'Dear Tiffany,

I love it in the 1960s and its great. Well, it was. No, Dally and Johnny didn't die and Johnny's actually married to Dally's sister Emily and Dally's with Cherry. Cherry got jumped by Randy and you should have seen Dally. He got mad and legit killed the guy . . . which led to another rumble. I guess you don't know, but I broke up with Pony. He didn't want me to fight and I needed to. So then I date Hamilton to make him jealous . . .

Anyway, we're still broken up and I'm in the hospital. I'm glad we have a little brother and that Mom and Dad are married. And I don't mind you buying me stuff . . . you know my taste. And guess what! Evie and Steve have a baby! But Steve doesn't know it yet . . .

Love,

Ari'

"Hey Ari," Soda greets as he and Steve both enter.

"Hi," I reply, still uncertain if they're mad or not.

"So . . ." Soda says, sitting next to me, "What have you been doing?"

"Thinking of killing myself." I say, glaring at him. They're all the same. They think that girls don't deserve to be in rumbles cause they aren't tough enough!

"You don't really think that." Soda says gently.

"Yeah, sure," I say rolling my eyes. "Hey Steve, how do you feel about having kids?"

"I guess . . . dunno. Never thought about it." Steve replies.

"Well, what if it was Evie's and your's?"

"Then I would be glad to have the kid."

"Great!" I mumble. "Go talk to Evie."

"Wait," Steve's eyes widen. "Is she . . . can she be . . ."

I nod. "She came to me earlier. A total thought you wouldn't want the child." I smile weakly.

"I'll go talk to her now!" Steve exclaims and runs out.

"What's that?" Soda asks, pointing to my guitar.

"My guitar." I reply. "Why are you here?" I ask.

"Pony's still moping." Soda informs me. "He wants to see you."

"No." I say. "I can't see him. I don't want to see him!"

"Don't you love him?" Soda asks, with disbelief.

"You're going to tell him my answer." I say defiantly. "So I won't say. But I don't want to be protected until I die! I can care for myself for Pete's sake!"

"Do you think you could have fended off the Socs when you got jumped?" Soda asks.

"Well, no." I reply thinking of the time I got jumped. "But that was an unfair fight."

"Yes, but point is, you need protection."

"Soda!" I yell indignantly. "I have a switchblade! I have protection!"

"Yes, but . . ." he can't seem to find the words.

"Soda, let's not have a feud because of this." I say softly.

"Fine." Soda replies. "But he loves you. And you know that."

A few more days pass and I get out of the hospital and back to school. I break up with Hamilton and told him that I couldn't have a boyfriend who was scared of me. Then I call up Emily and ask her to talk to Pony. But I have no idea if it worked. I stop wearing false lashes and just stick to the red lip.

"Arizona, can I see you please?" Mr. Syme asks in the middle of our silent writing.

"Yes, sir." I reply and walk to his desk.

"I just read your connection with Anne Frank's diary and have a recommendation." he says. "The school is putting on a musical, The Phantom of the Opera. I recommended you to the director. I suggest that you try out. It could work out." he hands me a flyer.

"Yes, sir." I reply and sit back down.

I arrive at the concert hall after school. The director who happens to be himself, orders us to sit down and tell him why we're here. Then we tell him what part we're going for. I personally am going for Christine. Who wouldn't? After that, he directs us to stand in separate groups according to part. I'm the only greaser there, and it's mostly middle class and Socs. I'm actually surprised to see Cherry there, and Marcia.

"Hi Arizona!" Marcia waves me over.

"Hi!" I greet. "Who are you auditioning as?"

"Marcia's trying out for Christine and I'm trying up for Meg." Cherry replies.

"Arizona Carina!" calls.

"Yes, sir?" I ask.

"Come to the stage!" he orders. I obey, walking up the stairs.

"What's a greaser like her doing here!?" I hear a voice snigger. I feel my face flush.

"Now begin singing 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here' with the music." Mr. Syme orders.

I nod. It's one of my favorites. But . . . it now reminds me of . . . me and Pony. And how broken we are. I take a deep breath and try to calm down.

"You were once my one companion

You were all that mattered

You were once a friend and father

Then my world was shattered

Wishing you were somehow here again

Wishing you were somehow near

Sometimes it seemed if I just dreamed

Somehow you would be here

Wishing I could hear your voice again

Knowing that I never would

Dreaming of you won't help me to do

All that you dreamed I could

Passing bells and sculpted angels

Cold and monumental

Seem for you the wrong companions

You were warm and gentle

Too many years fighting back tears

Why can't the past just die?

Wishing you were somehow here again

Knowing we must say, "Goodbye"

Try to forgive, teach me to live

Give me the strength to try

No more memories, no more silent tears

No more gazing across the wasted years

Help me say, "Goodbye"

Help me say, "Goodbye" "

Cherry and Marcia applaud happily. "Go Ari!" they cheer. I smile and walk off.

AN: I don't own the song "Wishing You Were Somehow Here" credits go to Andrew Floyd Webber. I also don't own the Outsiders.

Reviews are always welcome!