"I've seen you around town before," Tim Shepard said. His eyes stayed glued to the newspaper he was reading as he talked to me.

"I haven't see you," I said with a small shrug. Tim hummed in response and nodded slowly.

Last night, I had stayed in the hospital with Dally. It was probably one of the worst nights of sleep I had ever gotten, but I just wanted to be with him and make sure he was okay. It really made me appreciate all of the nights he spent with me while I was stuck there. Luckily, Dallas only had a second-degree burn on his forearm, and would be discharged after a few treatments.

I left the hospital early in this morning and made my way over to the Curtis house with a cup of black coffee that I had picked up on the way. It was nice to finally be welcome back to the brothers' house. I had missed this place and all the memories it held.

When I got here, I sat on the couch and had small talk with Darry. Each of us were just catching up with each other, which was nice since we haven't spoke in awhile. He dismissed himself though because he had to run out of the house real quick.

Shortly after he left, a new face entered the house. The boy appeared to be a bit older than me. He was clearly a greaser. He introduced himself as Tim Shepard, a name I had heard before. I remembered him from the night at the drive-in. Dally had slashed his tires.

The brunette boy was strange. He just let himself inside the Curtis' house and took a seat on the couch, uncomfortably close to me. Tim picked up one of the newspapers that was laying on the coffee table and began reading it, while talking to me very once and awhile.

"Your name's Diana, yeah?" Tim asked. I sent him a curt nod and a tight-lipped smile. This conversation was getting tiring and awkward. I wasn't really sure why he was here right now. "I heard about all the fights between you and the socs."

"Cool," I remarked. What else was I supposed to say to this guy?

"You apart of Curtis' gang?" Tim asked.

"I guess," I replied. My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. I didn't really know there were different gangs within the greasers.

"Maybe you'd wanna hang around my crew," Tim said. He flipped a page of his newspaper.

"Maybe not," I said.

"You and Winston going steady now?" He questioned.

"Yep," I answered.

"That's a shame," Tim commented. I moved over on the couch, trying to put space between us.

I heard footsteps approaching and sighed in relief when I saw Ponyboy appear in the living room. He glanced at Tim and then me. "Hi Tim," Ponyboy said, confused as well.

"Hi kid," Tim replied. He flipped the page in his newspaper.

"Can I get you some breakfast or something?" Ponyboy asked, motioning towards the kitchen.

"Nope."

Ponyboy met my eyes. 'What the fuck,' I mouthed soundlessly. Ponyboy just shrugged and tried not to laugh.

Tim folded his newspaper and stood up. "Thanks for letting me use your couch," he said, making his out the door.

"Sure," Ponyboy said unsurely. "Anytime.."

As soon as Tim left, I stood up and followed Ponyboy into the kitchen. "What was that all about?" Ponyboy asked me.

I shrugged, not really knowing myself. "He just let himself in and started talking," I said.

"Weird," Ponyboy commented. I sent him a nod in agreement as I hopped onto the counter. He opened the fridge and pulled out a cartoon of eggs. "Want some?" He asked.

"No thanks," I relied. Ponyboy nodded and turned on the oven, whistling as he worked. He prepped the pan by placing some butter on it and then his eggs shortly after.

I saw the front door open in the living room, and watched as Two-Bit and Steve walked inside. "Anybody home?" Two-Bit shouted.

"Yeah, in here," Ponyboy called back. "Don't slam the door."

Two-Bit signaled for Steve to go around to the other entrance of the kitchen, while he placed his index finger over his mouth to keep me quiet. I smirked at him and sent him a discreet wink. Two-Bit dashed into the kitchen picked Ponyboy up off the ground, spinning him by waist. Ponyboy's breakfast slid right out of the pan and onto the floor. "Ponyboy Curtis!" Two-Bit shouted excitedly.

"Hey!" Ponyboy exclaimed. "What are you doing?" Steve finally joined Two-Bit and shook Ponyboy's shoulder, the two of us bursting into laughter. "Look what you did!" Ponyboy lectured the older boys. "You made me ruin my eggs, drop my spoon."

"Look at the blonde-headed monkey!" Two-Bit laughed obnoxiously. I rolled my eyes and chuckled along. Two-Bit opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of beer.

"I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it in the paper," Steve chuckled, pulling out today's newspaper from his back pocket. "Tell me, guys, what's it like to be a hero, huh?" Steve glanced between Ponyboy and me.

Ponyboy gave Steve a look. "A what?"

"A hero, man!" Steve replied. "You know, like a big shotie!" He handed Ponyboy the newspaper he was carrying and let Ponyboy read over the front page.

"That's not a word," I remarked. "And we're not 'heroes'."

"Sure you are!" Steve said. He glanced at Two-Bit who had already starting drinking. "Beer for breakfast, Two-Bit?"

Two-Bit smiled and held up his beer in the air before taking a swig. "What I like is the 'turn hero' bit," he remarked, referring to the paper Pony was reading.

