So Pony is really needy for attention, yet he hates when Soda fusses over him or when Two-Bit picks on him. Steve may be the stalker or Ponyboy may be truly delusional. Two-Bit may or may not actually understand what's going on and probably just wants to jump in for a fun ride. Darry just wants to be bff's with Pony like Soda is, but his kid brother is being difficult. Soda just wants everyone to be happy and wants Pony to love him as much as he loves him.

What is wrong with these people?

Note: Remember that this is Pony's POV and that the characters appear OOC for comedy purposes. I'm under the assumption that if you are at this point, you have happily accepted this.

Friday morning- 6:47 AM- Curtis' Household

True to his word, Two-Bit showed up early as he proceeded to crush me in my own bed by simply using his stocky body weight. I might have gotten a little stronger but compared to this eighteen-year-old, I'm still a tiny kid. I struggled and faked-cried to Soda to save me, who tackled the man suffocating me to the floor with glee.

"My back!" The shoplifter cried out, most likely landing on something hard and possibly broken by now because our room is never cleaned.

I mean, never cleaned. Darry tried nagging us for so long to pick up our stuff, but after some time, he completely gave up and now the bedroom is perfect imagery of 'CAUTION! DANGER ZONE AHEAD!'. I feel kind of bad about it because at this point, I can't find a lot of my school stuff and Sodapop apparently lost his spare DX clothes in the wreckage, yet we are both too lazy to try finding anything.

As I think about this some more, this is probably not a good thing.

I don't care though.

Anyways, I was going to feel guilt for his back pain, but then I decided that annoyance would be more appropriate because there was 50% likelihood that what he broke with his ass was mine and even though it technically wasn't his fault, I still felt the need to yell at him.

"Damnit Two-Bit, if whatever you broke was mine, I'm gonna slap you!"

"Hey, no fair! This wiseass brother of yers threw me off the bed, totally not my fault, man!"

Darry suddenly pounced in our room, his face all red with anger as he slammed a fist in our poor, gradually-becoming-broken door. "What is with all the noise?" He yelled, keeping his face directed at the two on the floor as I leaned against the wall on the bed. I think he still feels bad about the whole spanking thing, so he's been acting like I'm the perfect, innocent princess in the house.

This is absolutely, perfectly, freakin' fine with me.

As Darry, Soda and Two-Bit argued about whatever, I quickly darted out of the room to the shower and got ready for school. I was in the kitchen cooking up some eggs when they all finally came out all haggard and uncomfortable. My dark-haired brother went back in his room and my favorite booze drinker collapsed on the couch, Sodapop came up to me with a worried look while placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey Pone, have you seen any DX shirts in our room… or anywhere in this house?" He was whispering, probably making sure Darry didn't overhear and have an ulcer out of frustration, and I patted his hand.

"I honestly haven't seen any."

He bit his bottom lip, making this heartbreaking look that was so practiced and flawless, I can clearly see how people forgive him much more easily than necessary. And God, did I hate him just for that reason.

"Do ya… think I could just go naked?"

Normally this sort of inquiry would flabbergast me, but this is coming from a guy who hates wearing shoes so really, why should clothes be any different? "Well, it would definitely get you more customers, but… you should probably wear pants, at least."

He nodded seriously. "Yes, I should keep certain parts of my body protected."

"I don't think that's the only reason…" I wondered if Sodapop was truly that comfortable with his body, which made me all the more jealous of his perfection. I'm a scrawny kid and still growing (I can still hear Two-Bit's voice, telling me that 'my balls haven't dropped yet'… I hate him so much), here's to hoping that I'll look something like Sodapop or even have a strangely ultra muscular body like Darry.

I don't understand why people want to challenge him since he looks like he could fight a bear and win.

Make that a bear with swords.

Man, Darry is so cool. I hope I can fight a bear one day.

Soda was still leaning against my shoulder. "What should I do, Pony?" He was almost whining by this point and I had half a mind to smack him, but I know that would only make him bellyache so more.

"Give your best buddy Steve a call." I know my tone of voice turned sour when I said his name and noticeably, I ain't very good of hiding it when my brother gave me a weird look. "I mean, he's cleaner than you so he's gotta have an extra one at least in sight, right?"

He snorted but headed towards the phone anyways right when Darry finally came out of his room. Remembering my recent daydream, I had to ask. "Hey Darry, do you think you could win a fight against a bear?"

He looked at me with wonder, and then cracked an arrogant smirk. "I could easily fight off three bears at once."

So if I could have Sodapop's perfect looks and Darry's super strength, not only would I be the coolest thing to ever walk this Earth since the invention of sliced bread, my stalker would totally give up on his stalking ways.

After some more nagging, moaning, bitching and what have you, Steve shows up with a spare DX shirt and leaves in his own car, while I hitched a ride with good ol' Two-Bit. Surprisingly, he didn't smell of alcohol today (yet) and everything he said was actually a clever joke or just something at least sensible. I smiled as I listened to his story about giving a street cop a hard time down by the Ribbon.

