And she's back! What's that blur? It's a bird! No, it's a plane! No, it's me updating with SUPERSPEED!

Random passerby-Freak-o.

Me-Hey now! That wasn't very nice!

Joey's POV

After I got my shoes cleaned I went outside and sat on my front porch. I couldn't find him in my house now could I?

'Now if I were a boy like Sodapop Curtis, where would I be?'

I thought about this for a good hour or two then I decided I better just walk around and hope to come across him at some point. I'd 'have' to find him eventually if I just kept walking.

I admired my surroundings as I made my way through the neighborhood. It really wasn't so bad. Sure, everything was old, beat up, shabby, and slightly unclean but everything looked beautiful today.

I felt like skipping down the sidewalk but I quickly dismissed the thought as I remembered that big girls didn't skip. That's something little girls do when they're young and stupid.

Older, sophisticated girls, like myself, simply walked down the street with grace and poise.

Of course a second after the thought, my foot fell into a crack in the walkway and I fell forward. I got up as fast as I could and quickly looked around to make sure no one was around to see me fall and I was relieved to see the road was empty.

I couldn't ever do that again. Being clumsy was for little girls and she wasn't little anymore. She was too old for skipping and falling into cracks.

I held my head high as I roamed the streets in search of my night in shining armor. I would find him sooner or later.

I just hoped it was sooner and not later.

As I walked down one street I saw a small group of older boys standing against a wire-fence. They looked around seventeen and friendly.

They all had leather jackets and faded jeans on. I hadn't ever seen these boys before but I smiled broadly at them and waved.

All I got in return was a few odd looks, one or two glares, and a few curses.

I changed my mind about them looking friendly. They didn't look as friendly as my saviors so I decided it best to turn around and leave. I hadn't had a problem with greasers yet but I knew better than to stick around when boys like that didn't want me to.

After about three hours of walking up and down empty streets I decided to go back home.

To my complete and utter surprise I saw a group of boys sitting around in a yard not far from my house.

I recognized those boys! They were my heroes.

I tried to look like I hadn't noticed them as I kept walking with my eyes set on my house.

"Hey," I heard someone yell from the group.

I turned, making sure I flipped my hair, and smiled at them.

"Oh, hello," I smiled at them and did my best to keep my eyes off of Sodapop.

"Come here," The boy named Ponyboy called me over and patted the spot next to him.

My smile grew wider as I walked over and was about to sit down before…

"Are you really going to sit in the grass wearing an outfit like that?" Two-Bit said laughing. I'd never seen a boy laugh so much.

Steve rolled his eyes at him and punched his shoulder.

"Aww leave her alone. She looks pretty," Ponyboy said smiling.

I sat down beside Ponyboy and watched Two-Bit roll on the ground for a few more minutes before his laughter finally subsided as a guy walked out of the house that owned the grass we were sitting in.

"Hey Darry!" Ponyboy shouted joyfully as he smiled at the older boy. He looked around seventeen and had a pretty muscular build.

"And who might this be?" The guy named Darry asked no one in particular as he looked at me.

"I'm Joey. It's nice to meet you Darry," I said sweetly as I put out my hand for him to shake it.

"Oh, you're the girl who lives down the street. How are you liking the East side?" He asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I don't know. I haven't been here too long and I don't have any friends yet," I looked down at my shoes as I said the last part.

"Looks like you have," he paused "six friends to me." He smiled at me then went back in to the house.

"Well, now that we're all friends…I'm going to have to re-introduce you to Johnny and Sodapop here," Two-Bit looked like he was about to crack up again. "Say 'hi' Johnnyboy!"

"Hi," Johnny said shyly as he nodded toward me.

'Awww' I thought as I looked at him. He looked like a shy puppy and I wanted to give him a hug for some reason. I resisted though.

"And-" Steve started.

"I'm still Soda." He smiled at me and reached out his hand for me to shake.

I gladly accepted it and was surprised out of my wit when he pulled me forward so I fell into Two-Bits lap. To my utter horror, Two-Bit began tickling me.

I was really ticklish.

…and that was the beginning of many great friendships.