Well, it's 12:30 in the morning, and I'm stuck erasing my phone and starting over. While I wait for this to complete, I've decided to update this story. I didn't realize how long it's been, so my apologies for the wait.

I hope you like this chapter. When you get done reading, please review.

The whole gang sat around the living room in silence. The events of yesterday were fresh. None of the guys could believe they were gone. Why did it have to be them? Why did they have to be gone?

"I don't like the silence," Two-Bit said sadly. "I want things to go back to normal." Even Dallas seemed depressed. That wasn't usual for him. Darry rubbed his temples and sighed.

"I don't like it either, Two-Bit," Darry answered. Ponyboy wiped his eyes and leaned into Sodapop. Soda wrapped his arm around him and sighed.

Teenagers shouldn't deal with this stuff.

All of them jumped when they heard someone knock at the door. They weren't use to it. Everyone normally entered without knocking. The group glanced at each other. Last time someone knocked, the person ended up giving them some bad news. Did they really want to risk it?

Everyone continued to look at one another. Darry shook his head and sighed before standing up.

"You sure you want to do that Darry? Whoever is there will leave eventually," Soda said.

"I don't want to," he responded. He turned the knob and pulled the door open. Immediately his mouth hit the ground, and his eyes were wide. Ponyboy pulled away from Soda and sat up.

"Darry, what's wrong?" Darry pushed the screen door open quickly and stepped outside. Nobody moved; instead, they watched to see what happened.

Johnny stepped onto the old familiar porch. It felt right being here. He never thought he'd say it, but he actually missed this place. Johnny walked up to the door, and for the first time, he knocked on the door.

It'd be the wonderful surprise.

He heard shuffling from inside, but it was taking a while for them to answer. Johnny was starting to grow impatient. He wanted to see his friends again, and the fact that they had no idea he was there was even better.

Finally the door opened to reveal Darry. He looked awfully upset, but when his eyes met Johnny's, his eyes widened, and his jaw hit the ground.

"Darry, what's wrong?" he recognized the voice as Pony's. Darry came outside and wrapped Johnny up in a tight hug. Johnny smiled and hugged him back. He couldn't wait to see the other boys' reactions.

Darry released him and looked at him happily. He opened the screen door and pushed Johnny inside. The gang's reaction was similar to that of Darry's. Their jaws hit the floor.

Everyone jumped up from their seats and wrapped Johnny up in a bear hug. He didn't know they missed him that much. Johnny smiled and waited for them to release him.

"What are you doing here, man?" Dallas asked happily.

"I asked my ma to drive me here. We left as soon as Pony called yesterday," Johnny explained.

"How long are you here for?" Pony asked smiling. For once, everyone forgot about the heartbreak. They were just happy to have their kid brother back. Even if it was for a little bit.

"Well, we have to be home by 18th," he answered, taking a seat next to Ponyboy. "So, I'm guessing my mom will leave shortly after the . . . the funeral." Pony wrapped his arms and hugged his best friend tightly.

"As long as you're here," Pony said. "Will you stay the night?" Johnny shrugged his shoulders.

"I dunno. I'll ask my ma," he smiled.

"Can we all stay the night, Darry?" Steve asked. Darry looked around the room but slowly nodded.

"Yes, you guys can all stay the night," he replied. Ponyboy pulled away with an even bigger smile on his face.

"It's going to be just like old times,"

XxXxXxX

Darry invited Mrs. LaRusso over for dinner. While those two made dinner, the other boys horsed around. Darry didn't mind. He was glad everyone wasn't depressed for once. He really missed this atmosphere. As much as he thought he'd never say it.

"I'm really sorry to hear about what happened to your parents," Lucille said, stirring the noodles. Darry shrugged.

"It's going to be hard to adjust, but with the help of the boys, I think we'll make it all right," he answered. "Thanks for driving all the way to bring Johnny here. It means a lot to all of us. He made this whole thing a lot easier." Lucille smiled.

"It's the least I could do,"

"So, where's your oldest?" Darry asked, mixing together his mother's famous sauce recipe.

"He stayed in Reseda. He's been training for a karate tournament," Lucille explained.

"He's in karate?" Lucille sighed.

"Actually, he's been getting bullied, so our maintenance man is training him. He's from Japan, and his father taught him . . ." Lucille trailed off. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling." She laughed. Darry laughed too.

"Don't worry about it; it was actually interesting," he answered. "Do you guys have a place to stay? The boys were wantin' Johnny to stay the night, and if you guys don't have a place, feel free to stay here too." Lucille shook her head.

"Oh no, I couldn't," Darry looked at her.

"Come on, it's the least I could do. After all, you did bring him out here. You don't need to waste money on a crappy motel," Darry insisted. Lucille sighed and nodded her head.

"If you don't think it's too much. I really appreciate this, Darry," Lucille smiled, dumping the water into the sink

XxXxXxX

Ponyboy and Johnny slipped off to Pony's room. He was telling Johnny everything that had happened while he was gone. When he reached the part about his parents, tears started forming in his eyes.

"They went out for their anniversary," Pony said, wiping his eyes. Johnny gripped his shoulder and forced a smile.

"You can stop there," he told him softly. Pony forced a smile too.

"Thanks, Johnny. I'm really glad you're back," Johnny nodded his head.

"It's real nice to be back," Johnny laughed. "I never thought I'd miss this town." Pony looked around his room.

"So," he looked at Johnny. "What's California like?" Johnny met eyes with him.

"It's real nice . . ." he started.

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