AN: Love the reviews! I'm trying to update every night, so please review a lot! If you have any good ideas for the story, let me know! I'm trying to make a story the reader will love!

Ponyboy's POV

I was running. I had no idea where I was going. I was just running. I kept it up, until I was at the park. There I saw Dallas Winston. I stopped when I realized he was holding a gun. He pointed it right at me.

"You better wise up, Ponyboy." He said. "Get tough. Don't let anything get to ya."

He pulled the trigger. I just had enough time to yell, "No Dally! Don't!" before the bullet hit my chest.

I woke up screaming. Sodapop woke up with a start and was at my side in an instant. I was shaking something awful. Soda put an arm around me and I immediately calmed down some. Soda always had that effect on me. He could always calm me down, or if needed, cheer me up.

"You okay, pone?" He asked.

I nod mutely, remembering Dallas's words. Wise up, Ponyboy. Get tough. Darry came in the room to check on me, but I told him I was okay and he went back to bed.

"Ya want to talk 'bout it?" Soda asked once Darry's gone.

I shake my head no. I can't tell him about this. I have to do this on my own. I have to follow Dally's advice. I don't want to let my emotions get the best of me anymore. I'm tired of it all. Don't let anything get to ya. Dally's words rang in my head.

"Okay, pone, get back to sleep." Soda says. I turn over and lay down on my side. Soda slings his arm over me as I drift back to unconsciousness…

The next morning, I got up early. So I decided to make breakfast.

I made myself and my brother's eggs and put out the jelly for Sodapop. The next one up was Darry. He seemed surprised to see me up sp early.

"What are you doin' up? Its 7 in the morning." Usually that's a normal time to get up, but its summer and the gang knows I like to sleep in. Sometimes I get up early to watch the sunrise though. Now that its summer, Darry has to get to work at 8. But he usually likes to get there early to get home earlier. He doesn't trust us or the gang to keep the house in one piece.

"I don't know." I shrugged. "I guess I couldn't sleep anymore." I note. Darry sits down at the table and starts on his eggs.

"Did ya get back to sleep okay?" he asked while chewing on a mouthful.

I don't speak. Instead I just simply nod. I wasn't feeling like talking much right now. I had a lot on my mind. I had to figure out what Dally wants me to do. Get tough. Dally's words still echo in my head.

I sit down at the table with Darry and start on my breakfast. Darry quickly finishes, and washes his plate. "I'll be home by 5 today." He says. I nod in response. He leaves the kitchen to get ready and I wash my plate.

Darry comes back in the room. Its 7:45 and he says his goodbyes and leaves out the front door. I go back to my room and grab my coat. Soda was still asleep. I left him a note saying I'll be back soon, and headed out the front door.

I walked until I got to the lot and sat down by a tree, me and Johnny used to sit by. I sat there and thought for a long time.

Get tough. How do I do that? How did Dally do that? Dally wasn't like the rest of us. He was just naturally tough. Was he? But dally didn't grow up around these parts. Dally didn't use to live here. Dally didn't live here! Of course! Dally lived in New York! Dal never really talked about his past too much. But… cant I get tough here? No. My brothers are here they'll get in the way, I know they will.

I need to be away from here. Away from the gang. Away from my family. Away from my past. I know in my gut that this is the right way to do it. Dally did it. I know that much.

Now, just one problem. How do I get there? I'll find a way. But right now I know one thing for sure; I'm going to New York.