Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders.

A/N: Hey everyone! I got really, REALLY bored last night about midnight, so I wrote this, LOL. So, if it's crap, I'm sorry, but I just LoVe writing Outsiders oneshots! Thank you EVERYONE that is reading this, I'll let you get on with the story.. :)

Exactly one year after my best friend Johnny died, I went to his grave to visit him. His tombstone stood tall, reading 'Johnny Cade; A smart, courageous, and very missed hero'. That sure was true. He was smart, courageous, and missed. At reading the tombstone again, I dropped down to my knees; uncontrollably. I had read it the day that Johnny was buried, but I hadn't had courage to come back since then. It sure hurt being reminded of him; of what he did. He was a hero, sure, but he died being one.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a battered piece of paper. After unfolding it, I began to read it aloud. "Dear Johnny, everyone sure misses you, buddy. Things haven't been the same without you; things are worse. Socs are jumping us like there ain't no tomorrow. People have gone fighting crazy - including our gang. Johnny, you used to keep us in tact, and tell us that fighting wasn't worth it. Now your gone, and we don't realize that no more; because we ain't got nobody tellin' us."

I had to stop reading momentarily, as tears started to pour down my cheeks; blurring my vision.

Why'd Johnny have to go? Why'd he have to die? If he would have lived, maybe Dally would've too.

I brushed the tears out of my eyes with my shirt sleeve, and continued reading. "Now, none of us are gonna lie to you, buddy, we're bad off without you."

I stopped there to turn the page around. A cool breeze blew through the hot, humid afternoon, causing a chill to run over me. After taking a deep breath, and wiping away another tear that had formed, I continued; this time, not from the letter.

"Oh, JohnnyCake," I said through sobs. "Why'd you have to go any leave us? I really need you, buddy." The cool air blew against my wet cheeks, and I frantically wiped at my tears. I folded the letter up, figuring that words straight from the heart were better.

"Johnny, you sure are a hero. I wish it woulda been me that died; you could do so much more good. Heck, maybe you coulda even calmed down some of them darn Socs." I laughed a little, between tears. My lip started quivering, and soonafter I was laying down beside my best friend's grave, letting tears run down my face; I was sick of wiping at my eyes.

"Buddy, you were my best friend," I said, playing absent-mindedly with the dry grass under my fingers.

"Johnny, I sure miss you..." I paused; not knowing how to go on. I knew exactly what point I was getting to in my mind, but it just wasn't coming out right. So, after a moment, I quoted something a very wise man had once said;

"...but heaven is sweeter with you there."

I was suddenly overwhelmed with peace, and the sadness left me; taking my tears along the way. I sat up, and put the folded letter on Johnny's tombstone, with a smile.

...

The next time I went to Johnny's grave, the letter was gone. But I remember exactly how it ended.

"... buddy, we're bad off without you. We love you, miss you, and we will always remember you as a hero. Love, your buddies,

Ponyboy Curtis

Sodapop Curtis

Darry Curtis

Two-Bit Matthews

Steve Randle..."

XXX

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