Hello. I know that I haven't been doing the best job at updating this story or Trials Of A Social Divide (for those of you that are reading that), but the week of March 12-March 18, my main focus will be on my Outsiders stories, so I will post as many chapters as I can within those 6-7 days (I usually take one day off from writing, so probably closer to six days).

Anyway, here's chapter 21! Wow, that's weird to say. Most of my stories aren't more than 20 chapters; I think I only have one story that's more than 20 chapters besides this one.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Soda, you need to sleep," Aimee stressed as Soda poured himself a cup of coffee.

It was nearly midnight. Aimee was staying over and was sleeping in Ponyboy's old room (the one he slept in before moving in with Soda); Darry didn't want Soda and Aimee sleeping in the same bed ("You are seventeen. No babies until you're at least twenty! At least!").

It had been nearly a week since Ponyboy had been taken from Darry and put in foster care. They hadn't gotten any calls from him yet, and the absence of his kid brother was taking its toll on Sodapop. Soda had slept maybe five hours in seven days, and the dark bags under his eyes made that all too obvious.

Soda shook his head, and he looked ready to nod off right where he was standing, which was at the counter with his coffee cup in hand.

"Why not?" Aimee demanded.

Soda sniffled and continued to face the cabinets. Aimee knew he was on the verge of tears.

"He's gone," Soda whispered. "During the day, when I'm working or at home, I can almost forget he's not there. I can imagine him at the movies or the lot or school, but at night, I can't forget he's not here. Sometimes I will for a little while, but when I roll over to see if he's asleep, he's not there, and then, I remember. I can't sleep without him next to me."

Aimee sighed. Sleeping pills or reading or warm milk wouldn't help him sleep if that was the problem. How could she help? It's not like she could just make Ponyboy magically appear!

Aimee walked over and embraced her boyfriend, her heart breaking with each sob he gave as his tears leaked out of his eyes and onto her shoulder. She didn't mind the salt water now drenching her nightgown; she simply rubbed a hand up and down his back, wishing she could take his pain away.

"Shh, it's only for a few months," she pointed out. "He'll be back before you know it, but Ponyboy would not want you to stop sleeping."

Soda nodded. "I know, but I can't. My arms feel so empty without him in them, and I… I just can't sleep knowing he's not right here with me. I can't sleep knowing I can't protect him!"

"From what?" Aimee asked.

"Everything. Nightmares, Socs, everything. I can't be there for him if he gets really sick or if he gets hurt or if he's in danger. If I'd been there to protect him the night he got jumped, he'd still be here. He'd still be in my sight where I can see him and make sure he's okay!" Soda whimpered.

"You can't keep blaming yourself for that, Soda," Aimee told him. "Ponyboy wouldn't want you to. I'm sure he's fine at his foster home."

"But what if he's not? Most foster families are good, are nice, are caring, but Ponyboy doesn't exactly have the best luck. What if he gets one of the bad ones? What if they don't care about him?" Soda asked. "Or worse. What if they hurt him?"

"If that happened, I'm sure Ponyboy would tell you, and he'll probably call any day now. It will all be okay," Aimee assured him.

"How do you know that?"

"I don't, but I do know that God wouldn't be putting your family through this if it wasn't supposed to happen. I don't know why He took Ponyboy away from you, but you still have a great older brother, fantastic friends, and me, and I know that God will make sure Ponyboy finds his way home. God will make sure everything turns out okay."

Soda wiped his eyes. "I don't think about God very often anymore. Not since Mom and Dad died. Ponyboy's been going back to church, and sometimes Darry goes with him, but I haven't yet."

"Maybe you should. After all, he helped Johnny, who was supposed to be paralyzed, walk again, and-"

"He gave me you," Soda finished.

Aimee smiled. "That was so cheesy, but thanks. Anyway, what if I make you a deal?"

"What?" Soda asked.

"If I sleep in your bed with you, will you go to sleep?"

Soda frowned. "But Darry said-"

"There won't be any funny business," Aimee assured him, "and I'm sure he'll understand. You need someone there for you. He'll understand that."

Soda nodded. "Okay."

Aimee led him into his bedroom and laid beside him in his bed.

"I love you, Soda," she whispered. When she didn't receive a response, she frowned. "Soda?" she called, glancing at him before smiling.

He was already asleep.

"I'm right here, Soda," she murmured, grabbing his hand. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Probably one of my favorite chapters so far! I have come a long way when it comes to writing since I first posted this story, and I am very proud of how this chapter turned out. Please leave a review! Thanks for reading! Goodbye, everyone!