The Letter Of Hope!

Dear Diary: The next day came, and you know what that means. It means its the day for the hearing. It was much different than I expected, it was a lot... calmer. It was me,  Soda, Darry, Randy, his parents, Cherry with her green eyes, her parents, the doctor, and a few other socs who jumped us. The Doctor talked to the Judge before we started. Well they talked to Randy and I could tell he was nervous too. I am so shaky. I want a cigarette, but I aint allowed. I kept m mouth shut till it was my turn like Darry told me. They talked to the socs and they said the same story. Then it was Cherry's turn she said what had happened before and after we were jumped. Oh and now it was Darry and Soda's turn and I was scared. He asked a bit bout Dally, then he asked was he a good friend of ours and Darry just flatly stared and the Judge and said "Yes, sir," but Soda looked at me then said the same. I was proud that they didnt abandon one of our gang members. Then it was my turn and he asked me about home, school, and my grades. The Judge told me to stop chewing my nails. I tend to do that. Its a bad habit. Things didnt go back to normal. I ran into everything. I was forgetful and I didnt eat cus everything tasted like bologna. My grades plummeted but math was okay cus Darry checked my homework and made me do it again if there were any mistakes. English went from A's to F's. Me and my English Teacher had a talk after class. It turned out I was failing English class and he told me if I came up with a good semester theme, he would pass me with a C. Well at least I would pass, but I knew Darry would be mad! The week after the hearing was terrible. Everybody acted that they were scared of me. Me Two-Bit and Steve went to the lil' grocery store when a bunch of socs came up and I broke my Pepsi bottle and threatened them cus they were going to kill me for killing their friend. They left! Two-Bit told me to stay soft not tough. I picked up the glass and he grinned. I couldn't write a theme no matter how hard I tried. I put our names on a picture and drew horses and that was my paper. Soda was acting funny. He was smoking! Me and Darry had a huge fight and Soda got scared and left! We ran after him and I tackled him. Soda told us straight and he was serious. And so were we cus we saw how our fighting was really hurting him. We ran home and all tied cus we all knew that we were a family. Johnny wrote me a note in the book and it told me to tell Dally stuff and he figured out what stay gold really means. He told me bout the sunsets and that he wasnt scared to die. This letter gave me hope. It gave me power! I sat down and wrote my paper and this is how I started "When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home...

You Pal,

Forever and Always,

Greaser,

Johnny

Ponyboy!

Dally is Gone, and I Am Sick In Bed, Great!!!

Dear Diary: It's Ponyboy again. I left the hospital after Dally and I was confused. Why did Johnny, Johnny have to die! I kept sayin he aint dead, he aint dead! I actually thought that he wasnt dead so I was walking round town mad and throwing things when a guy came up in a car a few hours later and I got a ride with him it turns out my head was bleeding. i didn't care though. It didnt hurt! Anyway he took me home and when I walked inside everbody stopped and stared and I couldn't think staright I told them about Johnny and they told me to sit down but I didnt because I didnt want them to think I was hurt or sick! Then the phone rang and thats the thing that changed many, many lives, and ended one too! Well Darry picked up the phone his expression turned to ice. I could see his devastation. It was Dally at a booth and we ran to the vacant lot we hang at. We saw him run into the streetlight and he pulled out his heater (a gun) and he was only bluffing but the cops didnt know that! The cops shot him in his chest and he feel back in the impact. He was dead! Him and Johnny are both gone. He is so stupid! But that is what he wanted! We all knew he would die gallant! Steve almost fell crying if not for Sodapop catching him. I suddenly dropped! I woke up but Soda made me go to sleep. I actually did. I woke up again and I saw Darry sitting in the armchair. He woke up. He said that I had exhaustion, shock, and I had a minor concussion. I finally remembered everything andit came at me with waves. I had been asleep for 3 days. I was in the hospital. I called for people. Especially Soda. I hadnt ate anything cus it all reminded me of bologna. Soda had came in and he was so excited he was like a little kid. Darry went to get me mushroom soup and Soda climbed in bed with me and we both fell asleep before Darry came back in. After that I had to stay in bed for a week! I hated it! I read and drew pictures most. All my friends came over but then Randy came over! I lit a smoke hoping my bros wouldnt come in! I told him about my parents and we talked about court. Then  he mentionecd Johnny and I knew a Johnny isnt DEAD! He kept saying it and I freaked!!! Then Darry made him leave. And he told me to clean up but I couldn't and Soda wouldn't but when I said that he glared and I said maybe Soda would clean. He said "Maybe you can be a lttle neater,huh, little buddy." I couldn't believe he said "little buddy" only Soda ever said that!

