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

18. Something else to cry about.

Grounded. Yes, that was what Ponyboy was. Grounded. From the day he got drunk to the middle of August was when his punishment was lifted. Twobit, Steve and Dally had their punishment as well. One good Darry beating and an hour lecture of how they shouldn't even be giving Pony or Johnny any beer until they turned 18. Maybe 30. They aren't like us! They're too young! Damn it guys! And I thought my brother didn't use his head! They were also not allowed to eat any chocolate cake for three weeks. Now that was something to really whine about. Darry had given him many chores to do every day, many errands. At first Pony was mad, This is so ridiculous! Afterwards he didn't mind. At least it took his mind off of his sadness.

September arrived and when the Greasers knew it, October was here. Another month to get depressed about. Especially when it turned October 8th.

Ponyboy glanced at the calendar while giving Darry his breakfast. The number stuck out the most. Soda's birthday. Darry noticed so he went over to him putting a hand on his shoulder. Ponyboy shrugged, another year Sodapop was gone on his special day. He decided to not care anymore, he let his hatred grow. It was his motor. He was tired of feeling like crap every time he remembered. He was tired of feeling hurt when he imagined Sodapop walk through the door finally coming back home. Ponyboy had it enough.

He was simply tired of it all.

So all he did was rip out the October month paper out of the calendar, crumple it and throw it out the trash. Darry was stunned at his action but didn't question it. Ponyboy turned to his brother smiling. That's when Darry relaxed a little, Maybe he's gonna be fine now. He deserves to be.

That day everybody decided to hang out, Darry opted to go to the Drive in movies. Ponyboy was surprised, his brother barely got out as it is so this made him really happy. The gang thought it was a good idea so they went. Being who they were it didn't turn out as expected. Twobit got bored, Dally was goofing around and Steve joined in. People were beginning to shout for them to settle down. Darry was turning red from embarrassment, Johnny covered his face with one hand and Ponyboy laughed.

He was joyful, his friends were there still with him. They haven't changed which to Pony was very good. He was thankful. Thankful that even though Steve's heart was broken he was still strong enough to keep on moving. Thankful that Twobit was always cheerful lightening the mood whenever it was down in the clouds, for Dally showing his soft side to Pony, for Johnny being his best buddy always listening to his problems and for Darry loving him. Working hard to give Ponyboy a bright future.

The month of October was over to Pony's relief. November, snow started falling. More snow fights to win or lose. Shoveling the roads, drivers more responsible and careful. Ponyboy made some money shoveling his neighbor's driveways. That helped to save money for Christmas gifts. Darry also gave him some money for allowance every Sunday. It helped quite a lot.

School was tedious, Ponyboy was smart so he basically got straight As. One B on Algebra but Darry wasn't mad. He actually told his little brother how proud he was of him. That made Pony brighten up. It wasn't usual for Darry to compliment Pony. Things are getting better. We're getting better...

Some problem arouse in the beginning of December though. After school Ponyboy had to go to the library, Twobit wasn't around. He guessed he was probably having some hang over. Steve had to skip class for work. Johnny wasn't going to school anymore so that left him to walk alone. Two streets down he felt someone following him. He walked faster, footsteps of someone behind him were heard so he spun around quickly. There was Scott. His eyes were looking distant, glassy. His body looked tense and his hand were clutching something.

Scott scowled taking a step towards Ponyboy, "Sometimes I wonder..."Another step, "Why you filthy good for nothing Greasers," Another, "Are still here."

Ponyboy warily backed away, what the Soc was holding was a switchblade, "Whoa whoa, hey. Take it easy there."

The Soc wiped away some white looking substance from his nose, "Shut up! I didn't tell you to speak did I?...God damn, I should kill you right now..."

The boy winced, "K-kill me? If this is about Tanya? Man, I haven't talked to her. Really!"

Scott shouted, "I said shut up! No, this is not about that bitch! No. This is about how you are still fucking alive while my brother is in Nam busting his ass just get home!"

That was a very strong revelation, Ponyboy understood now. Scott was drugged and telling him this because he was hurting. His brother also was gone. But only in this situation Scott's brother was forced to leave. And Scott didn't handle it well so his only escape were drugs. Ponyboy cringed imagining himself doing that, if he were weak like him he would have done the same thing. Sodapop had also left him alone. But I made it. Or at least I'm trying to! Jesus Christ, I don't wanna die this way.

With another step forward Scott lashed out, Pony barely dodged the attack as he jumped backwards, still the small knife made contact with his skin. Falling on his side, The Soc spun around ready to do it again until someone grabbed him by the arm twisting it making him drop the switchblade and holler in pain.

"Pone! You all right?!"

Ponyboy sat on his bottom feeling something warm on his chest, he touched the spot and saw that his hand was covered in blood, "I-I don't think so Dal."

Dally could feel his face pale, "Shit shit shit. Hey! Somebody help!"

Scott struggled in Dally's hold, "Let me go you trash!"

Dally threw him on the ground punching his face, "There, you happy now?!"

Ponyboy was feeling light headed, Dally gave one more swing at Scott leaving him out cold on the ground. He went over to his young friend holding him, he shrugged off jacket putting it over Pone. A car stopped, it was one of Tim's boys. He immediately told Dally to get in. They drove to the hospital not caring for the speed limit. Greasers stick together.

It was catastrophic, Darry left work in a hurry worried sick about Pony. Twobit sobered up quickly going to the hospital and Steve also abandoned his work just to see the kid he once thought was a pain in the ass. Dally picked up Johnny from his house ignoring the yells from his father, his mother on the other hand stayed silent. Mrs. Cade was acting strange this past year...

