Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

AN: Yes, I know it has been forever. No, I have not given up on this story. Also, I know that this story is moving wayyyy fast. It's fanfiction; what can you do?

Ponyboy POV

We play football until the day's heat is replaced with the deep chill of the night. When we get back to the house, Johnny talks to me about the sunset. He says he likes the way the gold settles on the horizon, like a blanket falling over the sky. I realize that I haven't talked to anyone about the sun since Jack. He and I used to stay up late, talking about the beauty of the sky. We'd talk about the sunset, admire the stars, dream about the freedom of the heavens. I miss that. I miss my brother.

We are all settled around the living room when Soda jumps up from his spot on the floor. "I'll be back!" he yells before sprinting out of the room.

"Is he always like that?" I ask Johnny.

"What, hyper or vague?"

"Umm, both I guess?"

"He's always hyper. Can't sit still for the life of him. But the vagueness is new. I think he's just excited that there's someone new in our gang." I take a moment to allow myself to relish this feeling. The feeling of acceptance.

"I just remembered I had these!" Soda says as he rushes back into the room. He throws two large garbage sacks at our feet. "I went through a growth spurt last year so I cleaned out my closet and found everything that doesn't fit me anymore. I was planning on letting Johnny rifle through them and then donating them or something." His smile fades a little. "I guess I sort of forgot because of the funeral."

"That is really nice, Sodapop," I say, trying to get his mind off of his parents.

He smiles at me, gesturing to the bags. "You two can go through these now. Anything you don't want can go back into the bags. They have some holes, a few stains. They can still be worn though. They're perfectly fine clothes and they should fit you two alright." His smile is blinding as he sits on the floor in front of us.

"I'm going to go use the restroom real quick. Johnny, go ahead and get started!" The truth is, I don't have to go to the bathroom but these clothes were originally meant for Johnny. I want to give him the chance to find the things he likes before I take them. I sit for a while in the bathroom, propped on the toilet lid and listening to the conversation that's happening in the living room.

"Soda, I can't believe you're getting rid of this shirt! You wore it like every day for a whole year!"

"I know, it was hard to let go of but it's way too small. I think I'd rip it if I tried to wear it today."

"Hey, I was with you when you bought those jeans! Your mom tried to buy me a whole new wardrobe that day!"

"Two-Bit, that's because you had cut up all of your pants the night before."

"It was the style!"

"No, it was ridiculous! Do you realize how expensive blue jeans are?"

I smile to myself as I listen to my friends. Friends. What a wonderful word. I can't help but still feel like I'm imposing on Darry a little. But these people are all so happy and nice all of the time. I'd be crazy to try to leave now. Especially with winter coming so soon. I'm lucky that I found such a welcoming group of kids. I just really hope I'm not wrong about this one.

I stand up and flush the toilet, trying to make it sound like I was using the bathroom the whole time. Then I wash my hands and walk back out to my friends.

There's a pile next to Johnny, one in front of him, and one to the far right that I watch him throw a shirt into. "So what are you keeping?" I ask.

"I like everything in this pile," he says, gesturing to the one to his left. "But if you want anything out of it, you can take it."

"No, not at all! You keep anything you like. Are these your 'no's?" I point to the pile farthest from him and sit next to it when he nods. I can't believe how many clothes are sitting before me. I've only bought new clothes once since I left home. I bought myself some used jeans from a secondhand store last fall since I outgrew my other ones. All of my clothes are thin and ratty. I'm still so surprised at the kindness and generosity that these boys have shown me and they just keep shocking me. "Soda, you really don't have to do this."

"It's not like I can use any of these anymore, and you guys can. Have at it. It'd make me feel good to know that my old clothes are being used. Makes me feel like I'm making a difference at least a little and I'll be happy to see you two getting a use out of them." With that said, I don't feel bad about going through this pile. I find only a few clothes that I don't want, things that are too damaged to be worn or too small for me. Johnny asks me before claiming anything but I always let him choose. When I'm done, Darry stands up from his armchair and ushers me down the hall. The two of us stop before the last door.

