Chapter 2

"Pony can I see you at my desk for a moment please?"

I haven't even realized the bell had rung I had been too busy dozing off.

"Pony this theme is very intense. You can't even tell you just did it last night. It sounds like you poured your entire soul into this, congratulations you pass."

I was staring at the clock wondering If Two-Bit would wait for me or not.

"Pony, did you hear me?"

"What…. oh right well thank you."

"Pony, I would like to have a little talk with your parents after school, sometime this week if that's okay. You seem to be zoning lately. I don't want to keep you much longer but can you please ask them to give me a call."

Before he even finished talking I was out the door and running down the hall.

I had just remembered that I was supposed to make dinner and I didn't think that Darry would be to happy if there was nothing on his plate, judging by the way he was acting this morning.

I knew that Mr. Syme would probable call later and try to talk to one of my parents, since I just ran out on him, but hey, he has to find out sooner or later.

Luckily, when I got out into the parking lot, Two-Bit was still waiting for me. He was looking a little upset having to wait, but he was still there.

By the time I got home that afternoon, it was pretty late.

Two- Bit had taken me to the Dingo 'for a Coke,' but, really, he had just found out that a cute middle- class girl was going to be there. "She's going with Tim, and I can't let that happen." He scolded himself for letting her get away once, but not before cussing Tim out. The usual stuff.

Soda walked in, threw his DX shirt on "Darry's" armchair, and landed on the couch with a plop. "Mail come yet?"

"No. Well, yeah, but its just stuff for Darry. I checked."

Soda ignored me, which was rare, and picked up the pile of letters. He dropped about five envelopes down onto the table,

"Bills, bills, bills, wait…what's this?"

"How am I supposed to know?"

He let out a sigh, "it's just another bill. Hold it…. What's this? Ooooh, a letter to Darry…from Sarah…"

He let that last part dangle in front of my face until I was too curious to ignore it.

"So, give him the letter right when he gets home, watch his every move, and then, when he throws it out, dig it up and read it. He'll never know."

"Sure, Pony, whatever you say." He started to open the letter.

Just then, Darry walked in. "Hey guys." he said, but then sniffed the air suspiciously. "Ponyboy, you cooking dinner for once? Wow," he looked at Soda, "what's this?"

He snatched the letter, looked at the return address, laughed and gave the letter back to Soda.

"Go ahead, little buddy. I know what she wants."

As he walked down the hall, I turned off the stove and rushed to Soda's side, who didn't hesitate to tear the letter open and was already reading it. I started to read it over the shoulder, which must've bugged him, since he coolly turned his head and was staring at me. I grinned, trying to get him to go back to reading. It didn't work though, because he folded it up and put it in his back pocket.

"You can read it later, when I'm through."

Again, Soda plopped himself onto the couch and resumed reading. When he was done he gave me a strange look, but still wouldn't let me see the letter. I went back to slaving over a still-hot stove for Soda, and I told him so. All I got from it was an imitation of Two- Bit's cocky raised- eyebrow look, and a well cooked meal, if I do say so myself.

After dinner I had to sneak into the bathroom while Soda was in the shower and grab the letter out of his pants pocket.

When I finally did get the letter I discovered that in was addressed to Darry, but was all about me!

Dear Darry,

We have been close friends for a while now, even after the break up and I feel that I am able to send you this letter without to much hesitation. I wish that if it is convenient for Soda, Pony, and yourself that Pony just might be allowed to stay over hear for about a month or more as like an exchange student but without the exchange person coming to live with you for I fear that maybe you might set a bad example for them without trying to. Not that I consider you bad parents or anything like that I just feel that it is a bit rougher out there then it is here in Miami, Florida. I am proposing this on account that I read what happened down there a couple days ago and I feel it might be a good Idea if Pony came down here to cool off.

Wishing to hear from you soon,

SARAH

When I finished the letter I was too shocked to even comprehend what was going on around me. Until I heard yelling coming from Darry's room.

"What do you mean she wants him to go live with her? I mean I thought when she moved to Florida it was to get away from having to be a parent so young! And what right does she have to call us bad parents? I thought that she just wanted me to lend her some money like she did in her last letter! There is no way that I am going to allow Pony to go live with a person like that…that…BITCH!"

"Hey Darry, just take it easy, we don't have to let Pony go, we can just ignore the letter."

I heard the floorboards creak as Darry sat down on his bed

"You're right Soda, we can just ignore it, she will probably forget it after a while anyway, and where is Ponyboy?"

I didn't even get a chance to hear the last sentence before I was out the door.

If they were not even going to ask my opinion then there was no point in my staying here to hear the conclusion.