So I decided to continue this story, sorry for not updating right away. Hope you enjoy it and please leave me a review :)

Everything seemed to be going alright. I walked the puppy twice a day, fed him and gave him a bath. He was a lot of fun to play with. Johnny and Two-bit would come over and we played Frisbee with the puppy and took him to the park and to the DX with us.

On Thursday morning I got up at 7 as always ready to walk Catcher. I walked into the kitchen, stretching my arms as I walked, and yawning. I was met by Darry and he looked mad. "You are up, good. I was about to wake you," he said, fixing the scrambled eggs with a spatula in the pan.

"What's wrong?" I tensed up, leaning against the wall and looking up at him.

"You want to know what's wrong, let me show you what's wrong." He went into the hallway and grabbed what I realized were his shoes. As he held them up, I realized they were ruined because the dog chewed them up. "I just bought this pair," He said with a stern look on his face. He sounded pretty mad.

"Jeez Darry don't be mad." I said, running my fingers through my hair, not meeting his gaze.

"You were supposed to look after him, make sure that nothing like this happens." He put the shoes down and was looking at me expectantly.

I frowned, "I'm sorry," I mumbled, feeling really lousy.

"Sorry won't get me another pair of shoes." He turned the stove off and scooped the eggs onto a plate.

I swallowed hard, "Maybe we should buy him toys that he can chew on."

"Oh yeah? Where are you going to get the dough?" Darry pointed a finger at me, "Maybe we should take him to the shelter. I gave you a week…" he started.

I bit my lower lip "Please Darry don't take him to the shelter!" I almost yelled feeling my eyes tear up a little." It won't happen again, I promise."

"How can you promise that?" He was now pouring a cup of coffee.

"I'll look after him. I really, really like him. Please don't take him away." Darry sighed. He was silent for a moment. He was about to say something but at that moment Catcher ran into the kitchen and stopped next to me wiggling his tail. Darry gave the puppy one long look then looked at me. I must've looked miserable because he held up his hands in surrender and said, "Fine you can keep him." I was elated. I picked Catcher up and started walking to my room.

"Your breakfast," Darry yelled after me.

"I'm not hungry," I yelled back, stroking Catcher's hair.

"What are you doing chewing on Darry's shoes?" I scolded as I put the leash on him. "C'mon let's go for a walk."

We went outside. It was early, and the street was pretty empty. I was walking Catcher, but I wasn't feeling the joy that I usually felt. I realized that if something else goes wrong Darry will surely take him away. Then the idea dawned on me - what if I get a job. Darry didn't want me to get a job. He said I should focus on school, but Darry doesn't have to know about it. I'll tell him that I am going to track meet. I remembered a bookstore not far from school. I knew that kids my age worked there. I will ask if they are hiring and hopefully they need me. And I don't ever have to worry about Darry or Soda finding out because neither of them would step inside a bookstore to save their life. I smiled to myself -this was a good plan. I can buy toys for Catcher and good food for him, not the cheap shit we were buying.

When I got back Darry sand Soda were gone. I quickly ate a slice of chocolate cake and started for the bookstore.

It was 9 a.m., and I was walking up to the bookstore. I felt a little tense and butterflies in my stomach. I was nervous. I am not that good at talking to strangers or at making a good impression. I inhaled deeply and walked in, a little bell ringing as I opened the door.

There was nobody inside. Then a middle aged man walked in from the back. He was tall and bald and his glasses were all the way on the tip of his nose. "Hello," he greeted, "early bird huh? Are you looking for anything in particular?" I shook my head. "Well, let me know if you need help picking a book or something." He was about to go back in, but I cleared my throat and said hesitantly, "Excuse me sir… actually… I was wondering if you are hiring. If you need any help?" He turned around, "so you are looking for a job, why didn't you say so?" I shrugged feeling really awkward.

"Actually we could use some help, one of my best salesgirls just moved to another town. Do you have any experience? Have you worked before?"

