Thank you for the reviews! I'm on a role right now, so you might get another chapter tonight if i get 4 more reviews...

Dear Diary,

Sodapop invited me to hang out at the DX where he and Steve work. Dallas nodded and said he was going too. I don't know if I should….What would my mother think? Speaking of her, when she came home last night she noticed a few bruises on my arm. That was fun to explain. I lied. I don't do it often but this was important! I told her I banged it on the counter. I could tell she didn't believe me but didn't push me to answer. I need to call Austin. I promised I would, just to tell him about Tulsa. And the guys. Yeah, I have to go today. Dallas said I needed to meet the others. How many or who the others are, was not explained. What should I wear?

"Mom, I'm going out!" I called in the direction of my mom's room.

"Where?" she asked. She emerged from her room, her hair in curlers.

"The DX. It's a gas station," I shrugged.

"I know what a DX is. Why are you going to one when you don't have a car?"

"To see some friends I met yesterday."

"Is that plural? How many? When will you be back?" my mom rambled.

"Yes, um four, I think. And not too late. You know me Mom," I smiled lightly. I turned into the kitchen and made some eggs and toast for breakfast.

"Your father called."

I whirled around. Mom leaned lazily against the white marble counter. Her hair curled down her back. She must have been going undercover or something today because she had ditched the blue uniform for a pair of jean and a violet blouse.

"Who did what now?" I asked.

"Your father called." She spoke slowly, like I was a child learning how to talk. "Said he was sorry he missed your call and wanted to tell you he loves you."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'll call him when I get around to it."

My mom sighed and stole my toast, effectively ending that conversation. I chased her around the house until she complained that she was going to be late for work.

"Goodbye Mom," I giggled as she left. I checked my watch. Great, now I'm late too.

It took me almost twenty minutes to find the damn gas station. I finally arrived at my destination and pulled the door open. Cool air blasted my skin, sending my hair flying backwards. I had hastily put on a pair of faded jeans and a black, short sleeve button up shirt, left open over a red tank-top. My black high-top Converse tapped rhythmically against the tiled floor. It was easy to find Sodapop. He was surrounded by fan girls. Oh, joy…

"Sodapop!" I called over the girls. His head jerked up and he smiled. Sodapop made his way through the crowd towards me. I ignored the fuming glares.

"Carmen, wow. I didn't think you were coming." He smiled lightly and dragged me behind the counter. Steve acknowledged me with a "Hey, model chick!" I waved half-heartedly.

"Come on! Dally, Johnny and Two-Bit are in the back," Sodapop pulled me along. "You need to meet my brothers though." He paused and put his index finger to his chin. "Come over tonight!"

"As long as I'm home by eleven," I said.

He hung his head and moped all the way to a wall. There was an opening, just big enough to crawl through. Sodapop led me under and into (wait for it) a garage! Various tools lined the walls and grease covered towels littered the ground. Empty soda cans and candy wrappers had been shoved into a pile. Dallas, Two-Bit, and some kid I've never met before were sitting cross-legged on the ground. The boy had tanned skin and black, greasy hair. His big brown eyes widened as I sat down next to him.

"Carmen, this is Johnny Cade," Dallas stated sweeping his arm grandly. I giggled and said a simple hello.

Steve eventually joined us. He informed us that the DX had cleared out when Sodapop left. I laughed at that too.

I didn't realize how fast time was flying until Steve went to lock up. The six of us walked towards Soda's house together. Steve and Dally were arguing over who-knows-what. Two-Bit and Sodapop were laughing hysterically. That left me and Johnny.

He didn't talk much; only answered direct questions until I brought up California.

"You really miss it there don'tcha?" Johnny asked in his soft voice.

"Yeah, I do." I said wistfully.

"Your brother lives there right?"

I nodded. He pursed his lips in thought.

"You like to read, and probably write. A dreamer, huh?" he predicted.

I raised my eyebrows. I also didn't answer. He was exactly correct.

"Yes. I am. At least that's what my friends used to tell me."

"You and Ponyboy are going to get along real well." Johnny quickened his pace to stand next to Dallas. Who's Ponyboy? I had to stifle a laugh. It was a…odd name, poor guy.

We filed into the Curtis residence and a voice from the kitchen called, "Soda, you finally home?"

Out walked a burly guy with curly dark hair. His blue-green eyes shimmered like the ocean does on a calm day. "Oh, who is this?" he motioned towards me.

"I'm Carmen Rose," I put my hand out and he shook it.

"Darryl Curtis. Go ahead and call me Darry." I nodded. He looked slightly similar to Soda. Oh, Curtis…right.

"Okay, Darry." I smiled.

"Hey, Ponyboy! Come and meet Soda's new friend!" Darry called.

"Hold on Darry!" a voice yelled back.

I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if you have any comment...complaints? don't read the story then. 4 more reviews, and i promise there wil be another chapter out tonight.