Thanks for all who are reading this story. I means a lot to me. And a special thanks to those who reviewed. Which consist of Lucy E. Curtis Griffin, McCartney-Sodapop333, .wonderlnd16, togssg16, GoldenScorpio11 and Olivia Marie 20. Thanks a bunch. Not much else to say so here's chapter 3. And sorry I know it's been awhile, and don't worry I haven't forgot about it or nothing. Also better late than never right?

Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders or anything related to it. That belongs to S.E. Hinton. But I do own Conri Jay Curtis.


Chapter 3: A Different Christmas

"Hey CJ Christmas is almost here. What you going ask for Christmas?" Johnnycake asked, watching her write a letter for Santa. She wasn't surprised he asked he, Johnny asks her every year since she could remember.

"Stuff." She replied nonchalantly.

"What kind of 'stuff'? Ponyboy questioned his little sister. She scrunched her nose.

" The kind of stuff you ask for!" She said a little harshly, grabbed her letter and stalked out of the room.

"What's the kids problem?" Dal asked walking into the kitchen. Before anyone else could answer Steve said," Who care, hey Soda hurry up we gotta go!" He started hitting the table like it would speed up time.

".Hurry."

"I'm comin' I'm comin'... where's my other shoe?" Sodapop said, running through the kitchen and into the living room.

"Here, Sodypop." Conri said softly tossing him his left shoe.

"Thanks Missy J, see you when I get home." He said kissing her forehead and heading out the door with Steve hot on his tail. Darry had already left for work. That left Conri, Ponyboy, Johnny and Dallas at the house who had to go to school... Well exception of Dallas.

***(Later after school ended)***

Conri was walking to the post office alone. She knew Darry would be mad when she got home. But she had to mail her letter to Santa and every time she asked Darry he was too busy. So the little girl took it upon herself to do it alone. While she walking she saw a few socs but knew to avoid them. Once she got to the post office, she saw the big red mail box ran up to just to realise she was too short to put her letter in. Even on her tippy toes she couldn't reach. She scrunched up her nose in frustration. Then someone came up behind her and helped her put it. She slowly look up to see who it was. It was... Steve. Conri let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding in. Busted, she thought herself.

"Hey CJ, your brothers are worried sick about you." Steve said to the little girl that didn't give a response. "So uh..why were you here?"

"To mail a letter." Conri said in a 'Duh' voice.

"Okay, well what do you say we get you back home before your brothers have a heart attack." Steve never really connected with the kid, but when she went missing he did worry for her. She was part of the gang and the gang was pretty much like a second family to him.

"Well that's where I was gonna go next. So wet's go!" She said, practically skipping out the door. CJ was happy even though she knew when she got home she'd be and loads of trouble. But she didn't care she mailed her letter, that's all that mattered. Now all Conri had to do was wait till Christmas which was only two days away.

***(At Home)***

Everyone was relieved that Conri was okay. Sodapop nearly hugged her to death saying, "Don't you ever scare me like that again." She did feel a little guilty for making them worry and said, "sorry." And was about to explain why she did it, but when she saw Darry she stopped. CJ had waited for him to yell, like he would at Ponyboy. He didn't. He may have raised his voice slightly, but that was it. Conri got off real easy with only having to do the dishes for a week and a half. Darry probably would have been more furious, but he was more glad that his little Missy Jay was okay and the fact that it was their first Christmas without their parents Darry simply couldn't find it in his heart to give her that much of a hard time about it.

***(Christmas Day)***

"Wakey! Wakey!" Conri yelled excitedly, jumping on Ponyboy and Sodapop. Pony groaned slightly not appreciating being jumped on.

"Eggs and bakey?" Soda ask, rolling over while smiling to see his baby sister who was still jumping up and down on their bed.

