The Encounter

I was in the library looking for a book for my book report and accidentally ran into a boy. We both dropped our books. "Oh I'm sorry my bad."I said as I helped him pick up his books as he helped me with mine. "Oh it's cool, don't worry about it." I said looking up at the boy; he had brown hair greased back a pale face and green eyes. "My name's Ponyboy Curtis." He held his hand out I shook it. "I'm Daniella Marion but you can call me Ella." I said. "It's nice to meet you Ella." He said. "You as well." I said. "I never seen you around, are you new here in Tulsa?" He asked. "Yeah I moved here with my brother and Dad." I said. What year are you?" He asked me. "Oh uh a junior." I said. "Oh that's cool." He said to me. "Well it was nice meeting you Ponyboy." I said. "You too Ella." He said smiling. He seemed nice, but he was a Greaser not that I cared about the feuding that was going on here between the Socials and the Greasers, I didn't think Greasers were half bad after that day. The next day at school Ponyboy had introduced me to his friends and brother. Boy, his brother was handsome. "Hey Ella come here a sec I want to introduce you to my friends." Ponyboy said taking my hand. I walked over. "Hi."I said. "Ella, this is Keith but we call him Two-Bit." Pony said. "Why is that?" I asked. "Cause I always have to get my two bits in." Two-bit said. "Oh that makes sense..." I said. This is Johnny, Dallas, and Steve." Ponyboy said. "Nice meeting you all" I said shaking their hands. They smiled. "Who's Soda?" | asked. "My middle brother." Ponyboy said. "Oh." I said. Then I heard a voice behind us all. "Ponyboy who did you want me to meet." The guy asked. I turned around to see the most handsome guy ever, I mean; he was like movie star handsome. "Soda this is Ella." Ponyboy said. "Nice to meet you, what's a pretty little lady like yourself hanging with these greasers anyways?" Soda said smirking playfully. "Oh, well Ponyboy is a friend of mine." I said then I realized that was the most stupid and obvious answer I could have given him. "You okay?" Soda asked me. "Yeah I'm okay I just that was really obvious of course I'm friends with Ponyboy." | said. "Aw don't worry." Soda said smiling. A few months go by and I am really good friends with the whole gang. I got really close with Soda too. When I first met him we clicked instantly. I was walking with him and Steve to lunch. I had Ponyboy in Soda in most of my classes, and there was only one class I had the whole gang with me, in gym. But there were a few Socials in our classes too. I walked to gym class alone then two Soc girls walked up to me in the locker room, they looked at me with such disgust and jealousy. What was their problem? I thought. They don't even know me. Why were they giving me dirty looks? I was changing into my gym clothes for the day, and we all headed into the gym. Then the redheaded girl tripped me and I fell down. And Soda had seen this. "Hey Cherry! What the hell that was uncalled for." Soda snapped. "I can do what I want she's a loser anyways." Cherry said. Soda helps me up. "Are you alright?" Soda asked just as all the other Gang members walked over. "Yes.... " I said standing up. "Cherry tripped Ella." Soda said. "You b***h! That's not right, why the hell would you do that?!" Dallas flipped out. "I do what I want" Cherry snapped. The teacher then walked in and told us to get in our squads. He took attendance. "Ella where were you yesterday?" Mr. Simms asked me. "Oh I was absent sir had a doctor's appointment." | said. "Did you give the nurse your note?" Mr. Simms asked. "Yes I did, and she forwarded it to you." I said. "Okay." Mr. Simms turned and continued taking attendance. "Okay take your laps." Mr. Simms said. We all ran, and Ponyboy was ahead of us like always. He was a really good runner. He also did track, I don't know why Cherry didn't like me then I figured it out. I'm a Greaser by default. But I never really was into the whole feuding thing. Then Cherry again tripped me out of nowhere. But this time the teacher saw, and Soda and Steve helped me up. "Miss Valance! Main office now!" Mr. Simms snapped. Cherry rolled her eyes, and ran to the main office. "You okay Miss Marion?" Mr. Simms asked. "Yes coach!" I said. We finished our laps and did some stretches. Then we separated into teams for volley ball. "Okay everyone, five people per team Steve and Soda with Ella and Pony and Johnny." Mr. Simms said. "Okay Cherry, Dallas, Bob, Two-Bit and Randy." Then Cherry came back and she was given