Disclaimer: I don't own the outsiders.

*Darry*

Today Pony gets to leave the hospital. You think he'd be excited, but he didn't really have a reaction. The doctor said that it was usual, and that many patients are just tired from being stuck in a room all day. But really, He hasn't been acting the same since we told him he had to quit track.

I park in front of the hospital so Pony doesn't have to walk a lot, then go inside to pick him up.

I go into his room and find him sitting up in his bed staring at the wall.

"Hey Pony. What have you been up to?"

"Nothing. I guess I should get used to it since that's what il have to do for the rest of my life, right?"

I don't really know what to say to that, so I just ignore his answer.

"Do you have all your things packed?"

"Yep"

"All right...let's go then."

"Okay."

And that was the end of our conversation. This one was actually longer than most these days. It worried me, but he'll adjust after he finds something to do instead of track.

We get into the car, and ride back in silence. I don't even bother with trying to talk to him, he's become a conversation ender.

When we get home Pony mumbles a hello to Soda and Steve, then goes strait to his room and closes the door. I give Soda a disapproving look, but we both don't really know how to act. We weren't used to this kind of behavior with Pony. I shrug it off and start making dinner.

*Soda*

"Can you try calling Pony to dinner? I think you have a better chance of getting him to come." Darry suggests. He was probably right. Pony and I were a lot closer. If he was going to listen to anyone, it would be me.

"Il try." I answer.

I open the door of his room. He was sitting against a wall in the corner.

"Don't you have homework you should be doing?" I ask him. It's weird to see pony doing absolutely nothing. He's usually reading, studying, or even watching a movie. But this was unusual.

" I'm already too much behind. Id never finish."

He's only been absent for a week and a half. He could easily catch up if he wanted to. I don't want him to throw away his future future just because he can't run track anymore. He was overreacting. Honestly, things could have been a lot worse. He should be thankful.

"Well, we're going to have to talk about that later. Right now, you have to come fpr dinner." I order.

"I'm not hungry,Soda."

"You don't have a choice, you have to eat."

Pony doesn't even look up. "Fine."

He trails behind me as I go out the room. Since today was the day Pony got to eat real food, unlike the hospitals, Darry decided to make his favorite meal. Although anything other than baloney would have worked.

I get my plate, then sit down between Steve and Two-bit. Pony sits across from us, emptyhanded. "Aren't you going to get food?" I ask him, annoyed.

"I told you, I'm not hungry"

"So now you're starving yourself because of track?"

"I'm not staving myself Soda, I'm just not hungry. And I haven't even mentioned track."

"Oh come on, you've been acting like this ever since you've found out."

"So I'm not aloud to be unhappy? "

"Starving yourself isn't the same thing."

"I'm just not hungry Soda!" He gets up, goes to his room, and slams the door. I wait a few minuets for him to calm down, then go after him.

"I'm sorry Pony." I apoligized.

Its okay Soda, but I think il sleep on my own today."

"But what about your nightmares?" I ask him, worriedly. He's been getting them since our parents died, so I've started sleeping next to him to wake him up and calm him down when he does. They're usually really bad.

"I'm 15 now Soda, I can sleep on my own. I'm sure I can handle it."

"Fine, do whatever you want. But try not to wake me up at 2am, like usual." I shout, as I leave his room.

I miss the old Pony.

Thanks for reading, please review and tell me what you think. Sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes.