I feel kind of crazy telling you this, but my name is Sodapop. Yeah, just like the drink. I'm 16 years old and I live somewhere east of nowhere Oklahoma with my two brothers Darry and Ponyboy. Ever since our parents died nearly a year and a half ago we've been trying our best to stay together. The state is always riding our tail, just looking for a good reason to stick me and Ponyboy in a boys home. Yet for the time being Darry still has custody and I am thankful for that because sticking together is what its all about.

I still remember the day, the day Darry gave everything up for me and ponyboy. He had a scholarship, and for a family who's tight on money barely living week to week that meant a ticket to anywhere in the world, and it was all free. Darry didn't take it. I still wonder what drove him to make such a difficult decision. The path he chose involved him working two jobs a day to support two teenagers at the age of 21. Darry grew up faster than he wanted to, sometimes I forget that he used to be just like me and Ponyboy. Wild and ambitious, sometimes wreckles, now he was responsible and protective, and he got his kicks from reading the morning newspaper. I bet he still wonders how he would of turned out had he gone to college, infact he wouldnt be human if he didn't. I guess even for Darry making good decisions and sticking together is what its all about.

I know I'm not the brightest bulb in the box, I never was, thats why I dropped out of highschool my sophomore year. I know it sounds stupid, but atleast I'm good at fixing cars. Me and my buddy Steve did it all the time for fun, so when the opportunity came for me to make some money off it I had to take it. This way I can help Darry with the bills and help put Pony through college. Thats what Pony always wanted, his big chance to really make something of himself, and he would. Ponyboy was smart, even if he forgot to use his head sometimes. I guess dropping out of school wasn't in my best interest, and it sure didn't make my brothers too happy, but reguardless I did it for them and I wouldn't have it any other way because for me sticking together is what its all about.

The decisions we make could really effect eachother. It's kind of hard only thinking about yourself when youv'e been put into a situation like mine. If the three of us don't stay reasonably behaved the state would separate us for sure, and no doubt faster than a dumby like me could spell it out. I guess that goes for anyone though, you should be thankful for what you have, and hope to god nothing is worth risking it. Decisions are and important part of life I'm sure, but when you take a gander at how one selfish move could effect another life and in more ways than one, you will realize what I mean when I say, the hardest decision you will ever make is whether or not sticking together is what its all about.

"I shall be telling this with a sigh,

somewhere ages and ages hence,

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and I --

I took the one less traveled by.

And that has made all the difference."

- robert frost