Ponyboy's POV

It was the day after the rumble, that Darry told me they were heading home. All last night, I stayed up thinking the hardest I ever had. Should I go home or stay in New York? My gang needed me, but so did my brothers. It was a very hard choice, but I remember what Sodapop looked like that night I arrived home. He was the happiest I had ever seen him. Then that time I told them all that I wasn't going to stay, Soda looked crushed. I couldn't do that to Soda. Not again. Darry looked devastated that day, too. I hate making my brothers sad. I cant do it again. Look at me, I'm a big softie.

I walked down stairs to the clearing, where my gang was, and my boys back home. I was going to tell them. They were laughing and talking to each other, having a good time. I was glad that they got along. I wasn't sure if they would like each other, but it seems they have.

My gang looked up as I walking into the clearing. I plopped down on the old couch, and everything went quiet. Usually, in the morning I would tell my gang what to do for the day. Today was different. I could tell that they were confused. I glanced at them. My brothers were looking around at us confused, as well as Two-Bit and Steve. They still didn't understand how my gang worked.

Dean spoke up. "So, what's the order today, Runaway?" he asked.

I looked at him. "Ain't gonna order ya guys around today, Dean." I said.

They looked at me confused. Jay spoke next. "But you tell us what to do everyday! What are ya talking about, Runaway?" he asked loudly.

I looked at all of them. "I'm renouncing my leadership." I declared.

All of them gasped. My brothers, as well as Steve and Two-Bit looked lost. Chris stepped forward. "What! Why!" he asked in disbelief.

I looked at my brothers then. "I'm goin home." I said.

Sodapop and Darry smiled. My gang looked shocked.

"…I understand." Chris said quietly. Everyone craned their neck to look at him.

I smiled. "Thanks, Chris. I knew ya would."

"But who's gonna be leader?" Eric asked. Everyone looked at him in surprise. Eric barely ever talked.

"Well, I was up all last night thinkin 'bout that." I said.

Everyone looked at me, expecting to hear me announce the next leader. I pulled out my switchblade and started examining it. "I choose, Jay." I finally said, after a long pause.

Jay stumbled back. "W-what!" he choked out.

I chuckled. "That's how I felt when yer brother told me." I laughed. My brothers looked surprised. They didn't know that Jay's brother was the leader before me, the one that made me leader.

"Your choosing me to be leader?" Jay asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. I know yer the best choice. You have everything that a good leader should. You have common sense, you think before you act, ya have courage, yer clever, and ya have a screwed up life." I told him.

Everyone looked at me in shock, but I continued. "I finally understand why Michael picked me… but now its time for yer chance Jay. Ya could make yer life or brake yer life. Its all up to you." I said.

Everyone looked at me, with mixed expressions. The gang don't usually hear me talk like this. All wise, and stuff. But this is just speaking my mind. I couldn't help it if I tried.

I looked at Jay, awaiting his answer. He looked back at me, a determined look in his eyes. "I'll do it." he said.

I looked at Jay with approval. "Ya'll be good to Jay." I told my "old" gang. "He's gonna do good, I know it." I finished.

I got up to stand beside my brothers. Soda hugged me.

"Yeah!" Sodapop yelled in joy. "We got our brother back, dar!" he hollered out.

"We sure do." Darry said, patting my back.

Two-Bit hopped over to me. "Whoo-hoo! The lost Curtis brother is back!" he yelled, my "old" gang laughed.

It was Steve's turn. "Dammit! The kid has to ruin everything." he muttered. Soda shot Steve a glare, and Steve shut up.

I laughed. "Don't worry, Stevie! I'll only torture ya half the day!" I shouted gleefully. Everyone burst out in laughter, except Steve, who gave me a dirty look.

"Okay. Lets beat it outta here. I'm missin my baby." I said.

Sodapop looked at me confused. "Huh?" he asked.

"My motorcycle! Come on! I gotta get back there, so she don't get lonely." I said. This made him laugh.

"Okay, Pone. Lets go." Darry said.

Chris came up to me. "You better visit, Ponyboy. Or I'm gonna beat the shit out of you." he grinned.

"We all will." Jay piped in.

I grinned. "Don't worry, guys. I promise I'll come up and see my boys." I said.

They grinned. "See ya later, Runaway." Dean said.

Danny ran up to me. "Do you have to go, Runaway?" Danny asked.

I looked at the kid. I know he looked up to me. I was like the kids idol. Everyone knew it, too. "Danny, ya know I do. Ya have to be strong kid. I'll see ya again, I promise." I told him.

Danny had tears in his eyes. He hugged me, and I allowed myself to hug him back. "But I don't want ya to go, Runaway." he sobbed.

I pulled him back and looked in his eyes. "Danny, I know ya don't, but yer gonna be fine, kid. I'll come up to visit. If ya get in any trouble, I'll come up here and kick the tar outta ya. Ya got it?" I say.

Danny smiled. "Okay. I'm gonna miss you." he said.

"I'll miss ya too, kid." I said.

Jay came up and looked into my eyes. "Are you sure about this?" he asked.

I looked back at him. "About you being leader? Yes. About me going home. No. but I have to do it. I know I have to." I told him truthfully.

Jay smiled. "You have more guts then anyone I've ever met, Ponyboy. See ya soon." he patted me on the back and walked back to his gang.

I turned to all of them. "See ya guys." I said my farewells.

Me, my brothers, Steve and Two-Bit all walked out of there, knowing we had a long journey ahead of us.

A long journey back home.

AN: Not the last chapter! This story has a lot more to come, and then I'm making a sequel! ;D So, I'll take request's! I might need some.

More updates, yet to come!

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