I own nothing except for 2 characters. " The Outsiders" is owned by S.E. Hinton.

We had enough money to get in, but Dallas made us sneak in. It was another beach movie, but, what can you do? The seating was, from the isle on, Dallas, Ponyboy, Johnny, me, and Fang. We took our seats, and two girls sat in front of us. " Cherry, maybe we should go, we won't have a way home!" the dark-haired girl said to the red-head. " No, Marcia! I came to see a movie and I'm gonna see a movie!" the girl allegedly known as Cherry said annoyed. Something told me they were Socs.

Dallas, though, was already trying to hit on her. I rolled my eyes when I saw him. He would say a terrible remark, and she would yell at him. He tried putting his legs up, but failed when his chair tipped over. We all laughed. " Hey, Dallas. Did ya have a nice trip?" Fang said with a grin on his face. " Yeah, you're lucky that you're far from me. I'll be back." Dallas said as he got up. Fang, Ponyboy, Johnny and I chuckled as we watched him leave. I coulda swore I heard a familiar voice coming from the parking lot.

Dallas came back a few minutes later with some Cokes. " I thought this might cool you off." he said, handing them to the two girls. The red-head splashed it on Dallas, and said some pretty choice words for him. Then, he got worse. She kept yelling at him to stop, and he finally stopped when Johnny spoke up. " C'mon, leave her alone, Dal." he said. Dallas looked dumbfounded. He finally spoke. " What? What'd you say to me?!" he said angrily. I could see Johnny turn a little white. " You heard me.." he said shakily.

Dallas got up in a huff, and stormed off. " Thanks." the red-head said, turning towards us. " It was nothing.." Johnny said quietly. " What're your names?" the dark- haired girl asked. " Johnny." he answered. " Keisha." I said. " Fang." he replied. " Ponyboy." he said a little embarrassed. " Those two names.....they're pretty original." the red-head stated. " Thanks. I've also got a brother named Sodapop." Ponyboy said proudly.

" I'm Sherry Valance, but, everyone calls me Cherry 'cause of my hair." Cherry introduced. " I'm Marcia." she said. After a few moments of silence, Cherry said: " Hey, why don't two of you come and protect us?"

Ponyboy and Fang looked at each other, and they both grinned. " You two go ahead." Johnny said, looking at the two. " Okay, you can stay up here with your girlfriend, while me and Ponyboy go and sit with Cherry and Marcia." Fang said while getting up. I got him good in the arm before he got far. " You two are going out?" Cherry asked. " No." we said at the same time. We both were a little embarrassed that everyone thought we liked each other. " How old are you guys?" she asked.

We all said our ages. I felt someone grab my shoulder and say: " Alright, greasers, you've had it."

I tensed up, and my heart was ready to jump out of me. " Two-Bit!" Fang shouted. I turned and saw it was him! I just shook my head. I looked over to Johnny, and I felt bad. He was extremely pale, and his eyes were shut tight. He was breathing in smothered gasps. He opened them, and weakly said hi. " Sorry, buddy. I forgot." Two-Bit said as he messed up Johnny's hair. " Ponyboy. Will you come with me to get some popcorn?" Cherry asked, starting to stand.

" Sure." he replied, getting up. " Get some for me and Johnny, I'll pay." Two-Bit said, tossing some money to Ponyboy. " What about you two?" Ponyboy asked. " I'm not hungry, and Keisha over there can share with her boyfriend." Fang said. I kicked the back of his chair, making him almost flip over the chair in front of him. Two-Bit started whooping with laughter. Fang shot me a glare, and I glared right back.

Ponyboy and Cherry returned, and we continued watching the movie. Johnny didn't mind sharing, as it turned out. During the movie though, I think we pulled a cliche " teenage crush" thing. Why I say that, well.......we both tried to reach in the bag at the same time, and touched. We both retracted, and sat in whatever uncomfortable silence there could be. " Y-You can go ahead.." I whispered. " No, it's okay, g-go ahead.." he whispered back. Something told me we didn't know what to do at the moment.

