I was wearing a black suit, black tie, and black dress shoes. So was Darry, Soda, Two-Bit, and Steve. We all say quietly, listening to the pastor give his condolences. It just seemed too fast when Johnny died. He didn't deserve it.

"It isn't fair", I said quietly. "It's just not fair."

"Hey, Pony", Soda whispered, patting me on the back gently. "
Everything's going to be fine."

I couldn't take it. Tears rolled down my face, my warm face and my tears made it glisten. I tried to keep as quiet as I could. Soda pulled me close to him, rubbing the back of my head. He kissed me gently on the forehead and said, "It's ok, kid. I'll ask the pastor if you can see Johnny... If we can see Johnny."

I looked up and saw one of Johnny's relatives speaking. He was talking about how good of a kid Johnny was-and it made me sick. So sick. I wanted to come to this funeral, but I knew that I wouldn't be able to take it. I just knew it.
After all the talking was over, we were all requested to walk outside.
It was so dark in the church from those dim lights that it hurt my eyes a lot when I walked outside.

"The poor kid...", Steve said. "Why is it the good kids that die?"

I never heard Steve talk like that before. I didn't think he cared about Johnny that much, but it turns out he does... When those guys carryin' the casket Johnny was in came outside, they walked slowly past everyone. When I saw the casket passed by me, my heart gave a sudden violent jump. I just took a deep breath. A deep, quivering breath. I was trembling. It seemed like there were so many memories of me and Johnny going in and out of my mind.

There were.

Two-Bit saw me trembling and asked, "Hey, you ok, kid?" I couldn't answer him. I was trembling too much.

"C'mon, Ponyboy. I'll take you home.", Darry finally said. I wanted to go home,
but I didn't at the same time. "I-I want to s-see Johnny... Please...", I said in a shaky voice. Darry asked those guys if we could see Johnny after the funeral was over. Darry had bribed him until he finally gave up. The guy opened the casket ever so slowly. When it was opened all the way, I didn't cry...
I bawled.

"Dang. The poor kid really was in bad shape.", Two-Bit said.

"Yeah", Steve agreed. "Real bad."

I slowly reached out to stroke Johnny's hair. "I miss you, Johnny.", I said.
That guy came back and slowly closed the casket back, and the rest of his men helped him take it away... Helped him take Johnny away... When I got home,
I reread the letter Johnny wrote, and remembered what he had said in it,
"I'm just going to miss you guys."

I bet he did... That letter was the only memory of Johnny I had left. The rest were all blurred now. I went to sleep bawling that night. I knew where Johnny was now... In a better place...