"I think that yesterday when Soda invited you to stay, you may have thought … I don't know, that we weren't serious or something? Maybe that we only meant temporarily? I want you to know that that wasn't all we were offering. We want you to stay here. With us. And it's your choice, obviously. But I need you to know that we're serious about this." He opens the door and walks into a bedroom, gesturing that I should follow. After I've walked into the room, he shuts the door, blocking out the sounds from the living room. I'm starting to get nervous now. This isn't the first time a large man has locked me in a room with him. This isn't the first time it was a man I trusted. He sits on the edge of the unmade bed and looks into my eyes.

"Steve and Soda were talking to me earlier. They want me to sign you up for school. What do you think about that? You'd probably have to take some tests and you'd have to be willing to put in the work to catch up with the rest of the students. Would you want that?" I blink, this was not how I expected this conversation to go. "You could stay here if you wanted, go to school with Steve, Two-Bit, and Johnny. I know most of the teachers and I could help you if you struggle at all, but I need to know that you will try to keep up with your peers. Now, I don't know how much education you have but you seem like a smart kid and I'm sure you could do it."

I swallow, barely trusting myself to speak. "Yes. I want that very much." I've missed school so much. I want to learn again. Going to the library by myself just isn't gonna cut it anymore. I can feel myself tearing up at just the thought of returning to school. Yes, I'd rather go without essays and algebra, but school has always meant freedom for me. "Can you make that happen? Please?"

Darry smiles and I can tell that he's pleased. "I'll do my best to get the school to accept you. I'm making no promises, but I'll definitely try. I'm not sure where you would fit with the curriculum, but I'm sure they could figure it out. You have to promise me that you'll do your best."

"Yes, I promise! If you can get me into school again, I'll spend every waking moment studying and working to catch up to the others!"

…

The next morning I wake up in my own bed. In my own room, in the house that I share with two—sometimes even 4 or 5—other guys. When I wake up I smell bacon. And in the kitchen, I find two of the most welcoming people I've ever met serving breakfast. They've made three different kinds of eggs. At my spot on the table, there are two fried eggs over-hard. Just how I like them. I pinch my leg to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Before Darry leaves for work, he tells me that he is going to visit the high school to see what they can do to help me. I'm really doing this. I'm going back to school and I have a home and family. I've had a meal every day for three days and I have friends. I had a shower this morning, just because I could. And I'm wearing different clothes. I feel like an entirely new person.

I never imagined this would happen to me.

The sense of home is so strong I nearly collapse. And it's going to last. Finally, finally, it's going to last. I can feel it.

Darry POV

Walking into my old school is weird. I haven't been here in what feels like decades. The halls seem dimmer, the windows grimier. A lot has changed since I was in high school.

I walk the familiar path to the front office. Ms. Kramer, the receptionist, smiles when she sees me. "Darrel Curtis! I haven't seen you in years!"

"Hello, ma'am." I give her a respectful nod and a smile.

"How are things? I heard about your parents. How are you and Sodapop holding up?"

Glory, I really don't want to talk about this right now. "We're holding up just fine. How are you doing?"

"Oh, same old, same old. Starting up a new school year. I'm not quite ready for summer to end!" She chuckles a moment before giving me a look. "I noticed Soda's name isn't on the roster this year. Did he not sign up for any classes in the spring? Is that why you're here? I know it must have been a very difficult time for you last year."

"No, unfortunately Soda has decided to work full time. He won't be attending school this year."

"Ah, you of all people should know that a child needs an education!"

"I fought him on it, but he had made up his mind. Soda's a stubborn boy!"

"You are, too, from what I remember of your school years. It's a good quality to have." She clears her throat, pushing her glasses up on her nose. "So if you're not here to register Soda, what can I do for you?"

"Do you think I could talk to Principal Gregory?"

"Sure, just that way and to the right. His office is at the very end."

I knock on the door at the end of the hallway and push it open at the faint 'come in'.

