Stay Gold

Chapter 9

"Annabelle! Where are you?" Johnny called.

Really? I think to myself. Can't a girl have some time alone?
"I am over here, by the lake!" I yell back.

Johnny runs over to me. "We didn't know where you were and we thought you had left so we got a little worried."

"You know I can take care of myself, right?" I ask

"I know but you are like a sister to me, I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Thanks Johnny Cake" I said, "So when do you think Dally is gonna come?" I asked changing the subject.

"I hope he comes by tomorrow because I am tired of baloney sandwiches!" Johnny said. I laughed.

"If you weren't tired of those sandwiches I think I might think you were crazy! I am never going to eat another one of those sandwiches again!"

"Well, you won't have to." I turn around to see Ponyboy standing there with Dally. I ran up at hugged him.

He pushed me off of him, "You know I'm not that kind of person, right?" he asked.

"Of course I know that. I've known you all my life but now since you are here you can take me to get some real food!"

Everyone laughed. We all went and raced to the car. I got to the car first so I got to sit shotgun. Perks of being athletic!

Dally was the worst driver in the world. I felt like I was going to die in that car. He started driving with no hands on the wheel and he put his hands on his eyes. I grabbed the stirring wheel and started driving the car. I must admit I was pretty good!

We finally pulled up to a Dairy Queen. I think that was the best meal I had ever eaten in my entire life.

We sat there for a while not talking and then we started to drive. I was sipping my Pepsi and then Johnny said, "I am going to turn my self in."

I spit my Pepsi out and Dally slams on the breaks. "WHAT!?" Dally and I both yell at the same time.

"Why would you do that?" Dally asked as he started driving again, "I gave you a hide out and everything and you want to turn yourself in."

"I don't want Soda and Darry and the rest of the gang worrying about Pony and Belle." Johnny said. That was sweet in all but Johnny could never survive in jail.

"Johnny," I started, "jail is going to do terrible things to you and I don't want you to get more hurt than you already are."

"Yea," agreed Ponyboy, "also I don't know what I would do without you Johnny Cake." Pony continued, "you are my best friend."

"Please Johnny," I start, "don't do it. I will be worried about you all the time. You are too nice and too sweet to go to jail. Bad things are going to happen to you there."

"Thanks Belle but it's what I need to do." Johnny said. In the middle of his sentence Ponyboy points towards some smoke and asks "What's going on there?"

"Speed up Dal, we have to see what it is." I say. Dal starts to speed up and then we see that it's the church burning down.