"This cop was all like, 'Son, you shouldn't be intoxicated out in public in such a manner' and Imma like, 'Son? So yer my real dad this whole time? Who would've thought a catch like yerself would get it on with my momma!'. This guy was real new too, so he got all bothered and started fussin' about whatever." He shook his head with that cheesy grin plastered across his face, but then suddenly it dropped and he turned to me very seriously. "So tell me about this stalker."

My smile dropped too. "Like I said yesterday, I get this weird feeling that someone's following me. I mean, the Soc abuse has picked up a little more lately, but I dun think it's a Soc. I haven't seen any girls actin' weird either and… well, I have a few other ideas, but they're kinda silly." I ended quickly, waving a hand to brush it aside. "I ain't that worried now."

"Ponyboy." I looked over at my oldest friend, as he lit up a cancer stick, looking all laid-back and cool. I wondered if it was on purpose. "Don't you worry, we always got yer back."

This is probably a bad idea, for sure.

Friday afternoon- 3:01 PM- Will Rogers High School Entrance

I felt ten times better than I did yesterday, but Soda is still up on my ass more than ever. As soon as I walked out the building entrance, he pranced on me like he's been sitting on those stone steps all day. He started babbling about a bunch of nothing (I did listen and everything he said had no relation from one sentence to the next) and Two-Bit was chilling by his car with Steve, who both clearly left their classes early in order to catch me.

And then it hit me.

I looked at Two-Bit, who waved at me all happily and joyous, and then my possible-stalking nemesis, stupid-Steve, who just grunted at me because he thinks using real words on me is a waste of his breath, and then back at my affectionate brother, who gave me another hug.

"Don't you worry, we always got yer back."

Damnit, Two-Bit! I keep forgetting that everyone in the gang likes to blab to each other about everyone else's personal problems because they got nothing else better to do. The only person I really could talk to who would keep his mouth shut was Johnny, only because he doesn't talk unless he had to. My poor dear friend who is resting in peace…

COME BACK AND SAVE ME!

Friday afternoon- 3:42 PM- Curtis' Household

Anyways, so now I'm sitting on my couch while being flanked by Sodapop and Two-Bit on either side of me. Steve was sitting in the armchair, sneaking glares towards my direction which I promptly returned just as ruthlessly. The jokester was cracking up (he's so loud) at whatever was on the television and my brother was still rambling on, but at least it's towards stupid-Steve.

We are waiting for my mighty older brother Darrel to come home from work because he had an early day and wanted to get down on this so-called 'brotherly bonding experience' which the remainder of the gang plans on enjoying as well.

Like the big family we are.

Right.

I sighed, leaning my head on Sodapop's shoulder just out of spite towards Steve. He had such a nasty look on his face and yet, he could do nothing about it. My darling blonde-haired brother, completely oblivious to everything that wasn't happiness, swung his arm around my shoulders with a big grin on his face. I couldn't help but snicker loudly.

"Soda, how come you were waiting at school?" I asked, suddenly realizing that my brother has been having this tendency recently to show up to work late, leave early, and appear naked. Well, technically, he hasn't gone nude yet, but I wouldn't hold it against him to not try.

"The boss gots a new part-timer and wants to train him on a busy day so he gets the feel of it. He told me that I could leave earlier if I work a double or two next week." He readjusted his arm so it was resting comfortably around the back of my neck. "And, uh, Two-Bit swung by during the lunch break and said that you were worried 'bout somethin'."

I knew it.

I sighed. "I ain't worried; I'm just paranoid or somethin'."

He just made a sort of 'mmhmm' noise, but said nothing further. Should I be grateful that he's not jumping down my throat about it? Normally he would nag, whine and plead with me to tell him what's up and then eventually, I would spill the beans because I always remember that not only do I share a room with the guy, I share the bed with him too. In that case, he could pester me all night long if he wanted to.

If my nightmares weren't so darn lousy, I would high-tail it out of there.

He's keeping his cool though, being a gentle presence. I'm actually kind of enjoying it because the four of us are just sitting here, taking pleasure in each other's company. It's soothing, almost.

"So what does Superman want to do with this kid?"

I hate you, stupid-Steve! Go curse somebody else for a change. Take your stupid swirly hair, your trash-talk, and your superior knowledge about cars elsewhere! I made a fierce look at him, hoping that my thoughts would translate in my eyes and maybe he would cower in his boots.

It's kind of sad because he just made this pitiful look at my deplorable attempts to scare him and flipped me off. Fine! Two can play this game!

"Hey, Soda!" I said happily, throwing my arms around his waist. "Whatever we do this weekend, make sure that you and I don't get separated."

"Sure thing, hon."

Ha! Take that! I made biggest smile I could muster just to rub it in. My nemesis was twitching as he forced himself to stare at the television. Two-Bit said something but I was too busy relishing my victory until Darry walked in.

"Alright! It's time for some football!" He yelled, as he placed his tool belt on the table. "C'mon sissies! Up and at 'em!"

