-1Tulsa, Rest In Peace.

Trying to understand how I wound up here is a difficult story to tell. Lots of mixed emotions involved. It's hard to understand how a 14 year old greaser from Tulsa could end up standing freezing cold inside the Pengrowth Saddle Dome. I didn't look right there, so out of position compared to the skaters in their fancy dresses, getting pep talks from their coaches. Parents and friends watched nervously from their seats and the audience waited in anticipation for the World Figure Skating Championships ladies free skate to begin. For a moment even I was feeling the buzz of excitement, but it soon turned back to my longing for home. I missed Soda and Darry, and Johnny. Two - Bit as well. Part of me even missed Dally and Steve.

It had been over a month since I trekked out the door, vowing not to return again. God, what I wouldn't give to go back to that moment and stay. This all sounds pretty incoherent, even for myself. So allow me to take a moment to explain why I, Ponyboy Curtis, am at a skating competition in Calgary.

I had been walking home from school, ready for summer vacation. School was out and I was just looking forward to relaxing. It was a blazing hot day, the sun high and burning in the cloudless blue sky. I rounded the Tulsa Arena to head to my place and that's when I saw her. She was standing in the sunlight, her long, straight brown hair shimmering in the sun. She was small and slender. Her skin was slightly tan, and her cheeks were pink and shiny. She had the most stunning blue eyes ever.

She wore a white dress with gold sequins. And that's when I realized that she was a figure skater. But I just couldn't stop thinking of how beautiful she was. And there and then, I decided I was going to win her heart. No matter what.

KK I'll write more later.