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

1. It still hurts

It's been a little over 4 months since the Curtis parents died. The oldest of their sons gained custody of his younger brothers. It's been a battle but he won in the end. Their friends were there by their side to support in any way. Darry worked 6 days a week for money making sure Sodapop and Ponyboy went to school, had food, clothes. Since it's been recent the tragic events, the social worker visited often. That meant cleaning the house every day spotless.

It was summer, just the beginning of July. Sodapop worked part time at the DX with Steve. He did it just because staying at home was boring enough. Ponyboy, still at the age of 13 soon to be 14, was on the couch drawing a horse he imagined. He didn't mind having a lot of free hours, lucky for him he was an introvert person so reading, being alone, day dreaming, etc., was enough to keep himself busy him. But those days he had so much time to himself that he thought about his parents. How they weren't there with him, how his mother wasn't baking cookies for desert. or his father playing football with Darry outside.

Tears began to form in his eyes so he blinked them back. Just then walked in Johnny with Twobit who began to whistle some catchy tune. Pony quickly looked the other way wiping his eyes trying to be discrete. Unfortunately Twobit and Johnny caught him. Johnny sat next to his friend putting his hand on his shoulder squeezing it letting him know he understood.

Twobit patted Pony's knee, "Hey, I was thinking we could go hang out. Maybe go watch a movie?"

Pony felt embarrassed his friends saw him this way, "Okay."

Twobit wanted him to be happy. After all he was like his little brother too. Loved him like everyone else did, maybe equally as his blood brothers. So seeing him all down in the dumps really crushed him. Johnny was an introvert as well so he comprehended him completely. He was his best buddy anyway.

"Let's go to the DX first, ya know, to tell your brother where you are." Twobit said.

They walked towards the DX, Twobit began telling them a story of a date that went wrong making his friends laugh. Ponyboy rolled his eyes when Keith made dirty comments like how big her breasts were or her booty. Actually he blushed, Johnny was costumed to this kind of talking but like Pony blushed too. Arriving, Steve nudged Sodapop.

"Look who we have here." Steve smirked.

Ponyboy went straight to Sodapop since he didn't get along too well with Steve, he always thought of him as a tag a long brat who couldn't leave his brother alone.

"I'm going out with them, mind telling Darry?" Pony asked.

Sodapop ruffled his hair, "'Sure I will little brother. Where ya heading off to?"

Twobit answered as he threw a ball of paper at Steve just to annoy him, "Just here and there...A movie...Maybe a beer!"

Sodapop pushed him playfully, "Don't you dare!"

Pony nodded, "Really we are, so don't get surprised to see me all boozed up."

Johnny joined the joke, "Yeah, it'll be fun."

Steve gave Soda a look, "What?!"

Twobit laughed pointing at Pony, "Look who's the clown now!"

Ponyboy grinned, "'Course we ain't Soda. You know I don't even like beer."

Soda sighed in relief, "You really had me there..."

"Well let's get going or we'll miss the movie!"

They waved goodbyes heading to the movie theatre in town. Some Socs drove by calling them names. Good old Twobit gave them the finger not really caring. Johnny stayed close to Ponyboy, he was the weakest after all still young. Though Johnny didn't look like his age, but still felt the need to protect him. Fifteen minutes later they were inside watching some lame comedy movie. Ponyboy was just glad to get distracted. It wasn't easy having to lose parents so young. He still needed them, yearned their attention.

In the middle of the film Twobit began horsing around by throwing popcorn at some pretty girls in the front. Some shouted at him to calm down, the girls gave him dirty looks. Pony and Johnny turned red from embarrassment. And to make matters worse, Dally showed up. He nodded a hello ignoring the angry statements from the crowd.

"Did I interrupt something?"

Johnny sighed, "No."

Ponyboy sipped his Pepsi concentrating on what was left of the movie. He didn't get to the end though, Dally joined Twobit with the fooling around crap. It was so much the trouble they had caused that an usher had escort them out. Ponyboy hung his head down walking outside not happy about getting kicked out, the people inside looked at the boys with angry expressions. Johnny shook his head, Can't they ever stay still for just a moment?

"Well that was sure a good movie doncha think Pones?" Twobit happily stated.

"Yeah right, especially the ending."

Twobit scratched the back of his head, "We didn't get to finish the movie..."

Ponyboy glared at him, "Exactly!"

Dally laughed, "Calm down! Sheesh! C'mon, I wanna go down to Buck's, I'm itching for a beer or two."

