*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Johnny's POV *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As we pulled up to the driveway, I could feel the anticipation jumping in my bones. I would finally get to see my old buddies from our rickety neighborhood. Living in the wealthy neighborhood in Orlando was really uncomfortable for me at first. Actually, for a long time I felt that it was all just too sudden and too big of a change and adjustment. I had been looking forward to this reunion for an eternity, or was it only a few weeks ago Uncle Zeke and Aunt Marie presented me with my train ticket. Only later did I find out Arielle was coming along too. She could be kinda weird and funny sometimes. A lotta times she's in one of her "moods," but she keeps it under control more often now. Staring intently at the dashboard, I started having second doubts about this meeting. What if they didn't like me? What if the whole gang just changed so much? There was only one way to find out, but I wasn't so sure I wanted to know anymore. Wait, I was being silly. I was just nervous. I wondered if Arielle was nervous.

I had noticed lately how Arielle had gotten a little thinner, but still retained that muscular build she hid from her parents. She couldn't hide it from me. She was like a sister to me, I guess, and brothers knew when their sister was up to a little something. She told me she was taking these kick-boxing lessons, whatever that is. It sounded kung-fuey but not very girly. See, the O'Shannons are very traditional in some ways, but quite nonconforming in others. It was just a matter of pick and choose from what I saw. It's been kinda obvious that living with the O'Shannons had improved my vocabulary a bit, but around these parts, to be a Greaser, that would have to change. I wondered what everyone was up to inside. They were probably all wrestling and having fun just being laid back pals on an ordinary night. Man, I wished for those days back. They probably didn't even notice we were late, if there were more than the Curtis's at home at all.

Arielle and I stepped out of the car and approached the doorway. Wow, I used to come here all the time, just through this front entrance no matter what problem or good news I had to share. I recognized the hole Pony and I had made when we had gone on a door slamming frenzy one day just to see who could make the loudest bang. Man, Mrs. Curtis was fuming when she saw that damge we did, but she couldn't stay mad at us for long. I wished so badly for her comfort and advice, and to see what she thought of me now. She was one sweet lady. Maybe the most benevolent I've ever encountered. Okay, I have to get this slang back soon or I'll be in trouble.

We stepped up onto the porch; I let Arielle pass in front of me being the gentleman that I am. We looked at each other and she gave me a reassuring grin as we both took deep breaths. Then she knocked on the door, and on the third knock, we were greeted with a bright glow from inside and a smiling, goofy face.

***********************Darry's POV**************************************

"Johnny!" exclaimed Soda as he ran to hug Johnny. Boy, my brother was a character. Johnny's first day here and he's already getting squeezed like a stress ball. But it looked like Johnny could take care of himself if Soda got too excited. Dang, it seems like he toned up in his year away. Must have some fancy workout room in his house back in Orlando. Some guys get all the breaks. Never more in his life is he gonna have to worry about light bills or where his next meal's coming from, or even...even if he's gonna survive the night without getting beaten. No more fear Johnny, no more fear. I'll bet they don't have Greaser-Soc rumbles down in sun city. Sure, there are always those few rival gangs, but probably too serious or too babyish for Johnny to get mixed up with, hopefully. Well, these fights and rumbles we have aint too mature, I guess, if you look at it from an outsider's opinion, but then again, aren't we all outsiders in some way or another? These thoughts required some deep thinking, and I didn't want to rack my brain over anything tonight.

I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I had hardly noticed the classy girl pressed flat against the doorway. This must've been the Soc chick Soda and Dally said was with Johnny this afternoon, and Soda must have stumbled right past her hollerin and actin like a crazy man for her to be in that position. But boy, she sure wasn't just any 'chick'. She looked like a real, fully loaded, refined lady. Who was she anyways? I hadn't seen her around town at all which was kinda weird. Tulsa isn't a small country town, but it isn't some big city either. I'm sure I would remember a girl THAT gorgeous. She seemed really uptown society. And why was she with Johnny?

"Hey Soda! Great to see you again too, but you're cutting off my air supply here," muttered Johnny. "Oh, sorry about that pal. You okay?" Soda asked lookin kinda worried. I guess we all still see him as the scared little boy who used to hang around us like glue. "Ya I'm fine," chuckled Johnny now a little red faced obviously more from lack of circulation than from embarrassment. It was weird to hear him chuckle and smile so carefree like that. I saw my same look of pleasant surprise on pretty much everyone's face.

"And who is this fine and foxy lady?" asked Two-Bit as he slid on up to the young lady and took her hand. Her look was either one of disdain or bare awareness. Either way, she was obviously not impressed, but that didn't discourage ol' Two-Bit. "C'mon Two-Bit, ease up a little. At least let me introduce you first. Two-Bit this is Arielle, Johnny's cousin. Arielle, this is Two-Bit." "Well hello Arielle," purred Two-Bit still not relinquishing her hand. I just shook my head at the boy.

