Sodapop held the note in his hand, looking down at the messy writing. Reading over it again, for the fiftieth time since he had received it, Soda couldn't help but smile to himself before folding the letter back up and slipping it into his pocket. Glancing towards the screen door, he watched as the sky outside became slowly darker with the oncoming evening. The instructions on the note said that tomorrow would finally be the day…the day he got to see just what this note and the author of it were all about.

Finding that this thought was rather soothing, Sodapop turned his gaze from the outside and focused it on the television set. He could feel the uncertain looks that Steve kept sending in his direction, but he couldn't afford to return a look, mostly a reassuring one. He had yet to tell Steve he was going and that probably was a mistake, but he had made his decision. He would go alone.

The following morning, Sodapop sat up in his bed slowly, making certain not to make any movements that would wake up Ponyboy, who was still fast asleep. Slipping out of bed, he headed toward the bathroom, taking a quick shower before getting into his clothes and heading out the door.

The sun had yet to rise into the morning sky as Sodapop made his way across town, hoping that he wouldn't run into anyone he knew; luckily, he thought, Greasers usually slept in pretty late on Saturday mornings because of the partying that occurred on Friday nights. Becoming reassured because of this thought, Sodapop turned down a street that was rather uncommon to him, and made his way into the other side of the town.

Following the directions on the note, he finally stopped outside of a well-kept park. Looking around, he found himself suddenly uncertain of what he was going to do. Should he go in? Should he risk everything he has just for this one encounter? Would it really be worth it?

Finding these thoughts cascading through his mind, Sodapop took a deep breath, realizing just how important this meeting was to him.

Entering into the park, he followed the winding path before spotting just who he was looking for—Cherry Valance.

He knew there was no turning back now as he stopped before her, noticing the same cold and uninterested look that had taken over her features the last time they had met in the hospital. It was still obvious she held him accountable for what happened to Cindy.

As he took in the expression, Soda felt his heart sink. He had come to the park in hopes of finding Cindy there or at least finding out that she would be alright and out of the hospital again soon. Instead, though, he found himself facing the same anger and the same blame he had been trying to escape from.

"Hello, Sodapop…" Cherry's voice came, causing him to look up from the ground, at which he had been staring at in despair.

"Hey.."

"I'm glad you came."

A look of confusion appeared over his face as he took in her comment. Why would she be glad? Didn't she despise him still? For a moment, Soda felt the hope coming back to him. Maybe everything was alright again.

"You are?"

"Yes. I have something for you."

The joy within him continued to grow. She had something for him…from Cindy hopefully. Could it be possible? Was she finally awake?

Hoping that he was masking his hopefulness well, Sodapop merely nodded before holding out his hand to her as he watched her fiddle around for something in her purse. Feeling an object being placed into his hand, Sodapop's eyes opened in surprise as he looked down at the ring Cherry had placed into his hand.

Looking back up at her, Soda found himself speechless. How had she gotten it? Why would she have taken it?

Cherry, however, didn't seem interested in giving any explanations as she turned her back, heading back towards her car. Turning back to look at him as she started the engine, she merely shook her head before sighing. "Just give it up, Sodapop. There's nothing left to hold onto anymore," she said quietly before driving off towards the exit.

As the sound of her engine disappeared into the distance, Sodapop felt his heart sinking lower and lower. How could everything have gone from being perfectly okay to this? How could everything have fallen apart so quickly?

It took him quite a few hours to talk himself into going home after the incident in the park. After walking around town, though, he decided it would be best. Ponyboy and Darry would have noticed that he was gone by now.

As he neared the end of his street, he heard a set of footsteps heading in his direction hurriedly. Glancing up, he caught sight of Steve; turning away, Sodapop continued on, not wanting to admit to his best friend what had happened, unfortunately, there was no preventing that any longer.

"You went?"

Sodapop merely nodded, not wanting to say anything in case he let out all the emotions he was trying to keep hidden.

"What happened?" Steve pressed, sitting down by his friend on top of the steps outside the Curtis house.

Soda glanced at him before holding out his hand, revealing the ring that remained in his palm.

Steve didn't even need to question his friend any longer to realize what had happened. Sighing slightly, he watched as Sodapop stuffed the ring into his pocket, unable to even look at it anymore.

"You alright?" he asked after a few minutes.

Sodapop, however, remained silent. There were no words, no thoughts; nothing could penetrate the depression he had sunk into.

Deciding he wouldn't press the subject anymore, Steve got up to head inside, stopping though as he spotted Ponyboy standing at the screen door, watching Sodapop with a sudden understanding.

"Move out the way, Pony."

"What's wrong with Soda?"

"Get out the way," Steve repeated, growling slightly.

Ponyboy shook his head, entering onto the porch with Johnny right behind him. "What's Soda got in his pocket?"

"Nothing, Pony," Soda replied before Steve could even get his mouth open. Standing up, Soda moved to head inside but stopped as Pony reached into his pocket, pulling out the ring.

Studying it closely, Ponyboy looked from his brother to the ring before glancing at Johnny. "What you doin with this?"

"Nothin', Pony," Soda repeated.

Shaking his head, Ponyboy looked over the object once more before heading inside. "Hey, Darry! Soda's depressed!"

Hearing the sound of footsteps coming from Darry's room, Soda felt his heart racing. How could this day continue to get worse and worse?

"What's wrong, little buddy?" Darry asked, looking at Sodapop before glancing toward Ponyboy, who was still observing the ring. Taking it from his youngest brother, Darry looked at it before glancing at Sodapop. "You aint thinkin'…"

Sodapop shrugged.

"Sodapop whats wrong with you, kid? You aint gonna give this to her."

Looking towards his brother, Sodapop felt his world crumbling down. First the accident, then the ring, now this; he couldn't handle it. It was all becoming too much.

"I already did, Darry, and you know what? Cherry gave it back to me because Cindy isn't coming back. She aint ever comin' back, just like mom and dad and it's all my fault!" he cried out, running towards his room before slamming the door shut behind him.

He had said it. All his thoughts, all his worries…he had said them…which only made him realize how truthful they were. Cindy wasn't coming back and it was his fault.