(A/N: As promised, the start of one of the sequels. I'm done with classes for the semester and I have a few months of freedom ahead of me to game/write. I hope you enjoy! ^^

Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own the Outsiders, or the characters that are in the book. Raelee, and the other originals that appear in this story belong to me.)

Chapter 1

Dear Dally,

It's time now. Today's the day that Two-Bit, Curly, Pony, and I are going up to the University with the boys. We'll be moved into our dorms by the end of the day. Classes start at the beginning of the week. I can't believe this is actually happening. It's all so exhilarating. Cherry made sure that we were roommates this year, since we can't have coed rooms. She said she wanted to help me around campus since it's my first year. She gave up rooming with the cheerleaders to help me around. She's been really nice. You sure know how to pick 'em. She's real cute. You know, she hasn't had a boyfriend since…since then. Pony's been sweet on her. I think she'll crack soon .They'll go well together.

Anyway, I've been signed up for my classes already. They've put me in my major but they wanted me to get a few general education classes out of the way before I start taking the serious classes. Thankfully, I took a few classes in my later high school years that were college-level. I don't have to take any Foreign Language or Science. I do have to take math, though. I hate math. But you knew that already. They're making me take a physical education class. At least all of the boys are in that class with me. Two-Bit and Curly are going into the college of mechanics. Ponyboy wants to become an English teacher.

I think we'll have a lot of fun. Don't worry, though, big brother. I won't go to too many parties or get drunk. I'll make sure to keep my mind on my studies. I'm sure Pony will make sure of that. And Two-Bit sets the prime example of what not to do. I'm sure I'll remember.

I think that I've gotten better since our last talk. The nightmares have stopped and Two-Bit hasn't had to stop my screaming in the middle of the night. I hope it stays this way. I know you hate it when I can't 'man up.' I want to make you proud.

Alright, Dally. It's time to get going. The boys are all waiting for me outside. I'll talk to you soon. I love you!

Raelee Winston stepped outside of Tim Shepard's car. The sun was bright and hot. It made her squint, even through her sunglasses. There were a lot of other people walking around her. They were carrying boxes and suitcases. There were so many…

"Wow," she heard Darry say, walking over to them. He had parked his truck behind Tim's car. "This place is huge." She nodded.

"Yeah, seriously." Curly got out of the front seat, throwing a backpack over his shoulder. "You sure we can survive here?" Rae joked as Tim lifted himself out as well. Two-Bit and Steve rolled up in that old busted car that Two-Bit's been driving since god knows when. Wow, everyone did actually come. Soda was messing with Ponyboy's hair back by Darry's truck. She could remember back three years ago when he was blonde. She suggested that he keep it that color. The boys all made fun of him, but she thought it was rather becoming.

"I can't believe you guys are college age," Darry said, checking Rae out. "I'm happy you guys are choosing to go to college. But, you'll be paying it off for the rest of your lives, I'm sure." Rae laughed.

"Isn't that how it's supposed to go?" she asked, turning back towards the building.

"At least we're not too far away from each other," Pony said, moving away from his other brother. "I read up about it. The college introduced co-ed dorms this semester. They have the girls on the even floors and the boys on the odd. We all ended up in the same building." Rae smiled, mischievously.

"Well, at least you can come see Cherry anytime you want to, huh, Pony?" She received a light smack on the back of the head from the oldest Curtis. She held her hands up in surrender. "I was kidding! Kidding!" She laughed. "Shit, I was thinking about doing the same thing myself."

"Alright, alright guys. We better get up there and get you guys moved in. I don't want to be driving home late." With that, everyone started unpacking the cars. Rae reached into Tim's trunk to get her suitcases. Curly came up next to her to grab his and gave her a wink. She giggled. "Okay. Tim, you go help Curly, obviously. Soda and I are with Pony. Two-Bit and Steve go with Rae and make sure she gets all settled in with Cherry before you get yourself settled in. Meet back down here in, say, an hour."

The boys grabbed her suitcases. She tried to snatch them back but they insisted they could make a second trip to pick up Two-Bits things afterwards. She surrendered and grabbed a cardboard box full of her things into the building in front of them. She got checked in at the front desk and received a key. She was on the fourth floor of the building. The boys went ahead and got Two-Bit's key as well. He was one floor up from her. They took the busy elevator up and reached the room. The door was already open, so she pocketed the key.

"Rae!" Cherry exclaimed with a smile as they entered the door. "Hey, Two-Bit, Steve."

"Hey, Cherry," Rae greeted her and set the box down on top of a set of drawers. She looked around. "Wow, this is big for a college room." Cherry nodded and finished setting the sheets on her bed.

"Yeah, this building is known for its big dorms." She sighed, happily. "That's why I picked it." The older girl stood up and walked over to them. "I hope you don't mind but I chose the bed farther away from the window. I don't like sleeping close to them."

"No, that's fine," Rae said, quickly. "I'm used to sleeping next to windows. It's not problem at all." Cherry smiled again. "Anyway, we're just going to drop some stuff off here and then go move Two-Bit in. I'll be back later." They said their goodbyes and went back downstairs.

Close to an hour later, Rae, Two-Bit, and Steve went back downstairs from the fifth floor to meet the rest of their friends. How ironic that he be on the fifth floor, Rae thought to herself with a smile. She saw Curly's back facing her, standing with the Curtis brothers. She ran and leaped onto his back. He didn't even stumble, as if he was expecting it, and wrapped his arms around the backs of her legs.

"Hey, beautiful," he said, smiling his handsome smile.

"All moved in?" she asked him, laying her head down on his shoulder.

"Yup. I'm on the third floor with Pony. Kind of cool that we got the same room."

"Mm…Two-Bit's all the way up on the fifth. His roommate is a weird little kid." Before Curly could comment, Darry called them all to attention.

"Everyone moved in?" he asked, looking around.

"Yeah," Rae said.

"Yup," Two-Bit answered. Ponyboy and Curly didn't need to answer, since their brothers had made sure that he was settled in the same room. Curly let go of Rae's legs and she dropped off of his back.

"You guys have fun, you hear? But not too much fun," the eldest Curtis brother demanded. "You had better keep your grades up or they'll put you on probation. This is a lot different than high school." Two-Bit grinned widely. "You too, Matthews. Make sure to call us every once in a while, alright? Make sure we know when to come pick you up for breaks and stuff."

"Ya done yet, Muscles?" Two-Bit complained.

"Now, don't get mouthy or I'll put you back in this car and drive you back to Tulsa." Silence. "Alright, you guys. We'd better say our goodbyes. It's getting late."

After many hugs and 'take care's, Darry, Soda, and Steve climbed into the truck and drove off. Tim stayed for a few minutes longer, but soon was gone as well. Curly grabbed Rae's hand.

"Now what?" Rae asked, looking around at all of her friends.

"We're free, Rae!" Two-Bit exclaimed. "Classes ain't started yet. We should go party!" They all burst into laughter and agreed as they climbed into Two-Bit's car.