So this was Johnny's cousin. Soda failed to mention it to me. She looked nothing like Mrs. Cade. I decided to step in and at least properly welcome the two. "Come on in you two, we've got dinner all set up for us." At the mention of food Two-Bit usually jumped to the table, but he stayed glued to her side. I couldn't blame the poor guy. Arielle smiled at Two-Bit and merely replied, "Excuse me," in a silky smooth voice as she removed her hand from his hold and walked to the table with a poise and grace that just captivated me. As she got to the table I quickly and awkwardly made my way to the other side and pulled back her chair as I thought might be common courtesy to her. She merely held my gaze for an extended moment with a quiet smile. Then she proceeded to take her seat. When I got back to my chair, Soda was giving me that grin, like he knew something that no one else did. 'What' I mouthed. He just looked at Arielle and then back to me and back to Arielle and back to me. I just shook my head at my little buddy and continued on with dinner.

************ *********** ***** Pony's POV *******************************

Straight out of the blue we hear, "Dear heavenly father, bless us this food that you have provided..." I looked over at Arielle who had her head bowed and was holding Johnny's hand. His head was bowed too. I looked over at Darry who just gave me an I-don't-know look, shrugged, and bowed his head too. I wasn't saying grace just cause this new Soc thinks she can look better than us. Two-Bit was at it too and he nudged me hard. Like I said, I wasn't doin anything special for this woman so I nudged him back- harder. It was funny how Two-Bit almost fell off his chair. I tensed up, ready for his next move should he make one, but I heard the closing, "In Jesus's name we pray, Amen," and decided not to fight for more trouble since Darry and Soda were gonna see it. Finally, we could press on with our dinner. I had to admit, the chick had style, but I'd seen one too many Socs show their true nature under those fancy clothes, in more ways than one.

Then we heard the question whose answer made me lose my appetite. "Where're Mr. and Mrs. Curtis?" asked Johnny. I was sure the clang of my fork dropping on my plate could be heard throughout the room. Where were my parents? Not where they ought to be that's for sure. Then I started thinking about the funeral and the phone call, and I didn't want to re-live these memories anymore. They haunted me for so long, and I was able to push them away. They couldn't resurface now, least of all now. We heard Darry clear his throat as he began to explain in this deep, serious tone, "Our parents died a few months ago in a car accident. Um, I watch over Soda and Pony now." Hmm, Darry reliving these thoughts without emotion, what a surprise! I could barely breathe without this ache in my heart, and he could just spit those two sentences out like watermelon seeds. Sometimes he made me sick.

"Oh my...I- I'm so sorry. I didn't know. But they were so- they were good, honest people. Never knew anyone better." He seemed at a loss for words. Hah! Go ahead and struggle boy, struggle like a worm on a hook. And then the debutante spoke, "Our deepest apologies for your loss," big pause, "They're in His hands now." "Thanks," was all Soda said. Ya right, what did she know? The dinner went on in silence. Lovely. Of course, Two-Bit tried to break the ice, "Hey, if quitters never win, and winners never quit, who came up with quit while you're ahead?" I rolled my eyes, but it seemed Two-Bit was satisfied with Arielle's smile.

It didn't take too long for dinner to be finished. It was almost eight now. I had other plans than staying home all night. We headed into the living room and everyone was in higher spirits I suppose. Soda and Steve were play fighting which wasn't too unusual as we took our seats around the front table and the television. She sat next to me and I noticed she was wearing heels. Who wears those kinda heels on this side of town? "So, what have you guys got planned for tonight?" I asked Johnny and Arielle. "Well," replied Arielle, "this was basically it for the evening." "Oh come on. I'm sure there's something better to do than sit around here throwing around small talk," I told her. "Well, what do you suggest?" asked Steve suspiciously. The guy was a little paranoid sometimes, just like Darry. "Hey, I was just thinking we could take in a movie or somethin. There's a new flick at the Nightly Double." Maybe I could work my own plans into this reunion. "Hey that's not a bad idea," commented Two-Bit and so it went. It was unanimous that we go to the movies tonight. Now only to get it past Darry. I'm sure he wouldn't want to disappoint his new love interest.

"Ya sure I guess," answered Darry to our request. "Cool. You wanna come along Darry?" No! Stupid Sodapop what are you doing?! "Um, sure. Why not?" he answered. Why not? I'll tell you why not. Grrr, well I couldn't do anything about it now. That would seem suspicious, but how was I gonna pull this off with Mr. Hawkeye on the loose? Tim would probably help me think of something. I was kinda on a tight rope as it was and I didn't need any more trouble. Maybe Arielle could distract him long enough to, ahem, keep him occupied.

**********************************************************************

It's kinda confusing at the end because I wrote it in kinda a hurry. I might replace it later, you know me. Review please. Tell me what you think. I know it's not my best work, hence the possible replacement.