Ponyboy fixed his suit over and over again. He looked at himself in the mirror, his hair not staying down in one place. Even as he oiled his hair; it just didn't seem to stay. It wasn't until Sodapop passed by, that his hair started to look okay.

Sodapop was dressed up too. Hell- even his eyes seemed dressed up. Everything about him was serious.

They both walked to the living room, fidgeting as they did so. Sodapop was fidgeting the most, tucking and untucking his shirt. Finally, as Darry stepped out of his room, they were finally able to go to the courthouse.

It had been a week. In that whole week, Ponyboy had learned how long spring break can be. Even though his school gave him close to two weeks, he found himself wishing that it was shorter. The days daunted him, creeping up slowly.

Now, he knew how serious it was. Darry was in the same suit that he had worn when trying to get custody of Sodapop and Ponyboy. Pony tried to put away the thought that he only wore that suit when bad things happen.

It wasn't just the suit, but the facial expressions of his brothers. Both too serious, too unlike eachother. Ponyboy swallowed his doubt, trying to ignore the hair on his neck standing up.

They waited for a moment, before filing in Darry's truck. Ponyboy caught a glimpse of Johnny and Dally looking at them from the lot. Johnny waved to Ponyboy but Pony kept his head down.

"Should we go after them?" Dally asked Johnny. "If you have a suit," Johnny joked. It only took once smirk for them both to be in the stands, waiting to see Ponyboy. When they did see him, they understood how stressed out he was.

Steve was there with Johnny and Dally too. He was mostly there for Sodapop, but he couldnt help but be there mentally for Ponyboy. The whole courtroom was tense as they waited. Steve thought about where Two-Bit was.

"Shouldnt Two-Bit be here too?" Steve asked Dally and Johnny. Johnny shrugged. "He told me he was gonna be busy, guess he accidentally made plans or somethin," Dally responded. Steve nodded.

Ponyboy mentally went through everything that had happened. He thought about what information Two-Bit gave about Kitty. How she was being disowned. Ponyboy looked at Kitty from the other side. It looked like a simple defense and offense case. But as he looked around, he couldn't find the offense.

Suddenly, Ponyboy caught Two-Bits and his mom's eye. Ponyboy watched as they took a seat with Kitty. Kitty cast her head down, trying to ignore Ponyboy's gaze. As the courtroom settled down, the judge started talking. Ponyboy briefly listened, hardly paying attention at all. His mind preferred to wander over about the letters and why Two-Bit was sitting with Kitty.

"I wish to call a witness to the stand-" the lawyer was talking, "-will Ponyboy Micheal Curtis come to the stand?" Ponyboy looked suddenly to Darry, who had a supportive hand on his back. Ponyboy took in a shaky breath, nodding the the lawyer.

"So Pony-" the judge started, "-how are you liking school?"

Ponyboy stood stunned, answering quietly. He thought about the questions that were thrown his way. They seemed relatively easier than what he expected. Then again- he thought- what was he expecting? Was he expecting them to ask what happened that night? Or maybe ask about how he made it to New York? Then a sinking feeling came to him. What about the car?

His eyes went over everyone in the room. He was surprised that he missed the social worker right next to Kitty. Ponyboy freaked out for a moment. As he mentally panicked, he answered the judge's questions, trying not to exhibit the fear that he was feeling. When he was finally able to get off that stand, he looked at Kitty. Her eyes were glossy, fear evident in them.

The jury went wild for a second, causing the judge to hit the hammer. As the courtroom settled, they waited for the judge.

"We will sentence Catalina Mathews to go with Susan Mathews with permanent custody."

Just as the judge said that Ponyboy felt something in his stomach fly up with joy. He was shocked, that was an understatement. Two-Bit gave Kitty a small pat on the back while his mom engulfed her in a hug.

Kitty met Ponyboy's gaze, tears falling as she did. Darry and Sodapop shared a shocked look as the judge said one final thing.

"Susan Mathews, we must ask that Catalina be enrolled in mental services-"

Ponyboy didn't even listen to the rest as everyone filed out. Johnny, Steve, and Dally met up with the Curtis brothers. They all waited outside until a familiar grin and a familiar red cardigan came into view.

"So-" Steve started, "-y'all've been related this whole time?"

Two-Bit rolled his eyes. As he looked back to Kitty, his eyebrows scrunched. It was almost like he had been trying to stop himself from glaring at her. Ponyboy drank in the view of both of them. Both didn't have the same sense of humor. But both could make him feel happy in a way.

"It's the hair isn't it?" Sodapop suggested, almost as if reading his mind. Ponyboy nodded, seeing as both Kitty's and Two-Bits' hair was a mess. Both were untamed, even with Two-Bits being slicked back.

"Wait, so what happened?" Dally asked. Two-Bit rolled his eyes, "Didya think you were getting sentenced, Dal?" Dally let out a good-natured grin at that.

"It was the letters," Two-Bit told them, "I found out where my deadbeat dad went." Kitty nodded, "He left them when my mom died." Ponyboy looked at them confused.

"Why don't we all talk about this back at home?" Sodapop suggested. Everyone agreed; while Kitty was hesitant.

"Didn't they say they hated me not too long ago?" She whispered to Pony as they walked near the back. Darry and Two-Bit kept giving them glances and they walked. Ponyboy chuckled dryly, "They think it's all your fault that I went to New York."

Kitty shrunk at that, "Man, and I can't even leave." Ponyboy shrugged, "Im sure it beats wherever you were before." He watched as she shivered, almost as if being cold from the memory. "Yeah, its way better."