a warning. "Cherry you're with these boys here." Mr. Simms said. "Oh and Cherry" Mr. Simms began. "Yes sir?" Cherry looked up. "Behave." Mr. Simms said sternly. The whole class snickered. "Okay hush now." Mr. Simms said. We started our game of Volleyball am y silicere on my behalf. Mr. Simms! Ponyboy hit me! Cherry whined. "What I say Valance! Keep your cool!" Mr. Simms said. "But. "No buts! Keep playing Ponyboy try that serve again." Mr. Simms chucked him the ball. "O-2 come on guys kick butt!" Mr. Simms said. Two-bit laughed. "Ha-ha! He said butt!" "Keith Matthews! Stop being a clown." Mr. Simms said. "But he's the class loon coach" Steve said. "Keep playing come on everyone make it count!" Mr. Simms said. Dallas served this time and I bumped it to Cherry. Then Cherry spiked it and it hit me in the face. "Cherry! what the hell!" Dallas snapped. Soda ran over to me. "Oh jeez! Ella your bleeding." Soda said. "Oh man... Nice going Cherry!" Ponyboy said. I felt my nose and I saw the blood and fainted. "Oh Jeez!" Soda caught me. "Soda you could take her to the nurse, and Bob you bring Cherry down to the office see what the principal has to say about this little issue." Mr. Simms said. "Sure coach." Bob brought Cherry to the Office and Soda brought me to the nurse. "She's sure to get detention or a suspension or something." Soda thought to himself. The nurse was a really nice lady. Soda walked in the room as he held me "Oh my goodness Soda what happened to her?" Mrs. Styne asked. "She got a nose bleed in volleyball, then she saw her own blood and fainted." Soda explained. "Soda should be on his way back don't worry he was just dropping Ella off." Ponyboy said. Dallas was angry I was like his kid sister along with Johnny and he wasn't too happy that I got a ball to the face by Cherry. "Well can you make sure she's alright?" Soda pleaded. "She'll be fine dear I'll fix her up. In time for your next class." Mrs. Styne said. "But she has to change clothes." Soda said worriedly. "Don't worry I'II have someone send her clothes down." "Please don't make it Cherry she's the one that did this to her." Soda said. "Okay dear don't worry you just head back to class." Mrs. Styne said. "I will and thanks for the help Mrs. Styne." Soda said. "Sure Soda." Mrs. Styne said with a smile. Soda headed back to gym class as well as Bob did, but Cherry wasn't with him. Just as Soda walked in Dallas started a ruckus with Bob. "Your girlfriend Cherry's a jerk just like you!" Dallas yelled. "Now, now greaser we wouldn't want to start any trouble." Bob said. "You already have, do you know that Ella's still in the nurse cause of Cherry!" Two-bit yelled. "Yeah you're awful!" Soda said. Then we found out Cherry got a detention. I then woke up in the nurse's office. "Whoa.. ow.. my head is killing me." I groaned "That's strange dear, but you got hit in your nose by a volley ball." Mrs. Styne said. "Oh my gosh... yes I remember now... " I said. "Is my nose okay?" I asked. "Your nose is fine dear, no breaks luckily." Mrs. Styne said. "Is Gym for me still on?" | asked, "Yeah, if you feel well enough you may go back dear." Mrs. Styne said. "Okay." I got up and headed back to class."Oh look at what we have here! It's Ella she's back coach!" Two Bit squealed. squelcome back Miss Sands." Mr. Simms said. "Thanks coach." | said. "Ella! Yay!" Dallas said hugging me. "You didn't cause trouble did you? On my behalf?" | asked looking up at him. "Nope, I tried not to all we did was spoke our minds all of us." Dallas said. "Yeah I heard that Bob made Cherry do it." Ponyboy said. "What? Hit me?" I asked. "Yup." Johnny said. "Damn jerk." | said. Then Mr. Simms dismissed us so we could all change. I changed in the girl's room and went to my next class. I went to English class next. "I can't believe Bob made her do that to me." I said. "I know what a jerk, I hate Socs so much." Sodapop said. "They are such jerks." Dallas agreed. "Yeah Definitely." Two-Bit said. "I think we have to protect Ella though." Ponyboy said. "Ponyboy... I'm fine..." I said. "Yes granted It was just a volleyball this time but what if it's something more dangerous." Ponyboy said. "Yeah He has a point Ella." Soda said looking at me. "Okay, okay I get It." I said. "Okay class time to get your books out, and read act 1 of Romeo and Juliet." Mr. Damon said. We all took our books out and read. Soda then slips a note into my backpack without me noticing. I grab my pencil case and sees It fall out. I pick It up. And reads It. "Dear Ella Would you go to the Dingo