The movie was finally over and we all walked from the drive-in. " So, Ponyboy. What about your oldest brother? Is he funny like Sodapop? Dreamy like you?" Cherry asked. " Darry's not like Soda and he sure as heck ain't like me! He can't stand me. He probably wishes he could stick me in a home somewhere, but Soda won't let him." he said with slight anger. Me, Two-Bit, Johnny and Fang all stared. " No..........no, Pony, you got it wrong.." Two-Bit said slowly.

" Gee, Pony....I thought you and Darry were close.." Johnny said quietly. Fang just shook his head. I couldn't say anything, 'cause I didn't know there was a problem. " Well, we ain't! And you can just shut your trap, Johnny Cade! 'Cause you know you ain't wanted at home, either!" Ponyboy said angrily. Johnny looked like Ponyboy just hit him, and his eyes were wide. " Ponyboy!" I said quietly. Two-Bit hit him in the back of the head, hard. Fang looked shocked. After Two-Bit scolded him, Ponyboy apologized. " It's alright, it's the truth anyway.." Johnny said with a bleak grin. I felt bad that it was like that.

Things went from bad to worse. A mustang was trailing us. I turned to look, and it was the same blue mustang. " Why is it always them?!" I asked myself. " Cherry! They've spotted us!" Marcia said worriedly. " Act normal.." she said. " Who's acting?" Two-Bit asked. The car stopped, and two of them got out. One of them had a bottle of alcohol, the other a semi-beatle haircut. The one with the bottle went first. " C'mon, Cherry. Just 'cause we got a little drunk.." he started. " A little?! You call passing out in the streets ' a little'?!" Cherry interrupted. While they were arguing, the other guy was trying to talk to Marcia, who just glared at him.

" So you want to hang around these bubs and their piece of trash instead of me?!" the guy Cherry was fighting with shouted. I guess when he said trash, he was referring to me. We made ourselves look tough, just in case they wanted to start something. Two-Bit said, " I think they do. I know I would."

We would have laughed, but most of us were kinda scared. The one arguing with Cherry, Bob, I think, walked right up to us. I could see Johnny was shaking, but hiding it enough from the Soc. I could see why when I looked at him. He had on some rings, and I knew this was the same guy that jumped him. I started to get scared as well, 'cause these are the same guys that jumped me.

" We got more of us in the back seat, greaser." he warned. Two-Bit picked up a bottle, broke it, tossed it to Ponyboy, and whipped out his switchblade. " Pity the back seat!" he said in return. I was a little surprised Two-Bit could be so serious. Cherry ended up breaking them apart, and Ponyboy pulled her aside. While they were talking, Marcia went to the mustang, and Bob came up to us. " Listen. If you want a broad, pick up your own kind..." he stated. Before he finished, he looked right at me. " ....dirt." he finished. I just glared at him. He looked me over, and then grabbed my shirt collar, and pulled me forward.

I struggled, but he had a good grip for being almost drunk. He pulled my arm closer to him, and he started laughing. " So, I see we left a good reminder!" he said hatefully. I spat on his face, and he smacked me down. " Bob!" Cherry yelled. Fang and Johnny came to help me up, and Two-Bit and Ponyboy came to stand behind us.

As they walked to the car, we heard Bob mumble " trash...". Fang was growling, I guess that's how he got his name. The car finally drove off. " Are you okay, Keisha?" Johnny asked. " Yeah." I said, dusting myself off.

We continued our way home, and Two-Bit ripped up a piece of paper and toss it. " What was that?" Ponyboy asked. " Marcia's number. Probably a fake, too." Two-Bit replied. Two-Bit left to go to his house, and the rest of us continued to the lot. Johnny's folks were fighting again, but what else is new?

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We went to the usual spot, and we started a fire. Me, Johnny, Fang, and Ponyboy were all laying back and looking at the stars. It was actually kinda peaceful, except for the fact we could hear Johnny's parents fighting. After a few minutes, Johnny sat up. " I can't take much more of this, guys. I..I'll kill myself or something!" he said sadly. " No, don't do that....things'll be better.." I said, sitting up as well. " I gotta do something.." Johnny finished.