They continued walking, making small talk. Ponyboy could see the questions evident in Johnnys eyes as they all made their way to the Curtis house. Upon arrival, Kitty froze outside of the gate. Ponyboy gave her a reassuring glance and she nodded, taking the permission given to her.

Inside, they all settled down.

"So- Sodapop called out, "-Im sure we are all confused about this whole situation." Everyone nodded at that, with Kitty just staying still.

"My dad ran out on my mom when he found out someone he cheated on her with died," Two-Bit plainly stated. Sodapop looked confused at that, "I thought he ran out because he had another child?" Two-Bit shook his head, "Naw, I wish it was just that. Then my little sis wouldnt have been born."

Ponyboy thought about that. Two-Bits little sister was hardly a year or two younger than Pony. But, Kitty seemed to be the same age as Pony. The math was hard to think about, especially because Ponyboy was only 3 when Two-Bits dad left.

"So what about the letters?" Darry asked. Kitty answered it. "My dad didnt want me anymore. He found out where I was, and decided to tell Susan that I was Keiths half-sister."

"Talk about confusing," Dally retorted. Ponyboy rolled his eyes before remembering a question he had.

"Why did you lie about not having a name?"

Kitty froze at that. She knew her "real" name the entire time, but it was similar enough- right?

"I didnt just run away for fun." Ponyboy took a moment to consider that. He thought about why he ran away too. While he did, the gang continued asking questions. When it was evident that Kitty was tired, Two-Bit offered to take her back to her new house.

"You have two choices kid-" Two-Bit stated as he got to eye-level with Kitty, "-either you come back with me, or you sleep on the streets." Ponyboy could see his stormy gray eyes.

"Theyre always going to be at eachothers throats arent they?" Ponyboy asked Soda as they made their way to bed. Sodapop yawned, "I dunno. Id guess so. Ya know, Two-Bit was the first one to recommend that he went after ya." Ponyboy nodded, remembering the encounter in New York.

"We were all torn up when you left Ponyboy," Sodapop reminded him, "I think Two-Bit felt the worst though. He was so quick to take his car an' just get outta here for ya. Dal too but I think hell will freeze over before he admits he was scared for ya." Pony felt the guilt come back to his stomach as he nodded.

As they settled on the bed, Ponyboy felt a familiar feeling of guilt. "Soda?" Ponyboy called out, Soda turned to him. "Is everything alright kiddo?"

Ponyboy nodded, "Think Two-Bit can keep bringing Kitty around?" Sodapop rolled his eyes, "Im sure he aint gonna want her cooped up all the time. I can see that he cares a bit about her. Now go to sleep Pone."

Ponyboy nodded, falling asleep.

3

Kitty kept coming over to the Curtis house, even without Ponyboy being there. It took a while, but, Dally finally warmed up to her. At least he didnt glare at her the entire time they would be in the same room as eachother. Soon, she started bringing a small journal with her as she would go over.

"Whats that?" Ponyboy asked her once. Kitty looked at the journal, sprawled on the cover was her name with Journal Entries right next to it.

"Judge told me to get mental help or something. This is what they recommended to me. Something about how I'm still in police custody," Kitty explained. Ponyboy scrunched his eyebrows in concern but let it go. She briskly wrote in it, some words that Ponyboy couldnt read that well.

"Did Two-Bit buy it for you?" He asked her. "Yeah, I think he took it out of his beer money too."

Ponyboy smiled a bit, "Keep spendin his money and see if he stops drinking." Kitty feigned thinking for a moment, "Not a bad idea…" Ponyboy chuckled, "His pockets are going to be dry."

Kitty nodded before making her way through the house. Ponyboy sat on the couch, reading a book. His eyes scanned the words as he heard someone come in.

"Is Kitty here?" Two-Bit asked. Ponyboy nodded, "Shes probably in my old room again." Kitty had been staying in Ponyboys old room more often. Preferring it to being around on the streets. Two-Bit gave a nod as he walked into the room. The house started to fill up with Sodapop and Steve. Even Johnny and Dally walked in after them.

When Two-Bit came out of the room, he gave a grim look to Ponyboy.

"She closed herself off again," he informed everyone else. They had been nearing the one week mark with Kitty and her journal. Except, it seemed to make her worse. Ponyboy got up, "Ill go get her."

Two-Bit shrugged, "You can try." Two-Bit settled on the floor, to watch cartoons and drink, as Darry walked in.

"Kitty still here?" He asked everyone. Sodapop gave a nod, "Ponyboys tryna get her right now." Darry nodded, trying to push the worry for Ponyboy.

"Are you okay Kitty?" Ponyboy asked, Kitty remained unresponsive. Ponyboy checked his pockets, finding some spare money in them.

"Want to go to the movies?" Ponyboy asked Kitty. She nodded, getting up. Ponyboy took out the money he had, barely enough. "I'll go get some more," Kitty suggested. He gave me a worried glance, "if you ask for anymore money…"

Kitty shrugged, "he won't mind." Ponyboy thought of what they had talked about before and gave a quick smile as they walked out

"Going somewhere Kitty?" Darry asked them. Kitty nodded while Ponyboy filled him in on their plans. Darry rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet.

"Why don't you make her half brother pay?" Ponyboy asked.

Darry laughed loudly. There was a small groan as Kitty and Ponyboy turned to the couch where everyone was. Steve chuckled as he spoke.

"Yeah Keith, pay up for your little sis."

The End.

I hope you enjoyed this fic! It was fun! You'll be seeing me more on this website :33