The trial was quick. Johnny was charged with manslaughter and given the minimum sentence- no more than 3 years no less than one at Watkins's Juvenile Home for Boys. I was the accomplice and was given no more than 18 months no less than 12 in the same place. We were also charged with carrying a weapon while under-aged. I didn't even know that was a crime. If we didn't have that switchblade, it would've been us dead instead of Bob and I doubt he would've ended up in jail.

The Socs all testified that we had picked the fight and provoked Bob and the rest of them. Cherry and Marcia denied that Bob and his friends threatened us for picking them up at the drive-in. Instead they said we tried to get them to come home with us but Bob and the others saved them in time.

Two-Bit wanted to testify against that. He was there when it all happened but they didn't let him because he admitted being drunk at the time.

I've never hated a group of people as much as I hated them. I never thought Cherry Valance could stoop so low as to lie in court to protect her own kind. The whole time she testified I never took my eyes off her but she avoided my gaze. I could see then that she was a coward like the rest off them. All that talk about the sunsets and things being rough all over as though we were all in the same boat, that must've been an act. I hated her.

They gave us a week at home before we were shipped off to the juvenile home. I wish I could say it was the longest week of my life but it wasn't. Darry and Soda both took the week off of work to make the most of our last week together. We hardly slept the whole time. We stayed up and talked about anything and everything except where I was going and why. I hated knowing that the only time we all made the effort to get along and get to know each other better was when I was going away.

Darry took it the hardest. He blamed himself, "If only I hadn't…" he was start but he never completed the sentence. There was no use dwelling on the past now. He kept asking me to forgive him too. I did. There was no reason why I shouldn't.

I didn't cry once. I guess it didn't really sink in. Darry and Soda tried to be strong but I knew they waited till I was asleep to cry so I wouldn't see. Two-Bit cried every time he saw me and I couldn't figure out why. What did he know about juvenile homes?

Steve was nicer to me which was a big improvement and I was grateful for it. I didn't see Dally for the whole week. No one knew where he was or what he was up to.

I didn't see Johnny either. His parents kept him locked in the house. God only knows what they did to him.

One the way to the bus that would take me and Johnny to Watkins's Juvenile Home for Boys, Darry and Soda each held one of my hands tightly. Darry was holding my bag for me. It didn't have much inside. Just 2 100 page notepads and a pack of pencils that Darry bought me so I could write to them and draw too. I also had a framed photo of me, Darry, Soda and mom that dad took when we were out in the country a month before their accident. It was Soda's favourite picture but he said it would make him feel better knowing that I would have it close to me.

We got to the stop early. There were only a few other boys and their families and Johnny was there too sitting alone. He didn't even have a bag, he didn't own much anyway.

When he saw us he came over and said "Pony the guard said our cells are going to be next to each other".

It wasn't until then that reality finally set it. I started shaking.

Our cells

I would be alone in that tiny cell. I already started to feel claustrophobic at the thought of it. No one would hold my hand over there. No one would make me feel better if I had a nightmare or anything. I started to panic and I couldn't talk which was good because I knew I'd burst out crying if I opened my mouth anyway.

Darry and Soda didn't let go of my hands. Other boys started arriving with their families. There were a lot of mothers dressed in black and crying out loud. It reminded me of a funeral.

Pretty soon everyone I ever knew was there to say goodbye to me. Dally showed up too. Everyone was there except Johnny's parents.

Everyone kept putting on a fake smile, I guess to try to make me and Johnny feel better except Dally. He looked like death. As soon as he came, he grabbed Johnny in a tight embrace and held on a little longer than necessary.

"I'm gonna miss you Dally" Johnny sobbed.

"You can't be like that, kid. You gotta be like stone." Dally began.

Just then, Cherry Valance made her appearance and walked up to me and Johnny like she owned the place.

"Ponyboy, I gotta talk to you" she said

"Get lost! Get out of here" Dally shouted at her. He looked like he was ready to attack her and I wouldn't have tried to stop him if he did.

"Ponyboy, I had to. You gotta understand" she pleaded. I looked at her straight in the eyes and said "No I don't understand". I would've helped her if it meant telling the truth even if she is from the other side.

I guess she took the hit because she walked away.

Dally pulled me and Johnny to one side and put a hand on our shoulder.

"You can't let anything effect you. Listen to me. You guys have to be tough. I mean, really tough." he said, "You don't care about anyone but yourself", he paused, "and each other but don't let them know that. Don't let them walk over you. You gotta be tough as nails like me. That's the way it is. I know" his voice began shaking and I could've sworn there were tears forming in his eyes.

"Everyone inside" the guard called out from in the bus. It was time for us to go.

"Why didn't you come to me Johnny, I could've helped you" Dally pleaded to Johnny.

"I did Dally, I did" Johnny said as he got onto the bus before me. I could see Dally cover his face and push past everyone as he ran away from the scene.

Darry wouldn't let go of my hand while I was standing in line to get in the bus.

"You gotta use your head in there Ponyboy. It's nothing like the outside world. It's…" He stopped mid-sentence, holding back his tears, "we're going to come and visit you every chance we get ok, little buddy"

"I love you pony" Soda said. He quickly walked back to the car. I knew he couldn't handle seeing me leave. I took my bag from Darry and got on the bus.

The next time I see them, I thought, I'll be a different person. I shivered at that thought and took my seat next to Johnny.

A/N: I have noooo idea what the sentences really are and I couldn't find out so please don't diss me on technicalities. Bye!