The Drum Captain
By: Aaliyah-Charity

A/N: Hey, October 22 is my birthday, and I decided to post up a story that I've had on my mind since February 2002! I wrote a rough draft of it, and it's 44 pages long for the first chapter, but it was just too unrealistic, even for my stories! Well, I hope you like this one!

Disclaimer: "The Outsiders" belong to S.E. Hinton.

Chapter 1

"WHAT?! NO!" I yelled at my brother and guardian yelled at me.

"Sodapop Curtis! You WILL go back to school! You can't be a gas attendant your whole life!" Darry yelled right back at me.

"So? What if I will?" I contradicted.

"No....you can have a future if you just apply yourself!" Darry lectured me.

"You know, Darry, there's a reason I quit school other than to help us!" I started off, "I can't do good in school!"

"Well," Ponyboy corrected me, "I can't do well in school."

"Sodapop, I thank you for helping me with the bills and stuff, but with my new raise, you can go back to school!" Darry pleaded. That struck a nerve in my heart.

"Fine," I whispered, "But if I fail, I'm quitting again."

"Well-we're going to make sure that doesn't happen. If you get as less as an 80, you're getting a tutor," Darry warned me.

"Ugh-fine, just....just let me think about this," I said, walking out of the door for a walk. I hated my school. The controversy, the people, the work, the misrespect, the respect we had to give....it was too much for me.

As I kicked a rock out of my way, I heard Ponyboy chase after me.

"SODA! SODA!" he called after me, "WAIT UP!"

"Yeah, Pony?" I asked, slowing down.

"I'm glad you're coming back," Ponyboy said, "It gets lonely with just Steve, Johnny, and Two-Bit there."

I slung an arm around his shoulders, and answered back, "I don't know how you could be lonely with them, but I guess if it makes you happy, I guess I'll go back."

And so me and Pony-I mean, Pony and I walked back to our house, waiting for a new beginning.

A/N: Don't worry, the next parts will be longer, more detailed, and more exciting! But please-don't hesitate to review (unless you're going to flame)! ^_^!