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Its pretty interesting I admit to watch their reactions, I guess its because this time finding out Mr. Matthews was back was different. The way they reacted was almost rehearsed, prepared. Mrs. Matthews reacted like I thought she would, put on a brave front and reassured her daughter not to worry but I couldn't help but feel that as she left for her room she'd become a broken woman. Now Two-Bit on the other hand reacted totally opposite to what I had thought. He didn't take it angrily at all and although Emily couldn't see it I knew he was upset. He barely swore much when she uttered the words 'Dads back' but instead grabbed a beer and sat at their kitchen table, staring bitterly at the dinner that had burned.

Emily had reluctantly left afterwards to talk to Tom and since her brother made no visible effort to make her stay I didn't bother saying anything either. As I kissed Two-Bit's forehead I told him to call around before school the next day to talk but I left for home before I really caught his stammered thanks.

"For what?" I asked, my hand on the doorknob. "I didn't do anything."

"You got her to tell."

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said opening the door as I hesitated. "You know I love you, right?"

"I know. I love you too, Pixiedust." He said with the faintest smile.

A half smile on my face I started my walk home, my head bowed to the wind. I tried not to notice as it started to rain lightly a few streets away from my house but I tried even harder to not notice a car tailing me. My arms crossed against my chest it was like I was trying to hide myself, so they wouldn't see me I suppose.

Bob Sheldon might've died but nothings changed, there are still socs out there waitin' and I'm just a fool for ignoring it, even if it is almost Christmas they must have some heart.

As I quickened my pace I reached the safety of our gated front yard in no time. As out gate squeaked shut I watched the socs drive off and for a moment, a single moment, I met one of their eyes and they sped off. Sighing softly to myself I jogged up the porch and into the house to see an irked looking Darry and my two brothers with faces pressed to the window, like six-year-olds outside a candy shop.

"Hi, where's everyone?" I asked breathlessly.

"Home." Darry said sharply, his arms crossed as he gave me a stern look. "Sodapop claims you were with Two-Bit yet you were walking home with a car tailing you! Where were you?"

I rolled my eyes, "With Two-Bit, obviously."

"Pixie," Darry warned as I pulled a face and Soda stared at me. "Don't use that attitude, you wouldn't be mouthy with Dad."

"Dad would trust me," I said curtly. "And you're not Dad, you're Darry."

"Pixie, stop it!" Pony cried out surprising all three of us. "You're gonna have a fight and its almost Christmas!"

"Santa will still come if you behave, Pon." I grinned at him as I looked to Darry. "Sorry but you would not believe what just happened!"

Darry didn't look that forgiving but said nothing all the same, it was going to be our first Christmas without our parents and we had to stick at this 'cause Ponyboy was really starting to get better these days.

"What, Pixie?" asked Soda with a smile. "Ya seen Santa or somethin'?"

"Serious time, Soda, serious." I informed him as I slipped past him and flopped onto the couch. "It wasn't Emily's boyfriend it turns out, but he knew and had promised not to tell so that's why he let Evie yell at him."

"Weirdo," Darry muttered under his breath. "Who is it then?" he demanded impatiently.

I threw him a look, clearly we all had very thin patience today, and I nominate myself personally under that category. "Mr. Matthews, been back in town for two weeks apparently."

Pony dropped something which landed with a thud and Sodapop sat down on the couch next to me just starin' whilst Darry was gaping at me in surprise. Mind you, if Emily hadn't told me personally I reckon I'd have been just like this too so it was hardly unexpected. But as I whispered 'yeah' Ponyboy just sat down and remained speechless, even though he ain't the loudest one anyone it was interesting to see him comprehend this, he was much too young last time to have grasped it that well I think.

"For real?" Sodapop whispered.

"Mmhmm."

Soda shook his head. "What'd Two-Bit do then? That's why you walked home, right?"

"He was drinking," I said as Darry left the room and I threw Soda a cautious look, "For the love of God he won't do anything stupid will he?" I whispered to my twin.

"I don't know," Sodapop whispered back getting up and following Darry out of the room.

As I watched my twin cross the room and enter the kitchen my green eyes spun back to my younger brother who looked to be dreaming like normal, only of course you knew this time it was probably more thinking than anything else. Him and Emily were always close and I guess now he's older this probably has more affect on him, besides he ain't got Johnny no more and Emily really is like a best friend to him now more than anything. Even though I am still in denial that those two made much conversation in the first place.

I slowly got up and walked over to him as I knelt down besides him and gave him my hand as I patted his back slightly and gave him a tiny smile he gave me a half one back. Y'know he might be getting as tall as Darry but he does look a lot like Soda, kinda funny I guess 'cause he'll never believe any of us when we say it, but its true. Honest, Emily tells him nearly everyday.

"You 'kay, honey?"

Ponyboy almost laughed then. "You're never gonna stop trying to mother me, are you?"

"Never." I told him solemnly but the smile on his face broke me as I managed to smile back. "Its not my fault, you're my baby brother, I'd do anything for you. Like I'd do anything for Emily, now you okay or what?"

"Nah I don't reckon I am." Ponyboy shrugged, I guess its hard to believe he's only fourteen sometimes when he's like this, so up front and honest. "But I'll be fine anyway, besides Mr. Matthews will go away soon enough and Emily's a brave enough girl, more than you." He told me with a cheeky look.

I poked my tongue out at him. "I am so brave!"

"That's a lie and you know it, Pixie."

"Yeah, it is." I admitted sheepishly. "But I don't care, I can at least pretend…Emily has guts though."

"Too much of them." Ponyboy said to me as he rolled his eyes. "I'm glad she's told he's here though, you guys all reckon she's real smart and she can take care of herself but she isn't as much as she wants you to think." He told me honestly, I guess you had to appreciate it then since that is what I thought. "She's still like a kid, hell she's more dreamy than me sometimes."

I grinned, "For real?"

"Uh huh," he nodded then he looked away before speaking again. "Don't tell her I said this but she really ain't as perfect as she wants everyone to think, she's kinda messed up inside, that's probably why she told no one."

When he looked back to me I gave him an almost sad smile as that sunk into me and I stood up and walked away from him. I was now puzzled and confused, I presumed she didn't wanna tell to not upset her mom, I knew she was kinda messed up inside but I think all of Pony's dreaming makes him pretty wise. Darry used to tell me I was wise but I hold no candle to Ponyboy, that's for sure.