with me sometime? Soda" I him and mouthed "yes" He smiled at me I kept reading on in my text book so the teacher wouldn't see me smirking at Soda, I really liked Soda and I wanted to hang out with him, I'm so glad he asked me out. That weekend Soda and I met at the Dingo. And we had so much fun, we went on other dates after that. We then ended up boyfriend and girlfriend. Then the next day I went to visit the boys and Soda I wanted to hang out with them for the day. It was the weekend so Soda was off work, I walked to their house since I didn't have a car yet. My brother Ricky didn't mind me going to visit them, he liked them they were nice boys. As long as I was safe, He would let me go. I was walking alone which wasn't smart for a girl like me to do. I was a Greaser's girl and all the Socs knew I'm with Soda. I was walking around the Colda-Sack Then suddenly I saw the Socs. "Oh great..." I groaned to myself. "Well if it isn't Ella Marion." Randy said. I was no more than a few more blocks to Soda's house. "Please... leave me alone." I said timidly. "You know I can't do that." Randy smirked. I then ran as fast as I could the rest of the way to Soda's house. "Hey boys get herl" Randy said. As Bob and the other Socs grabbed me and pinned me down in a instant. "Sodall Help!I!" | yelled. "Shut up you b***h!" Randy snapped Soda and the Greasers heard my call for help. They all ran out. Randy punched me one last time and I felt like the world was spinning. Then Soda came to me and put his hands on my shoulders. "Ella, Baby you alright?" Soda asked. "Soda?." I asked. "Yeah Baby girl it's me." Soda said. "Come on baby come here." Soda picked meland brought me to his house as the other Greasers beat the crap out of the Socs for hurting me. Soda laid me on the couch in the living room and cleaned my cuts and put ice on my bruises. "Oh baby doll I'm so sorry this happened." Soda said concerned. "it's okay Soda..." | said lightly. "No, it's not! It's all my fault I should've been there to pick you up!" Soda snapped. "Soda darling, don't blame yourself, it's not your fault." I said reassuringly. "I'm so, so sorry!" Soda hugs me nearly crying his eyes out. I hug him back. "Oh Soda... It's okay honey." | said. Darry, Ponyboy, Two-bit, Dallas, Johnny and Steve walk in after telling off the Socs "How is she?" Darry asked. "I'm fine... Soda just feels bad.." I said. Darry looks at him. "It isn't your fault Soda don't be upset" Darry said. "I just feel bad that she was their prey, I want to keep her safe, and I love her Darry." Soda said. "I know you love her, she loves you to isn't that right Ella?" Darry asked me. "Of course, I love Soda with all my heart, and it's okay that I was their prey because at least you all came to safe- me when you could I'm Ver appreciative of that." | said. save "Aw baby doll." Soda said smiling and hugging me. A few months after I got jumped, I had found Johnny in the Coldasack crying. I yelled for Soda and the other boys. "Aw Johnny what happened ?" I asked. "Did they hurt you Johnny?" Dallas asked. "Yeah.. " Johnny said bawling. "It's okay, Johnny you'll be alright." I said. We kept an eye on the Socs after that day. But it wasn't until next week that the problems with Socs had gotten worse for us. Ever since Johnny and I got jumped we knew someone ande gang was next and we'd seen Johnny that day, we knew what they could do so we stayed alert, but we were still scared for our lives. I was with Ponyboy at the movies since he didn't want to go alone he asked me to join him. Not like a date though he knew I was with Soda and he respected that. So me and Pony saw the movie together. After we walked out of the Theater together and he was checking himself out in the mirror near the entrance. I laughed at him it's like he forgot I was with him. "What in the world are you doing Ponyboy?" | said laughing. He turned around blushing and looked at me. "Oh nothing. let's go." Pony said as he noticed a red Corvair trailing us. "See this is what I was worried about if I went alone." Ponyboy said. "Don't worry Pony your with me, I'm sure they'll leave us alone if I'm with you." I said reassuringly. But I was wrong like always. Pony and I ran home to the vacant lot. We were two miles away from the house and the car stopped and four Socs came out of It. "Oh god Pony look out!" I yelled. Two Socs tackled him and put his switchblade to his neck. And the other two had me down in a second. The first two of the Socs grabbed Ponyboy and had him down as well. We both screamed for