Back! – FS77

Chapter 2

Ponyboy crawled over to Johnny laying his head on the dark boy's shoulder. He giggled slowly falling asleep. He smiled and breathed lightly.

Johnny smiled and put his head on Pony's. Then he too drifted off to sleep.

Darry looked at the two sleeping forms and remembered when they first met.

Flashback

Ponyboy was two and Johnny was four. Johnny's mom had dropped him off at the Curtis house for the night.

The tiny four year old looked at the little baby curled on the couch. "Poboy?" he asked going over.

Mrs. Curtis walked out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron. "Yes, Johnny that's Ponyboy." She said smiling softly.

Johnny peered at Ponyboy at the end of the couch. "Small!" said Johnny.

Mrs. Curtis laughed. "Yes he is very tiny." She sat on the other end of the couch pulling Johnny on her lap. She held him close humming a little tune. His eyes drooped and he yawned making a tiny squeaking sound. He curled up into Mrs. Curtis and she smiled holding him. "Ponyboy really likes you." She whispered. Johnny smiled. "He needs someone to protect him since he's so small." Johnny nodded snuggling into her. "Would you like to be his friend?" she asked. "If you do you must promise to help him and love him." She said.

Johnny nodded. "Poboy, fwend." Then he drifted to sleep.

Darry had been standing in the doorway to his bedroom. He was 8. He smiled and crept back into his room. There he shut the door quietly behind him.

End Flashback

Darry smiled going over to Two-bit and Dally. He picked up a football and they all played.

"Darry go long!" shouted Two-bit. He threw he ball with all his might.

Darry ran forward and caught the ball. "Got it!" he cried triumphantly.

Dally ran for Darry and tackled him to the ground. He picked up the fumbled ball running to the other side of the field and smirking. "No!" "I got it!"

Darry and Two-bit ran towards him smiling and cheering.

"Nice one Dal!" said Two-bit.

"Yeah. Good job!" said Darry.

"Boys it's time for lunch!" said Mrs. Curtis placing sandwiches on the picnic table.

"Yeah!" all the boys cheered rushing for the table.

Dally went over to Johnny picking him up. He placed him on his back and gave him a piggy back ride over to the table. "C'mon Johnny." He said shaking his tiny friend. "Wake up man." Johnny shook his head a bit before opening his eyes.

Darry went over to Ponyboy and picked him up. He brought him over to his mom and she took him.

"Thanks sweetie." She said smiling.

"Welcome mom." He said going to sit next to his dad.

"Where's Steve and Sodapop?" asked Johnny biting his PB and J sandwich.

Two-bit shrugged. "Last saw them at the bottom of the hill." He said drinking some milk.

Steve laughed as Soda splashed water on him. They had jumped into the small pond near the hill.

"Soda you're gonna get it!" he said rushing at Soda and tackling him into the pond.

"Hey!" yelled Soda as he splashed around. He swam to the bank and grinned.

"Hey Steve?" he asked. "Wanna help me outta here?" he asked.

Steve shrugged and went over. "Sure buddy." He said. He held out his hand and Soda grabbed it. He smirked as he pulled Steve in with him.

"AAAGGGHHH!" said Steve as he crashed through the murky surface. He swam back to the surface spitting water at Soda. "Not fair!" he said.

"Fair enough!" shouted Soda as he and Steve splashed about.

Dally got up and went to look for the duo. He spotted then in the pond and sighed. He shook his head rolling up his sleeves and going down to them. He waited until they surfaced before he grabbed them by their collars.

"Idiots." He muttered as he dragged them back to the gang.

Steve and Soda punched each other along the way playfully, laughing.

There ya are! And happy Super bowl! – FS77