Chapter 14

Back at the Curtis house, as soon as Pony had disappeared out of sight, Darry pushed Soda inside.

"Why would you say that to your kid brother? I don't care how mad you are Sodapop, but you don't go telling him he ain't welcome in this house!" Darry shouted.

"Maybe he's just hanging out with friends?" Soda suggested, still angry at his brother, though unable to hide his concern.

"I hope so little buddy. We'll wait a few hours tops then call around and look for him."

A few hours later, Steve flung open the fly screen door, waltzing into the Curtis home.

Darry was hunched over in his chair, anxiously waiting a phone call for news on Ponyboy.

Darry shot up from his chair as the door opened, hoping it was his younger brother.

Darry grunted when he saw Steve enter and began pacing back and forth.

"Well hi to you too, Superman," Steve smarted.

"Shut up Randle; it ain't no time for your dumb-minded mouth!" Darry snapped.

Steve rolled his eyes and turned to Soda.

"What's up with that?"

"Darry's stressed because Pony ran off after I yelled at him for spreading lies about Sandy," Soda replied.

"That kid's just being a brat and a baby," Soda stated the same words Steve had used all too often.

"What's he saying?" Steve questioned.

Soda tossed a crumpled up piece of paper into the air and caught it.

"Saying Sandy's cheatin' on me with some jock."

Steve shook his head.

"Shoot Soda that ain't no lie. That's what I came over to tell ya. When I was driving Evie home, I saw Sandy with some no-good grease and they looked mighty cozy," Steve explained.

Soda shot up from lying down on the couch; his eyes widening. If Steve had seen it too then Pony wasn't making it up just to ruin his relationship.

Soda felt a twist in his stomach. He'd said such nasty words; they had just come out of his mouth. What if Pony never came back?

"Darry, Ponyboy was right; Steve just said the same thing. What if Pony doesn't come back; it's all my fault," Soda said sadly.

Darry sighed, and tried to remain strong; hoping himself that Pony was not lying in a ditch hurt somewhere.

Darry hugged the now distraught Soda.

"It's not your fault Pepsi-Cola, he'll come home and we'll find him and when he does I'll give him a good talking to for running off and scaring us," Darry informed.

Soda nodded against Darry's chest.

Steve watched the brother's hug.

"Hey, I can drive around town and look around for him."

Darry nodded. "That would be helpful and get the gang to help too."

"Yep, sure thing superman," Steve replied and left.

"I'll never forgive myself if he's hurt, Darry." Soda was sobbing now.

"Don't go saying that Sodapop, let's just see what happens."

Pony shifted his tensed up body and opened his eyes as the daylight shone down upon him. He didn't remember falling asleep but he did remember hanging out with Johnny.

Pony shifted and found that his exposed arms were now covered by a rough jean jacket.

"Johnny?" Pony called.

"Morning, Pony. I've been up for a while; couldn't sleep so thought I'd let you sleep."

Pony sat up and kept Johnny's jacket around him.

"Why'd you give me your jacket?" Pony asked drowsily.

"You was cold and shivering last night. I didn't need it; I'm tuff."

Pony nodded and stood beside his friend as they both lit up their last cigarette.

As the teens took in the morning daylight they noticed a familiar car coming towards them.

"Hey that's Dal's car right?" Pony asked.

"Yeah, what's he doing round here this time of the morning?" Johnny questioned.

Dally pulled up near the two boys, with a deep frown on his face.

"Hey Dal: what you doing here?" Johnny asked.

"Cut the small talk Johnnycake," Dally brushed off.

"What the heck you two kids playing at? Shoot Ponyboy, you got Soda and Darry looking all over town for ya!"

Pony turned away shivering.

"They don't care that I'm gone, the wanted me gone!" Pony said, feeling the hurt inside him fester to the surface again.

Dally shook his head angrily.

"If I wasn't so tired right now kid I'd get out of this car and knock some sense into you! I wish I had brothers who looked after me as much as Soda and Darry do for you. They're worried out of their minds about you, so you telling me they don't care? Think smart Ponyboy, take advantage of how good you got it. Me I live on the streets and have to fight for myself; your brothers do that for you!" Dally lectured.

"Your big bro was so worried about ya he was ready to call the fuzz," Dally added.

Dally then turned to Johnny.

"Johnnycakes I thought you knew better; Darry and Soda ain't never liked their kid brother out at night and it's dangerous for you too," Dally admonished.

Johnny hung his head, ashamed of being told off by his buddy.

