Here it is everybody, the last chapter. I hope it's the best, i worked pretty hard on it. Ok I'm gonna go cry now, you all grab some popcorn and tissues and start reading

Chapter 50

After talking to Johnny and Dallas's grave, and then my parents, I felt so much better. Like a huge weight was lifted off my chest. I felt free. I now knew I could handle this day every year. The grief could never go away, that much I knew. But at least now I could control it.

I told Dally and Laura about it when they came home, they were happy for me. "It was Matty's idea." I told them. I was in such a good mood, I called Soda up to tell him about it.

"That's great, Ponyboy. I'm glad you can finally find a way to handle this." And I could he was. I knew that Soda could always be there for me.

"Thanks man, I really miss you." I told him.

"I miss you too, but I'm gonna try and get back to Tulsa for your graduation."

"It's in three weeks." I reminded him.

"Ok, me and Emily will be there."

"Emily's coming with you?" I asked.

"Yeah, I want her to meet you guys."

"Oh yeah, right." We talked for awhile longer fore I gave the phone to Darry. I thought about what Soda said for a little while after that. I was gonna meet the girl he wanted to marry. The one he left us for and gave up his life for. I was worried what she might be like. I'd hate to meet her and have it turn out Soda did something stupid and wasn't worth it. I even talked to Matty about it. We were sitting outside one night on the front porch. Laura and Darry were inside in their room.

"I think it was worth it." She stated. "How come?" I asked. "Cause Soda ran away with her cause he loves her, and if you do something for love, it's always worth it." Matty explained.

"I guess you're right, but I'm worried she might not like us or something."

"How can she not like you?"

"I don't know."

"Try not to worry too much, Ponyboy, you have bigger things to handle, like graduation."

"Oh right."

"I'm kinda scared, I don't want it to end."

"Why?"

"Cause after high school, we go to college. It's gonna be a whole new place. And shortly after that, we'll be in the real world, having to make money and be adults and stuff."

"Yeah I know, but it's what we've been waiting for, and we can handle it. Once you go out in the real world, it doesn't matter if we're greasers or Socs anymore, people will accept us for who we are. Sides, don't you wanna go to college to help kids?"

"Yeah I do."

"How do you wanna help them? Be a teacher like Laura?"

"No, that's nice, but not for me. I wanna really help kids, with problems, like I did. I did some research, and I wanna be a social worker."

"What would you do?"

"I'd help find homes for kids who are abused or lost their parents."

"That sounds really nice, and something you would be really good at."

"Really, you can do anything, Matty."

She then pulled me over and kissed me. I put my arms around her and she did the same to me. We were the only ones outside in the neighborhood. A while into it I put my hand on her back and felt the back of her bra. Even though I wanted to, I didn't. Not just cause we were outside, but also because I knew right now wasn't the time yet. But it would be soon, I could feel it.


Soda and Emily came to visit the day before me and Matty's graduation. The four of us all went to the train station to pick them up. While waiting, I was kinda worried. Would Soda look any different? It was only a few months , but he could have cut his hair or grow a beard. You never know. And what would Emily look like? Soda said she auburn hair and green eyes, but I want to know more. Would she become more pretty when she smiled, like Matty? Would she have long legs but still be short, like Matty? Would she look amazing weather she had makeup on or not, like Matty?

Their train soon pulled up, a few minutes late but I've seen later. I kept my eyes peeled for Soda, even if he did change, I'd know him anywhere. A couple soon stepped off together, and I knew right away the guy was Soda just by how he walked. He looked the same. His hair was the same length was before and greased back the way he liked it. He was wearing his favorite red plaid shirt over a white muscle-t, along with jeans he loved enough though they had gasoline and oil stains on them. He was a little tanner, but that was it. It was the same Sodapop, my brother I knew for my whole life and loved.

The girl standing next to him, who must have been Emily, was attractive. That's Soda for ya. She didn't wear her hair like a grease, it was more like a Soc, clean and put back. But she wasn't dressed like a Soc. She was more casual, but she was wearing Soda's jacket over her clothes. I could tell they were looking for us.

Soda's eye caught mine first. We stared at each other for a second, fore I went running over the hug him. "Soda! I missed ya man!" I said to him as soon as I got there. "How ya doing, buddy?" He even hugged like he use to. It was the same old Soda.

