All rights belong to S.E. Hinton! Before I begin I would like to apologize for my leap of absence.

*Pony*

I was released early in the morning. I felt much better and wasn't as pale, anyway that's what mom said. When we arrived home mom gave a weird look to dad, then to Soda. I wasn't sure what that was about until dad piped up.

"Soda, we need to have that discussion. Darry will you excuse us?" Darry complied leaving the room to go to his. Mom guided me to the couch, Soda sat beside me, and dad sat in his armchair.

"We want to know exactly what happened, and don't lie to us," mom sternly stated. I still wasn't quite sure what was going on, then Soda spoke up.

"I left Pony to watch my bike while I got my helmet. When I came outside the bike was ruined, I wasn't thinking and got upset. Yelling, I ran over to Pony and the heap that had once been my beautiful new bike, I pushed him. I didn't see the vehicle coming down the road, and I was blind with rage," Soda sighed sadly, suppressing a tear threatening to fall.

"Didn't you realize there was no possible way for him to do that to your bike? It was mangled, Soda. Pony couldn't have done that. It was impossible, plus you were supposed to keep an eye on him, honey. You weren't even supposed to be by the road, you know the rules," mom's voice was understanding yet stern.

"I don't know, I just. I'm sorry!" He was sobbing openly, holding nothing back he grabbed a hold of me and squeezed. "Pony, you h-have to understand. I would never ever hurt you! I was just acting on impulse, and I didn't mean it. Watching that car come at you was th-the scariest thing I've ever seen in my life. I just couldn't imagine life without you, I love you more than anything. Forget the stupid bike, I never want another bike in my whole life, as long as you forgive me. I'll live in my room if that's what it takes!" He finished. Dad looked at mom.

"I didn't even have to say anything," dad announced," Soda, you are grounded for a month. That means no going to hang out with Steve, or anyone else. Seeing as you were very emotionally scarred by what you witnessed I feel as that's a fit punishment. We aren't angry and we don't hate you. We were just disappointed in the decisions you made, you do understand that, correct?"

"Yessir," Soda nodded.

" You two are free to go," we both got up and gave our parents a hug glad that this was finally over.

" Soda, I don't hate you, I'm not even mad at you. I know you just got angry and never meant to put me in danger. It just sorta happened," I informed him on the way to my room which he followed me into.

"You mean that?" He asked sitting on my bed beside me.

" Yes," I stated laying down, he layed beside me draping his arm over me, and pulling me closer to him.

"I love you, Ponyboy."

"I love you too," I spoke through a yawn drifting off to sleep despite it being daytime. I heard footsteps in the hallway make their way into my room. They stopped by the bed, covering us up then I felt a kiss on my forehead. The footsteps faded away and stopped by the door I think.

"We have amazing kids," I heard dad whisper.

"yeah we do," you could almost hear the smile on moms face. I felt a warm feeling in my chest then drifted to sleep.

Please tell me what you thought.