A/N: So I'm still working out the kinks of the story, and I have a little bit of writer's block. Pardon any blandness or boringness. I promise it won't last for long!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders, because if I did, I would show Mr. Syme's reaction to Pony's theme. Always curious about it.

Ponyboy's POV

What was Cherry Valance doing here at my house? I haven't spoken with her since that trial, and all she ever does in school is ignore me. Even if she does say she's changed.

"I caught myself a good one, haven't I boys? And Rowan! Says she's looking for you, kid." Tim triumphed as he pointed at me. Tim Shepard was always looking for some trouble, and I guess capturing a Soc was the only decent thing he had to do lately. Cherry looked disgusted to have her arm entwined with Tim's. I noticed Rowan was simpering, she never really liked this redheaded Soc. We all think it's because Dal was a big flirt with her back when Rowan came into our lives, but Rowan denies it. She says it's 'cause Cherry Valance is a stuck-up, snobby bitch who thinks she owns Tulsa. Maybe it's a little of both reasons.

I will admit, maybe, just maybe I have developed a minor crush on Cherry over the past week, and it was good to see her here, but I didn't like the way she treated me at school. "Ponyboy, can we talk? Please?" she begged me, still stuck on Shepard. Rowan got up and crossed her arms, standing face to face with Cherry. "Why don't you just go back to the West side, Valance? You can't show up on our side of town, like you own the goddamn place." Cherry was one or two more inches taller than Rowan, but Rowan could still look her in the eyes, no struggle. Besides, everyone here knew Rowan could take down Cherry. Dallas started laughing in the back. He found it amusing how Rowan got so defensive when Cherry was around. He also thinks it's because of the flirting last week.

Cherry jerked her hand out Tim's grasp. "I need to talk to Ponyboy," she cried, noticing Rowan's injuries. "What happened to you?" Rowan cracked her knuckles. "Got into a scrabble with some of your kind. Men. I'll be fine." Cherry's eyes widened and she looked sympathetic. Before she could reach out to rub Rowan's arm, Rowan sat down next to Dally, who was picking his teeth with his fake ID. Says he's 21 when he's really 17, to buy alcohol. Dally lifted Rowan over his shoulders, and ran for the door. "We'll be back!" Rowan flashed the peace sign with her fingers before her face disappeared behind the door and the engine of her red mustang fired up, speeding off.

Tim occupied Dally's spots, they've always been buddies no matter what. Cherry looked at me with pleading green eyes. I sighed. "C'mere over to my room." I directed her towards my room, making a space on the bed for her to sit. It was awfully messy in here, Soda never cleans and I never do either. There's only been one other Soc in the house, being Randy Adderson when he came and talked to me before the trial.

Cherry sat down all lady-like and closed her eyes for a few seconds. "So what do you have to say?" I blurted, impatiently. She finally spoke. "It's getting to be too much," she began softly. "Greasers against Socs. I know you guys won in the rumble, but that gives the Socs more fuel. But I have had it!" She stomped her foot on the ground. I didn't know if she meant to. "Not with you, Ponyboy. You're a good kid. My house was attacked last night. Spray painted with nasty words. Egged too, it's awful." I bit my tongue. Man, she was so pretty. It wasn't anybody from our outfit, not that I knew of. It could've been Dally or Rowan since both of them were supposedly out at Buck's last night, but they're in the gang, so I wasn't gonna say nothing.

"It wasn't anyone of us, try Tim Shepard's gang, or the Brumly Boys. I don't know…" I didn't really care about her house. She deserved it for acting so rude to me at school. She continued. "Thanks anyways, Ponyboy. But I must warn you. David and a couple of his friends were talking about some…stealing, or something. I didn't know what it was, I thought I'd warn you." I wasn't even paying attention anymore, but I nodded anyways, showing her to the door. "Thanks, Cherry," I muttered on the way out.

