AN: Reviews! Please leave a review! I really need them. Sorry if some chapters are short. I'll try to make longer ones. Thanx!

Sodapop's POV

When I woke up, it was all quiet. That's never a good thing in our home. I noticed Ponyboy wasn't asleep next to me anymore. I quickly got up and left our room, in search of my little brother.

"Ponyboy?" I call out.

When I get to the kitchen I notice my breakfast is made and set at the table. I sit down and pick up the note next to the jelly.

Soda,

Went for a walk. Will be back soon.

P.C.

I felt relief wash over me. I hate not knowing where he went, but at least he left me a note. I reach over for the jelly and plop a huge spoonful over my eggs. I love to have lots of sugar for breakfast! I finished my eggs, but I was still hungry so I dug in the ice box until I found the last of the chocolate cake. I'll have to make some more tonight. I thought as the front door creeks open, and then slams shut.

I look up as Pony crosses the room. "Hey, Pone!" I greet him. "Where'd ya go?"

He looks at me, and for a moment I think I see something flash in his eyes, but it fades just as fast. "I was at the lot." He states plain and simple.

I nod. He looks… uncertain? Guilty? Sad? I give him a concerned look. "What's wrong, pone?"

He gives me a fake smile. "Nothin'. Just thinkin'." He said.

I was growing more curious by the second. "'Bout what?" I ask, pushing him a little.

He looks down, and I know I asked the wrong thing so I quickly change the topic of the conversation. "Ya goin' out today?"

He looks back up again, but pauses, obviously in thought. I hope he says yes. He's been bumming around the house all week and it's been worrying me and Darry. After a few moments, I see something that I haven't seen since Dally and Johnny died. In his eyes, I see some life. He didn't have those dead eyes anymore. Although, these eyes aren't fully like they used to be, it's a start.

Ponyboy's POV

"Ya goin' out today?" My brother, Sodapop, asked.

I look up, ready to tell him probably not, but I paused. I'm not gonna find a way to get to New York while I'm in this hell hole. I think. And then I actually feel excited. It's a strange feeling, since I haven't felt anything close to happiness in a while. I'm excited to go to New York. But deep down I also feel fear. Fear of being away from my brothers. Being far away from my brothers. I know that I want to do this. This might help me. Help me in more ways than one. I decide that I'll go out and try to sort out all my thoughts on this, and find a way to get there.

I nod my head yes. My brother grins one of his goofy grins, and this time I smile back. A real smile.

"Well, it's about time!" He yells joyfully. "Where ya gonna go?"

I shrug. "Don't know. Take a walk 'round town. I'll find somethin' to do."

"Okay, kiddo, I gotta get to work. I'll be home at 4." He tells me, and I nod in response.

After he leaves, I pull on my shoes and leave as well. I start walking in the direction that leads downtown, purposely avoiding the park and its now bad memories. I was passing by the movie house when I noticed a big bus driving down the street. I see the bus all the time but never really paid any attention to it. But it caught my full attention this time. For the first time ever, I realize it's a Greyhound. A Greyhound! I could ride the Greyhound to New York! I follow it as best I could until it passes through socs territory. Damn it! How could I use it now? The station must be on the soc side of town.

I stand there like an idiot for a couple minutes, thinking over all my possibilities. I finally come up with something. I'll sneak out tonight when my brothers are all asleep, and then pass by soc territory. It'll be dark so I could stay close to the ally's and hopefully won't be jumped. I bring my switchblade everywhere with me, so I'll have some protection. Wow. I didn't expect to find transportation so fast. But I won't be leaving yet… I have to find out the bus schedule, and how much it'll cost to get all the way to New York. I guess saving my money does come in handy. I've been saving money since I was ten, because mom always said I would need it one day. Almost any spare change or dollar I got I would put it in the jar on my nightstand. But once in a while I would take out some for a treat. I guess mom was right.

I started home, but came face to face with two socs. Great, I thought sarcastically, more fun with my favorite people.

"Hey grease. Your mighty close to our territory." He drawls. I recognize Ken and Jeff from my high school. Shit. Now there pickin on me outside of school. I felt eerily calm like the day at the grocery store when those socs pulled up in their car. I felt nothing that day. Just zero. That's exactly how I feel now.

"Yep. It looks that way." I agree. They seem to be taken aback by my calmness.

"We don't need no greasers near our turf." Ken threats. Big deal. I pull out my blade and hold it in a loose but firm grip.

"I reckon ya don't. But if ya don't want to get sliced to ribbons I suggest you back off. Now." I say, surprised at my own words. The two socs looked surprised as well. They both took a step back as I took a step toward them. "I mean it. I'm not in the mood for this." I smirk, as they quickly walk away.

I start my walk home. It's already high in the afternoon, by the looks of it. Soda should be home soon. I quicken my pace as I look at a clock in a nearby store. I still had that smirk on my face and I felt great.