Kendra, Toby, Pony(Michael) and Johnny are here!

I do not own The Outsiders.

Two-Bit POV

"Guys, we're home!" yelled a familiar voice. I looked out of the kitchen and almost fell over at who it was. I was grinning as I walked out.

"Kendra!" I yelled, hugging her. She was grinning, hugging me back. I was so happy to see her. "How are you?"

"I'm good." she said, kissing my cheek. Then, she rubbed her lips. "Geez, rug burn..." she said.

"Hey, I like it." I said, rubbing my chin. She chuckled. "Anyways, where's Toby?" She turned her head, reached behind her, and pulled him into view. He was glaring at me, or so it seemed. I took a good look at him. He continued to glare at me. "Hey Toby."

"Hey." he muttered, jerking away from Kendra. I watched as he ran into the kitchen.

"Um..." I stuttered, "Is there something wrong with him?" I asked.

"He doesn't like you, Keith..."she said, sighing, "He only met you once, he doesn't remember..."

"Really?"

"Sorry. The only ones he likes are his father, his uncle Michael, Johnny, and me. He doesn't know Soda and Steve and he hates Dallas." Steve and Soda looked up at Kendra.

"He can meet us now!" Soda said, making Kendra jump. Her face lit up when he noticed them.

"Soda! Steve!" she yelled, running to them and hugging them. I chuckled. I looked back at the kitchen just as Darry came out with Toby in his arms.

"C'mon guys, dinner's ready. Everyone is welcome."

"No, I'm going to go see Pony and Johnny." I said. Kendra spoke up.

"Dar, who's mustang is out there?" she asked. I raised a hand.

"Mine." She got a puzzled look on her face.

"No way!"

"Yeap." I nodded, "I had extra money." I said, smiling.

"Wow, you've changed a lot..." she whispered. "What happened to you?" she asked as I made my way to the door. I turned my head to face her.

"I grew up."

–x-X-x–

"Hey, I'm here to see the manager." I said, tapping a man on the shoulder. He turned, took a look at me, and grinned. Then, he froze.

"Two-Bit?"

"Um, yeah?" He was a little shorter than me, dark skin and dark hair, a scar on his cheek and a soft expression. He had big dark eyes, like a puppy dog. A puppy dog? "Wait... Johnnycakes!" I yelled. He grinned.

"Man, Two-Bit! What happened to you? You gotta beard!" he yelled. I sighed.

"Everyone's worked up over the beard... sheesh."

"Sorry, anyways, you need to see Michael?"

"Michael?" I was aghast.

"Ponyboy." he corrected. "Well, he doesn't like to be called 'Ponyboy' anymore. He grew up."

"I guess like me." I muttered.

"I guess. Anyways, I'll go get him." Johnny said, leaving. I leaned on my cane and waited. I looked around. I saw Randy, the Soc, working as a cashier. I hobbled over to him, came behind him, and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and stared at me.

"What?" he hissed. I grinned at him.

"Hey Randy."

"Two-Bit? It that you?" I nodded. His jaw dropped. "What happened to you? You're... rugged. A beard... really short hair. You ain't a greaser no more?" he finally asked. I shook my head.

"You still a Soc?" He shook his head.

"I guess both of us grew out of it. Hey, I haven't seen you in like, five years. Where'd you go?"

"I was in Arizona, working."

"For five years?"

"Nine, I visited every weekend for the first four." I said. We stood there, noticing the changes. I guess if we weren't greasers or Socs anymore, we could get along. I wondered vaguely if the teachers back in highschool were greasers or Socs when they were teens. I saw Johnny from the corner of my eye and said goodbye to Randy. I went back over to Johnny, who was standing with a red-haired man. Red-hair... green eyes.

"Hey, Ponyboy."

"Michael." he corrected, shoving his hands in his pockets. "What do you need me for sir?" I was dumbfounded.

"Damn it, Pony, I thought you'd be glad to see me." I almost hissed. He remained unfazed. "Aren't you?"

"Of course, Keith, I'm just busy." he said. "If there is nothing else..." He nodded to me, then to Johnny, and went back in the back room. I glanced at Johnny, who shrugged.

"Sorry."

"Since when did he get so hard," I asked.

"Since you stopped visiting." Johnny replied, walking away, "Take care, Two-Bit." I sighed, then noticed I was leaning on the cigarette stand. Fine Pony, I thought, grinning as I slipped a couple of packs of Kools in my pocket, I guess we're both hard. I walked out right next to a woman with an over-stuffed cart. The alarm went off, but I kept walking as the security checked the woman's bags. I was out of there before they could pin it on me. I'm still a guy who liked to swipe anything that isn't nailed to the floors. But Pony was now a hard-ass business guy. Fine with me.

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