.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

11. Unexpected fights and another departure.

It was now the thirty first of October meaning it was Halloween. Twobit came in the Curtis house screaming like a banshee excited about the dance/party at night. Steve was meeting Evie at the school so he was waiting for the gang to hurry up. Dally decided to go not really having anything else to do. Ponyboy walked out of his room dressed up ready to leave with his blue faded jeans and a red t-shirt that read The Rolling Stones with the logo on it. Darry had gifted it on his birthday.

Darry handed him a jacket saying it was very cold outside. Twobit yelled for the guys to get in his car, Steve had his own so he went alone. Ponyboy was glad for this dance, it would take his mind off of things like his heart ache and stress from school. Enough with the moping around, it's time to have a little fun.

Entering the high school Steve made his way over to Evie who was waiting for him inside next to the table with all the snacks and beverages. Twobit was already laying eyes on some blondes getting started with his flirting skills. Dally, Johnny and Ponyboy walked around minding their own business. Ponyboy decided to get a drink so he walked through the crowd until he got to the bowl full of punch. Sipping on a cup a very attractive girl eyed him from head to toe from her spot. She smiled getting an idea. The girl strolled over to his side who "accidently" elbowed him.

Ponyboy coughed on his drink apologizing thinking it was his fault, "S-sorry!"

She giggled, "Oh no, pardon me. That was actually my fault."

He blushed, lucky for him the lights were off with only colorful ones flashing for the dance, "Um, you want a drink?"

"Sure, thank you."

He chuckled nervously, "I-I'm Ponyboy."

"Name's Tanya."

He ran his hand through his hair not really knowing what to do in these kind of situations, he wasn't into girls yet so this was troubling. Now is when Twobit's advice came in handy, unfortunately he always ignored him so at that instant he regretted his stubbornness.

Tanya smirked, "You wanna dance Pony?"

"W-what? Me? Really?"

Her hand grabbed his going to the dance floor, "Yes."

With the rhythm of the music Ponyboy danced with her to a catchy song, fortunately he had the natural instinct to dance a gene that came from his mother. Tanya was pretty impressed. Meanwhile Twobit was taking a gulp of beer he had snuck in, scanning the crowd for familiar faces he spat the liquid out of his mouth in surprise at what he saw. What the hell? Ponyboy?! Steve's girl had her arms around his waist kissing him until she pointed at the crowd excitedly. He squinted his eyes until they fell upon the person she was talking about. Holy. Shit.

Johnny was with Dally sitting way back of everybody where there were some greasers horsing around. Some guys that were Socs were talking angrily nodding their heads towards a certain direction. Dally was intrigued so he listened, Johnny had nothing better to do so he did too.

"Just look at him! He's all over your girl!"

"Yeah man, you gotta do something! Everybody's talking about it!"

"Do something Scott, this ain't funny. A greaser fooling around with your girl in front of everybody!"

One of them who was probably Scott made his hands into fists pushing himself into the people ready to beat the crap out of that greaser. Johnny had a bad feeling in the pity of his stomach so he nudged Dally, "Something's telling me this ain't going to end pretty."

Dally nodded standing up, "Let's go see what the whole shit's about."

The two of them followed Scott discretely, Dally and Johnny froze on the spot realizing they were talking about Ponyboy who was caught up in the whole thing with his girl. Ponyboy suddenly he felt someone shove him hard. Tanya scowled at the person who did it as her friends pulled her away. Curtis boy steadied himself, he glared at the Soc feeling the adrenaline surge inside.

Everybody made a circle around them watching attentively at the upcoming brawl. Steve was making his way to it while Twobit was already there waiting for the first blow. Dally and Johnny were prepared to be the back up for their friend as long as no other Socs jumped in. Ponyboy was tired of feeling like a weak person so he confronted him. The Soc and the Greaser had a stare off no one making a peep.

"You think you're so tuff huh? Getting it on my girl." he shoved him again laughing mockingly.

Ponyboy snapped with his fist he swung at his face making the guy stumble backwards. Scott gritted his teeth coming back with a punch, Pony quickly ducked as he gave another blow to the face this time blood came out of the nose of his opponent. The crowd cheered for each of them, Socs to Scott Greasers to Ponyboy. One of Scott's friends jumped in hauling Curtis by the waist, Dally angrily jostled him off with much force. Another one intervened to which Steve gladly helped out. Rapidly, there was a big fight going on. An unexpected rumble. Shouts, grunts, screams from girls were heard though out the school and the music echoing loudly. Chaperones and teachers had to stop everything so they spoke through a microphone ordering everyone to stop.

The group of friends were already outside with some other people knowing if they had stayed they'd be in an awful lot of trouble although nobody would rat anybody out.