Laura, Darry and Matty then came over, and Soda introduce us all the Emily. She smiled and shook all our hands, but she seemed shy. But I let it go, I understood. I'd be pretty shy too if I was in her position.

Darry drove us all home in one car, Soda and Emily's luggage was in the trunk, but there still wasn't a lot of room. Soda, Matty and I caught up and joked around the whole way home. Emily joined in a little bit, but she still seemed kinda shy. When we got home, I help the two with their luggage. They were only staying for a few days, but they sure had a lot. Soda and Emily would sleep in me and Soda's room, and since Darry still didn't like me and Matty sleeping in the same room, I was gonna sleep on the couch. But it was only for a few days. And according to Two-bit it's not too uncomfortable.

While Darry finished up dinner (two chickens since we all eat a lot, and chocolate cake for dessert) the rest of talked in the living room. We were finally able to get some words out of Emily.

"So you're studying to be a vet?" Matty asked.

"Yeah, next summer I'll be able to go out and apply for a job." She answered.

"That's nice, I like how you wanna help animals. I wanna help kids, but I couldn't be a doctor cause I can't handle blood." Matty explained.

"What are you gonna do?"

"Be a social worker."

"That sounds nice." Matty smiled. The two of them were hitting it off. But Matty could become friends with anybody. It was soon time for dinner, where we got Emily to talk more.

"So, how long have you've been living in San Diego?" Laura asked.

'Since I was three, that is, before I came back here then went back." she answered.

"Do you like it there?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's always warm and really sunny, hardly ever rains."

"Sounds like the place for me, I'd like to go to San Diego."

"Maybe you can soon," Said Soda.

'What?"

"Well the wedding is in the end of August, and we plan on having it there, and we want all of you to be there." He explained.

"You mean, go to San Diego?" Laura said.

"You guys can stay for a few days, Emily's parents said they'd pay for the train tickets and you guys can stay at their house, there's two extra guestrooms."

"We wouldn't wanna be any trouble." Darry said.

"You guys wouldn't be any trouble at all. Besides your Soda's family, you gotta be there for his wedding.." said Emily.

"Please say yes." Soda begged. We all turned our heads to Darry. He thought for a minute before he finally answered.

"Fine, it is your wedding."

"Thanks man." said Soda.

We all talked and ate for a little while longer, then there was a knock on the door. Soda went to go answer it. It was Steve. He looked a little scared at first. Never thought I'd see Steve scared until now.

"Hey, man, I heard you were coming home for a few days." He said to Soda.

"Yeah." Answered Soda. Just then they hugged each other. I never saw the two of them hug like that before, or at all really. Steve looked like he was about to cry. "I'm sorry for not being here when you came back from Vietnam." Soda said. "It's fine, really."

They then stopped hugging. "Hey, will you be the best man at my wedding? It's in California, but I want you to be there." Soda told Steve. Steve didn't have to wait two seconds to say yes.

I was really happy to see Steve and Soda back together again. They were best friends. Soda really missed Steve when he was at war, and when Steve came back he really missed Soda. They really were the best of friends. Seeing them together, reminded me of me and Johnny. How we had each other's backs no matter what, I know if he was still here today, he would have been there for me. From the time Matty was in the hospital and I was worried sick to when that Soc tripped and I sprained my ankle. He would be at my side. I sure did miss him, but not as badly as I use to. Thanks to talking to him at his grave, and cause of Matty.

At least Steve and Soda were back together now, and had each other.


Our graduation was on a Friday. It wasn't until four in the afternoon, but the seniors only had a half day. We spent the whole time signing yearbooks, cleaning up lockers and saying goodbye to people, even though we'd just see them later on tonight.

At the end of the day, we had to pick up our cap and gowns. They were red. Holding it in my hand made me really realize this was all happening. In a few short hours, I'd be getting my diploma and it would all be over. As I walked out the door I couldn't also help but think that this would be the last time I ever did. Back in freshman year, I couldn't wait for high school to be over and I could go to college. I could get away from all the Socs and stares everyday. It all seemed like such a long time away. But then I met Matty and became friends with Ben and Nick, a lot of events happened. It all made the rest of high school go by really fast.

I just hung out with Soda, Emily and Matty for the next few hours, but then we had to get into our cap and gowns. I couldn't have too much grease in my hair cause of my cap, but I still put a little bit in. Matty didn't put her hair up either. She let it flow down, and she curled it. She looked really pretty, red's a good color on her.