"Umm...No?... I don' no. Maybe..." CJ paused, not jumping up and down anymore. " Sodypop, Its Christmas! Merry Christmas Sodypop!" She exclaimed. Then went up to Ponyboy and yelled in his ear, "MERRY CHRISTMAS PONY!" Not even giving her brother a chance to answer she grabbed his and Soda's hand and dragged them to the living room. Their tree was covered with odds and end ornaments with popcorn garland and a bright gold star on top. It wasn't much but for them it was perfect. Once everyone got around they opened presents.

Conri made a book with a horse on it for Ponyboy, saying that's what he'd look like if he were a real horse.

She made Johnny a bracelet of two strings twisted together (Green and blue), saying that when it fell off he gets to make a wish.

She gave Dally one of her old toy the head of a doll, saying you'll never have to say 'hey doll face come back' this one will never leave you. I promise.

She got Steve a macaroni necklace, saying she was afraid to give it to Two-Bit because he might eat it. That go a few laughs from everyone.

She gave Two-Bit a piece of gum. When he went to grab it a tingling vibration went all the way up his arm. CJ giggled when his face kind of funny and crossed his eyeballs.

Sodapop got a necklace from her, it was a thick black string with one single Coca-Cola cap on it. She said it was her favourite bottle cap and it always brings her luck. Sodapop gave her that movie star smile said, "Thank you" and put it on. He has never taken it off since.

Missy Jay had made Darry a picture frame out of colourful pop sickle sticks. There was a picture in the frame. It was of their family, Conri who was about 4 years old, her 3 brothers and their parents. Before she could say anything, Darry said, "It's beautiful, Missy Jay." She smiled shyly and Darry gave her a nice big bear hug.

As for Conri she got a huge play-do set with all different kind of colours and shape cutters. If there was something Conri really liked to it was play with play-do. Even though she may not be the best sculptor she could get pretty creative.

When she got for her final present which was from Santa. She had been wanting all day and night. So when she got it, she tore it open like there was no tomorrow. When Conri had it all on rapped her face was a mixture of disappointment and awe. She just stood there and stared at it (not mention a slightly scrunched nose). It was beautiful but it was not what she asked for. Had she been bad? Had Santa been playing a cruel trick on her? She had asked for one thing and one thing only. Was that so hard?

She realised she was crying so ran straight to her room. Sodapop saw the look and followed his little sister (more like ran) with concern etched on his face.

"Hey, don't cry. What's wrong baby girl?" Soda ask softly as CJ sniffled, head in her pillow. There was no answer just silence. He sat down on the bed and rubbed her back. One thing Sodapop learned with Conri is that he can't ask too many questions. He had to let her talk to him first. Otherwise he'd never get her to talk.

"I didn't get what I wanted..." She mumbled. "I wanted mommy and daddy to come back. Sodypop was I bad?" She sniffled.

"No, no of corse not. But you know..."He felt a small lump forming in his throat, but he ignored it. He missed his parents just as much as his sibling and it was strange without them there for Christmas.

" Even though there not here, doesn't mean they're gone." Soda said choosing his words carefully. Missy Jay gave him a curious look, tilting her head to the side as if it would make her understand better.

"Have you opened your locked?" He continued. She shook her head no, hair falling a little bit her face. Him and Darry had decided to give her the locket as a gift from 'Santa'. It had been there mothers and they thought it was best given to Conri. Once she opened the locket, with the help of Sodapop. Her face lit up brighter then the stars. Inside the locket on one side was a picture of Conri, Darry, Ponyboy and Sodapop. On the other side was a picture of her parents, Darrel and Susan.

"See they ain't leaving you, Missy Jay." Sodapop winked. She mustered all then strength she had and hugged her Sodypop. Finally realising her parents weren't coming back but always with her.


Omg sorry that took sooo long I was sapose to have this out at like new years! But I really hope you liked it. And as for there parents named I totally made it up idk if it right or not. But yeah Merry late Christmas and Happy New Year. Reviews are always loved!

PS I just changed the dads name to the right name Darrel and not carl. realising Darry was named after his bad so yeah.