I do not own The Outsiders.


I parked on the side of the freshly paved road. My hands shook as I opened the door of my little blue Stingray and made my way up the grassy hill. In my hands, I held a light pink rose.

This morning, I replaced my usual expensive and flashy apparel with a pair of torn up jeans and a red and black plaid shirt. It just didn't seem appropriate to get dressed up for something like this. I knew he wouldn't want me to.

After what seemed like an endless walk-- an endless walk I knew was only about thirty seconds-- I knelt down into the freshly cut grass. Very weakly, I brushed away a few strands of dried grass from the stone.

Dallas Winston
Dedicated Friend and Hero

I laughed softly in spite of myself.

"See that, Dally?" I said to the ground. "You really are a hero."

In my head, I could already hear his voice arguing back. Somewhere, I knew he would boast about his criminal record.

You should see my record sometime, baby. Wanna know what I've been in for?

I smiled, brushing my fingers across the lettering.

"Sorry I didn't show at the funeral," I whispered. "It's just... no one should be remembered that way." I paused, remembering that wreckless smile and that wispy blond hair. "Especially not Dallas Winston."

Tears began to brim over the sides of my eyes. They plopped onto the gray stone.

I wiped away some leftovers.

"I hope you don't think I'm a crybaby," I sobbed to the stone. "I never gave you a chance, that's all. Maybe if I had, then you would be here. Maybe if someone had seen through your bad-boy facade-- through to your soft, sweet side-- then maybe you wouldn't be six feet under. Dead."

Strands of my red hair were now sticking to my wet face. I brushed them away quickly, letting them dampen the rest of my hair.

"We all need someone to love," I said quietly. "Johnny loved Ponyboy. You loved Johnny... I loved you."

My face became blank as I felt my heart sink.

"And that's exactly why I won't ever shed another tear for you."

I dropped the rose diagonally on the grave stone.

"Goodbye, Dallas Winston."

I strutted down the hill and into my car, speeding away from the man I once loved.