Updating like the wind here! Enjoy! I have a lot on store for these guys!

Read and review please!!!

Disclaimer- I do not own the Outsiders, S.E. Hinton does!!

Pony's POV:

After school I met up with Sheila in the parking lot. She was sitting on the curb swaying back and forth to unheard music. I thought about her all last period during health. Why was she dressed so, differently? Why did she seem like such a rebel compared to her social status brother? Then I figured it out, she was a hippie.

I actually found it interesting. There wasn't many hippies back in Tulsa, well none that I have ever seen. I liked her. Her revolutionary clothes, habits and attitude were only part of what I liked about her. She was also very pretty. I mean like cream of the crop pretty…her long dirty blonde hair that fell all around her face, her vivid green eyes that analyzed you, her soft skin that was tanned by the Californian sun. She was definitely something else.

I walked up to her with a smile on my face, "Hey, sorry I'm a little late," I said placing my backpack on the ground.

She looked me right in the eyes and gazed into them. Again I felt uncomfortable, but if I was going to be her friend I would have to get over it.

"No problem, I knew you would come," she said.

"So, where are we going again?" I asked as I sat down next to her.

"To the beach, it's about ten minutes from here. Too bad your brother couldn't come, he was something else," she said trailing off.

I looked at the ground. Of course Soda would be getting all the attention and not me.

"But, you aren't too bad yourself, Ponyboy Curtis," she whispered in my ear. She giggled when she saw my stunned expression, "Oh Ponyboy, you're really something else." She stood up and walked towards some more kids coming our way.

I was something else?

"Hey, Ponyboy, come here I want you to meet my friends!"

I stood up, wiped the back of my pants and walked toward the crowd of hippies. I felt very awkward. I looked nothing like them, and my hair was greased, not air blown.

"Ponyboy, this is Terry, Karen, Richie, and Joyce, and this is my group of rebels!"

Terry was a tough looking guy. He and Richie both wore bell bottoms and tanks. But Richie had on a deer skinned vest and his hair was straighter. He also had a kind look on his face. Richie was the one who took my hand and shook it. Terry's hair was frizzy and almost afro looking, but tamed. He just nodded his head when introduced.

The two girls Karen and Joyce were all smiles. Karen wore bell bottoms too, but she wore a peasant looking shirt and had a head band of yellow flowers that held her long brown hair to her head. Joyce wore a long skirt and tank. Her hair was long and very blonde. They both waved and said "hello" to me when introduced.

"Hey, guys," was all I could say. I could tell Terry was looking me up and down. I felt very awkward and out of place. Sheila saved me from the embarrassment.

"Come on guys, you'll get to know Ponyboy more once we get to the beach, and I don't just mean his personality," she said slyly. She smirked, winked, and grabbed my hand and led me to the direction of the street.

"What do ya mean, 'not just my personality'?"

She laughed out loud, tilting her head back and squeezing my hand, "Ponyboy, we're going to the beach. What do you wear to the beach?"

"Swimming trunks?" Then it hit me, "Oh you mean my body," I said before I could think about the situation.

"You have some, don't you?" she asked.

I shook my head. I did but they were at my aunt's house.

"Oh that's okay, I'm sure one of the guys has an extra pair. Or you could just go bare naked, nothing wrong with your natural self," she giggled.

"I'll pass; I'll go in my underwear if I have to."

"Suit yourself," she said shrugging. She ran forward and let out a small yell. She sounded like she was being released from captivity.

The others ran after, and Karen grabbed my hand to follow, "Come on Ponyboy, time to have some real fun!"

And boy did we have some real fun. They taught me surfing, how to make a headband made form flowers and material, and introduced me to some of their music. I had a blast and couldn't wait to tell Soda about them. They were free and happy. Terry even warmed up to me, and we were acting like old buddies by the end of the night.

Now that I had a new headband made from the hem of Joyce's skirt. She didn't mind, she almost seemed happy to give it to me. I didn't wear it when they took me back to the parking lot where Soda was waiting. Who knows what he'll think if he saw that on my head. I wouldn't hear the end of it!