Ponyboy handed me the newspaper so I could look over it. "They're charging Johnny with manslaughter?" Ponyboy asked. His brows were furrowed in shock and confusion.

"No way," I spoke in disbelief. My eyes read over the paper. There were four pictures printed largely on page of Dallas, Ponyboy, Johnny, and me. I was speechless as I stared at myself on the newspaper. My full name was right below my picture in bold ink. I don't even know how the media could've gotten a picture of me.

"What do they mean 'if he recovers'?" Ponyboy asked the rest of us.

"It also says how you saved those kids," Steve said to Ponyboy and me. "They would've burned to death if it hadn't been for you two."

"Hero or not, I'm totally screwed," I remarked. I ran my hands through my long hair. "My picture's in the paper! Full name and all."

"That ain't good," Steve said.

"Maybe you should dye your hair like Pony," Two-Bit joked. "No one'll even recognize ya!"

Ponyboy and I shared a wide-eyed glance and then laughed. I hopped off the counter and stood in front of the cabinets now. "I think I'll have to pass that one up."

"Oh, come on!" Two-Bit exclaimed. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and held up a strand of my hair in his hand. "Steve can cut it and I'll dye it!"

"Thanks but no thanks," I chuckled and shook my head. "I'd look pretty bad as a blonde anyway."

"Doubt it," Steve laughed along.

Two-Bit let dropped his arm from around my shoulder. "Dallas will be mad when he hears they didn't even mention his police record," he joked.

I handed Ponyboy the newspaper again. "It's all about us," he said. "Darry, me, and Soda." He glanced down at the paper before looking back up at us. "Not a thing about putting me and Soda in a boys' home? No way!" Ponyboy threw the newspaper on the dining room table as he stormed into the living room. "No, they ain't putting me in a boys' home!"

"Oh, hell, Ponyboy, they don't do that to heroes," Steve reasoned with him. Him and Two-Bit had already found Darry's infamous chocolate cake on the counter, getting ready to eat it.

"Besides, you said it yourself," I added. "There's nothing about puttin' you in a boys' home in the paper."

"Hey, where is Soda and Super-Dope, anyhow?" Steve asked.

"Darry ran out earlier, but he'll be back soon," I replied. "Haven't seen Soda though."

In an instant, Sodapop appeared coming out of the shower. I quickly turned away as he rushed to put on a towel. "Whoa! Morning!" Sodapop exclaimed, surprised to see everybody.

"Shut the door!" Steve said, also turning away like I had.

"The what?" Darry asked. He lifted Steve and shoved him aside jokingly. I didn't even notice that he was back.

"All brawn, no brains," Steve remarked. He had a big piece of cake in his hands that he decided to eat for breakfast.

"My virgin eyes!" Two-Bit remarked dramatically.

"Yeah, right," I retorted. Two-Bit chuckled and sent me a sly wink.

Sodapop wrapped a towel around himself and stepped out of the bathroom, leaving Ponyboy in the room to fix his hair. "Darry, have you seen my DX shirt?" He asked.

"No," Darry replied, walking away.

"Hey, you gotta wear pants too, buddy," Steve said humorously. "I think there's a law or something like that."

"I heard it got lifted," I replied sarcastically. Steve's eyes widened in disbelief.

Two-Bit throw his hands up in the air. "About time," he exclaimed.

Sodapop ignored our banter and Steve's hand with the cake in it as he swatted him away. "How about my jeans?" Sodapop asked Darry.

"I ironed them," Darry said. "They're in my closet."

Ponyboy walked out of the bathroom and towards his older brother. "Darry.."

"Hey, hurry up. You're going to be late," Darry told Sodapop.

"Darry, did you hear about that juvenile court thing?" Ponyboy asked his brother. He wore a worried expression. I was a bit nervous too. I wasn't sure if the court was going to call me in as a witness or if I was going to testify. I had never been involved with the court.

"Yeah," Darry said. "The cops told me last night."

"Hey, I'll tell you what," Sodapop interrupted. "After we stomp the socs real good, me and Steve are gonna throw a killer party and everyone's gonna get ripped!"

"Whew!" Steve shouted, pumping his fist in the air. I rolled my eyes but laughed along anyway.

"Where you gonna get the dough, little man?" Darry asked Sodapop.

I noticed Ponyboy step outside of the house. He stood on the porch and stared out into the distance, probably deep in thought.

"Oh," Sodapop's face fell in realization. "I'll think of something!" He smiled as he pulled on his DX hat. "Hey, Two-Bit, Mickey's on tv!"

Two-Bit immediately appeared with another bottle of beer. He took a seat next to Steve and me off to the side of the room. His eyes were glued to the television.