"Sorry Dally, Pony just needed a friend." Dally softened seeing Johnny's sad face.

"Shoot Johnnycakes don't look like that. I get you were trying to help Pony but it just doesn't work that way sometimes. Come on Ponyboy, I'm gonna take you home."

Johnny and Pony hopped into Dally's car.

"I reckon you kids are hungry after sleeping out here all night."

Pony and Johnny looked at each other.

"Yeah, we're starvin' Dal," Johnny answered.

"Can we get something before we go home?" Pony asked.

Dally drove towards the Dairy Queen and grabbed some burgers for the teens.

"So Dally was Soda and Darry really worried about me?" Pony asked.

"Heck Ponyboy Curtis, I thought we went through this, you got to get it into your head. When Darry and Soda came a knockin' this morning, I ain't never seen such worried faces."

Dally's words gave Pony much relief as the teen smiled, munching on his burger. Johnny nudged his friend in encouragement as he too munched on his burger.

"Alright kids, let's get a move on!" Dally announced.

Dally pulled up outside the Curtis house and Darry's truck was nowhere in sight.

"Darry's not here," Pony whispered to Johnny.

Dally however heard every word Pony had said.

"He's probably out looking for you kid. Now you go and get back in there, 'fore your brother's have heart failure or somethin' thinking ya dead!" Dally ordered, pointing towards the house.

"Thanks for the burgers Dally," Pony said quietly.

"Eh, just hurry up and make right with ya brother's would ya. I'm missing out on some alone time with Sylvia to have come find you kids."

Pony gave Johnny a smile.

"Thanks again for last night Johnny."

"No problems Ponyboy," Johnny answered.

Pony stepped out of the car and looked nervously towards his house.

"You don't think they'd have gone to the cops already do ya?" Dally rolled his eyes.

"I'm sure they didn't Pony, they know how much it would jeopardize you living with them and going to a boy's home; 'sides Two-Bit's car is here," Johnny reassured.

Pony nodded and made his way through the gate.

"See ya later kid!" Dally called as he drove off.

When Pony had made his way inside he was greeted with a tight squeezing hug around his middle by none other than the jokester, Two-Bit.

"Glory kid, thought you was dead and gone," Two-Bit exaggerated.

"What on earth you thinkin' Ponyboy?" Two-Bit questioned in a much sterner tone than Pony was used to from the older greaser.

Two-Bit released his hold on Ponyboy, allowing the teen to catch his breath again.

"Where's Darry and Soda?" Pony asked.

"Gosh kid, they're out looking for you!" Two-Bit exclaimed, slapping Pony on the chest.

"Scared them mighty awful," Two-Bit added.

Pony felt a sinking feeling in his stomach over how much he had worried his brothers.

Just in the next following second the boys heard the chugging of Darry's truck pull up outside. Despite everything that had happened the night before, Pony was anxious to see his brother's again: never liking to be separated from them too long, no matter how mad he was.

"I don't know where he is Sodapop, but we'll find him," Darry assured, as the brother's made their way back towards the house.

Little did Soda know that Darry's reassurances were only a mask: to hide his true worry over his missing kid brother.

Soda suddenly stopped along the path.

"I was so mean to him Darry. How could I have said he wasn't wanted? I love him Darry and I want Ponyboy back home," Soda said; beginning to sob.

Darry went back to stand beside Soda and wrapped a comforting hand around his shoulder.

"It'll be alright little buddy. We won't stop searching until we find him; I ain't giving up yet," Darry said in sheer determination.

Pony heard the voices of his brother's outside and rushed to swing open the fly screen.

"Darry, Soda!" Pony yelled.

Darry and Soda flicked their heads up at the sound of their brother's voice.

Darry stormed up the porch steps with a deep and angry frown on his face.

"Ponyboy Curtis! Where have you been?!" Darry bellowed; his worry coming out as anger.

Darry pulled Pony into a rough hug.

"You don't ever run off on Soda and I like that again, little man!" Darry affirmed.

Pony nodded his head as he rested against Darry's chest.

"Oh Pony I'm so sorry for the things I said to you. Steve told me the same thing about Sandy that you did; I should have believed you Ponyboy," Soda exclaimed, hugging his little brother.

Pony felt comforted wrapped in the arms of both his brothers. So they did care after all.

"I'm sorry for the way I've been acting and everything I've done," Pony apologized.

"You scared us half to death, Ponyboy; we were so worried about you!" Soda admitted.

Pony smiled and looked up at both his brothers.

"I'm sorry I scared you both," Pony said sheepishly.