Except for me, everyone jumped up and starting hootin' and hollerin' like the Beatles were coming to town. This would be pretty cool although I'd rather go see Elvis, despite the fact some of his recent songs ain't so good. Either way, football isn't a terrible sport to play and I can use my speed to dodge my obviously bulkier and beefy friends, but I know something is gonna happen that will result in me getting banged up and Darry is gonna have a cow about it.

I don't understand that phrase. Did someone get so angry one time and went out to buy a cow to exact revenge against his wife who was allergic to the farm animal? Maybe since cows waddle around in their own crap at complete ease, someone decided a cow was the opposite of being stressed and thus, the mocking comment that teases someone for having a cow when they're angry.

I don't really know, but I'm gonna have to keep my guard up. My stalker might be out there too.

Friday afternoon- 4:34 PM- Playing field by the vacant lot

Here I am, teamed up with my super brother Darry while Two-Bit, Steve and Sodapop played the opposing side. You might be wondering how this is fair and I honestly don't it is, but the others put up a legitimate fight. Supposedly, Darry is the strongest and I'm the fastest, it would only 'be fair' if the two of us were on one side, while the average Joe's were on the other.

Whatever.

I took a glance around when we arrived. Aside from a green Ford Mustang, a blue Chevrolet Corvair, a Corvette Sting Ray, and some dump of a truck that I can't tell what it is because it's so beat-up, everything seemed pretty clear. I wondered if my stalker was here today, assuming that it wasn't Steve. I shook my head pretty wildly to clear my thoughts; too wildly that Two-Bit came over to slap me on the back because he thought I was having a seizure.

Why he would slap someone having a seizure, I don't know, but I stopped anyways.

So we're roughin' it up and Darry yells at me to run long, which I quickly dashed past Sodapop and turned my head to look for the ball flying in the air. I reached up and caught it firmly in my hands; however, I didn't notice my shoplifting buddy coming straight at me. I darted my eyes around, seeing no quick escape, and twisted my body to hopefully lessen the impact. I closed my eyes to prepare myself.

While I felt no pain, I felt my body being lifted in the air. Opening them, I saw Two-Bit lying on the ground all muddied up with Darry reprimanding him by standing over him. Sodapop was rushing up to me and somebody had their hands under my armpits, so I looked up.

"Steve?"

He grunted like an animal and placed me back on the ground, the football still in my grip. Sodapop did his mother hen thing, but I ignored it because I was still stupidly staring at the guy who saved me. "Why did ya grab me?" I have to know! This guy, who probably spends his spare time plotting schemes to get rid of me, had scooped me out of harm's way that was otherwise known as Two-Bit Mathews.

"Can't be having ya crackin' yer head in a play game of football."

I blinked. What else could I say? He's so… out of character right now. I might be delusional and dazed by my constant suspicions from the past week or so, but I think I'm still being myself for the most part. I mean, people have asked me if I was okay every time I start twitching, but overall, everything is still as normal as it could get.

"So…" I paused, my eyes narrowing in wariness. "Are you not stalking me then?"

"No, I ain't."

Well then! I supposed that solves one mystery! I mean, he could be lying to me, but as much as he sucks at being nice, Steve's not particularly known for being a witty liar like that guy with sideburns. Speaking of which, Two-bit came up to pat me on the shoulder.

"Yer alright there, kid?"

I nodded, rolling my eyes. I oughta explain to Darry that if he wants to have a brotherly bonding session, that's fine and all, but don't pick an activity that will have you fussing over my physical well-being every minute. And the guy tells me I don't use my head. Maybe if I cracked my skull by head-butting Two-Bit as he tried to tackle me, my muscular brother might have to rephrase his constant criticism.

Yeah, one day I'll show you what using my head is all about.

Brushing that thought aside for a future moment when I encounter a more violent situation and none of these guys won't be there to smash out our enemies' teeth, I looked around the area feeling disturbed once again. "Instead of football, why don't we go see a movie or something?" I suggested for the sake of Darry's worries and my own perturbed fear. "I think they're playing a new action flick tonight at the drive-in."

The guys kinda grumbled about it, mostly because they aren't very good at sitting still and paying attention. Two-Bit gets too drunk, Soda gets all antsy, Darry thinks it's dull, and Steve doesn't really care. I know all this, but I ain't backing down. I don't feel like getting all beat up from football because I'm bored and I know that when I get bored, I get super whiny. When I'm super whiny... well, let's not go there.

"If you guys don't want to, I'll just go myself…"

They got all riled up, telling me 'no, it's cool, we'll go' and acting like a movie would be the greatest thing to ever happen to us right this moment. Which, in my head, would be pretty swell and I feel myself getting giggly over the prospect.

I love my gang of my friends.

Gheez, I hope that turned out alright. I tried to make it funny, but it seemed to turn out kind of boring, eh? My apologies for that *bow*. I also hope to make the next chapter a little longer… yeah!

Anyways, I hoped you enjoyed and please leave a review! ^_^