"No," I shook my head, shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot "but I really like to read and I know a lot about books." The man chuckled, "alright, alright Mr. I know a lot about books I'll let you try, we'll see how good you are. I'm Mr. Samson by the way, but everybody calls me Marty. I'm the manager." He stretched his hand out, and I shook it. "My name is Ponyboy." He didn't even try to hide his laugh – "what kinda name is that?" He chuckled. I felt my face go red. "It's just a name," I said a little defensively.

"Ok, ok don't mind me," he chuckled again. "Ok you can start next winter break will be over by then."

"Thank you very much Mr. Sam... Marty, I'll see you then."

"See you," he said walking back and then added "Ponyboy huh?"

I started walking back. I felt relieved, like I got things under control. I felt excited and nervous at the same time. How will I handle the job, how will I get along with other kids. Bookstores are not exactly places where you find greasers. I knew a couple of kids that worked there, they were middle class, but I hoped that no socs worked there.

At around 12 noon Johnny came by. We decided to go to the lot to play some hockey. I took 2 hockey sticks and a hockey puck. Too bad we didn't have skates. We would just have to run and slide in our boots. We took Catcher with us, and on the way there I told Johnny about Darry's chewed up shoes and about me getting a job. I made him swear not to tell Darry or any of the gang. He listened attentively as always, taking a drag on his cigarette from time to time.

"Sounds good to me," he said thoughtfully when I finished, "you are lucky that someone just moved." I nodded and looked at Catcher. He was running in front of us sniffing the snow and rolling around in it a few times. Johnny followed my gaze and chuckled, "it's really tuff that you have a pup, man," he said.

"Yeah," I nodded and said seriously, "that's why I'm so worried that Darry will take him away."

By this time we reached the lot, and immediately realized we won't be able to play hockey there. The place was all covered in snow that was pretty high, reaching above my ankles and almost up to my knees.

"Shoot," Johnny said, grounding his cigarette "want to try the park?"

"It's probably the same there," I replied walking in the deep snow, trying to make sure I don't get any snow in my boots, "we should go to the river, play on real ice." I suggested.

"Good idea" Johnny agreed, grinning at me.

"C'mon Catcher let's go," I gave out a little whistle, and Catcher ran up to me and started running alongside the road.

The river was not that far, and we reached it pretty soon.

"Too bad we don't' have skates," Johnny sighed, hitting the ice with his hockey stick to check if it was strong enough.

"Tell me about it, man" I replied. Maybe with this job, I thought, I'd be able to get a pair of skates and I'll get Johnny one too.

"Is it strong enough?" I asked as I stepped on the ice with one foot and pressed. Johnny stepped onto the ice carefully and tried it with his feet too. The ice was strong and firm. "I think it's good to go," I said, taking the puck out of my pocket and throwing it on the ice. Johnny nodded, "I think so too."

We started pushing the puck back and forth, sliding on our feet on the ice. Catcher was running back and forth as we passed the puck back and forth with our sticks. We have been there for about an hour when I passed the puck to Johnny, but missed, the puck flying all the way to the middle of the ice. I was going to go get it but Johnny ran ahead of me "I'll get it man." He started walking and then running a little to the middle of the ice. That was a mistake. I guess the ice was not as strong and firm all over, because it cracked under Johnny's feet, and now Johnny's leg was in the water. "Oh man," escaped my lips.

"It's ok, I'm ok," Johnny protested as he tried to take his foot out of the water, but instead the ice cracked under his other foot and the next thing I knew he was in the water up to his waist.

A small scream escaped his lips –"it's really freezing." He grabbed the ice with his hands, trying to pull himself out of the water, but he wasn't successful. The minute he leaned on the ice it cracked. I felt panic - what a hell am I supposed to do? I thought. "Hang on Johnny," I yelled, grabbing the hockey stick. Catcher was running in front of me all the way. Carefully I stepped on the ice and stretched my arm with the stick for Johnny to grab. He did, but the minute he started pulling himself out, I felt the ice crack under my feet. Shit, shit, shit was all that was going through my mind as I found myself in the water. I looked at Johnny - he was struggling with the water, trying not to go down. It was my stupid idea, now I got us both drowned, was all I could think of. So much for starting a job, I thought dully.

