Dally

Two weeks. It's been two weeks since I talked to her at the movies and she's been fluttering about, distancing herself further and further away from me and closer and closer to the rest of the gang. I guess I never really thought about how close she was to them before. Personally, I don't think I could ever think of anyone I knew from when I was six or whatever and still care so much about them. Hell, I probably wouldn't even recognize them.

But damn, do they love her. Even Darry seems happier. And to think it's all just because of one girl. This one girl, my Mel, made us, a group of hoods, act like we're all little kids again. Steve and Darry are happy as hell, Ponyboy and Johnny have been talking about the incident with the fire and the soc with her, and Two-Bit found his long lost freakin' play mate/twin/chick thing. I don't know how the hell you'd describe their relationship. She's been sleeping with him and he's always all over her, but then they're just like two little nine year old best friends. Like you're too young to care whether you're aloud to touch each other because you know everyone has "cooties" and she's really like a guy to you. I guess Mel, or Hazel, is like a guy…with tits. And she's got curves and that girly, soft little laugh, and sensitive chick, romantic, "damsel in distress" thing going. Not to mention the fact that she's still dressing like no girl you'd ever imagine seeing in Tulsa before she showed up.

And then there's her and Sodapop. Hell, I see how they look at each other; with the big goo-goo eyes and cheesy smile. Well, I guess he deserves it after the whole Sandy fiasco. But still…this is Mel we're talking about. Well, I guess it's Hazel now. And I guess they're both two different people. Maybe she really has changed. But I still wonder why the hell did her and Austen fall apart?

Soda

Not even a month and she's already just like she used to be. I don't know how we ever survived without her. She just makes everything better with her wide, cheery smile and laughing eyes and beautiful laugh. Boy, that laugh sure is something. It's soft and pure and plain out perfect to the ears. I think I could survive off of nothing but her laugh and chocolate cake. And maybe her eyes, too. They're just so blue and happy. Even when she's mad and they're blazing like fiery ice, you can still see the soft and dreamy blue behind it. But there's a certain knowledge to them, too. You know, like she knows too much but not enough at the same time. Like she knows so much, good and bad, from the streets, but then it's like she's searching for something too far out for her to catch it. You know, like the truth beyond the knowledge; the secrets behind the lies. "Why do all the bad things have to happen to good people?" I hear her voice croak out. That was terrible. I hate to see her so sad.

Not even a month and she just keeps getting more amusing every day. She'll come around to the DX every so often and just stand around, talking to the other customers in her big boots and little shorts, while everyone stares at her when they think she's not looking and Steve and I work. One day she was talking to this real old guy and she made him laugh so hard, his fake teeth fell out! Steve and I sure thought that was awful funny. And yesterday, we all went down to the Dingo to watch a movie that was playing and she pantsed a soc! He came over to her, chatting her up real good, and trying to pick up on her and me and all of the gang was just about ready to bust his head right open! But she winked, like she had it handled and I swear I could practically see the excitement of pulling a prank shining in those baby blue eyes. A little later, she gave him her number, "a phony," she said, and right as he turned away, she pulled his pants right down to his ankles! He was so embarrassed, he started running with them still on and fell right on his face! We were all rolling on the ground laughing at that. Even Dally had to laugh. Boy oh boy, she is sure something…

Hazel

Boy oh boy, do I love Tulsa. Dally's a lot cooler towards me and it feels kind of a bit like New York again, but I have been backing away from him a bit. He won't leave the Austen thing alone and doesn't get that I just don't want to talk about it. Ponyboy and Johnny have been real sweet and I love hanging out with both of them. We can really talk about the deeper things then the rest of the gang will understand. And the three of us are just about regulars at the library. I'm real glad I've been able to get Johnny to pick up a book and read for himself…I'm just a nerd like that. I think everyone should find a book to read, because you can relate to so much in so many books and really escape into them.

I think I've been able to mellow Darry out a little bit, but he sure is protective over me and Ponyboy. It's kind of funny, I think. I'm not even his sister and he gets more worked up over me then he does with Soda! Jeez, Soda sure is something, though, I'll tell you that much. We've been hanging around together a lot lately. I really like going down to the DX and chatting with all the costumers. I especially like the old, grandpa type guys that come in there. Old people have always fascinated me. They just seem like they know so much about the world and everything. Also, Steve's been letting me sneak in and work on some cars in the garage with him. I guess it's not too common to see a girl working on cars, but boy, I love it. I remember Dad used to work on his cars all the time. But it sure is funny how many girls come in there just to flirt with Soda. Ponyboy told me all about Sandy, and it looks like he's not moving on so far. I hope he does, though. It seems like a shame a guy as sweet and fun and, not to mention, handsome, as Sodapop should stay single forever just because one girl had to leave him: you love, you loose, you learn, and then you move on. That's how life works.

But all the guys have been really great. Two-Bit's a riot! And he really is a great teddy bear. I swear curling up with him at night is the most luxurious part of my day. And Soda has been real sweet. We went to the park again the other night and goofed around on the swings. He sure is a doll. I'm so glad to be back at Tulsa.