On the third day I was sitting down taking a break watching TV when Dally walking in.

"Hey" I said

"Aren't you supposed to be cleaning" he asked

"Shut up I'm taking a break"

"Ya and this house is clean enough" he said heading towards the kitchen.

"Where's all the chocolate cake?" he hollered.

"I ate the last piece this morning." I said "But we could make some more."

I started to make cake with Dally… "Not that much flour, no we are not putting beer in the cake"

"Why not" asked Dally. "It'll give it some flavour"

"No" I stated. Dally dumped some in anyways.

"That's disgusting." I said punching him. "Now what happens to all of us that want to say sober?"

"Screw you guys." He said and I scowled at him putting the cake in the oven.

"Just don't tell Darry." I said. The cake was ready soon and after we iced it we sat down to eat in front of the TV.

"Mmm this is good" said Dally. "The beer really adds to it."

"Can you really taste it that much?" I asked taking a bite. Darry would kill me if he knew I ate it. I started to choke and Dally rubbed my back.

"That stuff tastes god-awful." I said getting a glass of water complaining because we didn't have any Pepsi. That's another thing Ponyboy and I have in common were both Pepsi addicts.

"More for me." Said Dally eating some more.

"How much beer did you put in there?" I asked.

"Just a little bit." He said and I shook my head and started to clean the kitchen.

Everyone came home from school and work except Darry he was working late tonight. I started to cook supper: mashed potatoes and roast beef.

"Mmm" said Two-Bit "this is good cake. What did you add to it?"

"More like what did Dally add to it." I stated simply.

"It was just a little beer, get over it." Said Dally

"It ruined the cake."

"No"

"Yes"

"Let me try some" said Ponyboy but Soda stopped him before he could reach it.

"You aren't missing anything." I said

"You did not try some" said Soda but I ignored him and started setting the table. Supper was ready and everyone headed their own way and Darry came home. Luckily he didn't find out about the cake but he was in a bad mood cause some guy from the state was coming over in the morning to check out our house and make sure we were getting along and all.

Those people from the state sure give me the creeps. The house was spotless by morning and Darry made us wake up super early to make sure we looked our best when they arrived. The state person came early as well to be sure Ponyboy wouldn't be late for school or Soda and Darry for work.

He introduced himself as Mr. Webber and walked around the house commenting on how clean it was. Then he talked about money and lastly me and Ponyboy's schooling. I was not looking forward to it. He congratulated Ponyboy on how well he was doing and then turned to me.

"You've been sent to the office twenty-five times so far this year and are currently failing math, English, and science." Well at least I'm passing art I thought. "That could be one of the deciding factors on if you guys stay together or whether Sodapop and Ponyboy head to a boys home and you to a girls home." He continued. Crap I thought. He turned to leave but first said "In a weeks time you will meet in front of Judge Prezi and the decision will be made if you will be staying with Darryl or not" He then shook hands with all of us and told us "I love what you guys are doing here you all love each other so much and I'd hate to see you split up so I hope it works out for you." And then he finally was gone.

Darry turned to me. "You'd better get to school today and catch up on whatever assignments you're missing."

"I can't" I said starting to cry. "I can't do the work it's so difficult." I said in between sobs. Soda rubbed my back and I continued "I don't want to be split up and I'd hate to ruin it for all of us." Darry walked over and gave me a hug. "I won't let them split us up." He said. "I'll help you with your schooling as much as I can." Soda and Ponyboy joined the hug and I knew I had to improve my grades not because I was going to college, but because I needed to make sure we stay together.

That morning I walked to school with Ponyboy to get my stuff. Then because Two-Bit didn't feel like going to math, he drove me home. I started on science because all you had to do was read and answer questions. I suck at writing and math is just was to confusing so I would have to wait for help on those. When Darry got home he helped me with math and explained everything to me so I could work on it tomorrow.

The next day was even worse. All I could do to motivate myself was keep repeating in my head "I'm not ruining it for them, I'm not ruining it for them." Over and over again. I felt bad for Darry because he worked hard all day and then he had to come home and help me.

Finally Friday came and I finished writing a story for English. I had caught up on all my work and walked it all to school. I was still grounded so I had to go back home and watch TV. Ponyboy came home from school soon and started on his homework. I don't get how he can sit through a whole day of school then come home and start homework right away. After supper that night and Soda and Darry were home from work Two-Bit came running in.

"Hey" I said looking up from the TV.

"Want to come swimming?" he asked "Oh right, you're grounded." I grimaced apologetically. Another thing I was missing out on.

"I'll go" said Ponyboy walking in.

"Me too" said Soda.

"Well" said Darry "I've got to work on bills and stuff tonight." Then he looked at me. "You've worked hard enough this week, you can go." I jumped up and gave him and hug thanking him then went to go get ready.

I put on my black bikini with purple polka dots. I grabbed a towel to wrap around myself and headed downstairs. Soda and Ponyboy were already changed.

We didn't go to the public pool because there were too many rules that didn't allow you to have fun. Instead we headed to the outskirts of town where there was a little lake to swim in. There was even and dock and a rope to swing on. We always had a great time there. Steve, Dally, and Johnny were already waiting for us.

"Well look who finally got out of the house." Said Dally. I smiled and put my towel in Steve's car. Steve wolf whistled as I took my towel off. Two-bit and Dally laughed while I glared at him and Soda said "That's my sister man."

"So your sisters-" started Steve but Soda pushed him causing him to fall in. We laughed but I pushed Soda in and soon we were all pushing in each other. Dally pushed me in and I went under.

The cold water was shocking at first but we eventually got used to it. We were all fooling around dunking each other when someone pulled my leg making me scream and go underwater. I came up just in time to hear Two-bit yell "Watch out!" and take a running jump swinging out on the rope and dropping in the middle of the lake. We had a great time and after sunset we decided to leave.

When we got home everyone headed there separate ways and Soda, Pony, and I started fighting over the shower. After a few minutes Darry pulled us off each other and said "If you guys don't stop fighting no ones going to shower. Now figure out who's going first like responsible adults."

We all sat down and I said "I'm the youngest so I should"

"I have the most seniority." Said Soda.

"You should be the most patient." I said. At some point during our argument Ponyboy stood up and went into the bathroom locking the door behind him. The moment we heard the lock click, Soda and I started banging on the door yelling at him.

We then sat down and started arguing over whose fault it was that we didn't see him moving towards the bathroom. Soda and I loved each other as much as any brother and sister could, but we just liked to argue. I wasn't serious arguing and somehow it always ended with us laughing.

"Pick up the pace Ponyboy!" I yelled banging on the door.

"That's what she said." Stated Soda. We both started laughing and then Ponyboy was finally done. Once again Soda and I started fighting over the bathroom. Then Dally came in asking if he could use our shower. He saw me and Soda fighting and pulled Soda back pushing me into the bathroom. Then he walked in and locked the door.