The Outsiders: We Can't Move On

Understanding

I felt my face get hot, and my ears were far from red. They probably looked like embers at that point.

"Oh, I- I'm sorry, uh," I stammered while I bit my lip.

She giggled. "Hey Ponyboy. How've you been?" and I was taken aback. Why was she talking to me? Her parents would have a fit if they found out, and just being seen with me around all these people is a risk itself.

I found myself whispering, "I'm fine. Why are you talking to me?"

She looked a little offended and frowned, but pieced it together. "Oh, listen I've been meaning to talk to you awhile anyway," she said sadly. "It doesn't matter much anymore. Listen, I wanted to apologize for not going to see Johnny. And then I found out about..."

"It's fine," I replied quickly. I can understand. Bob was her boyfriend. After what I heard from her and Randy, I know he had a good side. It just bothered me that she knew it was self-defense, yet her opinion of Johnny had changed, just like that.

She looked me intently. "No, I really mean it Ponyboy. I shouldn't have been like that. Johnny was a good guy. It's gonna bother me forever. I'm really sorry. Then I found about Dallas, and I..." she trailed off, a slight crack in her voice. Then I realized it. There was no, I hope I never see him again, or I will. She already loved Dally. Maybe she even thought it was better that he was dead, but that didn't matter. I hated myself for being stubborn.

"It's alright," I say sincerely this time. "I understand." The hallways were almost empty.

"Thanks Ponyboy," she says relieved. "You dig pretty well for someone your age."

I tried to say something, but Cherry's eyes went wide, and I was stopped by a set of hands wrapping around my throat.

Out of instinct, I whipped around and flicked out my switchblade. I found myself face to face with three Socs, one of them holding a blade himself. Another just so happened to be David, and the other, Randy. My throat went dry and I stared at them coolly.

"Well, if it isn't Mr. Ponyboy the hotshot. What're you doing with her?" David snarled in a low voice.

"I don't want any trouble from you. And she didn't do anything, so you can lay off," I shot back, trying to keep eye contact, though I kept glancing at Randy. Why was he here? I had thought he was someone I could trust. Then I saw it. I could see the fear and regret in his eyes.

I knew that behind me Cherry was really scared, and I remembered that she hated fights. I saw Randy make eye contact with her.

The other guy spat at me, and then he lunged. I had only a split second's choice. Time slowed down. I held the switchblade firm. If I didn't act fast, his blade would go right in me. A good lie could get him out of trouble, unlike Johnny. So I did exactly what I knew to do.

I grabbed his wrists and slammed him to the ground. He dropped his switch, so I kicked it across the hall. I decided to throw mine with it. I knew better. Johnny would have rather me done that then repeat his mistake.

I backed up and saw Cherry. She seemed to calm down a bit, but it didn't last long. David jumped on top of me, and soon we were in a full out battle. I'll admit, after a minute it seemed I was getting the worst of it. I kicked and threw punches at his eyes and nose, but he was bigger than me and was pummeling me. The other guy recovered and was on me too. Not Randy, though. Cherry started screaming.

As soon as I thought I was a goner, a set of hands and a foot took them by surprise, knocking them off me.

"Stay offa him!"