I sat down on the couch, glancing at Mickey Mouse on the screen. What about this cartoon did Two-Bit like so much? "So what did Ms. Cherry have to say?" asked Darry who seemed to be speaking for everyone. I shrugged. "Just pissed off about some vandalism. Nothing to do with us." Two-Bit's lips twitched. "Unless old Dally had something to do with it." I shrugged, not caring about Cherry Valance. I thought she was different. Even if she did tell me that I should understand if she didn't say hi. We've been through a lot for her to still live like that.

Steve stood up. "Y'all wanna walk down to Tasty Freeze with me? I'm craving a sundae." This lightened up my mood. Soda stood up, tackling his buddy. "I'm in!" Two-Bit nodded, putting on his leather jacket. I didn't say anything since Steve was the one who invited me. He didn't really like me much, like I mentioned before. Soda gave me a light slap on the back. "C'mon, kid. It'll be fun!" I smiled. Everything was okay when Soda invited me. "I'm in."

We all ran out the door. I stayed out of the conversations, until Soda brought Cherry up. "She's quite a looker, but she's gotta quit coming out east. She's provoking those other Socs. "She's my friend," I said, "sorta. She never says hi unless she's alone. Must be her ego." Steve smoked a cigarette. "Who's better looking, her or Rowan?" Soda blinked. "Even if she is a sister to me, I'm saying Rowan." Two-Bit shook his head. "Cherry, she's closer to a blonde!" Two-Bit always dug blondes. Steve said Rowan, even if he does have a girlfriend. "What about you, Pony?" he asked me. Steve was trying to be nicer to me, I noticed. "Cherry," I said with no hesitation. Rowan was real pretty and all, but she's like a sister and I don't really think of her that way.

We got to Tasty Freeze and a red Corvair pulled up in front of us, a blue Sting Ray behind us. Oh great. Four of us against these Socs. We didn't even know the number of them. "Well, well, well, looky what we got here, guys. Some greasers!" Five of them came out of the Corvair, and instantly we were outnumbered. They still had the Socs in the other car. Five more came out of it. Four against ten, we were screwed. Then, salvation.

"You guys in trouble?" called out a familiar voice. It was Rowan! She pulled up next to us, with Dally in the passenger seat holding a 12-pack of beer. So they went to get alcohol. "Why don't you bastards leave, huh?" Dally hissed hostilely. A blond Soc grinned. He seemed amused. "Who's gonna make us?" Rowan squinted her eyes, and pulled out a heater. "Does he need to ask again?" she threatened, keeping the gun low. The blond Soc dashed back into his car. "Let's scram, guys!" he called, barely waiting for the doors to close before speeding off.

I sighed in relief. "Thanks, guys." Steve was studying Rowan's heater. "Where'd you get that anyways, girl?" he asked. Rowan sneered. "Dally, who else? It's not loaded anyways, I learned bluff from the best." Dallas grabbed her face and kissed her, taking a sip of beer afterwards. "Anyways, what are you bastards doing out here?" Rowan asked playfully. I was happy she had Dallas to make her happy, she needed him. Her sisters and mother moved back to Boston, and she refused to go. That was right before her parents divorced and after that, her father was sentenced to the military. Dallas moved in with her, giving her company. I guess it works out for both of them. Dallas has somebody else now that Johnny is gone, and Rowan isn't alone. Perfect couple if you ask me. He needs her, and she needs him.

"Just getting a few sundaes," Two-Bit responded. "You guys want any?" Dally shook his head. "I just nabbed us a few Kools from the drugstore we'll be all set." Two-Bit nodded and we headed into Tasty Freeze. "See you guys later!" Steve called back to our two friends. "Hey, wait man!" That was Dally. "Meet us under the street light at the corner of Pickett and Sutton at seven! Movie night!" That jogged back memories. I had met Dally there the night Bob was killed. Memories suck sometimes.

"We'll be there!" Two-Bit said. I guess I'd go. It should be fun. I sure did love movies anyways. Rowan sped off in her mustang, and we went to get our ice cream. Nothing could possibly go wrong this time.

But I was wrong. Completely wrong.

A/N: What could possibly go wrong this time? Reviews make me smile!