All right, I confess. I'm having a bit of writer's block for this fanfic. And so early in the story at that as well. I'm really sorry about the lateness and for my laziness. I am truly ashamed of myself.

My deepest apologies if this chapter may seem awkward, but I will do my best to make this readable and understandable. And longer too.

Reminders: Fic is in Ponyboy's POV

All right... this guy... is officially nuts.

Not only did he flirt with every pretty nurse that came in; he also relentlessly made fun of every male doctor that came in. He also had the habit of popping out the darn switchblade of his quite often. Makes me want to throw it out the window.

I am so relieved that there is nobody else in the room with this fool and me. There is an empty bed on the other side, but nobody is occupying it at the moment. Praise the Lord.

"Hey Mike, watch!"

Sighing, I turned my head to watch as Mr. Sideburns balanced his switchblade on his nose.

"Awesome, Two-bit." I spitted out, not caring if the sarcasm was evident.

Blinking, he looked up at the clock, switchblade falling onto his open palm. He stared at it for awhile, making me wonder if the guy knew how to tell time. Suddenly, he turned towards me again, grinning like a mad man.

"All right, now ya get to meet ya other brother!"

I stared at him, confused. What is he babbling about now? I looked around but I didn't see anyone else in the room. Then there was a knock on the door.

Two-bit jumped up, opening the door. And in walks in a tanned, dark and short haired, muscular man. He had pale eyes and a handsome face. Something about his looks bothered me, like as if I was looking at another person. I wasn't sure what the feeling was, so I tried to ignore it and focus on something else.

He was a little dirty, like he came from farm or something like that. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised, with those muscles. Now I feel really scrawny.

"Ponyboy." So quiet, I almost missed it. Looking at him, I tried to figure out what Soda said our older brother's name is. While I'm thinking, I shouldn't make it obvious that I really don't remember what it is.

"Yes?" He's calling me Ponyboy, but for the poor man's sake, I'll let him call me whatever he wants.

He stepped forward a little. "Pony..." Stopping short from the end of the bed, he slowly (and perhaps cautiously?) placed a hand down on the bed. "I... I came as fast as I could when Soda came over and told me. I'm so happy... that you're alright, kid."

I looked down at the sheets, watching how he shifted his one hand so it rested on my leg. Is this to assure him that I am alive and awake? Or is this an effort to be gentle, because I have lost my memories?

Either way, I didn't mind... but I still felt a little uneasy.

By now, Two-bit has left the room, stating that he was 'missing Mickey,' whatever that meant. So it's just me and this guy.

"Ponyboy, I... I talked to the doctor before I came in, so I know that you don't remember much now. But I swear that I'll keep you safe this time. It's a promise." He took a seat where the sideburns guy was, scooting the chair forward.

That was pretty heartfelt. I wonder if he feels responsible or something? Well, I think the only way he should feel that way if he was the one who got me into this mess... which I highly doubt. If it was his fault, wouldn't the others be upset with him? Or maybe they didn't know what happened?

I suppose I should say something. "Umm... ?" Darn it, what was the name? "Err... Dal-uhh... Darry!"

He looked up, staring at me. This whole staring thing is getting annoying.

"Um... tell me about yourself."

And this is what I learned.

He is 20 years old and works at a construction company, making enough money for me to go to school, pay for taxes, bills, etc.. Of course, because of me, add on the medical bills. He also didn't go to college for reasons. I have a feeling it's because of our parents' death but I wasn't going to ask about it.

I really don't know what to say. I mean, should I ask more about himself? Or should I ask about something else? He doesn't look like he's going to say anything else... though he probably doesn't know what to say.

"Umm... what's like working at a construction site?"

He looked a little surprised by my next question, but I honestly didn't know what to say. I mean, what do you say to people you don't remember? 'I don't know you?' Yeah right. I already screwed up by asking Soda who he was.

I wonder if he made it to the gas station? I hope he's not in trouble for being late. I would feel really guilty about it.

