The weekend's finally arrived, which means no tutoring, no school, and less guilt about bumming around at his buddies' places. For some reason, Johnny has always felt it was more acceptable to stay the night on the weekend. Like he's less of a bother.

Johnny's sitting next to Pony at the breakfast table, wolfing down a large helping of pancakes smothered in synthetic maple syrup. Pony actually tried making them this time, and they're not bad. A little burnt, but the syrup covers that. There's a little bit of batter clinging to his otherwise perfect hair. All the Curtis boys got perfect hair. Two-Bit, Soda, and Steve are in the other room watching Saturday morning cartoons and drinking stale beers left over from last night and Darry's at the stove top, making everybody eggs 'cause he says they need their protein-as a former football star, Darry's always going on about how none of the boys get enough protein. Lord knows where Dally is. He had another fight with Sylvia last night, according to Two-Bit. Johnny feels happy about that, and guilty for feeling happy. Especially when he knows he doesn't stand a chance, Sylvia or no Sylvia.

"So how come we haven't been hanging around after school anymore, Johnny?" Pony asks. It doesn't escape Johnny's notice that he's asking when there's food on the table, so it's easier to hide his hurt feelings between mouthfuls. On the days Johnny shows up to school, Pony waits for him out under a tree in the parking lot after class lets out each day, and the two of them walk home together. They usually end up spending the rest of the day together, too. But Johnny has been to tutoring right after school, and anyway, he's sorta been avoiding Pony since they had that conversation.

Johnny doesn't know why, but it's like tutoring is this big, dark secret. It's been three days since that talk with the principal, and the longer he waits to tell the boys, the more nervous he gets about telling them. He guesses he's embarrassed because he's doing so poorly in school. Or maybe it's just that he doesn't want them to know he's spending time with a Soc. Even if he has no choice but to spend the time with a Soc, he's still doing it. Johnny puts his fork down.

"I uh, I um, I'mtakingtutoringlessons," Johnny mumbles.

"You're what?" Pony asks, oblivious to his embarrassment.

"I'm taking tutoring lessons," Johnny clarifies.

"Oh." Pony takes a few more bites, but he can't disguise the hurt on his face. "You know, I could help you with your homework, Johnny. I wouldn't mind."

Pony's not even old enough to be a freshman, but he's so smart he skipped a grade. He's already in more advanced classes than Johnny. Johnny's proud of him, but it's damn embarrassing when Pony looks over at his schoolwork and tries to help him, casually pointing out his mistakes and making suggestions to strengthen his essays. He guesses it's nice of Pony to do so, but it sure doesn't feel nice.

"The principal said I had to do it on his terms or I would fail again. Maybe get kicked out for good. Can they expel you for being dumb?"

"You're not dumb, Johnny." It's Darry, and his voice is stern. "You're not dumb and I don't want to hear you saying that about yourself again. I've about had it with how you put yourself down. It ain't right. You're a good kid, unlike this one," he teases and he messes up Pony's hair. Pony glares.

Darry puts three eggs on Johnny's plate. Over easy, like he likes them. Then he scoops a large pile of scrambled onto Ponyboy's plate. "Now eat up boys, you're both too thin."

Everyday Darry sounds more and more like a parent. Not Johnny's parents, but a parent. Ponyboy hates it, but Johnny kinda likes it, even if he would never admit it.

"So who's your tutor?" Pony asks. "Is it one of the teachers? Or one of those old volunteer ladies?"

Johnny shakes his head. "A student."

"Who?"

"You wouldn't know him. It's a Soc."

"Who?"

Johnny sighs. Pony's too curious for his own good. "Some Randy kid. He's a senior."

"Oh, I know Randy," Ponyboy says easily. "I think so at least. Wavy hair? Always wearing sweater vests? Super Soc? He's on the track team with me."

"Randy Adderson?" Darry asks, surprising them.

"How do you know Randy?" Pony asks.

"I did go to that school once upon a time, kiddo. I'm only twenty. He was a sophomore when I was a senior." Darry pauses. "I want both of you boys to stay away from him."

"How come? I always thought Randy was pretty nice for a Soc," Ponyboy says. "You know, he complimented me on my form once. He said a good runner has to have good form, and most boys ignore that. But that my form was the best on the team."

"I'll bet he did," Darry comments dryly. "Johnny, where does he tutor you?"

"The library."

"Are other people around?" Darry asks. Johnny nods. "I guess that's okay then. You come to me if he bothers you."

But before Johnny can contemplate the mystery of Darry's warnings (he wonders if Randy's known to beat kids up, he wonders if Darry suspects Randy's involvement in his own jumping), Two-Bit enters the room.

"What's this I hear about Johnnycake moving into the library? I won't believe it!" Two-Bit laughs. "Hey, where are my eggs, Darry?"