waited until I spoke up again.

"Okay… well, are… are we actually brothers? I mean, we act so different… Was I adopted?" I asked a little embarrassed.

Steve shook his head and chuckled. "Yes we're brothers. You were not adopted, if you were, I would've told you a long time ago. What makes you think that?" he asked softly.

"I don't know… it's just, well, we're so different…"

"But we're not a hundred percent different. All brothers are different in a way. Take Pony and Soda for example. Soda's always happy and doesn't give a care in the world. For all I know, he's the happiest person alive. And Pony's a total bookworm, and loves watching sunsets with Johnnycake. But that doesn't mean Soda and Ponyboy are totally different, you dig?" I nodded. "They just have different interests in life."

I nodded again. "So, I'm not adopted?"

"Kid, if you were adopted, I would've told you a while ago. And, if you were adopted, how come you look almost exactly like me?" he asked with a grin.

I had to smile. Steve was right, how could I even think that way? "Thanks Steve. I still got a couple of more questions, but I'll ask them tomorrow." I said and hugged my brother.

He kissed my forehead and said, "Your welcome Jay. Now, will you be able to get back to sleep?" he asked lying down, dragging me down with him.

I snuggled up against my brother's hard chest and smiled, closing my eyes. "Yeah," I yawned. "I think I will be able to. You're the best big brother anyone could ever ask for." I whispered, as I drifted off into my long awaited sleep.