help. Randy the head of the Socs yelled at his buddies. "Shut them up shut them up!" He stood there smoking a cigarette and his two sets of Socs were on us causing trouble. Then I passed out so did Pony we then both felt pitter patter of feet above us. I came to so did he. It was the gang they came to rescue us. "Ella! Ella! Wake up!" Dally was yelling and I had enough of a headache, I sat up. "Will you hush up dally I'm fine." I said. "Sorry Ella.." He said. I saw Darry shaking Ponyboy awake. He had a cut on his neck."Goodness Ponyboy they put a blade on you." | heard Soda say to him. Darry loosened up and helped Pony up. Dallas helped me up. " you kids okay?" Darry asked I thought to myself. Now I guess Darry couldn't have yelled at Ponyboy for going alone. He had me, but I knew he was going to say something along the line of Can't you think! And why would you put Ella in danger? And I was right he was complaining about just that. Darry, I'm sorry we were just walking home from the movies we didn't think..." Darry interrupted him. "You don't ever think! Couldn't you just for once use your head what if they would have harmed Ella, Ricky would have clocked you if you weren't my kid brother." Darry said to him. I cut in. "Darry please don't worry I'm fine... Or at least think I am..." I said bluntly. Soda was cleaning Pony's cut with a handkerchief. Then he walked over to me. "You okay baby?" Soda said smiling at me. I stood up and hugged him. "Yeah I'm okay." | said. He smiled hugging me back. "How are the kids?" Dallas said. "We're fine." Me and pony said in sync. "What are you doing out of the cooler Dally?" Ponyboy asked. "Got out early, good behavior." Dally said "Are those the same guys that got you?" Dallas asked Johnny. He looked at him sad and with his cool dark eyes say. "No, they were other guys." Johnny said timidly. "Doesn't matter I'm going to make It my business t did that to your face." Dallas said. to nim. I looked over at Ponyboy. "I don't think it's too hot of an idea." He said pulling at his T-shirt. "Nice looking cut there Ponyboy." Two bit smirked. "Yeah it makes you look tuff Two-bit said I laughed. Soda had his arms around me. "You alright, Doll?" Soda asked me. "Yeah, I'm okay." | said. I looked down played with my fingers. Soda held me. "We leave them alone... Why do they bug us?" I asked. "Cause their jerks." Dallas said. I sighed. "Don't worry Ella we'll have It out with them sooner or later." Two-bit said. "They sure as hell are if they keep coming through our side of town." Soda added. Ricky came by to see Two-bit. And saw me with a bruise on my cheek. He thinks Soda did It. He grabs my arm forcefully. "Ricky!" I said. "What happened to your face?" He asked. "Ricky, calm down It was just Socs they were after me and Ponyboy!" I snapped. "Oh. I thought ..." He began as he looked over at Soda then at me. "Well you thought wrong!" I said. "Ella I'm sorry your my kid sister I care about you." Ricky said. "I'm fine and thank you Ricky." I said. "I'm glad your okay." Ricky said. "Me too." I said I looked over at Soda and he smiled at me. We all headed back to Soda's house and we all hung out in the living room. I sat next to Soda on the couch. Along with Dallas and Johnny. The other boys were on other chairs, some were on the floor.Two-Bit was on the floor watching Mickey Mouse. "I love you Soda." | said. "I love you too Ella." Soda said. I was worried that the Socs would get us again. Especially me, but I knew the boy's were there for me. The next morning woke up bright and early, 6'O'clock to be exact. I drove to my friends house, unlucky for me my car was in Soc territory. I'm such a i***t for taking the route to Pony boy's house in the worst spot possible. I'm just lucky no Socs showed up. " I guess I spoke too soon." | saw a blue Mustang trailing my mini coupe. "Crap! Just my luck!" | groaned. " Hey look guys it's a greasers girl." Randy said. " Let's follow her, in her little crap car." Bob said. " Oh no, Oh no, Oh no Oh no!" | said nervously. Luckily my car had a voice activated answerer. " Car, call Darrel Curtis." | said. "Calling Darrel Curtis is this correct?" My car said. " Yes!!" I said in a panic. "Hello?" Darry answered "Oh Thank God! Darry it's Ella! I need your guys help, I'm being trailed by Socs!" | yelped. " Alright stay calm we're on our way just tell us where you are." Darry said. " I'm between Pickett and Sutton!! Right near the mini mart !!!" | squeaked. " Alright kiddo, boys pile up! In two bits car!"Darrel said resourcefully. " why