Your Pal,

Forever and Always,

Johnny

Ponyboy!

The Worst Day Ever!!!!

Dear Diary: Today was the worst day I could ever have imagined. Altough it started out alright! It's Pony today and it will be from now on because well... Here is why! It all started when I got home from seeing ol' Johnny! He was okay 'till he blacked! Oh well! Anyway I got home 'round 6:30 and the rumble was at 7:00 so in the meantime. I had supper even thhough I was late as usual. Darry made dinner he made: baked chicken, potatoes, and corn. He made 2 chickens (one for Darry, and Me and Soda share 1)! Usually I eat alot but today I barely ate any! I took 5 aspirins! I know it isn't healthy! I took a shower and changed clothes! I asked Soda when he started shaving and he when he was 15. And then I about Darry and Soda said 13! I just am figuring I am a little late 'cause I ain't near shaving and I am 14! Darry wore a tight black muscle shirt, and I tell ya it shows his muscles! I had on a t-shirt and jeans and I looked good other then the weight I lost in Windrixville. Me, Soda and Steve put so much grease in our hair if you touched it your hand would be slimy. But Darry didn't put in any. I sat and waited for the rest. He finally showed. And when he did Darry a sumersault in the air. Off the steps! Soda topped it though! He did the same as Darry but at the end he walked on his hands then did a no-hand catwheel! Then Steve did flying leaps in the yard then stopped and flipped backward. We all do acrobatics cause Darry did a course at the Y! While we were walking there we sang and had so much fun! And this is where we arrive at "THE RUMBLE!!!" We waited and talked for a while and the soc's arrived just on time, so we lined up and watched them get out of their car. We stood face-to-face with the enemy. It was so quiet, it was scary! It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop a mile away! Darry stepped forward and said he could take anyone. A person stepped forward he was a blonde boy. He said "Hello, Darrel" and Darry said " Hello, Paul." It was Paul Holden! Darry's High School buddy. He and Paul started. They were circling each other looking at each and every muscle in the others body. A voice yelled "Hold up, Hold it!" Darry turned and Paul swung and hit him in the jaw real hard. I picked the smallest soc and attacked Dally was beside me. We briefly talked.  But the soc had pinned me and was slugging me but Darry set him straight!  So I beat up the soc with Dally. The socs finally left. We had won!! I couldn't believe it, still can't! All I can remember was Dally pulling me down the street. We reached the hospital in Dally's car with the help of a police officer. Stupid fuzz! Johnny was dying when we got there! I couldn't believe poor innocent Johnny. Dead! Him and Dally were talking bout Johnny being a hero. But the words I remember as clear as a diamond on a hot summer day! "Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold!" And he was gone. Dally FREAKED and left! All I could remember was those two tiny sentences! And now I'm sitting here with Soda by my side and I just could not believe Johnny is dead!

Your Pal,

Forever and Always

Greaser,

Johnny

Ponyboy!

The Newspaper!

