.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

3. Happy birthday to me...

Ponyboy frowned, he was eating breakfast with Darry without Sodapop. It's been three days since his break up. Steve told his boss he was sick, that's why he couldn't go to work. Of course it was an excuse 'cause Soda was really in his room moping, heartbroken. His eyes were puffy red from all the crying over yet another loss of a loved one. Maybe it wasn't death but for him it was losing someone who wouldn't come back. The person he thought loved him just as much as him was gone.

Darry sighed getting up to take the dished to the sink. Pony went over to his brother's room knocking softly, "Soda? You gonna eat?"

Only a grunt was his response meaning no. Ponyboy rolled his eyes, it's been enough that they weren't sleeping in the same room since Soda asked for some alone time, not working in the DX or hanging out anymore. Yet there was nothing they could do about it. Not even grounding him, he'd stay inside anyway. Steve stopped by with Twobit. He grimaced knowing his best buddy was still inside crying his soul out. Twobit coughed, "So...What are we up to today Ponyboy Curtis?"

Pony shrugged, "I don't know. What do you want to do?"

Twobit gave a look to Darry, "Well, Darry, you mind if I steal him for a couple hours?"

Darrel smirked, "Sure, just be back by eight."

"Eight? Darry c'mon! My curfew isn't till eleven!" Pony whined.

Steve growled, "Shut your trap kid and for once listen to your brother!"

Ponyboy gaped at Steve, he never was on Darry's side. So this was actually something new, Twobit began laughing grabbing the boy by his arm leading him outside, "Don't worry ya'll. See you at eight, right Darry?"

Darry narrowed his eyes at him, "I swear to God Twobit-"

The door slammed closed. Steve folded his arms in front of his chest, "You think he'll stick to the plan?"

"Oh he better."

Steve glanced at a certain door, Darry knew what he was thinking, "Why don't you go inside and check on him, Pony and I just can't get him outta there. He'll get really sick if he keeps this up."

The greaser nodded walking towards the room, he slowly opened the door his head popping in. Inside was Soda curled up in a fetal position with a pillow between his arms. He looked up with annoyed that someone walked in without permission. Steve sat down beside his ignoring his look completely. Nobody talked for some moments. Darry's footsteps outside were the only sounds until he too left the house for work. Soda swallowed thickly trying not to cry again. Damn you Sandy. Damn you-

"You gotta stop it with this shit Soda."

Soda turned to his friend's sudden words, "What?"

Steve looked at him frowning, "Look, I know this Sandy crap is hard. Yeah so you got your heart broken. You had the right to feel shitty these past days but c'mon man. Don't go overboard with this! Get your ass up already! Stop sulking around, it's getting real old."

"...You don't know how it feels Steve! You still have Evie! So don't you tell me what to do."

"So what? You think we'll be together like a happy fucking couple forever? Hell no! We're sixteen Soda. Six-teen! And you...I ain't telling you what to do! I'm just trying to open your god damn eyes! First of all, you're inside here moping around like there's no tomorrow. Second, you stopped eating, third, you stopped going to work! You think this is the right way to get over her? No, so just get up and start living again."

"Get out of here Steve."

"Soda..."

"I said get out!"

Steve shook his head gumbling some words, before closing the door behind him he said, "Just remember she wasn't the only one who cared 'bout you. You have Pony, Darry...Us your pals. You think about that." And the door closed.

Middle Curtis swallowed yet again staring at the door, Ponyboy...Darry... He hadn't noticed the worry he had caused or the pain in the eyes of his brother's. It's hard. real hard... Losing Sandy is almost as painful as...Losing my parents...I thought we had something special... He heard some voices in the living room talking lowly. Probably about me. Later on, it was time for him to finally get it together, Steve's words stung like hell but he had to be strong. Or at least seem strong, he didn't mean to worry his brothers, especially Ponyboy.

Opening the door, Darry who was picking up something from the floor looked at his brother walking into the bathroom for a shower. Inside he undressed himself stepping into the tub with hot water making contact with his skin provoking a pleasant shudder. After that he shaved, put on some fresh clothes and made his way to the kitchen for a quick meal. Darry didn't have to work that day for one special reason.

"Hey Darry." Soda greeted making himself a sandwich.

Darry smacked his back lightly, "I see you're up and about."

"Sure I am," he plastered a smiled on his face.

"I'm real glad little buddy."

"Hey Darry...Why ain't you at work?"

Darry gave him a weird look, "Don't tell me you forgot..."

"Forget what?"

"Really?"

Soda narrowed his eyes, "What? Tell me."

"It's Ponyboy's birthday. See," He showed him a cake on the table, "It's why I made the cake extra special for him."

"Ah God..." Soda had forgotten a special date, the present and most importantly his morning hug. He felt guilty for being such an ass to him these days when his brother only tried to cheer him up. And today. On his birthday. He rubbed his forehead mumbling, "Stupid. Stupid..."

22th of July, the day he was born. The smallest brother and member of the gang was fourteen. Everyone appreciated his friendship a lot so today Darry and the rest planned out a small surprise party by baking cake, burgers, chips etc. Some balloons were there as well as some presents from the gang except Soda to which he hung his head down guilty. How could I have forgotten? God damn it. Dally walked inside with a small box in his hands nodding a hello to his friends. Then he stopped seeing Sodapop in the kitchen standing still.

