Chapter 5: Dally sees the note Johnny wrote to Ponyboy...

The movie played on, but Dally wasn't really paying attention. He couldn't help it, his mind was on other things. He didn't even notice it was over until Ponyboy said his name.

"Ready to go, Dal?" He asked, trying to read his expression. You have to be careful with what you say to Dallas when he's in a quiet mood. If you offend him in the least bit, you could get your face beaten in. But Dally merely shrugged.

"Hey, Dally? I have something to show you when we get back to my house," Ponyboy tells him. Now, it was Dally's turn to be cautious. He didn't like surprises, but Ponyboy refused to tell him anything about it. The pair took the bus home, the ride was silent and uncomfortable. Even when they got off and opened the screen door to Ponyboy's house, Dally noticed the happy, light atmosphere was gone. In it's place was what seemed like worry and dread, and when Ponyboy handed him a folded up piece of paper; he knew exactly why.
He began to read it:

Ponyboy, I asked the nurse to give you this book so you could finish it. The doctor came in awhile ago but I knew anyway. I keep getting tireder and tireder. Listen, I don't mind dying now. It's worth it. It's worth saving those kids. Their lives are worth more than mine, they have more to live for. Some of their parents came by to thank me and I know it was worth it. Tell Dally it's worth it. I'm just going to miss you guys. I've been thinking about it, and that poem, that guy that wrote it, he meant you're gold when you're a kid, like green. When you're a kid everything's new, dawn. It's just when you get used to everything that it's day. Like the way you dig sunsets, Pony. That's gold. Keep it that way, it's a good way to be. I want you to tell Dally to look at one. He'll probably think you're crazy, but ask for me. I don't think he's ever really seen a sunset. And don't be so bugged over being a greaser. You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There's still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally. I don't think he knows. Your buddy, Johnny.

The last few lines of the note blurred and Dally's face felt hot. He was crying. Really crying. Not out of pain or anger this time, just sadness. He hadn't cried since, well, he couldn't remember. Long before he was ten, that's for sure. He bolted through the house, out the door, knowing his emotions were going to get the best of him. He ran to the lot, where he dropped to his knees and started bawling. He was choking for air and clutching his chest. Everything hurt. He tried punching the fence, but he just didn't have the energy to feel anything except sadness. He waited for the pain to subside, but it didn't. Usually, living the way greasers do, you learn to block out the things you don't want to feel, and forget the sights you don't want to remember. But he had a strong feeling that Johnny's last breath will be a moment that lasts in his head forever. Haunting him, killing him.

He couldn't tell you how long he sat there, feeling numb inside and out. He didn't know. It must have been awhile, because Soda found him. Soda had been at work.

"Dally.." He started slowly, not quite sure what to say. Dallas hardly noticed he was there. I can handle this, he breathed. I'll harden up and tough it out. I always do. But this time, he knew he was lying to himself.

"Dallas, come on man. You can stay over tonight." Soda offered, with a sad tone to his voice. Dallas wondered vaguely about it, but it was because Soda was hurt to see the toughest guy he knew break down. Even Dallas Winston had a breaking point.

"No," his voice was shaky. "The boys ain't seeing me this way. It'd scare Pony to death. I'll be fine. I always am."

Soda sat down beside him. "They've seen all of us much worse. Pony's been much worse." He looked at him pleadingly, "please."

Dally was still reluctant, but he sighed, agreeing. "Thanks Soda." Right then, Dallas realized how much he really needed Sodapop. How much he needed the whole gang, just to keep him sane. And how much he had always needed them.

Sodapop smiled a melancholy smile, happy that Dallas was actually letting someone in. They sat there in the lot together for awhile longer, watching the sun go down. Then they headed back to the Curtis's home, where everyone's welcomed as if it was there own home.

- - - -

Ick! I hate how this ended, I didn't really know how to conclude it. But okay guys, up until now you've seen a lot of Dally and Ponyboy. So in the next couple of chapters I'm going to focus on other characters, like Soda and maybe Two-Bits court appearance? I haven't decided. Please comment and review. Leave suggestions! :D Thanks.