Letters Under The Sun|| The Outsiders|| Ponyboy Curtis x Johnny Cade.

1-19-1962

"Hey Johnny, it's Ponyboy. I was hoping we could talk more. That scar on your face looks tuff. I'm sorry you got jumped by those socs, man. Wanna go get ice cream with me and Soda? He said he'll pay for it. We could get as much as you want, Soda's got $300 that he pickpocketed from a soc. He's lucky he can run fast. Dally taught me how to slick my hair back properly. You don't know him, but Dally's our hoodlum of the group. Maybe I could ask Darry if you could join our group. We'd be so tuff together."

I'd put my pencil down as I wrote the last line, then I made my way past Ma', Pa' and Darry to go to Johnny's house. I didn't tell them why I left so suddenly, I only told Soda cuz I can trust him. I wore my grey wife beater as usual, although it smelled like rat piss. I take a bit of a shortcut, one that the socs don't know cuz I'm a greaser. I put my hand in my pocket, feeling for the switchblade Dally gave me just in case, as a greaser, you can never be too sure that you're always safe. I had noticed a couple of homosexual boys that go to my school. I don't have a problem with homosexuals, but some people will jump 'em if they're caught. I mind my business and keep walking. 2134; Greyhound Rails. Johnny's house. I walked up to the mailbox and put the paper I wrote in it, walking back home afterwards, forgetting to take the shortcut.

I was now in soc territory, the not so tuff rich scum of the Earth. "Hey boys look, a good for nothin' greaser!" His voice sounded foul and slurred, he was hammered. I try to mind my business. "Don't ignore me, faggot!" He roared that at me. I'm not a faggot. I am NOT a homosexual. I bit down hard on my tongue, trying not to stir a fight. He was much bigger than me, I could die. "That's it. Boys, waterboard him!" He screamed for his hoodlums to obey him, and I felt myself being grabbed from behind, under my arms. I tried to wiggle away, but they were bigger than me. "Maybe put gasoline on him!" They wanted to set me on fire. I felt like I was going to cry, and that's when Dally and Darry showed up. Darry was scolding me from what seemed like a mile away, while Dally was scarin' off the socs. "You alright, Ponyboy?" Darry's voice was firm, I gave him a hesitant nod. Dally laughed at how scared I looked, then ruffled my hair. I ended up heading home with Darry, Dally goin' to sneak into a club to see ladies.