Before leaving Laura took a couple of pictures of me and Matty. She's really into taking pictures lately. Then all six of us had to pile into the car, Laura was worried about our gowns getting messed up, but they made it there safely. The other four had to go find seats in the stands while Matty and I went off to find our friends. We were able to find Ben and Nick along with Hannah and Ell's new boyfriend Vic. Dede wasn't anywhere in sight. Getting pregnant screwed up her chances of graduating. Serves her right.

When it was time for the ceremony we had to get in alphabetical order. Since my last name begins with a C and Matty's a D, she was right behind me. The music that always plays at graduations came on as we walked down to our chairs. We sat down, and Matty began to hold my hand. I don't know if it was from being nervous, or excited, or maybe she just felt like it, but I held on to hers too. The Valid Victorian made a pretty long speech after the principal, the dean and some of the teachers did. I don't why they drag these ceremonies on so long. Can't they just give us our diplomas and then it can be over?

But they finally got to that. We walked in a line up to the stage. The dean called my name, "Ponyboy Curtis" then shook my hand as he gave me my diploma in the other. I couldn't help but smile a little. Everyone was clapping for me, all because I was getting a little piece of paper. I looked into the crowd to find Sodapop and Darry. They were standing with Emily, Laura, Two-Bit and Steve. They were all both clapping really hard and had the biggest smiles on their faces, Laura was even crying a little. This all felt very serial.

Matty was after me. Everyone once again began to clap when the dean said "Madeline Dallas". I kinda wish he said Matty, since to me and everyone else that's who she is, the girl with an attitude but a huge heart at the same time. And that's all I'll ever want her to be. But I'll settle for Madeline.

After getting our diplomas we had to go back to our seats. We watched as Ben, Hannah, Vic and Nick get theirs. Then once everyone sat down, the dean said "I give you the class of 1968" and we all threw our caps into the air. After I did I pulled Matty over and kissed her.

We all found our families, Laura took more pictures of us with our friends. Then everyone single one of us, including our friend's families, went out to eat. It was a great time. Everyone pitched in for their meal, and we all joked around and looked back on the good times we had in the past couple of years.

At point I had to stop and take it all in. I was no longer in high school, I was a college man. I had a job, a girlfriend, and one of my brothers was married and the other engaged. Four years ago I wouldn't have believed that this could happen.

Matty looked over at me. "You ok?" She asked. "Yeah, everything's perfect."


Emily and Soda stayed for a few more days before they had to go back to San Diego. We all had a good time. We got to know Emily better, and we were all happy Soda was gonna marry her. She was a lot nicer then Sandy, in more than one way. As we dropped them off at the train station I couldn't help but tell Soda I was gonna miss him.

"I'll miss ya too, kid brother, but you'll be coming in August so you'll see me soon." He reminded me.

"You can't call me kid brother anymore, I'm a college man now." I reminded him. "Oh right I forgot." he said with a laugh. We said goodbye a few more times before him and Emily finally got on the train. Soda stuck his head out the window and waved till he was nothing but a dot.

A few weeks after Emily and Soda left, we finally had enough money saved up for Darry and Laura to go on their second honeymoon. Only problem was me and Matty would have to stay home by ourselves, which Darry and Laura weren't too happy about.

"C'mon guys, we're seventeen, I'm almost eighteen. We can stay by ourselves for a few days, we'll follow the rules as if you're still here, we can even have someone come in and check on us. C'mon, you guys have waited so long for this, don't throw it all away now." Matty said to them. They thought about it for a minutes and Darry finally said, "Alright, but try and have Two-Bit or Ben sleep over." Matty then hugged the two of them. She can talk her way in or out of anything.

The next morning, Laura and Darry got up early and we made them a quick breakfast. Then we said our goodbyes . After they left Matty and I had to go to work. Two-Bit kept joking around on how we had the house to ourselves.

"You know, Ponyboy, you have the power to do anything you want." He said to me with a laugh. "I know, cut it out. Darry said he wants someone to stay with us at night, think you could sleep over tonight?" I asked.

"I already have plans with Kathy, sorry buddy." He said. I later asked Ben, but his mom was sick so he had to stay home. Me and Matty had the house to ourselves. "It's just one night, Darry won't find out." Said Matty.