Sheila was the one who offered to take me back to the school, because her brother would be the one taking her home. She held my hand as we walked on. I couldn't tell if it was out of friendliness or affection.

"Well, Ponyboy, I had a lot of fun with you this evening. We have to hang out again. There's a party down by the same beach this weekend, wanna come?"

"Sure, when is it?"

"Saturday, it starts at five-ish, but then again it doesn't really matter when you come, just as long as you do come," she replied.

We reached the parking lot and I could see Soda and a couple of the football players standing around Soda's truck. Sheila giggled and I gave her a sideways glance, she really liked to giggle.

"Football players, like my brother, are so…socially aware. Notice how they all stand the same. I can bet you they all have smiles on their faces and are thinking the same thing too," she said amazed.

"Yea," I trailed off thinking about Darry. How he used to play football, but he wasn't like these guys. He could care less about status; he did it for the scholarships and for the sport of it. I shook my head to clear it. I didn't want to think about that right now while holding a beautiful girl's hand.

"Hey Ponyboy, smile; It's a gorgeous night and you should take it all in!"

I looked at her and got butterflies in my stomach when I saw she was looking at me. I smiled and looked back at my brother. Before I knew it she had planted a kiss on my cheek.

"That's better Ponyboy," she said.

I was speechless. When I came to my senses we were already at the truck, our hands were no longer together.

"Hey Pone, how's it going?" Soda asked.

"Good," I said while turning to Sheila, "I'll see ya tomorrow Sheila," I said.

"Okay, Ponyboy, I'll be waiting," she responded. With that, she was off to her brother's car.

"Pony's got a girlfriend," Soda said in a sing song voice.

"Shut up, Soda."

"Pony's got a girlfriend," he said again, smiling.

"You're impossible," I said giving him a shove.

"I'm your brother," he replied, giving me a hug.

I hugged him back and we jumped into the truck and made our way home.

That Saturday, Soda was hanging out with the football guys. So I was alone with the hippies, again.

This time I remembered to bring swimming trunks, so I wouldn't look stupid in my underwear. Sheila brought her bathing suit too. She was already in it when I met her at the boardwalk. Her hair was glowing in the sun, and she had a smile on her face. She waved when she saw me approaching. I waved back and weaved through the crowd of people to get to her. She met me halfway and grabbed my hand.

"Hello, Ponyboy, so are you ready to party? I hope you brought swim shorts?" She squinted at my legs, noticing I had jeans on.

"Right here in my hand," I lifted them to show her.

"Well what are you waiting for? Go get dressed!" she giggled and pushed me towards the showers.

"Alright, I'm going!"

I walked out of the changing rooms in nothing but my swimming trunks. I looked around but didn't see Sheila anywhere.

I started walking towards the beach when I felt a pair of hands cover my eyes.

"Guess who?"

"Gee, I don't know…"

Whoever had their hands around me giggled, and even if I didn't know, that giggle gave it away.

"You need to learn how to control that laugh of yours, Sheila," I said taking her hands off my eyes. Again, she giggled and took my hand, leading me towards the party.

The sound of music could be heard over the talk of the people on the boardwalk and the screaming of little kids as the ocean slapped at their legs. It was the same kind of music that I was introduced to on Monday.

When we reached the beach I could see a crowd of people, all who looked like hippies, gathered at the far end of the beach. Some were dancing, others sitting around fires. Sheila let go of my hand and ran forward. She turned around and started running backwards.

"Come on Ponyboy, run!"

I followed her demand, and ran. It felt good to run again; to feel the wind in my hair and the adrenaline pumping through my legs. I kept running until I reached Sheila, but didn't stop. This time I was in front of her and she was the one catching up to me.

"Can't keep up?" I yelled back at her.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard Sheila's voice in my ear, "Slow down Ponyboy, I can keep up, but man you are fast!"

"I was a runner in Oklahoma, but I haven't been able to join yet. I think I'm a little too late," I said slowing down to a walk.

"Talk to my brother, I'm sure he can help. If you love running that much you should continue, but you definitely live up to your name, Ponyboy. You run like a wild mustang on the prairies of Oklahoma," she said with a giggle at the end.