"... it's hard work but ya get used to it after awhile..."

Whoops, I wasn't listening. I made sure that I was completely focused the man next to me, nodding at the right places. I feel really bad because this topic is rather dull, but I don't want to upset anybody else.

Once he finished, it was quiet again.

Beep... beep... beep...

Ahh, yes. That annoying machine.

Knock, knock

Darry blinked, staring at the door as if he just realized that there was one. Standing up, he walked over, slowly opening it.

From where I was lying, I couldn't see who was there... nor could I barely hear the person.

"We c-came to see Ponyboy." A real quiet voice was heard over the beeping.

Beep... beep... beep...

Damn that machine.

"Oh right... umm, wait, let's talk outside for a moment." Darry replied, turning towards me. "Pony, I'll be right back."

"Okay. I won't go anywhere... not that I can."

He smirked, walking out. Well, maybe I made him feel a little better. I hope so. I don't like to deal with moody, depressing people.

A few minutes later, the older brother came back... with two new people. The contrast between the two was stunning.

There was a shorter guy, with dark skin and even darker eyes. I noticed a scar on his left cheek, which made me wonder where it came from. He also had greasy, shaggy jet-black hair that fell over his forehead. He looked a little nervous, like as if he felt he shouldn't be there or something.

The other guy looks like quite a character though. With real white-blond hair and blue eyes, he looked like the opposite of the first guy. I should also note the pale skin and elfish face that enhances the difference. He seems real cool with the situation, as if he didn't really care what was going on.

"Ponyboy." Darry voice called out to me, snapping me out of my reverie. Looking at him with a questioning glance, he placed a hand on the first guy's shoulder.

"This is Johnny Cade. And the guy next to him is Dallas Winston."

"Dally." His voice was not surprisingly rough. Short and clipped was what I kind of expected from his tone.

That means it was Johnny's voice I heard from the doorway. I looked at him, watching as if he smiled, and if not hesitatingly. Taking a couple of steps forward, he didn't drop his gaze.

"H-Hey Ponyboy. It's good to see that you're awake. We were all r-real worried."

"Yeah, I think I'm a little tired of sleeping."

Johnny chuckled, with Dally snorting in the background.

"Damn kid, you scared the shit of Johnny and the others. Everybody thought you were dead for awhile."

That reminds me. Is Dally the one I shouldn't really talk to?

"Ahh... sorry about that." I managed to spit out, looking at the blonde. "Not like I had much control over the situation or anything though..." I trailed off, now looking at Darry's hand motions, telling me to stop.

Dally was staring at me, not quite a glare but it wasn't blank either. Did I go too far?

He snorted again, smirking. "You're still mouthy brat when you choose to be."

Am I really that mouthy? I wasn't aware of that...

"Pony." The quiet voice nearby called out, causing me to jump a little.

Looking up, I saw Johnny sitting where Darry originally was before these guys arrived. He still looked a little nervous... scared? I'm not so sure.

"Yeah?" I questioned, trying my best to keep my focus on him.

"How are ya feelin'?"

How am I feeling? Hmm... confused, annoyed, irritable, pained, tired and moody, but I wasn't just about to tell him all that.

"Not bad. Glad that I'm awake... even though I don't really remember much. My head hurts, but its not that bad. And I'm really confused and all, but you guys seem to be alright." Yeah, this seemed alright to say. Retaliating my complaints with a word of assurance is the way to go.

Johnny smiled, chuckling. "Yeah, I think I would probably feel the same way."

We chatted a little more about that and that. He mentioned school, which, of course, I obviously don't remember. And also about different people that we know.

Then he told me about different hangouts for us guys. I found a little weird that we have specific places of where to go. If we go to these places, then who goes to the other places?

END! OMG! Ponyboy is confused once again! Poor boy...

Yes, be aware that Pony is not aware of the whole Socs/Greaser thing. Haha, how will this affect him later on? You'll just have to wait and see.

Please read and review and I'll give you... a Soda sock puppet! Wee!