So sad to say, I am currently having writer's block with my other stories *wipes tear*. So here's just a story that popped in my head, I'm not sure if it's gonna be any good so let me know. I probably will continue no matter what until I can start thinking straight again. It's just school and everything makes me a little frazzled. So anyways, let's try this out. Oh Johnny and Dally are alive because its way too depressing when they're dead. Oh also, 'The Outsiders' events never happened.
Warning: This is a w word story; don't know what I'm talking about? Well then read!
Disclaimer: Eh I'm not gonna have fun with the disclaimers till chapter 2 so this is boring. S.E. Hinton owns all characters blah blah blah.
Chapter 1
Ponyboy's POV:
As I slowly walked home by myself, Two-Bit, being the idiot he is left me at school. Go figure. Johnny was sleeping in the lot due to his old man beating the shit out of him, Soda, Steve, and Darry were at work. Dally was probably sleeping off a fight he got into with Tim Shepard earlier today. I remember sighing when Curly gave me the news, how could Dally get such enjoyment out of stupid things like slashing tires? He really was a real hood.
I walked up the empty driveway, surprised to not see Two-Bit hunk of junk there and hearing the laughter of his voice, because if I was correct, Mickey Mouse should be on right about now. I opened the door, threw my books on the couch and walked into the kitchen. I poured myself a glass of chocolate milk and sat on the counter, feeling a slight awkwardness with all the silence, the feeling you get when something bad was about to happen. As I placed my glass in the sink, I thought I should probably head out for the mail right about now. I took a quick glance at the calendar, October 9th, the day after Sodapop's 17th birthday. What fun that had been, I shook my head at the thought of what a reckless day it was.
I opened the mailbox, I still had the feeling that something bad was about to happen. I tried shaking it off, yet it still lurked there. I didn't bother looking through the mail; I assumed it was all bills. I flipped on the news; they were talking about the Vietnam War. Useless, I thought, fighting ain't no good. I started staring at the screen, not listening to what they were saying, just dozing off. "…..as for a special fact, the army has stated that we need more soldiers. Unfortunately most are heading off to college, so as a stated fact, they will be drafting any dropouts over age sixteen." The newscaster, Lance whatever his last name was, voice broke my thoughts.
I figured it wouldn't be an issue for us, since Sodapop was considered a care giver because he helped out with the bills. But still, a lump in my throat was starting to form. I went to the kitchen and filled a glass with water. In hopes it would get rid of the lump. As I was slowly drinking, swallowing so loud they could be heard, I flipped through the mail. Bill, bill, bill, bill, all were bills until I got to the last one, to Mr. Sodapop Curtis. I looked at the return address. My glass shattered as it fell to the ground in what seemed like slow motion. I ripped open the letter, not caring if it was addressed to me or not.
Mr. Sodapop Curtis,
We apologize for the short notice. Due to the fact that our records say that you have recently turned seventeen, and currently are not in school. Also for the fact we need soldiers on the battle front, we ask that you report for duty on October 10th at 10:00 A.M. Thank you and we expect to see you.
The United States Army
No. No. No. This could not be happening. No. War was not a place for anyone, especially Sodapop. He was too nice; he would turn hard like Dallas. I wasn't going to let that happen. I heard the door quickly shut and the footsteps heading to Darry's room. I quickly shoved the letter under the couch. I looked around in our room for a while, and finally found Sodapop's wallet. He forgot it again. Then I ran into the bathroom and looked at his picture with the reflection of myself.
I scrounged through the medicine cabinet and found exactly what I was looking for. Peroxide. Although it smelled nasty, I had to do it. I bleached my hair, and then looked in the reflection again. There was no way I was going to pull this off, Soda was too good looking. Brushing past Darry in the hallway, I ran into my room, locking the door. I took out a bag and began packing, taking every single picture I owned, in hopes that no one would realize they went missing. I stuffed the bag filled with my belongings in the closet and threw a DX cap on my head, hoping no one would want to take it off, forcing me to explain my hair fiasco. I went to the kitchen and saw a note,
Ponyboy got called in for a late shift tonight. Soda won't be back until around ten. Dinner is in the oven for you,
Darry.
So I ate in silence, thinking about the hardships I would have to face. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks, I'm going to Vietnam.
Well, there you have it. It probably sucks big time, anyways corrections, complaints, just like the story? Click the review button! I also know that Soda wouldn't be drafted until age 18 but I felt like Pony being 14 would make it more dramatic so sorry. Oh if you didn't realize, I'm going by Sodapop's appearance in the book which was blonde hair.
~Dom :)