Disclaimer: I don't own the Outsiders. S.E. Hinton does. Summary: Instead of the judge saying they could stay together, Ponyboy and Soda get put into a boy's home. But four years is a long time. What's going to happen? More importantly is Pony going to be able to handle being away from his brothers and the gang? Will Soda and Pony going to be able to return? I did proof read. Sorry if there are still mistakes. Hopefully I got most of them. Thanks for reading!

(Ponyboy's point of view)

No. No. No. He can't. Soda, Darry, and I have to be kept together. I was ignoring everything else the judge was saying. Something about us being able to get out of the boys home when we were 18. For Soda that was only another year. His seventeenth birthday was in a week. I had four years. Four years without the gang and my brothers. I turned around and saw tears in Darry and Soda's eyes. I tried to keep myself from crying. Two-Bit and Steve were watching with stunned faces. A lady from social services tapped me on the shoulder. I looked up to her and saw the sadness in her eyes. She motioned for me to stand up, I obeyed. I wanted to look at my brothers but I couldn't. I knew that if I looked at them, I would break down. We all headed home one last time.

There is actually got a good look at my brothers without the tears. As usually but worse, Darry looked older. Soda's grin was gone and both of them had red, puffy eyes. Darry didn't say anything at first but pulled me into a tight embrace. That did it. I started crying harder then I ever had. Soda joined us, trying to say something that would calm me down. Darry turned to the social services lady.

"Can we have a minute," he asked politely.

She nodded and left, shutting the front door behind her. Darry turned back to me.

"Honey, it's going to be alright. You and me might be able to stay together for while," said Sodapop.

"But what happens if they spilt us up? What's going to happen when you turn 18?"

"As soon as we both turn 18, we'll be back together again. No one can stop us."

"Soda, that's not going to happen for 4 years, I can't wait until then."

"You're going to have to, baby. I'll be in the same house. I will wait. As soon as you turn 18, we'll be a family again."

I stared at Darry. I was already missing them both. I didn't want to leave them. I didn't want to go somewhere strange and pretend that that was going to be my life. I just wanted to stay here. The social services lady stuck here head in the front door and told us that it was getting late and we need to start getting my clothes and things packed. Soda and I were getting our things together, while Darry and social services lady stayed downstairs. We got everything that we knew that we would need. Soda gave me his DX cap and I gave him my copy of Gone with the wind. We left Darry a note on our bed.

When Soda and I got downstairs, Steve and Two-Bit were there also. I walked up to Darry while Soda went to talk to Steve and Two-Bit. Darry pulled me in for another hug. He handed me a heavy plastic bag. I gave him a confused look, which he must have found funny. I looked in and found five new books. Well used but new to me.

"I know that that's only going to keep you busy for a month or so. Remember, as soon as you turned 18, you're welcome back."

"I'll be here on my birthday."

"Soda, buddy I'll miss you."

"I can't go back to school since I dropped out. They wouldn't let me go back. So I'll still be working at the DX."

As soon as Soda told Steve that he would continue to work at the DX, Steve hugged. Soda and I switched. I was shocked when Steve gave me a hug. I thought he hated me. Two-Bit wasn't for hugging, he just grinned.

"We'll see you really soon, kid. If they let you call us and let you leave that place. Maybe we could hang out at the DX."

"That'll be great. I'll miss you guys."

"We'll miss you too. It's not going to be the same around here."

"Okay boys, we have to leave."

Soda and I followed the lady out of our house. My vision started to blur. I knew I was crying, but I couldn't show it. We got into the car. Soda had his arm around my shoulder he kept telling me that it would be alright. I tried to believe him but I couldn't. We had a plan; to met back when we both turned 18, but I kept going on with the 'what ifs'. Would everything stay the same in four years?

TBC

I'm sorry this first chapter was short but the next chapter might be longer and I didn't want to make them too long. Please read and review. Good or bad. Should I continue? Any review is helpful. Hope ya'll enjoyed.