+ Chapter 1 +

As I sat to write the words began to flow in a way they never had before as the memories washed over me another piece of the story came through the pen.

I wrote about Dally the boy whose dig in life was to cause trouble and break rules.

I wrote about Soda my happy go lucky brother who never let anything get in his way.

I wrote about Darry, everything I misunderstood about my oldest brother. He wasn't hateful and hard, he was trapped in a role no twenty-year-old should have to be used to. He got pushed into being an adult too fast so he wouldn't lose us.

I wrote about Two-Bit the boy who loved to mess with me and watch Mickey Mouse.

And finally I wrote of Johnny the gang's pet who died too young but died a hero.

Before I knew it I had a theme as thick as a book. I must have been lost in my thoughts because Soda was shaking me

"Ponyboy hey honey snap out of it it's 1 am you gotta get some sleep if you're gonna make it through school" Soda had a funny look on his face.

"What?" I asked him. I thought maybe he was thinking about sandy again.

"You wrote all that in five hours golly it must have been something important" Soda said climbing into bed. I followed him in a similar manner and Soda slung his arm across me.

"Yeah, it was" I said but Soda was already asleep breathing evenly. As I drifted off to sleep, comforted by Soda's warm breathing, I had a smile on my face.

Yeah thing were different and it was never gonna be the same. And being a greaser was never gonna be easy; but what was left of the gang had to keep going we had to stay gold as long as we could, and maybe even take a few new members into the gang. As Cherry said 'things are rough all over'

As sleep finally over took me, my dreams were filled with memories of Johnny and Dally.

Morning came too quick, I grabbed my theme and went to the kitchen Darry was making french toast.

"Morning Ponyboy" Darry smiled. Wait Darry smiled? I didn't even know Darry could smile.

"Morning Dar," I sat down and began to dig into my breakfast "where's Soda?" I asked not seeing him.

"Early Shift at the DX. Two-Bit is coming any minute to walk with you." Darry sat with me and ate his toast.

"Oh alright" I nodded and wasn't surprised at all to hear a familiar voice shout

"Anybody Home?" I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, Two-Bit, I'm coming!" I grabbed my theme off the table and went running for the door.

"Don't slam the door," Darry warned.

"I Won't Darry!" I carefully shut the door, went down the porch steps and found Two-Bit staring at me.

"Geez kid did you write a theme or a book? And I thought it wasn't due till next Friday?"

"It isn't but I'm done so I might as well turn it in" (I shrugged.) Two-Bit rolled his eyes as we walked.

School was normal, well as normal as it can be now. I saw Cherry at Lunch and she snuck a wave when nobody was looking.

"Glory Pony you got some stars in those dreamy eyes of yours" Two-Bit smirked. I rolled my eyes.

"I do not"

Two- Bit's grin got bigger if that was even possible.

"Glory Kid! Ya really like her!"

"Two-Bit, shut your trap," I said (angrily whilst glaring at him.)

"Ok, ok, Kid." Two-Bit (said with a sigh).

We went to English with Mr. Syme and I gave him my theme. He looked surprised at how much I had written

"Thank you, Ponyboy." Mr. Syme started reading but it would take him a while.

We finished Great Expectations in class and on the way out of class Mr. Syme told me my grade would be in by Monday.

I left to find Two-Bit who was hanging out at the lot.

"You cooled off now kid?" He asked.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm cool," I said. I really don't know why I got so fired up about Cherry. She dug ok but i didn't like her. Did I?

Nah I couldn't like her.

"Ponyboy, ya zone out too much." Two-Bit laughed.

"It comes from being dreamy!" I joked.

"Com'on kid, we'll miss Mickey if we don't hurry up!" I rolled my eyes.

"Race ya!" I said. I still found it funny how much Two-Bit loved Mickey.