Ponyboy rushed to his and Soda's room, he felt a few tears coming on but he pushed them back. He closed the door and locked it, much to Soda, Darry, and Two-Bit's dismay.

"Ponyboy, come on. Open the door." Soda said softly, Ponyboy sighed and leaned against the door

"P-Please just leave me alone! Just give me a minute." He called out, they looked at each other for a moment before reluctantly doing as he asked. They headed back into the living room, to see Johnny looking rather upset. There was a darkness that fell over them when they saw how the two youngest were faring. While, Johnny and Ponyboy weren't exactly the happiest out of all the gang, that didn't mean the gang didn't feel like shit seeing them upset.

"Hey Johnnycakes, what's the matter?" Soda asked Johnny, who was like a little brother to him. Johnny hurriedly wiped his eyes, obviously not wanting the gang to see him cry.

"I-I killed that kid. In, whatever, future this is. I killed him, brought a 13-year-old kid, and hell I just. What if something happens to Ponyboy?" Soda rubbed his back comfortingly, while the gang watched quietly. Johnny couldn't help but feel something bad was going to happen to both of them. He felt at fault for everything happening in the book.

"Ain't nothing gonna happen to you two," Dally said after a moment, "These people or whatever they are sent this damned book for a reason. Even if something happens we won't let it happen again." Everyone stared at Dally for a while, until he glared back. Everyone looked away, that was the closest you got to hearing Dallas Winston say 'I care'.

"Yeah. Thanks, Dal." Johnny responded wiping his eyes. "Did Y'all check on Ponyboy?" He asked, now turning his attention to Soda, Darry, and Two-bit. They all shook their heads.

"He wouldn't let us in," Darry responded quietly. Johnny bit his lip looking down the hallway to Ponyboys room. Sodapop placed a hand on Johnny's shoulder, his eyes staring down the same hallway, worryingly.

"Why don't we play around till he calms down?" Steve said dragging his friend to the ground, who laughed softly and nodded. Two-Bit grabbed the deck and hopped on the ground too, while Johnny stayed up on the couch with Dally. Darry, while being on the recliner, kept glancing towards his youngest brothers room.

0000

Ponyboy waited for the sound of his friend and brothers footsteps to fade into the living room before taking a deep breath.

It's going to be okay. He told himself, his thoughts drifted to Johnny once again as he thought about how upset his friend had looked. Johnny never pushed him away before, that's why they were such good friends. They were always hey for each other, never fought, never lied, and always knew each other better than the other knew themselves.

Ponyboy's hand clenched against the wood floor, then released. He repeated the motion until he felt himself start to calm down.

Apologize. He sighed, he knew he had to apologize, he pushed Johnny, it was his own fault.

Like always. He breathed deeply. He stood up and headed for the door.

0000

Johnny was beginning to get worried. It had been at least five or ten minutes since the break, and Ponyboy still wasn't out of his room. He could see Sodapop getting antsy as well. Steve always helped him calm down by starting an arm wrestling match or throwing a card from the deck at him.

He also noticed that Darry hunched over, nervously glancing to his youngest brothers room. Dally, Steve, and Two-Bit were mostly indifferent, but Johnny did see them often look back towards the room. The looks ranged from worried to nervousness and a bit of anxiety almost. Almost.

Johnny was about to stand and go see if he could convince Ponyboy to open the door, but then it opened. Ponyboy quietly made his way to the couch. If it wasn't for Johnny watching his door, he wouldn't have even noticed Ponyboy come in.

Over the years Ponyboy became more quiet and invisible-like. The gang used to joke about how sometimes he was a zombie, excluding the groaning and flesh-eating part. Secretly, they were actually worried for the youngest member of the gang. Johnny remembered some days when Ponyboy wouldn't sleep at all.

Johnny was the only one to notice for about 5 months before Ponyboy went on 1 hour of sleep from 5 days and then went to track practice. After running 4 laps around their large track, which normally only took him a few minutes, being a track star and all. He stumbled at the end and was caught by a fellow teammate and greaser before promptly passing out.

The fellow greaser ended up taking him home. Ponyboy had tried to sneak into the house, after thanking the boy, but to no avail. The greaser ended up telling Darry what happened, in front of the whole gang as well. Ponyboy got grilled badly.

After that, the gang had tried to make sure he was sleeping and Soda would try to stay awake until Ponyboy would eventually give up and fall asleep.

The whole experience overall though had made him quieter on his feet, seeing as he would get bored and sneak out of bed and downstairs to draw with a flashlight outside.

Johnny made his way over to Ponyboy, who looked up, making eye contact with him.

"I'm sorry." They said at the same time, Johnny smiles softly, as did Ponyboy but it looked forced.

"I sorry, I shouldn't have pus-" Johnny began before Ponyboys eyes widened.

"No. It's my fault really I should have given you some space. No, really it's ok." He said the last part firmly, avoiding eye contact then, as Johnny tried to protest. Johnny stared at Ponyboy for a while before Two-bit spotted them.

"Are Y'all ready!" He yelled hopping over to the two, who jumped at the sudden loud noise. He picks them before up, which was easy considering how light they both were, then pushed them both back onto the couch. —Soda gave Two-bit an exasperated look, while Darry looked at his youngest brother to see how he was doing. His green eyes weren't exactly beaming with joy but he did look better than before. Darry sighed and grabbed the book off the coffee table in front of them.

The gang settled down and waited for Darry to begin. He looked around before opening the book.

—

—-Long time no see? *Twilight books are thrown*

—-I know I haven't been updating lately, personally things have gotten in the way such as sports and school. So I apologize, my updates will be slightly over the place. The thing that made me update to today was your lovely comments I really appreciate it thank you all so much.

—-Especially, I ship Jonnyboy (I do apologize though there will only be friendship between them in this one, I can't say the same for any future ones though)

"Please update the story is really good, and it makes you want to keep reading to see the reactions of each member of the gang to each line. I am curious to know why Johnny is distant from Pony all of a sudden. Maybe something to do with the guilt of bringing Pony into it? I don't know just an idea of why their friendship is all weird all of a sudden. Also, I like how you show more of their awesome friendship that is goals. Honestly, I wish I had a friend who would follow me to death (for all Johnny knew) and one who would kill someone for me. I do not think that other fanfics do a great job showing how strong their friendship actually is. Pony mentions that they know what the other is thinking, but fanfics do not like to show this. Anyway, that was my rant on congratulating you for showing the beautiful friendship they have. Let me say it one more time. Your story is amazing. Stay gold." This comment is what made me finish this chapter today and start on the next.

Thank you, truly.

—Outsidersofpercyjackson