~I do not own The Outsiders~

"And what do you think you'd understand?
I'm a boy, no, I'm a man.
You can't take me and throw me away.
And how can you learn what's never shown?
Yeah, you stand here on your own.
They don't know me 'cause I'm not here."

At night, Sodapop got out of the shower walking to his room to change. Steve was going out on a date with some girl he recently met. Evie had broken up with him a year ago leaving him scarred, not as much as Soda with Sandy or who knows, maybe Steve can hide his emotions well enough to not let show off any signs of being sad. While dating Evie he had said that he didn't want to fall in love knowing he could get hurt in the end. Soda knows that his friend was heartbroken it's just that Steve wouldn't let his sentimental side be exposed.

Twobit was at a party probably getting boozed up. Even after graduation alcohol was one thing he wouldn't get rid of.

Putting on a worn out shirt he heard the door open, it was Ponyboy. The sound of his backpack dropping on the floor was coming from the living room, footsteps heading to the bathroom. He smiled going to the kitchen for some juice. A couple of minutes later Pony appeared, he greeted Soda sitting down in the kitchen with a worn out look on his face. Soda shot him a concerned look, "What's up with you Pone? You don't look too hot."

His brother sighed rubbing his eyes yawning, "Tired that's all. Lucky for me it's Friday. Good thing I ain't going out tonight, maybe tomorrow."

Soda joined him at the table serving Pony a glass of juice to wake him up some more, "Oh yeah? Where to?"

"Um, my buddy Benjamin and I want to go to the movies then maybe hang out at the Dingo."

At that moment Darry entered with a folder in his hand, he overheard Pony talking.
"The Dingo? I'm not so sure Pone."

"But Darry, I need a break too! I barely go out as it is!"

Darry shook his head taking off his jacket, "I don't think so little man, you told me you had exams coming up. It'd be better if you stayed to study."

Pony gave him an exasperated look, "Those are next week! C'mon Dar!"

Sodapop piped in, "He'll study Dar, give him a chance."

Darry gave them a stern look, " I said no... I'm going to take a shower."

Ponyboy frowned getting up from the table, I can't believe him! I study way too hard! Geez! Sodapop pursed his lips trying to think of something to say. It was clear that both Darry and Pony would be mad at each other the next day meaning the day would get tense. So he put an arm around his shoulder, "Awe, don't be like that. You know he does it for his own good."

Pony rolled his eyes, "Yeah well it's killing me. I study a lot Soda! I get straight A's! What else does he want from me? Golly..."

"Ya gotta understand, Darry wants what's best for you. I want what's best for you. And anyway, you know getting into college is very important. Brighten up, honey!" He ruffled his hair going to the couch.

"But I think I'm old enough already to know what I'm doing." Pony murmured under his breath.

Pony was 16 going on 17 in July. Maybe he wasn't that old but he was mature for his age. Actions speak louder than words and he showed it by doing very good at school, not getting into trouble. Yeah, some Socs would try to jump him luckily there was always a helping hand. Twobit, Soda, Steve and Darry stood up for him when they could. The young Curtis felt frustrated at his older brothers, they still treated him like a little boy. I'm older, I think differently than I did two years ago! Almost three... Johnny and Dally's deaths left a deep emotional scar, he lived with regrets by making some bad decisions. What kept him sane was Johnny's last words in the letter he had written for him before dying. "Listen,I don't mind dying was worth it. It was worth saving those lives are worth more than mine,they have more to live for." Which is why he now made more thoughtful decisions, why he matured more than he was supposed to.

Darry came out of the bathroom, he stared at Pony who was sitting on the couch for a second then he went to his bedroom shaking his head. Sodapop sighed turning on the television. Ponyboy picked up his backpack going into his room to do his homework. He sat down on the floor grabbing some textbooks, notebooks and pens. Biting on to his pencil he worked on some math problems. After that, some history questions and finally a small summary of a chapter he had read from a book in English class. It took him an hour to finish, he heard some lower voices speaking in the living room. The television was on but he heard, it was Soda speaking in a low voice with Darry. Probably talking 'bout me.