Work ended at three that day. Me and Matty were just walking home together talking, when the sky became darker. Next thing you know, it was down-pouring. We were only a block away from our house, but we dashed home and shut the door behind us, our clothes were soaked so bad we had to change. Thunder started to boom and lightening cackled. It soon became so dark that I tried to turn on the lights, but the power was out. I tried calling somebody but the phone was dead. There was nothing to do but sit down and wait for it to be over.

Matty sure was scared, she hates thunderstorms. I never knew why though. I hugged her as we sat down on the couch. The storm went on pretty badly for at least three hours, it was the worst storm I've ever seen, I sure hoped Laura and Darry weren't caught in it.

It finally calmed down, Matty was willing to talk about why she was scared. "The first time my daddy beat me was during a thunderstorm. It was the day after my momma's funeral. He was drinking, then he just lost it. I was sitting down crying, he ran over, pushed me down and slapped me. 'Shut up, god damn it! It's your fault she's gone!' He yelled at me. Eight years later I still think about it and get scared during a thunderstorm, I can't help it."

"Baby, why didn't you tell me this before?" I asked.

"I don't know." she answered.

"Well, don't worry anymore, I'm here for you, always."

"Thanks Ponyboy." Just then the clouds started to fade away, and the sun came back out. "Wanna go look for a rainbow?" I asked her. 'Sure."

We went out onto the front porch and sat down. It took a while, but we finally found it. "That's the brightest one I ever seen." Matty said. "It looks more tuff since the sun is starting to go down." I added. "Yeah."

"The sunset looks kinda gold tonight." I observed.

"Kinda like you." Matty said.

I looked down at her for a minute. She had on that dress she wore on her 16th birthday, he hair was curled up a little from being wet. She didn't have much makeup on anymore, but she looked so beautiful. More beautiful then she ever had to me before.

"You're more golden." I said to her.

She then intertwined her hand with mine. "I love you," She said quietly. "You mean the world to me."

"I love you too, and you are my world." I said to her. We then slowly leaned into one another and began to kiss. It was gentle at first, but it soon became more. I had her in my arms on my lap, her arms wrapped around my neck, she was playing with my hair a little bit.

And in a moment's instant, I knew it was the right time.

I picked her up and began to carry her, she kept kissing my neck. I brought her into my room and placed her on the bed, then climbed on top of her. I kissed her more, harder and heavier. We then sat up. All I had on was a muscle-t and some jeans, which I let her take off. When she finished I then helped her slipped out of her dress. She had on a red-lace bra and matching underwear. I had on black boxers. But those soon came off. Before going any farther, I whispered in her ear, "Let me know I hurt you."

"You could never hurt me." She said.

I lost my virginity to Matty on a evening at the end of June 1968. The sun was setting and it streamed into the room making everything seem gold. I kissed her all over, and she did to me too. We went on for hours. When we finished I laid down next to her. It was now the dark, the moon was out, a full moon. Now everything seemed silver.

I looked over at her, and she did at me. See was breathing a little hard, so was I. Seeing her in the moonlight reminded me of the night when I had my first kiss with her, she was beautiful then and she was beautiful now. I kissed her forehead before pulling her over and letting her fall asleep in my arms.

Before I went to sleep, I made a promise to myself that me and Matty would be mine forever. I wouldn't let anything hurt her, I wasn't gonna loose her. We were gonna stay together no matter what. Without her I had nothing else to live for.


Later on that summer in August, we went to San Diego for Soda and Emily's wedding. A few days after it Matty and I were walking together on the beach during the sunset. At one point during the walk I stopped and kneeled down in the sand. I told Matty I loved her more then life itself, I wanted to be with her forever and know that she would always be mine. I then pulled out a ring from my back pocket, and asked her to marry me. She had tears in her eyes as she said yes.

Our wedding day was May 24 1971. We were both 20. Soda and Emily made it, they had to leave their 13 month old son Xavier at home. Darry and Laura were there, Laura 7 months pregnant. Steve was there with his new wife Evie, Two-Bit with his fiancé Kathy. Ben brought Hannah, during the reception he told me he was planning to purpose soon, and Ell still had Vic.

As we walked down the aisle, as husband and wife, the rest of forever seemed perfect. Because now I had something golden that would be mine, forever.