Amaya

Not much could be said about that little tow-headed punk, 'cept maybe that he needed a serious attitude adjustment. But he was also my friend. Yup, friend, as in he tells me secrets, I tell him secrets, we both trust each other to keep those secrets… well, you get it, right? Not that he'd ever admit it, of course. I mean, Dallas, a tough, cool 13-year-old with a reputation to uphold would never admit he was friends with the bookworm of the boondocks. 'Cause that's where we live. The boonies, where it's cold and wet and full of crazy perverted kids who have nothing better to do than crack dirty jokes.

Dallas fit right in.

Johnny didn't fit, though….

Nope, Johnny Cade had those little girls wrapped around his finger from the beginning. Johnny ruled this town.

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Dallas

I knew I was in trouble now. I never really meant to hurt him, I didn't think I'd stand a chance, honestly. Obviously he wasn't a very good fighter, because I was only ten, and I had taken down a thirteen-year-old. My father was already ticked about me getting a detention last Tuesday. Zoe would defend me, though.

Zoe was my stepmother. Probably the only reason (besides Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Mathews) that I didn't cause too much trouble. But it had never gone this far. That boy's parents had filed a complaint with some official guy at the school, super- something, I guess. Then the guy came and had a talk with me, and I suppose I got a little bit spooked, 'cause next thing I know I was two blocks from the school. Police came by and picked me up. For a ten-year-old, that's pretty damn scary. I didn't cry, though - I hadn't cried since my mother had died three years ago. The door opened and I heard a familiar voice… or rather, voices. Zoe and Mrs. Curtis. My dad was probably too ticked, or even too drunk, to come get me himself. I sure was glad Zoe was my adoptive mom now. She could get me out of here.

My eyes were dead set on boring a hole into that dirty tiled floor. Even when I saw those converse that my stepmother always wore and the dressy-looking shoes of Mrs. Curtis I didn't look up. Zoe gently grabbed my hand and pulled me up, before walking towards the door. I didn't notice Ponyboy until he grabbed my other hand and grinned, looking awful funny with a missing front tooth.

Pony was going through a cuddling stage, just after he had decided that Steve would make a good role model. Steve never would say it, but he liked the idea of somebody looking up to him. And that little seven-year-old was always willing to follow Steve Randle.

We reached the parking lot. I don't even remember getting out of the building. Zoe said goodbye to Mrs. Curtis and I waved slightly in response to Pony's very enthusiastic wave. Lucky kid, I thought. His old man hasn't ever touched him.

Usually Zoe lets me sit up front, but I didn't really want to face her and her third-degree at the moment. I sat in the back and looked out the window, willing myself not to lose control and cry. There's something about my step mom that could make the best liar in the world 'fess up.

"Buckle up, Dallas. You know the rules." I met her eyes in the rearview mirror and somehow I got the feeling she wasn't just talking about seat buckles.

"Zoe, I -"

"Dallas," she sighed. "I don't know what's gotten into you lately. You were very well behaved before. What's changed? Did someone say something to you? Are you angry at me or something?" Why would she think that? The anniversary of my mother's death was only a three days away, maybe she thought I was finally rebelling against her for taking Mom's place…. Who knows? Zoe sighed again.

"Your father and I have discussed some things. We want to know your ideas about it. He thinks you need a change of scenery. I promised my father I'd come and visit for a few months. We both thought that… well, that maybe you could come with me, too."

"… where?"

"Ohio. It's a bit chilly this time of year, but it won't be too --"

"When?" She glanced into the rearview mirror.

"Three days." I immediately shook my head. I always, always visited mother up in Enid on the thirtieth of August.

"Dallas, we can go see your mother on the way, and we can stay as long as you like. Please, Dallas. I lost my mother too… my dad thinks it's really important to keep up her old traditions. One of them was to have all the kids and grandkids visit for a little while, like an extended reunion. You know I think of you as my son… I know I'll never be your mother, but I really want you to meet them. Please?"

I frowned. "What about my friends? Johnny especially. I mean, he doesn't have anyone to watch out for him." What confused me now is the fact that she actually smiled.

"Johnny can come with us. I knew Leanna Cade in high school. She already agreed to let him come with us." All I could do was gape at her. Zoe thought of everything, man. Finally I nodded slowly. Steve had his mom. Keith had his. Darry, Sodapop, and Pony had both of their parents. Johnny had Zoe, Mrs. Curtis, Keith's mom, and the rest of the boys, when he didn't have his own parents. I couldn't wait to tell him we were going to Ohio for the next few months.

