Author's note- To answer a question and to clarify any confusion. Pony might be fifteen but he's a year ahead in school. He's in advanced English and so is Cherry. Cherry is seventeen and in advanced English also. Technically, Pony is like a year or two ahead of his actual class( which would be on the freshman level)

Pony-

I got to my locker, I found a note when i opened the door. I read it " Pony, meet me after school in the library.- Cherry", it smelled like her perfume. I called Soda, he said i could but i had to call him when i needed a ride. He said no brother of mine is walking home and risking being jumped by a soc. The WEA project helped but it didn't always stop that type of thing from happening. Randy was respected and the jumpings didn't happen as often. It was much safer for a grease to walk but there is safety in numbers even to this day.

I grabbed my books and I walked down the street to the liberty. I found Cherry sitting towards the back, she sat there chewing on the end of her pencil working on homework. I sat my books down and took a seat. I could smell her hair from here, she smelled great. I wish i had the guts to kiss her, she's perfect and understands me. We couldn't be friends before because of society. But who cares what society says, i sure don't.

I was from the east and she from the west,the WEA project gave us more freedom but society didn't. Her friends , family and neighbors might be cruel. Not all socs liked the idea of getting along with greasers but they did out of respect for Randy. Randy was well likely, after Bob Sheldon was killed it scared the socs back down to reality. No matter what we agreed on with WEA, society would see Cherry as a nice west side girl and i as the dirty greasy DJ hood. I wasn't a hood, in no way,shape or form. I was a nice boy from the poor side of town, but the greasy hair i worn would mark me as a hood. I was't a hood, Dallas Winston was a hood who died violent and young.

I sat there with Cherry smelling her hair trying to focus on school work. "Stop it, Pone. Keep it calm and collected, stop having stupid ideas in your head. You know what Darry says about your head being in the clouds.", I told myself. Cherry began to work on her notes while i worked on the essay. It wouldn't be hard to write but i was distracted. I was entranced by the beauty of a feisty redheaded gal named Cherry Valance.

I remembered what Soda had said about Sandy when he was falling for her. I wanted to kiss Cherry so badly. Did i , Ponyboy Curtis?, have the guts to, probably not. But i was like what the hell i did it. I turned to her, i looked into her green emerald eyes that sparkled. I closed my eyes and i kissed her. I felt my lips on hers, i tasted cherry chap stick. I felt as she kissed back, i stole a few more pecks from her full pump pink lips. She didn't push me away, so many she liked.

"Pony, that was nice", Cherry says whispering in my ear

"Umm, thanks?", I say awkwardly

"I never thought of you as a gutsy guy", Cherry says

"Well, you know it happened", I say with a chuckle

"Oh,crap. I have to be getting home. Thanks, Pone. I dig you real well", Cherry says kissing me on the cheek

"See ya tomorrow. Stay gold, Cherry", I say

"Man, is she gonna be the death of me or what?", I say

I pick up my books and i call Soda from the pay phone. He says he will be right there and it wasn't long more i was in the truck on my way home. I don't rember much of this evening i was in the clouds. Maybe i do spend a lot of time daydreaming but at least they are pleasant. I go to bed without an argue after homework, a shower and dinner.

Soda-

I did the dishes while Darry sat drying the dishes. I watched him work, he's so strong. I just can't believe how strong Dar really is. I knew he was superman before but this really shows it after what has happened in the last few weeks.

"Hey, Dar notice anything differnt about our boy?", I ask

"Yes., he's happy and smiling. Plus his shirt smells of lingering perfume", Darry says

"He's been with a girl", I say sighing happily

"Our baby's growing up", Darry says

"He's almost sixteen years old", I say sighing unhappily

"Why sad, kiddo?", Darry says

"He's growing up too fast and so am i", I say

"Kiddo that's the least of your problems. You're the peter pan of the 1960's.",Darry says

I chuckle and smile at Darry. He grinned one of his rare Darry grins. He reminded me of the old Darry who smiled and laughed. Not of the Darry who comes home exhausted, takes care of us and goes off to his second job.I had started to believe this accident was just what this family needed.

Belive me I don't want my brothers hurting. I want Darry to walk again but he changed. He doesn't look like a old man beyond his years. He looks like my brother used to look. Maybe , i can convince him to take that desk job rather than returning to roofing work. He would be much happier and my job pays better. I have more flexable hours and Darry could be home more. It's a small price to pay to keep my family together and happy.

"You're right, Dar. How do you do it?", I ask

"I don't. I looked in the mirror the other day.I don't like the man looking back at me. He's gotten older and little thinner hair. I want the old me to come back around. I know he will once the stress goes away", Darry says

"Yeah, I dig", I say

I look in the mirror, happy with what i see but i want to be seven again. Seven, is a good age...my brothers just the right ages. Mama and Dad still around happy as can be. Yep, seven is where i long to be. But those days have passed, now I'm eighteen years old.