"Why, Darrel Curtis! It's been a few years, hasn't it?" Principal Gregory stands, extending his hand for a shake. "What can I do for you? You here to register Soda? Didn't see his name on the roster this year. And golly with a name like Sodapop, he's a bit hard to miss!"

I force a chuckle before speaking. "I'm actually hoping you can help me register someone else. You see, my cousin is living with us right now. His parents sent him to help us out after … you know. He's thirteen and I was hoping I could register him here instead of the junior high."

"Oh, I'm not sure about that … thirteen is awfully young to be in high school, don't you think?"

"Well, I'd agree … It's just, I know kids who go here, and I think it might make the adjustment a little bit easier for him if there's a few friendly faces. And he's a really bright kid. I wouldn't be asking if I didn't think he could do it."

"Well, alright. Give me his name and the name of his old school and I'll call and have them send us his transcripts."

I wince, expecting the question. "That's another thing. He was homeschooled by my aunt. There wasn't really a curriculum and he doesn't have transcripts."

Gregory pauses a moment, leaning forward on his elbows. "Without transcripts, how will I know what classes to put him in? How will I know what credits he still needs to graduate? I'm sorry, son, I'm just not sure how well this is going to work out."

"If it doesn't work I can try to figure something else out." I do not want to have to tell Pony that I failed him. He seemed so excited about the prospect of returning to school.

Gregory gives me a look of pity before sighing. "Well … I suppose I could give him the Gifted and Talented test? It's a test we give to students who have shown excellence during the year; in class and within their coursework. It helps us decide whether they should be moved up a grade or if they should continue learning with the rest of their peers. It tests them on everything they should have learned that year and dips into things that they should know if they're going to be moving up. It's not designed for this type of thing but I'm sure it could give us a ballpark for his current skill set. I could even try giving him tests intended for several different grades. That would give us more data to examine."

"Would you really do that for us?"

"Darry. You're a good kid. You were always so smart and respectful and you certainly won us a lot of trophies. And that brother of yours always did his best; I know that. I want to help you, I really do. Glory knows, if anyone deserves a bit of help, it's you and your family. Now, if your cousin is willing to do what it takes to catch up with his peers and shows a good attitude towards school, I'm willing to put in the work to help him out."

"Yes, he'll do the work. I'll make sure of it!"

"Why don't you have him come in some time this week to take the test? We can't do it today, tomorrow, or Thursday … how about Wednesday? Do you think you could bring him in at 7:30 that morning?"

"Absolutely! Thank you so much!"

"Alright, I'll add him to the calendar. What's his name?"

Crap, I don't know his last name! "Ponyboy … Curtis." That makes sense right? He is 'my cousin' after all. He can have the same last name. Right?

"Ponyboy! That's an interesting name! Though, I can't say I'm surprised. Considering he is your cousin and all."

"Yeah," I say, forcing another chuckle.

"Is it spelled how it sounds? Pony and boy?"

"Yep."

"And his birthday?"

"July 22nd 1952," I say, remembering what Pony told me this morning.

"Okay! I've added him to the calendar, so you just make sure he gets here on time. The test should last a few hours, so I'd recommend sending him with lunch. And this test should tell us where he lands in the curriculum as a whole. That means that even if he doesn't fit here, we'll know where he belongs at the Middle School."

"Perfect, thank you."

"I'll even call Principal Dunn at the Junior High if that's the case. Save you the trouble." He gives me a smile before standing and extending his hand to me once more.

"You just make sure he's there, Darrel. I'm helping you out, but you gotta work with me," he says as I open the door.

"I'll make sure he's here. Thank you again for this, I owe you one." With that, I left the way I came, saying a brief goodbye to Ms. Kramer. I already called my boss to let him know I'd be late today, but I don't want to make him angry so I don't stop on my way to the job site. I'm happy with the way things are looking for us now. If Ponyboy can go to school, maybe we can help him get out of here. Maybe one of us has a chance.

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