The rain was coming down pretty hard. I leaned against a brick wall. I had left Williams this morning and now I sat in an alley smoking. I took the finely rolled paper and lit the end before taking a long drag off of it. The sensation of everything that was weighing on me just disappeared in an instant.
I sat there leaning on a cold wall with nothing but a blank mind. I couldn't remember ever feeling this good. I felt free. Free was something that I had never really experienced, I was always being 'protected' by Darry and Soda and then when you are in the Army you really aren't free.
I liked being away from home and I liked being free. I took another long drag and everything drifted even more away. Maybe I should at least try to live out here. Pretty soon I would run out of money and then I would truly be screwed.
I finished smoking and felt extremely hungry. I stood up and walked out of the alley and looked around for a pit stop. I knew there was one a few blocks away but that was a long walk for me. I walked up the street and became tired after a few minutes.
The pit stop was near the bus station and once I passed that I knew I was nearby.
Maybe I should go to collage. I was going to after high school but I did something completely different. I could get a job out here and then go to collage and make something of myself. No. I couldn't I had changed way too much over the last few years and I would never be able to actually go through collage.
I walked into the pit stop getting any kind of food that looked good. Chips, chocolate, and anything that looked good. I paid with the little money that I had and went back to my motel room.
Number 9, that was where I was living when I could go back home. The bittersweet thing was that I was free here but not where I wanted to be. Part of me wanted to go home but the minute I did I was stuck there for the rest of my life. I didn't want this, I didn't want that life that I had. I want something better. I want a job and a life not to be the guy who is wasted every night of his life.
I finished eating before falling asleep and forgetting everything about that night, the thoughts of going back and thoughts of making a better life. I was here and no where else.
The next morning I was tired and groggy but ready to do the same thing I did everyday, nothing. I hated doing nothing but what else was there to really do, nothing.
I should listen to Sheryl and start over go back and see what everyone is up to but that isn't me, at least it isn't me any more. I stood up feeling light headed before I walked out of the motel room and down the street.
I normally went right but today I wondered what was left. Left, that was where I was going and right now I needed to start over. Everything had to change I couldn't be that guy anymore.
Collage. That was what I should do and from what the sign up a head said Remington Collage was right ahead. I looked like a guy that had been wasted for the longest time but I had to know that I at least tried.
I walked into the large and a little intimidating collage. I went to the dean of admissions to at least try. The door was in front of me but my had wouldn't go forward. Darryl Weathers.
"Excuse me, your secretary said that you were free for the next five minutes and all I need is to talk to you for a few minutes." I said when I did finally open the door.
"Yeah alright what ya need but I only got a few minutes."
"I know that you'll probably say no but I want to apply and make something of myself."
"Mhhmm. What is it that you want to do?"
"I really don't know I like to write but that's about it, there really isn't much else that I like to do I guess. I know how to work on cars though."
"Okay, well what do you want to write, I mean you have to have an idea and then you'll also have to have the money to apply and even then it may not happen."
"Right I guess my own experiences are all I know how to do. I wrote one along time ago but I mean one that I could write is about me and going to war and everything."
"Alright, take this application go outside and fill it out and write something to go along with it, like I said it is no guarantees but you never know. I have to go here fill this out." He handed me the paper before leaving.
I walked outside his office and started filling it out. There was a piece of paper that I had to fill out. The paper was blank and all I would have to do was write a few paragraphs and maybe I would get in. I still had enough money left over for a little time at collage and then I could get a job.
I started writing. 'I sat on my bed looking at the floor that was cluttered with papers, books, and empty cigarette cartons. I took a deep breath and just recalled all of the memories that I had experienced in this town. I always knew that I would someday leave this place but I never imagined that it would be to go fight for my country. I was afraid but I also knew that this was my duty, my country needed me to fight and that was what I was going to do.'
Hope y'all liked it. This is the end and I know it isn't great but that's it. What he wrote is the first paragraph of Prisoner of War for those who are wondering, I thought it would be cool to end this like the Outsiders ended. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and I hope that you enjoyed it. This is my last Outsider story so I guess that this is goodbye. To those of you who like Harry Potter I am writing a story for that, go onto my profile page to check it out. Goodbye y'all.