We both laid back down, and looked up. " Y'know.." Fang started. " There's gotta be someplace without greasers, or Socs. Someplace.....with..regular people and simpler problems...." he continued. " It's like that out in the country...." Ponyboy replied. It seemed that I drifted off, 'cause one minute I'm listening to the guys, the next I'm being shaken awake by Johnny. " Keisha! Wake up!" he said. I woke up, and helped him get Ponyboy and Fang up.

" What time is it?" Ponyboy asked. " Dunno. We fell asleep, too." I explained. They got up and quickly went to Pony's house. Johnny and I stayed at the lot. We finally found something to cover ourselves with, and fell asleep. Although, it was short-lived, 'cause the next thing I know, I feel a body fall on top of me. " What th-?" I asked, looking up into Fangs gray eyes. Ponyboy got Johnny up, and said: " C'mon, guys. We're running away."

After we ran a good distance, Ponyboy broke down. " Pony, what happened?!" Johnny asked. " Darry hit me! We got along fine 'till mom and dad died, now he can't stand me!" Ponyboy said quickly. " Really?" I asked Fang. " I can't say about the whole ' can't stand me' part, but he did hit him." Fang answered. " I think I like it better when the ol' man's hittin' me. At least he knows I'm there.." Johnny stated.

" C'mon, maybe a walk around the park will cool me off." Ponyboy suggested. So, we headed to the park. Bad thing was, the blue mustang was trailing us. " Crap! It's them!" I warned the others. " Great." Fang said. We went and sat on the "monkey bars" as they drove near and got out. they had about five, so we could've probably taken them. Thing was, they were dead drunk. We got down and stood, ready for a fight.

" Hey, it's the greasers who tried to pick up our girls!" Randy slurred. We made ourselves look tough. Then, one of the others looked at me. " Hey, Keisha!" he said happily, or how you could sound happy when drunk. My blood ran cold. " No! I can't know you!" I thought to myself. The other three looked at me, so did the Socs. " Hey, what're you doing with these greasers?" Bob asked. " Wh-what're you talkin' about?" I stuttered. " Yeah.....what are they talkin' about, Keisha?!" Fang said suspiciously.

I looked around wildly from the boys to the Socs. " Quit playin' pretend, Keisha. You know you're a Soc, not a greaser!" Randy said, laughing. I couldn't stop my gasp escaping. " What?!" Fang shouted, turning on me. " N-No! I'm not one anymore! I-I lost everything! I-" I stuttered, trying to explain. But I was interrupted by Fang punching me. " You traitor!" he shouted as I hit the ground. Ponyboy was trying to keep Fang back, and Johnny just stood there, jaw dropped.

" Get 'em!" Bob shouted, and the fight was on. Two grabbed Ponyboy and dragged him to the fountain, and two kicked Johnny down. When Fang ran to help Ponyboy, the last one tackled him to the ground. " Johnny!" I shouted, getting up to run to him. The two who were keeping Johnny down ran and grabbed me. " You're a traitor to us!" one shouted. My eyes were squeezed shut from me trying to get out of their grip. Then, I heard a cry of pain, and I was dropped on the ground. Four of them bolted, and when I opened my eyes, I saw Bob doubled up in a pool of blood.

I looked over to Johnny, who collapsed slightly, and sat up by the fountain. I saw what he kept looking at as Fang pulled Ponyboy out of the fountain. It was his switchblade, covered in blood. " Johnny....you..didn't...." I said, my voice quavering. Ponyboy woke up minutes later. " I....I..killed him...." Johnny said slowly. Ponyboy went over and threw up at the sight of Bob. As Fang explained to Ponyboy what happened, Johnny went and cleaned his blade in the grass. I walked over, and put my hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him.

