Chapter Six: See Ya, Tulsa...

This chapter, is dedicated to a very dear and close friend of mine. She goes by the nicknames of Java, Flamingo, Ducky, and in this case--Susan...

'Susan': I DETEST the fact that you have to move--all the way across the country! But I can't help but realize... how hard it'll be going through high-school without you... (and I thought moving five minutes away from you was hard!)

Disclaimer: I, in no way, own The Outsiders... damn.

(A/N: This chapter is in Peggy's view -- incase you were wondering...)

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As we stood outside the Curtis' home, the cool morning air nipping at our faces, waiting patiently for the picture to snap, everything in our gang... finally hit me...

Lilly... the mother we never had... the teenager who never felt what it was like to be a reckless kid... she was the one the whole gang went to if you needed a place to crash -- especially for the girls (I would know) Lilly's place wasn't so... rough... I mean, Rina, Casey an' Rox sure had one hell of a time whenever they went there, but Glory, when you just needed a place to be -- a place to cool off and let life settle in, Lilly's was the sanctuary. I loved it there , but golly, call me bias -- I live there! I moved in a couple of years ago... I remember it so vividly... it was a Tuesday night, and I was getting home from the movie house with the rest of the gang. Johnny and I had been dating for a couple of days now... I think I already loved the guy! It was because of Pony and Sharry that we had gotten together... well, Johnny had walked me home -- the rest of the gang had already headed their own ways. We kissed good-night and I stepped inside... I wish I hadn't, 'cause the first thing I see is a vase hurtling towards me! I just barley got outta the way as it shattered against the wall -- not even a foot away from my face. I remember the throbbing sting and the glass reached contact with me skin. Next thing I know -- my old man's got me in a headlock, an' I'm bein' half dragged to my room. He threw my inside and bolted the door shut on the way out, muttering somethin' about, "No good white trash. Hangin' 'round shitty hoods all day." I think he was drunk. I could hear my mother's usual ranting in the background. But I didn't care, 'cause five minutes later, I'm already out the window, down the street, knocking on Lilly's door, everything ever sacred to me clutched tightly in my two hands. I didn't need to utter a word for her to know what happened. For her to understand -- the glass still on me and the look in my eyes told her everything -- more than words... "Come on," she had said. I followed her down the hall to face a small room with a big wooden door. "You can stay in here." There was a small bed near the window on the far side, and a little dresser with a mirror against the left wall. I whispered a grateful thanks and she swept me into a hug. She had then muttered, "Bathroom's down the hall..." which made me laugh... That was two years ago, and I've thought about it every-night since then, not regretting it once... not once.

Rox was the wildfire idiot of the group. She was the one all the girls -- even guys went to for help, wether you were hacked off her your parents, or you owed some people money, or just plain pissed with life. We all knew Rox wouldn't blow up at you (like Darry or Lilly had a tendency to do.) She'd sacrifice her time and life for us. In return, she'd only silently ask for one thing -- loyalty. She took pride in herself for being loyal to us, and for it, she expected the same in return. The one time, though, I think she's never offered her help, was once, when Tim had gone to her for some... love. Instead, he had gone home with a bruised gut and wounded ego... She lived a block own form the Curtis' and roomed with Susan, and in drama (school) -- during break and things like that, she'd tell us stories -- all kinda of things! But she loved talkin' about her drag racin' and barrel ridin' the most. But if she wanted to gross out the innocent people (like me an' Sharry) she'd tell of her nights with Dally. Now, I'm not tryin' to embarrass Sharry, but sadly -- Rox had to explain all those... terms... is you get my drift. Everyone else would laugh, but Rox would just smile and go into full detail! Creepy. She was such a wise-ass, but we all knew, Rox was no innocent. She an' Dally were... interesting... and stubborn too. Every-week, there was a new fight, and every week, there were at least three apologies

("I'm sorry..."

"Ya... I'm sorry too... but don't do it again!"

"... You're a jackass, Dallas Winston!"

and then the fight would start again... )

... but let me repeat myself: they're both stubborn! But hell -- who could blame 'em?

