Ponyboy looks into the window, seeing Darrel reading the newspaper and Sodapop sleeping on the couch. He sighs, and steps in.

Darrel is pissed.

Darrel: "Where heck have you been? Do you know what time it is? Well, it's two in the morning, kiddo."

Ponyboy: "I-.. I went to sleep in the lot."

Darrel': "You what?.."

Sodapop sits up, rubbing his eyes.

Sodapop: "Hey, Ponyboy, where ya been?" He asks sleepily.

Ponyboy: "I didn't mean to. I was talking to Johnny and we both dropped off.."

Darrel: "Yeah, and I can't even call the cops because something like that could get you two thrown in a boys' home so quick it'd make your head spin. Can't you use your head? You haven't even got a coat on!"

Ponyboy: "I said I didn't mean to.."

Darrel: "I didn't mean to! I forgot! That's all I hear out of you! Can't you think of anything!?"

Sodapop: "Darry..."

Darrel: "You keep your trap shut! I'm sick and tired of hearin' you stick up for him."

Ponyboy: "DONT YOU YELL AT HIM!"

Darrel wheels around and slaps Ponyboy, knocking him against the door. Silence.

Then you walk in. Your the 17 year old Curtis sibling, one year older than Sodapop. You guys are kinda twins. Sorta kinda.

Anyways, you walked in just in time to see Darrel smack Ponyboy.

Darrel: "Ponyboy.. Pony, I didn't mean to!" Darrel looks at the palm of his hand where it had turned red and then looks back at Ponyboy. Sodapop is wide- eyed.