" Get away from him!" Fang shouted, making Johnny jump a little. I quickly moved back. " What're we gonna do?" I asked. " No, not you! Just me, Ponyboy, and Johnny, Soc!" Fang shouted. The way he seemed to just spit out the last word made me feel like he just hit me with a belt.

" Guys! Now is not the time to fight!" Johnny shouted. He got up, and was looking around. " Listen. We gotta find Dally." he continued. We headed over to Buck Merril's, and Dally came to the door. " What's up?" he asked. " Johnny killed a Soc.." Ponyboy said, shivering. " We thought you could get us out. I'm sorry I dragged you away from this party, but, I don't know what to do.." Johnny explained.

" Don't worry about it, I was just tryin' to get some sleep." he said. We went in, and went upstairs. " Fang, why're you lookin' at Keisha like that, huh?" Dally asked. Before he could answer, Johnny interrupted, saying, " It's a long story, Dal..."

When we got to the room, Dally handed us a loaded gun, gave Ponyboy a shirt and his jacket, and gave us some money. " Alright, listen. Take the early train to Windrixville, and there's an abandoned church on Jay Mountain. Hide out there, and once you buy a week's supply of things, don't even stick your noses out the door. I'll come up when I think the coast is clear." he instructed. So, we left the party, and went to wait for the train.

We jumped on when it came, and after we hid from the people who check the cars, we went to sleep. Fang wouldn't let me sleep anywhere near them, so I went a little ways away from them. " Who's gonna stay up?" Ponyboy asked. " I will." Fang replied.

So, I drifted off into an uneasy sleep. When I woke up, I noticed Johnny was asleep right next to me. At first, I thought I moved, but I was still in the same spot. Fang probably didn't notice. I quickly moved away from Johnny so Fang wouldn't see. He went to wake Ponyboy up, and shot me a death glare. I went to wake Johnny up, 'cause I knew we were gonna jump. We jumped from the car, and went to go to Jay Mountain. When we got in, we all went straight to sleep. ( Getting to the church took all day!)

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I woke up earlier than usual, and noticed Johnny wasn't there. I went outside, and he was sitting on the steps. I was hesitant to sit down next to him. If my secret wasn't revealed, I would've just sat down. He noticed me, and what he said surprised me. " You can sit next to me. I don't bite."

I sat next to him, and we sat in uncomfortable silence. Finally, I said something. " I'm sorry." " For what?" he asked. I looked at him like he was crazy. " You don't remember?! I lied to you guys! I'm a Soc, well, used to be...but still. I betrayed your trust, and..." I started, feeling tears sting my eyes. " So? I don't care about what you used to be. You told me a few nights ago that after your parents died, your family took everything from you. I understand what you meant. What your class was didn't influence your personality." he explained.

By then, the tears were coming out. I was thankful he still wanted to be my friend, but I had to know why. " How? How can you be so forgiving?" I asked. " Because I know you well enough not to judge." he replied. When I looked over at him, he smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back. " Thanks." I said quietly. He got up, and went inside. I followed, and he asked if I wanted to go to the store with him. I agreed, and while he wrote the note, I went to get ready.

At the store, we got the food, and I noticed that he grabbed some peroxide. I looked at him, and he didn't need to explain. " We're gonna bleach Pony's hair, and darken your's and Fang's. I can't really change the color of my hair....so I'll wash the grease out, and cut it." he explained. I nodded. Before we got into the line, Johnny looked down and picked up a book. It was Gone With the Wind. " Hey, you think Ponyboy would like this?" he asked. " Well, it'd be a good way to pass the time." I replied.

As we were in the checkout, the clerk looked at us funny. " Why do you need all this?" he asked. Johnny was trying to find an explanation, but I already had one. " We're going camping for a week. And it's not at one of those resort....places.." I explained, trying to remember what those places were called. " Oh...I see..." he said, winking. Both me and Johnny blushed. " It's not like that...." he said quietly.

Thankfully, he didn't ask anymore questions, and we left. On the way back, we were in silence. " So he thought..?" I asked, looking ahead. " Yep." Johnny answered. " Don't tell the other two?" I said. " Right." he said back. " Got it." I finished.