I felt like I was going to pass out, falling deeper and deeper into the water. "Hang on man," Johnny managed through clenched teeth and grabbed my hand under the water, "hang on man," he repeated. Then he started moving and kept grabbing the ice, but it just kept cracking. In the corner of my eye I saw Catcher make a small noise then take off. Sorry buddy, I thought, now you are in the same situation as I found you - all alone left to freeze to death in the snow. At least you won't chew on Darry's shoes I thought bitterly, and right away mentally scolded myself for thinking that - how can I think of something like that at a moment like this.

The water was freezing, and I couldn't take it much longer. It was all my fault, it was such a stupid idea to play on the ice and now I'm going to die, and not only that, but I'm going to drag Johnny with me.

After what seemed eternity I felt like giving up. I couldn't breathe right, and I stopped grabbing the ice. I was about to go down deeper into the water when I heard barking. I looked up and saw Catcher running and after him Soda. When Soda saw Johnny and me in the water he was startled. "Hang on I'll think of something," he yelled, and his voice was shaking. "I'm going to pull you out!"

Johnny appeared chocking on water and he removed his hands from the ice and started going down. "No way Johnnycake," I grabbed him by the collar of his jacket. At this moment Soda dropped down on the ice on his stomach and started crawling towards us. He grabbed the hockey stick on the way. Why hadn't I thought of crawling instead of walking I wouldn't be in the water now if I had.

I was holding Johnny, but it was difficult. Soda reached the distance from where the hockey stick could reach us. "Grab it," he ordered. "C'mon Johnny you go first, grab the stick," I pushed him a little towards the stick. He seemed unable to move, his fingers were frozen and his lips were really blue now. "Please Johnny," I pleaded. He nodded, and moved towards the hockey stick but started to go down. "I… I can't," he managed through clenched teeth.

"Please Johnny, you can," I prompted. I was shaking and it wasn't all from the cold water. Finally Johnny reached out and grabbed the stick with his frozen fingers. Soda started to pull. Johnny's fingers slipped, and he fell back into the water. I started crying. I wasn't so concerned about myself, though of course I wanted to live, but it was really killing me that I dragged Johnny into it.

"It's ok, it's ok buddy," Soda said in a soothing voice, "let's try again you can do this." Johnny grabbed on the hockey stick again, and Soda started pulling the stick. I managed to grab Johnny at the waist and give him a push up.

Gradually Soda pulled him out of the water in a way that he was on his stomach on the ice. "You crawl back there," Soda ordered.

Johnny crawled all the way to the solid ground, and I exhaled in relief. My fingers were frozen too, but I was in a better shape than Johnny. I grabbed the stick and held on to it with all my strength. Soda started pulling. I gritted my teeth and held on to the stick. Finally, I was on the ice, flat on my stomach. I felt all the energy drained out of me and I was unable to move. "C'mon Pony," Soda, who was lying on the ice next to me said, his voice was quivering.

"I… can't," I managed. Soda grabbed my hand, "we'll go together," he started crawling on the ice, dragging me along with him.

Finally we reached the ground. I turned onto my back, and was just lying there unable to move. Catcher ran up to me, and grabbed the sleeve of my jacket with his teeth and started pulling. "Good boy," I managed a weak smile. Soda, who was now on his feet, smiled too – "when he showed up at the DX alone without you, I figured something was wrong. He saved you man."

"He sure did," I patted the dog on his head, then I looked up to see what Johnny was doing. He was sitting up coughing up water and breathing heavily, but his lips were a normal color, they were no longer blue.

Soda took his jacket off and gave it to me, "here you'll feel warmer." "Give it to Johnny," I managed, staring into the distance.