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Third Person

Ponyboy and his mother walked into their house at three- fifteen P.M. to the sound of Mickey Mouse and a group of rowdy boys. Pony squealed happily and tackled Steve Randle, who ruffled his hair and tagged him. Grinning, the ten-year-old ran out the back door, then ran around front and came back into the kitchen with his pursuer left confused in the back yard. Sodapop, Darryl, Keith, and Johnny were all in the kitchen already, watching Mr. Curtis bake a cake. This happened to be a favorite hobby of theirs.

Mrs. Curtis sat down and watched the little boys chatting happily while her husband went to use the restroom. Ponyboy had finally given up and walked back in, sitting in his mother's lap, after gaping at Steve for a few minutes, of course. Johnny, who was sitting next to her, turned to Mrs. Curtis.

"What happened to Dallas, Mrs. Curtis?" She opened her mouth to reply, but the hyper child in her lap beat her to it.

"Dallas got in trouble, and he went home with 'Oey." (Ponyboy couldn't say Zoe properly.) "The coppers came and got him." For once in the Curtis home there was instant silence. Soda and Steve stopped trying to poke each other in favor of staring at Mrs. Curtis. Keith stared, too, with his hand resting on the dog's head. Johnny's eyes got big over his chocolate milk bubbles as he looked at the woman he considered practically a second mother.

Mr. Curtis picked that moment to walk into the kitchen. The silence worried him. Their home hadn't been silent for thirteen years. He cleared his throat. "Virginia? Are the boys ill?" This launched Ponyboy into another explanation of the day's events. Virginia nodded when her husband gave her a look, as if for confirmation of what their son was telling him. After an awkward silence, Soda spoke, "So… what's gonna happen to Dally?" Darrel Curtis Sr. looked at his middle child.

"Now what makes you think -" Virginia stopped him before he could finish.

"Dallas might be leaving for a little while. Zoe is taking him to see her family, and he'll be there until school is out." For a while nobody said anything, nobody moved. Steve slowly looked down at his shoes, and Keith bit his lip and absently stroked the dog. Johnny looked quietly at the table. Dallas is leaving? he thought. Dallas was like his brother, he couldn't leave! He blinked, trying not to cry. Pony didn't seem to care who saw or heard him and was hugging his mother, crying a bit louder than Soda, who was also trying not to show it. Soda had always been emotional like that.

Johnny wiped his eyes, but still stared at the table. "Mrs. Curtis," he began, his voice quivering. "Where's Dally going?" Silently he hoped that it wasn't too far….

"Before his dad talked to Zoe, he was going to New York," Everybody's head snapped up at that news. Keith gaped at her. That was much, much too far for their liking. "but… now he's going to Ohio. That's where Aunt Olivia lives, Soda.," Soda shut his mouth, then shook his head. That was still too far.

The boys had to stop them from taking Dallas. It was a silent agreement around the table. Soda and Steve looked at each other, then looked at Keith. Looking as determined as an eleven- year- old can, he nodded. Ponyboy nodded from his mother's lap, feeling important. Johnny looked up, feeling the stares, and nodded as well. Now all they needed was Darryl's help. If anyone knew how to stop this, he did.

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Darry

Before you all think I was a bad person, let me explain the situation: I had just gotten home from football practice, had every intention of sleeping until dinner, and was not in the mood for five young boys to be in my room at that time. There, so I had perfect reason to do the following.

"GET OUT OF MY ROOM BEFORE I TELL MOM!" SLAM!

See, perfect reason, right? My brothers are very used to this, though. Those kids are too persistent for their own good. After they explained the situation, I was, of course, willing to help. They had a simple, basic, to- the- point plan: hide Dallas until Zoe leaves. Nice plan, besides the fact that it wouldn't work. When I told them this, Pony, the stubborn kid that he is, stamped his foot and yelled at me that it would work, and I was a big meanie. In all reality, I knew the truth. Dallas was leaving, nothing we could do would change that. So I told them to let me think. I thought, really I did! For almost two days.

Dallas himself interrupted me when he came into my room on the second day, nearly sobbing.

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Alright, I don't think I've heard this idea on Might be here, might not. Anyhow, I'd love your input on this. So please review… thank you.

Peace, love, and pixie stix,

Nash