It was true, Soda was telling Darry to quit being such an ass with Pony, of course, in much lighter words. Pony frowned, Yeah so Darry wants me to keep being a 'good boy' but man, he takes it too far. I'm doing swell. Why can't he see that? He's acting the same way like...well...Before Johnny and... He shook his head smearing his hand into his forehead, he knew taking care of two younger brothers was a huge responsibility, a life changing decision. He also knew that Darry had to grow up quickly, not physical but mentally and emotionally. His oldest brother was strong in so many ways, he learned things that nobody had taught him like working roughly, managing money, taking care of two boys, that kind of stuff. Pony admired him a lot for it. Also thankful, if it weren't for him I'd be in a boys home...Soda too...Darry was a very good man, But he also makes mistakes, like the one he did back then by hitting me and the one he is making now. I ain't no baby and he can't keep me treating me like one all the time breathing down my neck!

The next day Steve along with Twobit stopped by, Soda was making dinner, Darry was at work. Pony was on the porch smoking irritated that he didn't get to go out. Benjamin had called him a an hour ago, "Can't go Ben, some things...came up. Maybe another time." His friend didn't mind, he would go out with some else. At least he's having fun, I'm stuck in here with Tweddle dee and Tweddle dum. (Referring to Steve and Twobit.) Soda hollered for him, "Dinner's ready!"

Pony threw his cigarette, he made sure it burned out, still paranoid from the church's fire. I just know it was a cigarette that caused of all it. Inside, the table had plates that had a questionable looking piece of chicken with smashed potatoes on the side. Steve poked at it with a fork making a face, "Is this even edible?"

Twobit shrugged already stuffing his mouth, "Don't know but this tastes good," Munch munch, "Mmmm!"

Ponyboy dully looked at his food taking small bites out of it, Soda faked offense, "Excuse me Steve? Just look at it! It's delicious! How 'bout it Pone?"

"Sure." Pony said.

Steve smirked, "Aaawe little kid mad that he didn't get what he want? Hah!"

Twobit still stuffed with food raised his eyebrow, "Ya leave him alone! Baby Curtis doesn't need any," Gulp, "-nobody to make fun of him! Got your back Pone!"

"I ain't no baby!" Pony snapped.

Soda shut them up, "Ok ok, just eat already!"

Steve snickered, "You act like such a sissy. kid, calm down. God..."

Pony stood up from the table taking his plate to the sink almost throwing it, "Shut up Steve!"

"Honey calm down please," It was Soda.

"Stop calling me names like that! Jesus, I'll wash the damned plates later."

The middle Curtis was taken aback, that had hurt him a little. His baby brother was everything to him and for Pone to say that, it provoked a cold sting in his heart. Twobit chewed on a toothpick wondering why there was so much bickering, Steve grimaced watching Soda go after Pony. That kid is such a brat, can't he grow up? God, what the hell is wrong with him?

Ponyboy folded his arms waiting for what Soda had to say, Oh this better be good. Sodapop took a second to think this out, he bit his bottom lip not knowing exactly how to say what he thought or felt. "Hon-Pony...I-Just take it easy. I mean, it's ok to let out..what you're feeling. At your age it's normal to get all...Rebellious. I understand, but just calm down ok buddy? You savvy?"

Rebellious?! He thinks I'm rebel-Are you freaking kidding me?! Out of all the people I'd think you'd really understand! But not even you! He really wanted to spit it out, say what he was thinking to Soda, instead he kept it all in not wanting to make this a bigger deal. Taking a deep breath Pony forced a smile, "I savvy you."

Soda grinned feeling some relief, "C'mon then, want some more chicken?"

Monday morning arrived, the young Greaser was still frustrated at everyone. He noticed that nobody was home as he walked through the house, there was a small note on the kitchen table with Darry's hand writing, Hurry up for school, be careful, Twobit isn't picking you up and Steve is with Soda they had to go to at the DX. Money for lunch is on the coffee table, come home early.

"Well this is just great."

After taking a quick shower, eating breakfast and getting into his normal clothes putting on his jacket, Ponyboy stepped outside feeling the cold wind hit his face. The coolness felt good against his skin totally waking him up, Refreshing. He made his way towards school, the stress began to take over him again. The homework, the grades, the tests, college! The school building was appearing before his eyes, he took a deep breath. Another day had begun, things had changed drastically so suddenly that year. Darry wasn't making it easier or the rest of his friends. They thought he had it easy, had it made since he was going to college soon. They though Pony was ok, was actually fine, happy.

They can think many things about me... but they don't know me. They know nothing.

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

~ :)