This chapter is dedicated to my best friend, Leah, and her family. They are geniuses about California, so thanks, Leah! Anyways, I'm very sorry everyone that this chapter took so long to put up, but I will try to put them up quicker, or else my mom and Leah and all you readers out there can beat another chapter out of me! Not only was I being lazy about putting it up, but I lost the chapter, and had to rewrite three pages over! Grrrr…anyways, it's summer, so that should get me going! Read on!

Disclaimer: I am so sick of these because everybody knows I did not create any of the Outsiders characters, but here you go….HE Hinton owns all of the characters except the lady who Melodie keeps talking about (not telling exactly who she is), Melodie herself, and Andy. K?

    A day, a week, a whole month went by before I saw any of the guys again. Not a surprise that the one I did see was Pony. It was a bright day, and I was sick of staying inside, where everyone chattered at me all the time. I had heard that there was a nice park on 41st street, and I had been meaning to catch up on my reading and have a break of silence for once. So, at 5:30 PM on October 21st, I got in my yellow BMW and headed for the park. As I went, I noticed that the sun was already halfway to the horizon, so I noted that I'd have to hurry if I even wanted to read. Of course, I had only gotten out so late because off "torture woman's great lecture on curfews". Seemed I hadn't gotten off as easily as I had thought I had from Ponyboy's little "dinner" the other night. I was thinking so hard on it, I almost got my back end rammed in by some perturbed Mustang at a spotlight. What a wonderful way that would start off a townsmen' relationship with me.

    Anyways, after a ten-minute drive, I arrived at the park, got out and looking around slowly, lifted my sunglasses onto my head. Trotting over to a sandy area by an enormous apple tree, I did a cartwheel and jumped onto a wooden log barring the sand. There was a dome climb-on jungle gym and I pranced up to it, flipping on from a handstand. From all the activity, I had dropped my book down under the bars, so exasperated, yet in too good a mood to ruin it, I held onto the top of the jungle gym with my feet and swung down, sweeping the book up with my free hands. I was always known as the "born acrobat", so all this was easy and fun to me. Finally in the right position, I sat in an Indian style and looked around. The park was definitely beautiful, just as I had heard. There was a lake right in the center and rows upon rows of all types of trees scattered about. The playground I was "stationed" in was quite large and it thrilled me that there weren't just little kid things there, but benches and water fountains and little wall games. I had always favored elaborate areas, and as I looked across the lawn, I noticed a beautiful painted wall. With the air clean, sky blue, lake sparkling, and lawn as green and glittering as if it still had freshly laid dew upon it, I couldn't help but sigh with relaxation. With a clear head, I opened my book and began, "The Hobbit, by…." "J.R.R. Tolkien…" I had a nasty habit of reading aloud and I turned to the voice and eyed a smiling Ponyboy, sitting on the bottom ledge. Smirking, I looked at him through a half-glazed gaze and in an amused tone, asked, "Do you always have fun sneaking up on people?" He laughed, turning it into a hasty cough, and replied, "Oh yes, so much fun…." Rolling my eyes, I clearly stated, "You know, California had several of these parks, but I was more of the one to hang out on the beach." He looked at me, confused, and I continued in explanation. "There was everything to do down there. Usually, I just went around on the boardwalk, taking in the view and buying a few records and bracelets…" Then, I added, "….and maybe a few sodas and ice cream cones!" Watching him with my peripheral vision, I noticed that I held his interest and, smiling in a close-to-cracking-up laugh, said, "My friend, Jules and I used to go and drive the cook at ***** ****(restaurant) crazy, grabbing all the tofu we could and getting all the staff to go and join us in a few smokes and laughs. It was hilarious! You would have loved it!" I stopped and watched him carefully. He had moved closer while I was talking and suddenly my heart pounded as our eyes locked and we shared an amazing kiss. My hormones were going crazy and I could have sworn that the stars had come out early and were dancing around my head. It dawned on that the sun was setting and anyone who happened to spot us would think it was a lovely romantic scene. I had to keep from laughing out loud and when we pulled away, it was odd that I wished we hadn't. Pony cleared his throat and looked down. I was grinning so wide it felt like my mouth was going to fall off and I made sure that when Pony looked up, he saw this. "Well…." I started, still trying to blink out the spots in my eyes, "Ahem…that was….interesting…." We both got up at the same time, and bumped heads accidently. Both of us hopped down and as I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, I smiled and half-told, half-asked, "See you…tomorrow….next week…um, I mean…later?" I blushed as I realized I was stuttering and I'm sure it was apparent as he nodded, and covered his mouth. We parted there.

    The way home was a blur of thoughts and I couldn't help but joyously dance out of the car and into the two-story house as the sky went dark, hoping against everything that I'd see that special guy again before I went crazy.

There you go, peoples! Maybe some of you thought that was a bit rushed, others a bit sweet. Any way you thought of it, review please!!!!!!!!

Jules Sab (Potter Weasley N' Company)