"Pony," Darry called. The youngest Curtis brother heard and made his way back inside. "You know I hate to leave you here by yourself.. Maybe I ought to take the day off." Every since Ponyboy returned from Windrixville, the relationship between him and Darry had gotten significantly better. Darry had always cared about his youngest brother, but he had a funny way of showing it. I think Ponyboy understands that now.

"I'll be okay," Ponyboy assured him. "I've stayed by myself plenty of times. Besides, we can't afford it."

"Yeah, but.. you know, I really ought to stay," Darry said. I think he was feeling a little protective of his younger brother after everything that has happened.

"Don't worry about it, Darry. I'll babysit him," Two-Bit chimed in.

Ponyboy whacked the back of his head, causing Two-Bit to grab him and tackle the younger boy to the floor.

"Hey, Soda, come on!" Steve shouted over Two-Bit and Ponyboy as they were wrestling. "We gotta get to work!"

Sodapop nodded and followed Steve towards the door. "You coming with us today, Diana?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I'm gonna hang with Two-Bit and Pony," I replied. "Maybe next time!" Sodapop sent me a smile and then walked out the door with Steve, who waved goodbye to the rest of us.

Two-Bit and Ponyboy continued to wrestled each other, until Two-Bit finally pinned Ponyboy down, and placed him into a chokehold. "I gotta quit smoking or I won't make track next year," Ponyboy said, struggling with his words.

"Hey y'all, do up the dishes," Darry instructed. He walked around the house tidying up a bit as he continued to gather his things for work.

"I'm gonna cut off your hair!" Two-Bit threatened jokingly. Ponyboy's eyes widened and he tried to fight back harder.

"Two-Bit, lay off," Darry said.

"Yeah, Two-Bit, lay off," Ponyboy added.

"He ain't looking so good," Darry commented.

Two-Bit let go and Ponyboy slowly got to his feet. "Lazy bum," he remarked as Darry grabbed his arm and helped him stand.

"Pony," Darry said. "You smoke more than a pack today, and I'll skin you. You understand?"

"Yeah," Ponyboy sighed. "If you carry more than one bundle of roofing at a time today, me and Soda will skin you, understand?"

Darry chuckled and shook his head. "Alright. Say hi to Johnny for me."

"Okay," Ponyboy said.

"Diana, you're in charge," Darry said. Then, he walked out the door and left for work.

"How come he always puts you in charge?" Two-Bit asked, rolling his eyes.

"I'm clearly the favorite," I remarked as if it were obvious.

Ponyboy walked over to the kitchen. "We gotta clean up the house," he said to Two-Bit and me. Both of us shared a look and sighed, neither of us liked cleaning. Although Two-Bit was way messier than me, I still wasn't the neatest person. "The cops and reporters are gonna come by, and besides, it's time for the people from the state to check on us."

"I better split before the cops and reporters show up," I said.

"We could just hide ya," Two-Bit suggested. I glanced at him and shrugged. Two-Bit and I followed after Ponyboy and joined him in the kitchen. "This house ain't messy," Two-Bit commented. "You ought to see my house."

"I have," Ponyboy said. "And if you had the sense of a billy goat, you'd clean your house up instead of bumming around ours. That goes for you too, Diana."

I put my hands up in surrender. "Woah, you've never even seen my room."

"True, but I know how you are around here," Ponyboy said. I was about to rebuke his statement, but he had a point so I decided against it.

"Shoot, if I ever started cleaning, my mom would die of shock," Two-Bit exclaimed. I chuckled softly at his dramatic remark.

Ponyboy started gathering a bunch of trash around the kitchen and throwing it away into the trash can. He moved on to the dishes in the sink. "Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna help?" Ponyboy asked.

"Or are you gonna eat cake and watch Mickey with me?" Two-Bit shouted from the living room.

Ponyboy raised his eyebrows at me. I glanced between the two of them and shrugged apologetically. "Actually.. I don't think I've seen this episode yet."

"Diana! Seriously?" Ponyboy exclaimed.

"Yeah!" I laughed. "Plus, I haven't had cake in awhile." I turned on my head and made my way over to Two-Bit. I took a seat next to him on the floor and stole the fork he was about to use, taking a piece of cake. "Ya know, Darry left me in charge, so technically, you don't have to do the dishes."

"He'll kill if I don't," Ponyboy reasoned.

"Well, he won't get back from work until late tonight," I said with a shrug. "Lets just go out! I'm sure Johnny and Dally are already waitin' for us to visit."

"But I have chores," Ponyboy said. "I don't think you're understanding the concept here."

"Chores, s'mores," Two-Bit remarked. "Hey, that rhymes!"

Ponyboy and I both rolled our eyes at him. "As long as we make it back here before he does we're in the clear," I said.

Ponyboy thought for a moment. He put all of the dirty dishes into the sink and then washed his hands, and walked over to join us in the living room. "You're a bad influence, you know that Diana?"

I smirked. "I've been told a few times."

With that, Ponyboy, Two-Bit, and I quickly grabbed our things and left the Curtis house for the day.