Guys, I probably won't be updating anytime next week. All of next week is softball try-outs. :D So, if I manage to make the team, my updates will be on weekends only. Maybe the occasional week day update. :)

There weren't many people at the funeral, but that didn't bother the boys any. They were all sort of relieved that the service was low key. The only people that attended were the Curtis boys' grandparents, long lost aunt and uncles, a couple cousins they hardly remembered, a couple handfuls of their parents' friends, and even Two-Bit's mother and kid sister showed up.

Each boy said something about Barbara and Darrel Curtis. Steve and Two-Bit even broke down in tears when it was their turn to speak.

Steve thanked his best friend's parents for allowing him a place to cool off when his father and he got into a fight.

Two-Bit thanked them for everything. From dealing with his crazy antics to putting up with listening to Mickey Mouse every day.

Dallas thanked them for talking him out of doing stupid stuff that'd land him in jail.

Johnny thanked them for helping him find his real family and for allowing him a place for when his other parents were too overwhelming.

Darry, Sodapop, and Ponyboy thanked them for being there. They thanked them for being the greatest damn parents ever.

Despite the sadness that filled the air, it was heartwarming knowing their parents had touched the lives of so many people.

XxXxXxX

So many people had come up to the boys expressing their sorrow. It was too much for them. And they were all happy when it was time to go home.

The ride home was silent. Nobody wanted to speak. It just hurt them all too much. Finally, Soda was through with it. He had enough of the pain filled silence. He slammed his hands down on the dashboard of Darry's truck. The guys jumped in shock.

"What's wrong, Pepsi-Cola?" Darry asked, focusing on the road.

"I'm tired of this silence! Can't we just forget that they're gone, and instead be happy that we got to spend as much time with them that was possible?" he asked. Soda looked at Darry. His eyes were filling with tears. In the back, Steve sniffed.

"I agree," Two-Bit said, wiping the new coming tears. Steve and Dallas nodded their heads.

"Is it agreed?" Soda asked, turning to face his non biological brothers. "We'll know longer be sad that they're gone, but instead, we'll be happy they spent so much time with us?" The group of boys nodded their heads. Everyone wiped their tears and started new. This is what they all needed.

XxXxXxX

"So, when do you leave?" Pony asked, watching Johnny pack up his belongings. Johnny zipped up his backpack and sighed.

"Mom wants to leave tomorrow morning," he answered. "She wants to be home a day before Daniel's birthday."

"His birthday is coming up?" Johnny nodded.

"Yep, he'll be eighteen," he answered, setting his bag on the ground. He leaned it up against the wall. "She'll probably want to leave early tomorrow morning." Ponyboy frowned.

"If I'm still asleep, will you wake me up before you leave?" he asked. Johnny smiled and took a seat next to him on Pony's bed.

"Well of course. I'm not going to leave without saying good-bye. That'd be rude of me," Ponyboy smiled.

"Typical Johnny Cade . . ." Pony started only to be interrupted moments later.

"That's Johnny LaRusso to you," he said, holding his index finger in the air. Ponyboy stared at him blankly.

"Johnny LaRusso," Pony rolled the name around on his tongue. "It sounds so different. I'm not use to it." Johnny gave him a goofy grin.

"Well get use to it 'cause there is no way in hell that I'm becomin' a Cade again," he said. Ponyboy pretended to be hurt.

"Not even for your best friend?" he asked. Johnny's grin disappeared, and he sighed.

"I don't even know. If I had the chance to come back to them . . . I don't know if I'd do it. I love my mom and Daniel, but I really miss you guys," he frowned.

"I'd make sure you stayed with them. They're your family after all," Pony said. Johnny looked at him.

"You're my family too," he replied. Ponyboy tried to impersonate Soda's infamous grin. Johnny laughed and shook his head.

"Just leave the one to Sodapop, Pony," Johnny laughed. Ponyboy only shrugged.

"It was worth a try," he said. Johnny's laughter slowly disappeared, and he soon became quiet again. "You know, you've changed."

"How so?"

"You don't look so nervous and jumpy, and you talk a lot more,"

"Isn't that good?" Johnny asked with confusion. Ponyboy nodded his head.

"Yeah, but I miss the old Johnny,"

"This new last name has really changed me," Johnny joked. Pony couldn't help but smile.

"You crack a lot more jokes. I like the new Johnny,"

"Good because he's here to stay," Ponyboy got up from his bed.

"Should we go bother the older boys like old times?" he asked. Johnny nodded his head, and they headed into the living room.

XxXxXxX

Johnny woke Ponyboy up the next morning, just like he promised. They both decided to wake up the other guys, so that they could say good-bye to Johnny too. Steve nearly ripped Pony's head off, but when he realized the reasoning, he shot up quickly.

The boys all walked Johnny outside to Lucille who was waiting in the old station wagon. Two-Bit was the first to say good-bye. He held Johnny tightly and didn't let go until the other guys pulled him off. Steve gave him a quick hug, and Soda gave him a long hug too, but it wasn't nearly as long as Two-Bit's. Dallas hugged Johnny and ruffled his hair a bit, and Darry copied Steve's action. Last was Ponyboy. The two stared at each other like they were just meeting.

"Do something, kid!" Steve shouted from the porch. They both leaned in and hugged each other tightly.

"I'm going to miss you, Johnnycake," Pony said. Tears began to form in his eyes, but Johnny smiled.

"I'll be back before you know it, and I promise I'll stay longer," Johnny replied, pulling away. "Don't cry. I'll call you in a couple days. Whenever stuff starts slowing down." He opened the door and got into the car.

"Bye, Johnnycake," Pony said, waving. Johnny waved back.

"Bye, everyone," he called to the boys.

"See you soon," they answered. Lucille pulled away from the curb, and Johnny watched them disappear. He was going to miss Tulsa, but a part of him was excited to get back to Reseda.

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