"We couldn't think of home without ya, Ponyboy," Soda beamed.

"You mean that; you both really want me here?" Pony questioned.

"Too right, little man. Wouldn't trade you for the world, Ponyboy," Darry confirmed proudly.

Pony squeezed his oldest brother tight, while gripping a piece of Soda's shirt in his hands, allowing tears to fall.

"Aw ain't that sweet," Two-Bit cooed.

Darry pulled away from the hug.

"Mind your own business Two-Bit," Darry commented.

"Hey, I was just sayin'," Two-Bit shrugged.

Soda slung his arm around Pony's shoulder; his face now full of glee to have his little brother home.

Both boys wiped the tears from their eyes.

"So where'd ya go, Ponyboy?" Soda asked.

"I called up Johnny and we hung out at the lot, then Dally found us and brought me home," Pony answered.

Darry frowned and looked towards Pony.

"Ponyboy you know I don't like you hanging around at the lot or in town at night; what if something serious could have happened to you. Kids get jumped all the time Ponyboy, you know that, and hanging around unsafe all night put you and Johnny at risk," Darry scolded in his stern voice.

Pony looked down at the floor.

"I'm sorry Darry, I just didn't think you guys wanted me here," Pony mumbled.

Soda chuckled and ruffled Pony's hair.

"Darry always says you don't use your head when it matters."

Pony ducked out of Soda's reach.

"Now the family Curtis' are back together, I say we celebrate with some fresh cake!" Two-Bit cheered.

"I'm sorry about Sandy, Soda. I know she made ya happy. What are you going to do?" Pony asked.

Soda shrugged, "Guess I have to break it off with her for real this time."

"I think you'd be making a wise choice there, little buddy," Darry commented.

Soda smiled and pulled Pony into his side.

"What you saying that for Ponyboy; making me happy? What makes me happy is having my little brother with me. Ain't no girl gonna get between us no-more Ponyboy," Soda exclaimed.

"I promise!" Soda ended triumphantly.

Pony wrapped his arm around Soda's waist, having learned a valuable lesson about his brothers: even though they could get mad at him or be a little misunderstood, Pony could rely on one thing, and that was the never-ending love of his brothers.

"I want the biggest slice!" Two-Bit called from the kitchen.

"You'll get the slice I give ya!" Darry called back at Two-Bit.

Soda and Pony gave a laugh and joined the two in the kitchen.

"I think Pony should get the biggest slice, seeing as he was gone all night and we need to show him how much we love him!" Soda announced.

Pony put a hand to his stomach; he was still full from the burgers that morning.

"No thanks. Dally bought Johnny and me some burgers for breakfast and I'm stuffed," Pony told.

Darry raised his eyebrow.

"Burgers for breakfast isn't very nutritional."

"Why? Has eggs, bacon, bread and some other stuff," Soda commented.

Darry shook his head, "It's not the same Sodapop."

Soda smiled cheerfully and sat down at the kitchen table with his piece of cake.

The boys heard the slam of the fly-screen and Darry groaned; that meant it was either Dally in a bad mood or Steve.

"Hi: everybody!" Steve yelled.

"Hey, Steve, we're in the kitchen having cake!" Soda called out; crumbs spitting onto the table.

"Soda, don't talk with your mouth full," Darry scolded.

"What?" Soda shrugged.

Steve noticed Pony standing in the kitchen.

"Heard you'd been found kid; Dally and Johnny stopped by the DX a while ago," Steve said.

Pony nodded.

Darry handed Steve a slice of cake and the man hungrily gobbled it down.

The following day, Soda did as planned and broke his relationship off with Sandy; having no regrets and leaving the young teen shocked but with little emotion. Soda was more determined to keep his relationship with his brother than get worked up over some girl, for he had learnt that his family would always be there for him, but a girlfriend may not.

Soda decided to take Pony to the drag races that afternoon after coming back from Sandy's place, where they were joined by Steve, Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny; Darry choosing to remain at home, despite the nagging of his little brothers, explaining that 'bills were not going to pay themselves while he had fun'.

Pony and Soda had rolled their eyes at their big brother's statement before heading out together, cheering.

As the boys all watched the races, cheering and whooping; spilling beer and fizzy drinks, Pony glanced around him and smiled: it was a wonderful feeling having them all hanging out as a gang again, and most importantly he had his brother back.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Thank you all so much for supporting this story; those who marked this story as a favourite, those who followed, those who read, and of course those who left reviews. I have appreciated every moment.

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