The youngest Greaser sighed, "I can't go there Dal. Darry told me not to."

"Oh yeah, I forgot. You're still a baby." Dally snickered.

"Am not!" Pony snapped.

Johnny took him by the arm leading him the opposite way, "It's ok, we'll go to your house. See you later guys."

"Sounds like a plan Johnny Cakes!"

Both made their way back to the Cutis house safely with no interruptions. Just as they walked inside the phone rang. Pony picked it up.

"Yeah?"

It was Darry, " Is that any way to pick up the phone? How many times have I told you to answer in a much better way? You're not any hood-"

Ponyboy exhaled loudly, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Oh um, I just got back from the movies."

"Good...Good...Remember to tell Soda it's his turn to make dinner. Is Johnny with you?"

"Uh-huh."

"Tell him to stay for dinner. I'll be back at home no later than 8. Take care kiddo , love you."

"Me too, bye."

He hung up the phone, Johnny had turned on the television looking for something good to watch. Ponyboy plopped himself next to him on the couch. His sketchbook fell off landing on the floor. Johnny picked it up looking inside. Ponyboy let him, he trusted him. Nobody else would appreciate these kinds of stuff like best friend Flipping through the pages with well drawn images Johnny nodded very impressed.

"You sure have a great talent Pone."

Pony smiled, "Thanks, it ain't much but I do my best."

"Ain't enough? You kidding? These are great."

"Thanks again Johnny Cakes. Hey, you're gonna stay for dinner?" He said it more like a statement then a question. Johnny stared out the window obviously thinking of his own place, well if you could call it home. His parents didn't give a hang if he ate or not, slept in, was hurt or even worse.

"Yeah...Is Sodapop cooking?"

"Unfortunately yes. Don't worry though, everything he makes is edible."

They started chuckling, he didn't need his so called parents. Johnny had his real family there. I'm happy right where I am.

It was almost closing time in the DX, Sodapop was placing everything back in their rightful spot while Steve cleaned the garage. Before leaving their girlfriends had stopped by. Sandy, Soda's girlfriend, planted him a long kiss on his lips. She smiled caressing his arm, "Baby, I kinda need one small favor..."

"Anything babe."

"I saw these pretty...bracelets in town...I thought maybe you could, " she gave him another kiss looking at Soda with her eyes widening in excitement, "Give me some money to buy it. It looks real nice, baby."

Sodapop pursed his lips thinking, I guess I could give her some... He grabbed his wallet from the back of his pants handing her some cash, "I don't have much but I guess this will do."

Sandy grinned taking it, "Gee thanks sweetie!"

Her boyfriend was happy seeing her beam, all he wanted was for her to be happy. She did make him feel better when his parents died. Sandy was the love of his life through his eyes. God I love her. So much.

"Well we better go Evie, I'll see you tomorrow babe."

Evie winked at Steve walking alongside Sandy squealing some news to her. The girls disappeared after turning a corner. Steve wiggled his eyebrows at Sodapop grinning.

"Getting laid tonight?"

Soda rolled his eyes, "Shut up. Now hurry up It's my turn to make dinner."

Steve grimaced, "You better not make weird shit or I ain't eating it."

"Now now Steve, that's my specialty! It's my talent!"

"Talent shmalent, it just looks plain nasty."

Finally closing everything, they drove off home. Sodapop frowned a little getting closer to the familiar street. In this short amount of time he still hasn't been able to heal much since his parent's deaths. It was too sad to even be there sitting in his room knowing they wouldn't call his name for breakfast like every morning. It changed their brother's life so drastically, even Ponyboy started getting these nightmares where he screamed his head off waking up in sweat so much that his clothes got soaked up. The first night it happened Soda and Darry were scared shitless. Now he slept next to Pony, it seemed that it worked to keep him nightmare free.

The whole thing looked wrong, two boys in one bed. Nobody understood, Darry made his friends shut up about it. Soda simply let it go, as long as his baby brother was sleeping soundly.

Ponyboy and Johnny were on the porch smoking a cigarette watching the sky, suddenly he saw the car's headlights coming closer. He smiled widely as Soda stepped out of the vehicle. They hugged each other, Sodapop could feel the loving vibes coming from Ponyboy, I couldn't handle loosing another loved one. Everyone is so important to me... Christ, why did this have to happen to us?

oOoOoOo

I hope you enjoyed reading this first chapter. Have a nice day to you all. (: