I finally got ahead in this story! What does that mean? It means that I have more chapter written than I've posted. I'm not writing this story on the spot, so I can update. Woo!

Even though chapter eight only got one review, I'm not going to let that prevent me from updating. So, here's my daily update.

This is a pretty big chapter! Johnny finally gets to meet Lucille and Daniel! How is Daniel going to act towards Johnny?!

Enjoy chapter nine. When you get done reading, please review. It honestly gives me motivation. :)

This was it. Today was the day. Today was the day the LaRusso family began their forty-two hour drive to Reseda. Lucille packed the old station wagon happily. She was ready to leave this old town. She was ready to trade the Newark winters for the Reseda sun. Most of all, she was ready to see Johnny again. Lucille stuffed the last box into the car and moseyed back up to their old house. Inside, Daniel was wandering around the now empty living room.

"Are you ready to go, sweetie?" she asked softly, leaning against the doorframe. Daniel stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.

"I'm ready," he sighed. Daniel walked towards his mother and stared into the kitchen. "I think I'm actually going to miss this place." he told her. Lucille smiled and wrapped her arm around his shoulders.

"I am too, buddy, but I have a good feeling we're going to do well in California," she promised him. Daniel looked at her and smiled.

"I know. I have that feeling too," She pulled her arm away from him and led the way towards the car. Several of Daniel's friends, including Judy, were circled around. Daniel smiled to himself. They actually came to say good-bye. Lucille squeezed in between the teens and crawled into the front seat of the car. She watched as her son said bye to them, and when he was hugging Judy good-bye, she started the car. The two pulled away, and Daniel got into the front seat next to his mother.

The kids moved away, and that's when she pulled off. Daniel chuckled to himself when he noticed his friends and classmates chasing after their beat up station wagon. A chorus of farewells rang throughout the neighborhood, and Daniel sighed. He was going to miss this place. He couldn't believe it. He had always wanted to get away, and now that he was, Daniel realized how important this town had become to him. His whole childhood was spent here.

XxXxXxX

"California, here we come!" Lucille sang happily. Daniel stared out the window and watched the fields of Tennessee roll by. "What's the matter, Daniel? You don't like my singing?" Daniel sighed once more.

"I don't like the song, Ma," he replied sadly.

"You're going to love California! You wake up in the morning, and plop! You're in your swimming pool,"

"Sure . . ."

"You'll see," Lucille told him, focusing on the road. Daniel readjusted the way he was sitting and turned to face his mom.

"So, we're picking up some stranger in Oklahoma City?" he asked. Lucille frowned and shook her head.

"He's not a stranger, Daniel . . ."

"Mom, he kind of is. You haven't seen this kid in fifteen years. Don't you realize how awkward this is going to be when you both reconnect?" he interrupted.

"You're going to be reconnected with him too," Lucille answered him quietly.

"I was two when he was put up for adoption. I don't even remember what he looks likes," Lucille ignored Daniel and thought about what he had said. She knew he was right. It was going to be awkward when they met again. He is almost a stranger to the two of them. Even with all of this going through her head, she doesn't regret adopting him. She never will either.

XxXxXxX

Johnny woke up with mixed emotions. Today was the day. Today was the day he would finally get to see the world outside of Tulsa. He was excited and sad. He wasn't ready to say good-bye to the gang. Johnny picked himself up and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He almost wanted to cry. That's how badly he was going to miss the gang, and everyone knows, greasers don't cry. Ponyboy emerged from the hallway quickly with Soda following close behind.

"I'm gonna get 'cha," Soda exclaimed, tackling Pony to the floor. Both of them rolled around until Pony pinned his older brother to the ground. Ponyboy stared down at him and smirked. He pinned Soda's wrists above his head and began tickling him. Soda squirmed around from underneath in hopes to get free.

"Looks like I win again, Sodapop!" Pony exclaimed happily, releasing his brother's wrists. Ponyboy removed himself from his older brother's waist and stood up.

"I'll get you next time," Soda mumbled to himself. Pony rolled his eyes and smiled.

"No you won't," Ponyboy glanced over in Johnny's direction. "Ready to meet your new family today, Johnny?" He shrugged his shoulders and moved towards his best friend.

"I bet you're nervous, ain't 'cha?" Soda asked, putting Johnny in a headlock. He didn't even struggling. He let Soda mess up his hair. When he was finished, he released Johnny.

"I don't even remember them. What if they're as bad as my folks now?"

"Then you come back to Tulsa, and we adopt you!" Soda announced happily.

"C'mon, Johnny . . ." Pony said, ignoring his brother's idea. "I don't think they're going to be like your parents now. You're mom sounded too sweet to be that way." Johnny shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess we'll find out," he sighed.

"When you get there, I expect you to call. Ya hear?" Pony said. Johnny nodded his head and smiled. "No excuses."

XxXxXxX

The whole gang, including Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, gathered at the train station. Everyone, except Dallas and Ponyboy, had tears in their eyes. Soda, Two-Bit, Darry, and Steve held themselves together and pulled Johnny in for a group hug.

"We're gonna miss you, Johnnycake," Steve said, ruffling up his hair.

"I expect to hear from you often," Two-Bit added.

"Will you write to us, Johnny?" Soda asked. Johnny nodded his head and was released from the hug. He slowly moved back towards his best friend.

"Dallas, do you have enough money for tickets back to Tulsa?" Mr. Curtis asked. Dally nodded his head and smirked.

"Don't worry; I have thirty-five dollars. That should be enough," Mrs. Curtis moved over towards the small, tanned boy.

"Enjoy California, Johnny. We'll all miss you so much," she cried, hugging him tightly. The train to Oklahoma City was called, and Mr. Curtis was forced to pry his wife away from Johnny.

"Have a good time. I'll miss you, kid," Mr. Curtis told him. Dallas grabbed a hold of Johnny's arm and pulled him away. He said good-bye one last time before hurrying to catch their train. Their farewells echoed off the walls and slowly disappeared into nothing. Dally handed a lady their tickets, and they boarded the locomotive. Ponyboy found their seats and plopped down next to the window; Johnny sat next to him, and Dallas sat across.

"Thanks for comin' with us, Dal," Johnny smiled. Dallas looked at him and gave him a genuine smile.

"You're welcome, kid," he answered.

review loves. :)