"Are you sure?" Soda furrowed his eyebrows. I nodded, but Johnny refused to take it too. "Keep it Soda," he said simply, "or you'll catch pneumonia." So Soda put the jacket back on.

"I wish I had the car," Soda said, picking up the hockey sticks and putting the puck in his pocket, "but I had to follow Catcher, so I had to walk."

"It's ok, don't worry about it Soda, we'll walk," Johnny said trying to get up and managing to after a few attempts.

"Thanks Soda," I said sounding dead serious and looking him straight in the eyes, "if not for you I don't know what would've happened." Soda just gave me a look and his face was really pale.

"Let's go before you two freeze to death." He said next, helping me get up. So we started a walk home. It was difficult to walk in all this wet clothes but I was not complaining. It finally settled in my mind that I could've died today. I looked at Catcher who was running ahead of us. He looked like he didn't have a care in the world.

Johnny was walking next to me. But he suddenly stopped and put his hands on his stomach. "I think I'm going to be sick," he said weakly.

"Go ahead we'll wait," I managed stopping and feeling a little dizzy. He stepped aside and threw up, then we kept walking. We were walking through piles of snow, the snow getting into my boots. I didn't feel so weak anymore I was getting my strength back. What is Darry going to say I thought reluctantly. He'll tell me again that I don't use my head and he'll be right this time, we had no business being on that ice.

When we got home the first thing Soda made us do was change out of the wet clothes. He brought towels and dry clothes for both of us. "I'll make a warm bath Johnny you go first." He said affectionately.

"Ok," Johnny nodded trying to get the snow out of his hair.

While Johnny was taking a bath Soda made me a cup of hot tea. It warmed me up, and I felt better. After Johnny was done, I took the warm bath too. I was feeling much better. But I felt so much guilt that Johnny almost died because of my stupidity. He was now sitting on the couch, his wet hair dripping onto the floor, drinking hot tea.

I got up and sat down next to him, "Listen man," I said firmly, "I'm sorry." He looked at me from under his bangs, placing his cup on the armrest of the couch "what for?"

"For today, for this, I mean it was a stupid idea." I sighed.

He frowned, "Don't worry about it man it's not your fault."

"Sure it is, it was my idea."

He shook his head, "So what? I could've said no, but I didn't think of it."

I was about to say something else when the door opened and Darry walked in. Time to face the music I braced myself. Darry looked at our wet hair and a pile of wet clothes on the floor. "What's going on?"He turned to Soda.

"I can explain," I yelled, getting up from the couch and taking a step forward, before Soda had a chance to speak.

"Please do," Darry turned his attention to me. I was dreading it, but I had to say something.

"We were playing hockey on the ice and we fell through." Darry looked shocked and lost for words. "It was all my idea," I said bitterly. I needed to make sure that he knew it wasn't Johnny who got us in trouble. The look on Darry's face was that of deep concern, "But you are ok now?" he sighed. I nodded. "Catcher, saved us," I said quietly.

"Catcher?"

"He ran and got Soda, and Soda managed to pull us out."

"Catcher went to get Soda?"I nodded.

"He knew to go to the DX and get him?" I nodded again.

Darry seemed to have a hard time believing that. This was to my advantage since while he was deciding if he should believe that Catcher ran to the DX, he was not yelling at me or punishing me.

Finally he turned to Soda. "Did he really run to the DX?"

"Yep," Soda said firmly, "he sure did, and when I saw him all alone without Pony I knew that something was wrong so I just followed him." As if he knew that we were talking about him Catcher ran into the room and stopped next to Darry, looking up at him. Darry petted the dog awkwardly. Then Soda proceeded to tell Darry the whole story how he followed Catcher and how he pulled us out. I was silent waiting for my punishment, but to my surprise Darry just sighed plopping into his recliner. "I'm really glad you guys are ok," was all he said. I waited for the next sentence to be 'you are grounded for a week' or something along those lines, but he only sighed again, "Soda can you please start on dinner? I'm really tired today."