"You still feeling like shit?" He asked nonchalantly placing the box on the coffee table.

Sodapop winced yet let out a small bitter laugh, "Better than ever Dal."

Darry rolled his eyes, "You sure have a way with words don't you Dal?"

He shrugged, "It's my specialty I guess."

Johnny appeared minutes later making his way next to Dally's, "Hey ya'll."

Dally put an arm around his shoulders, "Where you been Johnny? Haven't seen you a around lately."

"Home, here and there. Anyway, when's Pony coming? Is everything ready? Oh...Hey Soda...You feeling ok?"

Soda sighed then smiled nodding, "I am Johnny thanks for asking."

All of a sudden in rushed Twobit panting as if he had been running a lot. He took a second to regain his breathing. After that he talked pointing at the door, "Pony's almost here. Uuf, he's with Steve some blocks down! Ah gee! I never ran so-so far! Let's get ready to scare the crap out of the kid!"

"We ain't scaring anyone! It's a surprise party Twobit." Darry told him.

Sodapop quickly turned off the lights while everybody else hid somewhere in the living room excitedly. Outside they heard voices arguing, it was Steve shouting at Ponyboy about him always off in la la land. Both of them had their weird rough friendly relationship. Steve liked the kid deep down looking out for him whenever he could. Ponyboy cared too, and just like Steve, deep deep down. Their footsteps were heard going up the porch stairs quickly getting closer to the surprise. Ponyboy looked confused standing out the door scratching his head glancing at the windows.

"Why is it dark inside? Is nobody home?"

Steve grinned, "I don't know why don't you go inside and figure it out?"

"Uh..."

His hand grabbed the doorknob slowly turning it to open the door, Steve pushed him inside turning on the lights while the people hidden jumped from their spots shouting, "Happy birthday Pone!"

Ponyboy was taken aback by this. He stared for a moment before realizing it was his birthday. His cheeks turned red grinning sheepishly at everyone. Twobit slapped his back giving him his present, "Fourteen my man! I remember when I was your age getting laid, this one time-"

Darry nudged him hard on the ribs, "Shut it Twobit, here Pony. It ain't much but at least I got you something. Happy birthday kiddo." He hugged his brother.

Ponyboy smiled, "You didn't have to Dar... Thank you...Really."

Sodapop frowned slightly rubbing the back of his neck, "I-I didn't get you something Pone. I'm real sorry."

"Awe don't worry Soda. You're here ain't ya? That's just about enough." Pony smiled at him really not caring about the gifting problem.

"Gosh Pone, you really are something." Sodapop squeezed his brother tightly, I really am such a lousy brother...

Dally with Johnny walked to him giving him a present of their own, Johnny cracked a smile as he gave him a quick hug, "Happy birthday Pone."

"Thanks Johnny Cakes, you too Dal."

Dallas ruffled his hair, "Shut up and enjoy your damned present."

Steve cleared his throat handing him a wrapped up package, "Just 'cause I give you this don't meansI like you. Remember you're still the smart ass kid that gets on my nerves, " he smirked, "Happy birthday kid."

Sodapop sat on the couch disappointed in himself. The gang had given him a present, planned this whole thing and had a much better mood then he did. Even Steve had a gift for his little brother. He rubbed his eyes with the palm of his hands trying to lighten up from his over whelming feelings. Sandy's wound was still fresh. Twobit poked his head plopping himself next to him.

"So you finally decided to get out of your bear cave? Feeling better?"

Soda gritted his teeth in frustration, almost all his friends asked him similar questions throughout the whole day not really helping his feelings, "Yes Twobit. Just dandy."

"Time for cake," Darry announced.

At the table was a big chocolate cake with fourteen candles. They all gathered around a twinkle in their eyes hungry for some cake. Twobit licked his lips smiling thinking of the delicious chocolate melting in his mouth rubbing his two hands together.. Ponyboy gave a thankful look to Darry standing in front of it knowing he was going to have to blow out the candles. Sodapop pressed his lips into a tight straight line, I was supposed to help bake the cake. Put in my secret ingredient. I hope Pony won't get mad or somethin. Pony caught his worried look cocking his head slightly to the side asking:

"You ok Sodapop?"

Something inside Sodapop snapped in half. All the voices around him sounded far away, the only face he saw was Pony's worried eyes and heard his only question. Are you ok Sodapop? That was it. That was the last straw. He breathed hard shouting in front of everybody, "Yes I'm fucking ok! Jesus Christ, stop asking that! God damn it!"

The room went suddenly silent, Ponyboy stepped back a little with a hurt expression. Darry gaped not believing Soda had just shouted angrily at Pony. Everybody else was shocked. Steve grimaced at his buddy's rapid mood swings. He thought the talk he had with him hour before would help but he thought wrong.

Soda covered his mouth with his fist, What the fuck did I just do? He saw his brother's glassy eyes obviously wanting to cry for getting hurt from his nasty response. Middle Curtis averted his eyes to the ground shaking his head, "S-Sorry. I-um- I'll be back."

He rushed out of the kitchen. Twobit whistled a low tune, "Wonder what happened to him."

Steve sighed, "I'll go after him."

Darry put his hand on Pony's shoulder, "D-don't worry Pony. Soda just had a ...rough time lately."

Ponyboy nodded wanting to understand as he swallowed the knot forming in his throat, sighing he closed his eyes chanting in his mind, Happy birthday to me..

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

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