Dear Diary: I am in the hospital right now. I am in the intensive care unit (ICU) the ICU is real nice. They are taking care of me like I am about to die. But anyways I can't feel the burns or anything else below my waist I know that cant be a good thing! But I really don't care I need to see Dallas and Ponyboy! "DALLY!!! PONY!!!" I need to see you guys! Make sure you are okay. I am okay really just get me outta here so I can see them, I am okay really I am. Well I guess its bout 11:00 cuz its real dark. I hear Dally screaming and OMG the reporters! They are louder than a gang like Sheperds at a drinking party (wait every party of his is a drinking party. What am I saying.) These drugs ease the pain in my back but they sure do make ya sleepy and nutty! Well those Reporters are keepin me awake. I twiddle with my thumbs while a nurse stays with me and checks me over (head to toe. It makes me especially nervous cuz I am in those doctor like clothes and she is mighy fine.Must be a soc!) every five minutes.Its real quiet now(you could here a pin drop) I know I must be insane cuz I am sayin weird things! They weight me on a scale thats in my bed and they say I weight only a 100 lbs! That is insane I cant believe I only weight that much like seriously they are stuffing me with jello! I HATE JELLO!!!! Well its late now and I cant sleep I keep thinking bout the way those kids looked in that church, helpless, scared, and their clothes clothes black with smoke! I see the church and I have a chill up my arm. MY ARM! What! Stupid Nurse! I fell right to sleep. I wake up the next morning and finally they gave me real food. I got Bacon and Eggs!!! I am so happy! No more Jello. Well the day went by very, very slow! The nurse finally ket me read the paper. And it talked all about us. The whole front page was covered with stories about us. From the fight, to the murder, to the church being on fire, to the drunk soc's. They didn't leave anything out! Ponyboy, Darry, and Sodapop's pictures were there. There was how Pony and I risked our lives to save the kids in the burning church. There was a little story from one of the little kids parents saying that if it wasn't for us the little ones would have burned to death! They said the whole story down to the very detail about the fight with the soc's but instead of saying soc's they said socials. There was an interview with Cherry. She said Bob had been drunk and was waiting to find a fight when he dropped her and Marcia off. He said he would tune us when he found us because we picked up his girl. They also interviewed Randy Adderson Marcia's boyfriend, said it was the soc's fault and we just used self-defence. Although unfortunitally and sadly I am being charged with manslaughter. Pony and I are told we have to go to juvenile court for running away. If I recovered. If I don't like that word it scares the bajeebees out of me. There was no charges on Dally though. That is a suprise! Actually he was a hero! I knew he wouldn't be happy! There was also a column on Pony, Soda and Darry. Oh No they may put Pony and Soda in a boys home! Its all my fault! Finally Pony and Two-Bit showed up! It took long enough. I heard the nurses wouldn't let him in, but finally my doctor let them in! I had my eyes closed when they walked in but when Two-Bit said "Hey Johnnykid." My eyes fluttered open. And said "Hey Y'all" We talked for hours and finally it was time for them to go becuase I used to much energy trying to talk when I sat up I passed out! And that was all I remember!

Your Pal,

Forever and always,

Greaser,

Johnnykid!

When Life Becomes A Game Of Chance!

Dear Mind Diary: Once Dally said "Cherry" I gagged. She was the reason I am in this mess. Me and Ponyboy said at the exact same time "Cherry? The soc?" He said "Yeah" and told us why she is the spy, bout how they were at the vacant lot and she showed up in her lil ol' Sting-Ray, it made me think back about the soc lying in the blood and it was m m m my fault... I heard in the back of my mind a deep voice sayin "Next time you want to pick up a broad, pick up your own kind"  I knew Pony had that same voice that creepy spine-chillin voice. He told us more but it was all a blur because I kept thinkin it couldnt be Cherry. Cherry is nice and sweet, but not, I repeat NOT a SPY I snapped out of it when Dally said " I aint never bin in the country before. Have you two?" I just thought back to when I was little sittin by the fire with my parents loved me and I thought to myself 'No that wasnt the country it was the city' but man I mean those days the days of love, and laughter. Snap out of it Johnny! So i shook my head no, but Pony said this long story. I was eating my fifth bbq sandwich and I was thinkin to myself I have to turn myself in. Me, Dally and especially Pony, cant live out here forever we WILL Die. I knew at that moment I was goin back. I told Dally and Pony my story of why when I ended. I said " I dont guess..." I swallowed and said "I dont guess my parents are worried about me or anything?" But Dally was talkin' to me bout somethin but the rest doesn't matter. This is where things get interesting! The Church was on fire! I didn't know what to do but Pony reacted and left the car and I couldn't let him go by himself I was goin with him... Every step of the way! Out of nowhere this lady comes up and heres the words that changed my life forever... "Jerry, some of the kids are missing." Those words they sounded so harmless but not even she could have taken them back. The next words were not important... all you need to know is that there was a kid in there and Pony was on his way to rescuing him and I went too! He smashed a glass window and hopped in and I followed and I said "Hey Ponyboy" He turned and looked at me. We both took deep breathes and I could barely see, the smoke was clouding my eyes. Pony asked if the guy was coming, I said no he was to fat. I couldnt laugh though or the smoke would collapse my lungs. Anyway we got to the kids there were 8 hiding scared in a corner. We got em all out safely but the roof was bout to collapse. So I shoved Pony out. I was about to leave but a piece of somethin landed on my back. I didnt have time to see what it was before the smoke got to me and I passed out! In the ambulance Dally was beside me. He ran in to get me after I blacked out. I hope he's okay... Wait wheres Ponyboy. Wake me up. Get me outta here! I gotta find Pony! I need to see him! He's so young! He can't die! NO I CAN'T DIE!!!!! WAKE UP! I make it to the hospital I am still passed out but I can hear and see everything like I am awake! They rush me into surgery, there are doctors all around They are fixing my burns and my back. I hear them say "His back is broken. He has 3rd degree burns!" I don't feel it though its like its somebody else lying on that table and I am just there watching.  I am alright! Really I am okay! PONY!! Pony is he okay? Is he is surgery too? Is he dead? No he can't be he got out! He must be alright, but what if hes not! JOHNNY!! I screamed in my head. Shut Up and come down! Pony is okay you need to worry about yourself!THis is your life that has become a game of chance! Get ahold of yourself! So I just stop screaming at myself and calmed down my racing mind and listen to the monitor tell me my heart beat. BEEP... BEEP... BEEEEEEEEEP! No this isn't happening I am not dead! I feel A shock go through my body and my chest leap of the table and I am back! Well now that that is over with! I tell myself to fall asleep and that is exactly what I do!