I thought about what she said, and she was right. I mean I am from Oklahoma and my name has the word 'Pony' in it.

"I should give you a nickname," she said. Her face became serious as she was deep in thought of a nickname.

"How about…Spirit," she said.

I cocked an eyebrow and looked at her. "Spirit?"

"Yes, it's perfect! See horses have a free spirit; well wild ones do at least. What do you think?"

I couldn't say no, she was so sure that this was the perfect nickname for me. "Okay, Spirit Curtis it is," I said. I kinda liked the ring, but it would take a lot of getting used to.

Later that night:

We had run down the beach where we could be alone. Sheila was in a happy mood, and she really enjoyed using my new nickname, over and over again.

"So, Spirit, what shall we do now?" she grabbed my upper arm and hung on. She had had a few to drink, and possibly other stuff. She had left me for about fifteen minutes at one point and came back swaying to the music, off balance and off beat.

"What would you like to do?" I replied.

"Let's fly," she said. Fly?

"Fly?" I said out loud.

"Yes fly just you, me, and the stars above."

"Oh, that kind of 'fly'," I said nervously. She giggled at my response and started running forward. I chased after her. She stopped short and I ran into her. She let out a shriek and I caught her before we fell to the ground. But my weight was off balance, and so was hers, so we both fell to the ground anyway.

She was lying there laughing at the situation. But I was frozen, for my body was right on top of hers. I could feel her curves which formed to mine, our bodies fit together perfectly. Her laughing though got the best of me, and I started laughing. It was the perfect moment.

Once she had stopped laughing she gazed into my eyes, and I into hers. I couldn't take the silence; I'd rather have her laughter. So I reached my hand down and tickled her side. She jolted to the side away from my hand and started laughing again.

"Pony," she yelled. "Stop…it…" she said gasping for air between laughter.

"What happen to my nickname?" I teasingly said.

She was about to open her mouth and respond, but a voice could be heard above the crashing waves, calling my name.

"Ponyboy?"

Johnny's POV:

My hair was a mess and I couldn't find any clothes that looked good enough for a party.

This was a disaster.

My first chance at impressing a girl, and I'm going to do it looking like a true greaser. I wanted to change. I wanted to be different. I wanted to be a new Johnny Cade.

Valleri Jones and I met in the hallway between lunch and gym. It was by total accident.

I was walking to my locker when CJ called my name. I turned around to see what he wanted. He was halfway down the hallway so we had to pretty much yell our conversation.

"I'm gunna kick your butt in gym class today, Johnny!" he yelled.

I smiled and yelled back, "We'll see about that CJ! You wait and see; I'm a grease and always will be. I know how to fight!" I laughed at the face he made and went to turn around, but found myself flat on the ground. My books were strewn across the hall and I could hear CJ laughing his head off down the hall.

I sat up and rubbed my head. I had run into someone, but I didn't know who. I looked straight ahead and there was a girl kneeling, picking up her books.

"Oh, I'm going to be so late. Madame is going to kill me," she was saying to herself. She looked a mess, and while I sat there watching her she was bustling around. I reached out to grab the last book that was closest to me, and our hands touched. Cheesy? Yea I know, but her hand was so warm and soft.

"Hey, it's alright. We got like five minutes until the late bell rings," I said to her to try and calm her down.

"Oh I am so sorry. I was in a rush and was looking down at my paper, and I didn't see you coming and…"

"Hey, hey, it's alright, I'm fine." I said calmly. I was in such aw I couldn't say anything else. Usually people back in Tulsa that ran into me they didn't even apologize. I guess it's that whole "rule the school" deal that CJ proposed on my first day of school.

She stood up breathless and took the book from my hand. "Thank you," she said. "I'm sorry for running into you, Johnny."

She knew my name. The prettiest girl in this school knew my name!

After she said my name, I just kinda stood there. Then she did something I never thought a girl would genuinely do to me. She turned around, smiled and waved bye to me. I shyly lifted my hand and waved back.

