Yes, it's another Outsiders fanfic. I know some of you may be like 'where the hell is she getting these ideas?' or 'doesn't this girl have a life?' or even 'that girl has some major problems, but I like it!'. Hmm... can't say which 'comment' I would prefer...

Oh my, Randy and Ponyboy-centric this time! I've always wanted to write something with these two guys in it. I find it interesting how they go from 'typical social rivalry' to 'some sort of connection that's not quite friendship but not platonic either'. If what I said made any sense...

Anyways, back to the fanfic.

Summary: Randy discovers that he is failing English class. The teacher decides that he is in need of a tutor. And who else better than Ponyboy? The two of them may be on mutual terms for now, but will they be able to handle this? What will the gang and Socs think? Randy's POV

Oooh, I can feel the tension already! Hahaha!

Prologue

Tuesday afternoon- 3:15 PM

"Please come to my classroom at the end of the day, Randal."

Phft, what the hell does that old man want now. As if I got all the time in the world to meet with him. The gang wasn't too pleased either.

"C'mon Randy! Just skip it. It's not like he can't tell ya tomorrow or something."

Of course, my father's voice chose to step in right after that.

"Randal, I don't care what you do with your friends outside of school, but do keep good grades while you are in school. That's all I'm asking for."

Thus, I had to tell the gang that I just wanted to get it over with now, then deal with a bitchy teacher the next day.

Almost everyone is gone, save the janitors, some teachers and those nerds that would rather live in the classroom than hang out at Rusty's. I could hear my sneakers make little squeaks on the linoleum floor. Amused, I purposely dragged my feet the whole way to the English room, annoying random passer-bys.

Making a light tap on the open door, I walked in, only to spot the old man seated at his desk with a sky-high pile of papers on his one side. His golden nameplate, reading Mr. Syme, sparkled almost mischievously as I approached the desk. I was starting to get an ominous feeling, like something that I would not be please with will happen.

What would Bob have done? Ignore it, most likely.

"Yes Mr. Syme? You asked to see me?"

That's right, play it cool like Bob would have. Act like the good boy that these foolish adults believe you to be.

Pausing in his writing, I noticed with a red pen, he glanced up at me, looking at me as if he could see through my act. Hah, fat chance.

"Have a seat Randal. I will be with you in a moment."

Of course, I only have to wait another hour or so, right? Damn teachers.

Surprisingly, he finished writing in less than a minute, placing that cursed red pen down gently to the side. He opened a desk drawer and pulled out a manila file, filled with a good stack of papers.

Holding it up, he looked at me. "Do you know what this is, Randal?"

What? Am I suppose to read his damn mind or something? "No sir, I do not."

"It's a file of all your papers so far from this year. Or should I be more precise, all of your papers that you have failed to respond to my expectations."

You know, I really hate it when they start talking in riddles like that. "Are you saying those are papers that I have received 'F's' on? Or papers that I forgot to include a certain rule of yours, thus not able to receive full credit?"

Sighing, he placed down the file, using his free hand to rub between his eyebrows. Heh, he thinks he's suffering. I'm the one that doesn't need this shit!

"Randal, you speak well enough, but, to put bluntly, your papers are crap."

Wait a minute... "Crap, sir? I'm afraid I do not understand what you are implying. Unless you're just trying to say that I'm, perhaps, failing?"

"Yes, Randal, you are failing. Very badly at that. Of course, what I don't understand is the difference between the way you speak and the way you write. If anything, I must say you are like the opposite of Ponyboy Curtis."

Ponyboy? What does he have to do with anything? "Opposite, sir?"

"I'm sure you have listened to him talk before, not exactly great English, but I can only assume it's from his environment, which I, obviously, can't change. As for the opposite though, his writing is definitely something to note on."

Ah, I see where this is going now. "Sir, you seem to brought up Ponyboy for a reason, right?"

The old man smiled, closing his eyes. "You're a bright one Randal, which is why I must insist that you follow along. I'm assigning you a tutor; more specifically, I will have Ponyboy help you with your work."

Damn it... "Is it absolutely necessary that I do this sir? Isn't there something else, like extra credit of some sort that I could do instead?"

"No Randal," He was shaking his head, looking at me again, "I want to see if your work would improve with someone checking it over. Randal, I believe you have the potential to do well in this class, but I do not know whether you're simply not trying or if you truly do not understand the assignments given.

I asked Ponyboy today, and he said he would do it, but only if you agree as well. Randal, the boy is willing to give up some of his free time to help you, so I think this would be a good chance to bring your grades up and also... I don't know about this, but make a new friend, perhaps? Someone who knows what they're doing most of the time at least?"

What the hell? Friends with Curtis? I don't hate the kid anymore, but goes as far as being friends with him? Fat chance. As for my grades though... "Can I give you my answer tomorrow sir?"

"Sure, before or after class, I will expect a response. As for now, you may be on your way." He finished, waving a hand towards the door.

Carefully, I kept my stride to the outside calm, acting as if everything's was fine and dandy. Once I stepped out though...

My knuckles were bleeding, being scratched up by the brick wall.

This was seriously pissing me off by the minute. A tutor? And of all people, Ponyboy Curtis? A greaser for god's sake! Hah, I could see my friend's faces now.

"A Soc being tutored by a grease! Hah, what a loser you are Randy. That's pretty pathetic that you couldn't even get out of it."

One thing is obvious though. If I do go along with this, it must be kept to an absolute secret between Ponyboy, Mr. Syme and I.

God, if Bob could see me now from wherever he is now. He would probably beat the shit out of me, then laugh. Or maybe the other way around?

There is one thing bugging me.

"I asked Ponyboy today, and he said he would do it..."

Why the hell would Ponyboy Curtis, a greaser, agree to tutor me, a Soc?

And there's the prologue! Oh my, Randy is so upset. What will he do? Agree to be tutored? Disagree? Run away? Die! The possibilities are endless!

Okay, I'll stop now. Please read and review!