Your mind,

body,

Johnny!

The Outsiders Project #3 The Church, The Sunrise and The War!

Dear Diary: I aint feeling well, I cant get that dead soc out of my mind that cold, inoccent face although he did diserve it. I couldnt help it he was gunna kill Ponyboy and I cannot let that happen. Well anyway We are in an Old church and I hate it. We have to hide ourselves which means only go out when we absuloutely have to. So we had to hide our appearances so I cut my amazing tuff hair I am so so so so so so MAD!!!!! I luved my hair but I feel worse for Pony he had to dye his hair blonde and cut it! He spent years on his hair and it all ended it seconds. I tell ya a secret This place gives me the creeps-shiver- I hope it aint as bad for Pony. Well this morning was breath taking there was amazing sunrise the valley was covered in mist, the horizon was a thin glod line. The clouds changed from gray to pink, and the mist was touched with gold. Pony said a poem "Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day.Nothing gold can stay." It was amazing it was exactly what I meant. Well anyway Dally finally showed up! He said Pony looks different with his new hair and I agree he does look much more different with his new hair. Well anyway I that note and half cheque Sodapop send Pony was really sweet and if he wasnt so called tough he would have cried. Dally said that he told them(a.k.a. the pope) that we were in Texas. Pretty smart Dally. When Dally said breakfast I leaped at the thought. I am starved I havnt eaten in days. I got a banana split and a bbq sandwich. Dally ate 3 burgers. He told us there is an all-out-warfare grease against soc at home and he said he carried a heater and Pony said you kill people with 'em but then he said you do with a blade too and I got scared I couldnt believe he said that. I just continued on my banana split when out of nowhere Dally says they have a spy. I was wondering who when I said " A spy? Who?" And Dally says "That good-lookin' broad I tried to pick up that night you killed that soc. The redhead, Cherry what's-her-name." I couldnt believe he said that.Cherry, WOW she is a great person. I thought.

Your Bro,

Greaser,

Johnny

The Outsiders Project #1 Poor, Poor Ponyboy

Dear Diary: Hey its Johnny, I know you dont know me but you soon will... Well this  is life right now... Things are hard right now, but my buddy Pony has it hard, real hard and I will tell ya he is feelin' bad. His bro Darry has never set a hand on his lil' bro but I guess he got so mad he hit him and Ponyboy fell on the floor. He ran back out here to the vacant lot. The only reason this happened is because we went out and watched a movie and met a couple of girl socs(Cherry and Marcia they are real nice girls, treat like we really are not some disguisting Greaser's) we were walking the girls home when their drunk ex-bfs showed up and we were gonna take 'em but we decided not to, for the girls sake. Anyway we decided to lie down but we fell asleep and he didn't get home 'till late and Darry HATES that! Well I tell ya I was falling for that Marcia. I feel it's  my fault but nobody messes with Darry except Sodapop but everyone luvs Soda. Besides that he got hit...A couple days ago he got jumped by a couple of socs! A gang came up, sliced and bruised his face and got beat up bad. Although it ain't as bad as I got it . What happened to me I don't say even a thought sends shivers up my spine (like right now I am shaking) and I am tough because I have been beaten at home and have the scares to show it but I never flinch when my dad hits me so you know its bad. Anyway we ran away, and we think nobody cares!

Your Bro,

Greaser,

Johnny.