Then, there were the three psychiatrists of the gang. "The Personal Shrinks" as Two-Bit called 'em. Sabrina, Cass, and Sharry... Sharry was the one who would analyze all your shit, tell ya in her honest opinion what the problem was, and how to fix it, and leave you with a clear mind. Sharry was actually one of the quiet ones. I'd say she was obsessed with Ponyboy. They had met one day at school (She wouldn't stop braggin' to us about it...) She was bein' criticized about how much of a tomboy she was by some other greasers -- the teacher included! They only stopped when Pony had casually walked up to them, told them to shut is, and where to go when they died. They've been in love ever since! Sharry is the only one in our gang who still has a functioning family. When all of our parents are too pissed from booze or just don't care, her parents are always making sure she's heading in the right direction. No matter how much we tell her -- she doesn't understand. She's always complaining and whining about how much they baby her when we're just sitting there, mouths hanging open, wishing to God it would happen to us! I guess you don't fully understand until you've experienced the matter from both sides... But Sharry's a wonderful person and deserves wonderful parents, and I know she loves them deeply... We all do. They're good people. Cass and Rina were different when it came to their 'shrink qualities', they'll help you forget about your worries so you felt refreshed and anew -- as if your troubles never happened (and there's no need to worry.) And when the problem arose again, you could simply brush it off -- no worries, and no regrets. They'd get you laughing in a heart beat, whether it would be from Sabrina's contagious and inevitable grin, or Casey's lovable jokes ("People smell like cheese!") Sabrina was -- like Rox called her -- the 'spazz' of the group -- the female version of Sodapop Curtis. Those two fit together perfectly. Thoughtful , and you couldn't help but love her. What more is there to say? I remember she annoyed the hell outta our eight grade history teacher -- Mr. Reagan. It was 'cause she was always talkin' -- laughin', jokin', gossipin' -- yeah -- as if you hadn't noticed, Sabrina was one hell of a talker! Weird thing about her -- she seems to really like spandex... I have no idea why, so don't ask! But she especially likes orange spandex... and y'know what? i bet she'd love to get a taste of Sodapop in orange spandex! Then there was Casey. Who would've thought she'd meet Two-Bit at a "Who's the Funniest Greaser?" contest at Buck's? Two-Bit wiped the floor with the competition, and as a prize, got Cass. They could keep each other entertained for days on end if they needed to! Heck -- they probably already even did! Cass shares an apartment with Rina, and it's been that way for four years. Those two are quite the storm when they're together! It's actually kinda hard to get them away from each other... that made Mr. Reagan's life a lot harder... he became... bitter...

Y'see, our group isn't just one stereotypical person split fourteen ways. Each one of us has a trait that makes up special to the gang. Each one of us has a role that we contribute. You depend on everyone, and they all depend on you. It was that simple...

Then there was Susan... She was -- seriously -- the smartest one in high-school. She was in the highest classes offered, and she was so damn smart -- they let her drop gym just so she could be in advanced band! As far as I know -- that ain't legal! She was goin' somewhere, and we all knew it... she was the one who would rise up, and be what all of us could only imagine. She was amazing with cars! Only thing she couldn't do, was sit on a chair... I swear... that girl must've had butter on her ass or something! She's fallen outta her chair so many times (I'm sorry to say) I've stopped coutnin'! Her balance is the same... She also tended to be a chicken form time to time -- for the stupidest things too! One time, Rox had to literally drag her into the band-room 'cause she was too scared to talk to her teacher... But never-the-less, I'm grateful to have someone like her as a friend. Don't get me wrong -- I would trade my friends for the world. But Susan... she was one truly of a kind, and I mean that. I just hope she realizes it... I really hope she realizes it...

SNAP

And there went the picture. We all cheered and headed out to the cars. Our junk already packed and stuffed into them.

"Well," Susan turned to face the Curtis' house letting out a low whistle, "Goodbye for now, Tulsa."

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Susan, You'll be missed, but you'll never be forgotten... (And no, I'm not corny! Seriously -- it's gonna hard in high-school without ya!)

Well, to the rest of you all, please review!

Till next time...