I've returned. THERE IS SOME VIOLENCE IN THIS CHAPTER AT THE END; YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

WARNINGS: VIOLENCE, A BISEXUAL CHARACTER, LANGUAGE

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Soda drove Aimee in Darry's truck to an old cemetery on the outskirts of town, opening her door with a sad smile on his face.

"Ready to meet my mom and dad?"

She smiled. "Of course."

He lead her to two graves in the center of the cemetery, both polished with fresh flowers left on their grave: carnations for Mom and blue roses for Dad.

"Ponyboy must have left them here; he comes here when he's upset, which after what happened has become quite often," Soda told her. "There's actually a funny story behind the flower choice.

"You see, when my dad showed up to take my mom to the prom, he brought her a carnation, but my mom was mad that the guy brought the girl something, but the girls never bought the guys something. To most people that may just be chivalry, but to my mom, it was stereotypes. So she bought him a blue rose; they quickly became known as the Flower Couple."

"That's so sweet," Aimee told him. "Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis."

"They would've wanted you to call them Darryl and Susan; neither one of them like formalities. My dad said it sapped the creativity and fun out of life when you tried to be formal to everybody. He used to say strangers were just friends you haven't met yet." Soda dissolved into tears.

"Shh, Soda, it's okay. They'd be proud of you," Aimee whispered. "They are proud of you."

"What is there to be proud of?" He sobbed. "I'm a high school drop out, a no good hood. I work at a gas station. My dad's greatest wish was for all of us to go to college, get degrees, get good jobs, get out of this freaking town for good. I failed him, Aimee. I failed my dad."

"No, you didn't. You dropped out of school, but now you're helping Darry pay the bills. You're a great brother, a fantastic friend, and a wonderful boyfriend. You're creative and fun and outgoing and you enjoy life. And while you and Darry may not go to college-or at least not now- you're helping Ponyboy get there. Your brother has a shot at getting out of this town because you're a good role model for him. And if your dad isn't proud of that, well, it's not worth trying to make him proud because you are one of the best people I know. I love you, Soda."

"I love you, too, Aimee," he whispered. "Thanks." He turned back to the graves. "Mom, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Aimee Brown; she's modest and kind and encouraging. I don't know what I'd do without her."

"And I don't know what I'd do without you."

Then, Aimee kissed him and fireworks went off in Soda's brain because this kiss wasn't like their others. This kiss was one of pure love and affection; a kiss that was needed by both parties because they needed love. Love for love in return.

In short terms, it was amazing.

Soda turned back to the graves after the kiss ended.

"You're gonna like her. I know you will."

"Susan, Susan!"

"Darryl, Darryl!"

"Look at that girl! I told you she was the one!"

"Well, you know me. No one's ever good enough for my boys."

Darryl rolled his eyes. "I love you, but you gotta let it go about that Sandy chick."

"Don't use her name. We only call her a bitch because that's all she is!"

"Alright, Soda's love life over. We need to get Darry a girlfriend."

"Good luck with that. We're dead; it's gonna be kind of hard to do anything."

"Can we at least get Ponyboy to act on that Michael kid?"

"How did you know he liked him?"

"I'm not as dumb as I make myself out to be. It was still a little surprising when I found out he was bi."

"I've known for a while. Ever since he almost kissed Johnny at that party."

"Does he still have a crush on that Johnny kid?"

"Now, that I don't know. Our youngest son is very complicated."

Darryl laughed. "All of our sons are complicated, honey."

"Got that right," Susan giggled.

Meanwhile, Ponyboy should've known he was screwed when the car started tailing him.

He'd just gone down the street to the DX to pick up some cigarettes and some candy for the guys since they eat like pigs.

He should've recognized it, but the memory was just out of reach and it made his brain itch with the need to remember.

Nonetheless, the car was right behind him, going far too slow for the car to be going anywhere. The car sped up, and so did Ponyboy.

The car sped up more; Pony's fast walk became a jog. He was beyond caring if running made him look like a coward; after Halloween, he wasn't taking any chances.

The car sped up, and Ponyboy cut between two buildings, taking the long way to house, but the undoubtedly safer route.

Apparently, this route wasn't safer at all. Whoever was in the car knew their way around, and they sure as hell knew how to speed.

Ponyboy came out the other side of the alley, and the car was right there waiting for him, and the eight kids from Halloween were standing there (how did they even fit in that car?).

"Hello, horse kid, too bad we got interrupted a few nights ago," the male leader said. "We're here to make up for the lost time."

"Well, you're not going to," Pony growled, trying to sound braver than he felt. "Because my brother works right down the street, and the entire gang is with him."

That was mostly a lie. Soda did work right down the street, but he'd gotten off hours ago, and the guys were all back at the house. But the Socs didn't need to know that.

"Well, one," the female leader smirked, "we're not scared of your brother or those pesky no good hoods you call friends. And two, your brother gets off at four thirty. We know the guy that takes the next shift."

Fuck.

One last choice: run.

Ponyboy kicked the male leader in the shin and ran like hell while they were all trying to get over their shock.

"What the hell are you guys just standing around for?" One of them yelled. "Grab him."

Hands grabbed the back of his shirt, and Ponyboy was kind of impressed. Catching up to him was not easy, him being a runner and all.

Fists were flying; feet were kicking. It was only a matter of time before bones began breaking.

Ponyboy shot his knee into the gut of the closest guy and tried to get up before he was once again pinned with a blade at his throat.

"Try that again, and I'll slit it."

A fist was thrown into his nose; somebody actually burned him with their cigarette. And all the while, the blade was one slip away from ending the life of Ponyboy Curtis.

"Hey, what the hell?! Get away from him!"

The Socs were leaping off of him while some guy cursed as they drove off.

"We'll get him later. Right now, the kid needs us more."

"Ponyboy," a voice said. "Ponyboy, stay awake."

And Ponyboy tried, but as soon as he was lifted off the ground, the world went black.

Review!