The doctor gave them the news, all Pony had was a large gash to which he had to put 6 stitches. Everybody was relieved, it was one mighty scare. Darry hugged his little brother so tightly he forgot about his wound. After that they made sure Scott was a far distance from the young Greaser. Tim had heard and sent some boys to give him a little...chat. That made Scott leave Pony alone. For now.

By January, year 1967, Ponyboy was free of stitches. It left a small scar. Tuff. That's what the gang had told him after seeing it healed. At school everybody knew, they knew that Ponyboy was attacked. That Scott was in the reformatory for some time. Socs didn't take that so well, bullying Pony was now their goal. Even if it was Scott's fault he was one of their own. Steve and Twobit along with other fellow Greasers acted like Pony's bodyguards. Curtis had to suck it up. He had no other choice, so he let it happen.

February was a short month. Nothing really exciting happened there. Except for Johnny. His father still was the same drunk abusive man who would sometimes beat the hell out of him. Johnny getting older now knew his ways to get out of those beatings. He learned how to treat his father so he wouldn't be yelled at. His mother though started acting differently. She made him food every once in a while but not directly. Some days when Johnny opened his door to his room there would be a plate on the ground freshly made. Hope began to rise inside of him like a balloon blowing little by little with everything his mom did. Maybe his mother could be the same when he was a small child. Loving, nurturing, a mother again.

March first. Someone's birthday. Johnny's to be exact.

The day started out normal. Warm sunny morning, the Curtis brothers awakening to start a fresh new day, Darry invited Johnny over. He wanted to make him something delicious for his 18th birthday. Pancakes with chocolate chips, milk, bacon and Darry's small surprise: Ice Cream on the side. Johnny beamed at his great morning. Something else had also provoked a beam of happiness. So he shared it with his friends.

"M-my ma's acting real...different." Johnny spoke softly.

Darry and Pony stopped munching on their food giving each other a look thinking the worst, Johnny noticed and shook his head.

"No no nothing bad really. It's more like. Well, like I said. Different."

Darry asked, "How so?"

Johnny took a big gulp of his cold chocolate milk then, "She actually said to me 'Happy birthday' before I got here."

Ponyboy's mouth opened slightly, he'd never think that Johnny's mother could change even a bit. Her alcohol addiction was just as strong as his father's. Maybe she just had a change of heart. He smiled real happy for Johnny, he always yearned for affection from his folks and now..."That's great Johnny. Real great."

His tanned friend nodded slowly smiling wildly, Darry nor Pony had ever seen him so at ease, "It is ain't it?"

Twobit, Steve and Dally showed up later on. Turning eighteen was something to celebrate. As always Twobit brought in the booze. Ponyboy groaned remembering his drunken unfortunate moment so he passed. Darry joined, he had two days off for working very fine so far. He was celebrated at his work for being worker of the month. Dally slapped Johnny's back saying he was going to invite him to Buck's for the first time as a legal adult. Twobit piped in suggesting to take one of those very overly friendly ladies to one of Buck's rooms for hugs and kisses.

Johnny blushed tomato red, "Jesus-Twobit shut up!"

Steve shrugged, "Experience makes you wiser. The more broads you get the more you know 'bout them women."

Dally snorted, "Says the one who hasn't gotten laid in months."

Randle flipped his off taking a big drink of his beer, Darry rolled his eyes muttering, "Horn dogs."

Ponyboy had given him a book. Both saw the movie but it had left out some details so he bought Johnny the book. Maybe he could read it when he had nothing to do, it was called Gone with the wind. The book was wrapped in red wrapping paper. Johnny received it with much joy. He thanked Ponyboy opening it very carefully, for him, this was beyond special.

The gang finally went to sleep snoring peacefully. Darry had told Johnny to stay over yet he refused. He wanted to go back home, he hoped maybe his mother was there to show more affection. Johnny waved goodbye leaving to his house. The moon was at its waning phase. Stars surrounded the moon twinkling brightly. He gazed at it for some moments enjoying the scene savoring the scene. His brown eyes twinkled as well, only he and Pony could relish these kinds of things. Johnny sighed contently quietly entering his house.

His father was in his room snoring loudly making him know that he was profoundly asleep. Just as he was tip toeing to his room a hand reached for his arm the lights of the kitchen barely on. Jumping from fright he let out a deep breath, "Christ! M-Ma?"

His mother's skinny figure appeared, her brown messy hair hung down to her shoulders, her eyes that she passed to her son sadly looked at Johnny. She was holding on to something in her hand pressing it to her chest. Johnny was puzzled by this. gulped shaking her hand away from his arm.

"My boy. My poor poor boy." She whispered in her raspy voice.

"W-what's wrong?" He asked getting suddenly fearful, he never heard her say those words with much distress.

"I'm sorry. So sorry." That's when she extender her arm giving him the object from her hand.

Johnny took it, in the dim light from the kitchen's light bulb he read words that would forever change his life. Words that would mean everything not only to him but for everyone. His heart beat fast against his chest, the palm of his hands began sweating. Tears were blurring his vision not even reading the whole thing. He didn't want to to anyway. Johnny understood perfectly what the paper mean.

His lips trembled as he slid down the wall trying to contain in his sobs, his mother stared down at the ground sadly. She kneeled down to his level patting his knee. That was her small way of wanting to make him feel better. Johnny took that small action of affection. He didn't care how meaningless it was, for him it was more than enough. He needed it.

The letter was still in his hands as he cried silently. No. No. No...Oh God no...Please...Not this... Not this...

To

Jonathan Cade:

You are hereby directed to present yourself for Armed Forces Physical Examination to the Local Board...

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

Oh dear. So much angst. Sorry for all this, as I said before. All this happens for a reason. Gosh, I feel bad haha. Thank you for reviewing! Really, I appreciate it very much!