Twobit grinned ruffling with Ponyboy's hair, "Damn, kid! You really know how to make a party a lot more interesting huh?"

Steve made it out with Evie who was laughing at the whole thing thinking it was so much fun. Steve shot Ponyboy an amused look, "I didn't think you'd actually get a broad!"

Ponyboy smirked, "You gonna stop smoking now?"

"Hell no, but I must say you have a way with chicks. That girl was way good lo-" Evie narrowed her eyes at him, "Fine."

Dally snickered at how she had Steve wrapped around her finger, "Anyways, I gotta hand it to you Pone. I'd never thought you'd actually catch a Soc girl."

"S-soc girl?" Pone asked bewildered. Then he remembered how she had dressed up with expensive clothes no grease girl could afford. No wonder that asshole of a Soc got all crazy...

Johnny rubbed the back of his neck aching from some bruises, "Let's go home, I'm beat."

Steve went with Evie to drop her off, Twobit drove to the Curtis household where Darry was waiting for them on his recliner watching television, or at least trying to. His mind was somewhere else. If he only knew how he and Pony were so much alike. He peered out the window hearing Twobit's rusty old car park outside.

They walked inside still talking about what had happened, Dally sat on the couch grinning, Johnny on the floor, Twobit went for a beer in the kitchen. Darry gaped at his friends, especially at his brother. Where did all those bruises come from?! Ponyboy chuckled when he saw his big brother's expression so he explained. Twobit piped in but only to exaggerate some parts of the story. Darry simply shook his head not expecting Ponyboy to get into any problems at all. At least he didn't get caught.

"I let you go to a school dance and you come back from a fight. And to top it off it all started 'cause of a girl. This is why I tell you Pony that girls are nothin but trouble." Darry lectured.

Twobit had to say something, "Excuse me? I think not! They're beautiful creatures on this planet that have amazing boob-"

"Ok I get I get it. But really Dar! I didn't know she was a Soc! I mean, I wasn't paying attention to her, just her face."

Dally laughed at him, "I wouldn't be looking at the face."

Darry let out a deep breath, "Just don't let it happen again. Uuf. Ok guys, time for bed. Clean yourself up Pone and get to bed. Night ya'll."

They all left, Dally suggested Johnny to sleep in his room at Buck's. Twobit wanted to let his mother know he was all right. After brushing his teeth, taking a shower and putting on his pajamas he sat on his bed with the lights out looking out of his window into the nights sky. A small smile spread across his face, Today was more fun than I expected. Heh, I'll have to keep my head low if I don't want a good beat up. Gosh, Tanya sure was pretty. Too bad she's a Soc. With those thoughts Ponyboy went off to dream land without having a nightmare.

"Why?"

"I have to."

"But-"

Sodapop shook his head "Nothing or no one will change my mind. I'm sorry."

Mary's bottom lip trembled, "But Soda, you can't!"

"And why is that?"

She gulped, "I-I love you. I really do."

He sighed giving her a quick hug, then he held her face between his hands, "Mary, I'm sorry. But I can't give you what you want. Call me selfish but I can't."

Mary began sobbing, "Just leave...leave!" She returned back inside to her house.

Sodapop walked away, another person he hurt with his departure. Another person left behind broken. He carried his duffel bag over his shoulder heading to the train station. It was early morning, like the beginning he had no idea where he should be going. What he decided to do was to hop off the train where he thought was the place he felt most content. Like some random game. A random stop.

Sodapop bought his ticket and seated himself in the way back. Looking out the window he smiled softly. Yeah he missed home but he wanted to continue his unknown journey. Wanted to keep on healing. If he went back home his wound would just re open. Images of his family and friends popped up. God I miss you guys. I really hope you're all doing well.

On the ride he had bought a journal so he could write his thoughts down. He learned this from Ponyboy who would write some stuff down saying he was bored and wanted to write a story or something. Sodapop guessed that writing down whatever was on his mind could ease him:

November 15th. 1966

So Im heading off to God knows where. I only hope it's the right place. I had to say goodbye to this chick named Mary. I hope she forgives me one day. I still miss Sandy. Sometimes I think I hate her but I don't. Or maybe I do. Who knows. I just want her out of my brain.

I miss Darry, Pony, Steve, Twobit, Johnny even Dally. I know Darry is probably doing ok, Twobit too. Johnny is with Dally so he's ok. Steve I'm sure is pretty mad at me. I would be too. Who Im more worried about is Ponyboy. I miss him so much, my baby brother.

Sodapop stopped writing, a yawn escaped his lips. His eyes started feeling heavier by the second. He laid against his seat sleeping, waiting for his next stop...

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

Thank you for the reviews, I can't thank you enough!