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We were met up by Ponyboy after we got on the hill. We went in, and showed the other two what we got. As Johnny was talking to Fang, I pulled Ponyboy aside. " Ponyboy, about what happened last night....." I whispered. He looked at me suspiciously, but was listening. " It's true, I was a Soc....but..my parents died. And....my family took everything...and left.." I explained. He looked like he didn't believe me.

" Please! It's the truth! I know I should've probably told you guys...but I-" I tried to say. " Hey, I understand. Anyway....I couldn't have been able to tell if you were a Soc in the first place." Ponyboy interrupted, smiling. I smiled back. " Thanks, Pony....now I just gotta get Fang to listen to me." I said.

Ponyboy looked concerned when he looked past me. I turned, and saw Fang glaring at me. I looked at Ponyboy, and he whispered: " Try to understand.... Fang's father was killed by a Soc, and Fang witnessed it. That's why his mom became a drunk, and why Fang is like this when it's dealing with Socs."

" Oh, my...." I said, feeling awful. " Hey, Ponyboy. Get away from the Soc and get over here!" Fang said bitterly. We both went over, and we took care of our hair. It was kinda painful, seeing that we could only use switchblades. After Ponyboy, Fang, and I dried our hair, Pony was a blonde now, I was a light brunette, and Fang's hair was almost black.

Afterward, we were just sitting around. " So....this is really happening...." Fang said. " Yeah..." Johnny replied, sighing. " It's hard to believe that just last night we were at the movies. Just last night we walked Cherry and Marcia home. Just last night, we went to the park...." Ponyboy said sadly. But before he could continue, Johnny got up and shouted, " Will you just shut up about last night?!"

He walked out of the church, and I followed after him. " Johnny! Wait up!" I shouted. When I caught up, I could see he was crying. " Johnny.. it'll be alright..." I started. " No, it won't! I killed a kid last night!" he said angrily. " He was probably only seventeen or eighteen and I killed him! How would you like to live with that, huh?!" he continued. He sat on the steps, shaking. " I didn't mean to....but they were drowning Pony and...and I didn't know what to do..." he said slowly. I sat next to him, the same way as I did the first night I was at his house.

" There sure is a lot of blood inside people..." he said after a few moments. I looked out across the grass, and noticed the fireflies were out. Johnny noticed, too. " I hate to say it....but, I'm really scared, Keisha." he said after a moment of silence. " You're not the only one, Johnny." I replied. We sat there a little while longer, just looking at the stars and the fireflies.

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The next few days were rough. We played Poker, read from Gone With the Wind, and surprisingly, Fang wasn't being as cold as he used to be to me. We sadly ate all the candy bars we had, and we were getting sick of baloney sandwiches. Then, finally, we made contact with the outside world. Dally came by, and took us to Dairy Queen for some food. I never knew he drove so recklessly! All of us were getting sick at every turn.

After he finally parked, he told us everything we needed to know. " Yeah. That Soc you killed, well, he had friends, and now it's greaser vs. Soc. We can't walk anywhere alone, so I started carryin' this." he started, showing us none other than a gun. " Dally, you kill people with heaters!" Ponyboy said worriedly. " You kill people with switchblades, too." he said flatly. " Anyway, there's gonna be a rumble. If the Soc's win, everything goes to the way it was. If we win, though, they stay on their territory for good." he continued, grinning wolfishly.

" Fighting might not solve a thing.." I thought to myself.

" When?" Fang asked. " Saturday. So...what's today?" Dally asked. " Tuesday." I replied. " Thanks. Oh! I forgot to mention, we got a spy for us." he said suddenly. We all looked at him, and he continued. " That one girl I tried to pick up....Cherry what's-her-face."

Alright! Well...sadly, the story's almost over! Since the chapters here are so long, it seems that there are a few " Outsiders" chapters in just one of these. Well, anyway...please review, and I'll post another chapter as soon as I can!