I started noticing her in the halls and we'd wave at each other and smile. Sometimes if we were feeling goofy, we'd make faces at each other.

Then I got up the courage, well more like CJ made me get up the courage, I asked her to the party.

That was the toughest day of my life; asking a girl to a party, and not some lame party. A party where the coolest of the cool would be, the hippest music, the prettiest girls and toughest guys, and I, Johnny Cade, would be attending this "cool fest".

I was now sitting on my bed deciding whether to wear my old high tops or my new sandals. I couldn't picture myself wearing sandals, it was too weird looking. But this was a beach party, sandals would be best, and my high tops would be the thing that yelled "poor" and "loser".

I reached for the sandals and put them on. I walked around my room to get a feel for them. They weren't as bad as I thought. I heard the door open, but saw no one standing there. I went to walk around my bed but was caught by the ankles. I looked down to see Robin gripping them.

"Johnny, are you going to a big party tonight?" she asked with sad eyes.

"Yea I am, but don't worry, I'll be back and tomorrow I'll take you to the park or something. How's that sound?" I said while picking her up. I placed her on my bed and sat down next to her.

"Why can't I come with? I'll be good, promise!" she pleaded.

"I'm sure you would be good, but I haven't hung out with my friends in a while," I replied.

Just then I heard Shirley calling me from down stairs.

"Johnny, CJ's here!"

"Coming!" I yelled back. "Alright Robin, I gotta go, I'll make sure to have a dance for you."

I headed downstairs, checking out my hair one last time in the mirror.

"You look very handsome, Johnny. Just make sure you stay out of trouble," Shirley said.

"Oh I will, you don't have to worry about me!"

She patted my shoulder and walked away. I took this lull to head out the door. I saw CJ's car in the driveway, with Valleri in the passenger seat.

"Let's go party, Johnny!" CJ yelled, honking his horn.

"Alright, alright I'm comin'!" With that, we were off to the party.

Later that night:

My stomach was growling at me, begging for food. I turned to look at Valleri who was sitting next to me. She was starring at the campfire where people were roasting smores.

"Wanna get some?" I whispered to her. She jumped, and then smiled.

"Definitely," she whispered back.

I grabbed her hand and lead her towards the fire. We made some smores and chowed down. I was having a great time, I was dancing, talking to people I've never met and flirting with a girl. I would've never done these things if it weren't for CJ. I was becoming "popular" I guess you could say. Everyone knew my name and no one yelled "grease".

"Hey, I'll be right back," I said to Valleri.

"Where are you going?" she asked with a confused look.

"When you gotta go, you gotta go," I replied. She laughed and turned back to the fire.

I started walking down the beach to the changing rooms. As I walked up to the door I saw another party farther down the beach. The music was different and from what I could see, so was the clothing. I stood outside the door trying to see if I recognized anyone, but I couldn't make out their faces. I was about to head into the bathroom when I heard a shriek coming from the ocean nearby.

My heart started beating fast and I stood frozen. Was someone in trouble? I didn't wait, in case it was too late. So I ran towards the beach, the sand flying out from under my feet as I pounded the beach. When I came over the dune, I found myself in the most awkward position. I stood there frozen with embarrassment. There, lying on the beach, were two teens. One, the girl, was on her back laughing hysterically. The boy was on top of her, also laughing. What I thought was someone in trouble, was just two teens about to do God knows what.

Before they could spot me I turned around and started walking back to the bathrooms. I took no more than five steps when I heard the girl speak again.

"Pony," she said, then followed by "Stop…it"

I spun around and walked unsteadily back to the couple. I could feel my heart in my throat. The beating of it made it sore, or was it my ragged breathing that did that? My hands were sweating and my breathing got faster. No way could this be happening.

I stopped at the same spot as before. It was the same two teens lying on the beach, but this time I looked closer at the boy. I couldn't tell who it was because his face was looking down at the girl. I yelled his name, just to see if it was him.

"Ponyboy?"

What did you think? Nice little cliffy huh? The nickname "Spirit" wasn't too cheesy was it? Haha I couldn't think of anything else!

Hope you liked it!