what's going on?!" Ponyboy asked. "Ella's being trailed by Socs we got to help her." Darrel said. "Ooh my god!" Ponyboy said. The seven of them piled in Two Bit's tiny herbie like car. " Move It Darry I'm driving!" | heard Dallas say in the background. " Uh ok but can you do It without killing all of us." Two bit said scared " yeah now shut up!" Dallas yelled. "Guys do you have me on speaker?" I asked. "Yeah we do you have us on speaker?" Darrel asked.said "Oh my god, oh my god! Their ramming me!!" | said panicking. " Just hold tight we're right around the corner!" Dally cried, He wasn't kidding when He said they were around the corner. One minute I'm catching my death then suddenly. Dallas rammed Two-Bit's car into the Socs car and they flip over and surprisingly, the greasers are perfectly fine. I park my car to a screech we're all in an alleyway. I get out of my car and the boys exit Two Bit's car I run to Dallas and hug him tight. "Don't worry your okay." He says as holds me tight. Then the other six boys hugs me. "I'm so glad your okay." Ponyboy said. "Are you alright." Darrel asked me. "I'm fine." I said. " Okay guys Dally Ponyboy and Johnny go in Ella's car and Steve, Sodapop and Two-Bit and I in Two-Bit's, Ella is not going alone." Darrel suggested. " thanks Darry" I said. "No problem." Darry said. We drove to Ponyboy's house and We all piled up in the living room. I sit on the couch next to Soda. And he puts his arm around me I smile and puts my head on his shoulder. I then found out Johnny and Ponyboy had run off and then we found out Johnny had killed a Soc. Dallas went to see them both in Windrixville. Then me and Soda met Ponyboy in the hospital after the church caught fire. We found out that Johnny was hurt real bad. And Dallas had a burnt arm. Ponyboy was fine though. We then were waiting for the rumble to begin. Sodapop didn't want me to be in the rumble he thought It would be too dangerous. So I stayed home, with Ricky at Sodas house. Then the boys were back and all beat up and I tended to Sodas cuts and bruises. Then Ponyboy walked in. arena Sue agents Mean ease wears alis he saw how white Ponyboy had been. "Ponyboy what's wrong?" Darry asked. "Johnny's dead we told him about beating the Socs, I don't know he just died. Dally's gone he couldn't take It he's gonna blow." Ponyboy said to us. I started bawling Soda hugged me. He was like a little brother to all of us. When I found out he died It just broke my heart. Then we got the call from Dallas to meet him in the park. "Will you meet me in the park?" Dallas said Over the phone. "Yeah sure are you alright?"Darry asked. "Yeah Johnny's dead" "We know." in the "Johnny .. Meet me oh-my goshtshe park will ya?" "Yeah we're on our way." Darry said. "That was Dally the cops are after him we gotta hide him." Darry said. We all ran to the park when we saw Dallas get shot down. We all knew his gun wasn't loaded but how were the cops to know that. We called saying It wasn't loaded It wasn't loaded. But the cops didn't care they kept shooting. Dallas's last words were: "Ponyboy!" Then Darry let the cops have It he yelled at them and swore through his teeth. Then Ponyboy fainted from all the trauma of death and heartbreak. I felt the same to be honest, I couldn't take Johnny and Dallas dying at the same time. We went home and took care of Ponyboy then weeks later we went to the trial and we got called innocent which made me feel a little better. I hung out with Ponyboy and Soda and Darry. We were having dinner and Darry and Ponyboy were having a discussion. Then Soda snapped and ran out the door. our alter him. ode indie complanted as mat enras die middle man in between all the fighting between the two of them and I could understand that soda was always taking sides on very argument they had and I knew he'd crack one day, and he did. Then Darry and Ponyboy agreed not to fight anymore for Sodas sake and I was glad. Then I saw that Ponyboy's English teacher who was also mine. Told Ponyboy if he wrote a good theme he'd boost Pony's grade. So he looked at the gone with the wind book and opened It I was there when he read the note from Johnny out loud to me. "Ponyboy, I asked the nurse to give you this book so you could finish It. It's worth saving those little kids, their lives are worth more than mine they have more to live for tell dally I think it's worth It I'm gonna miss you guys I've been thinking about It that poem that guy that wrote It he meant your gold when you're a kid like green when you're a kid everything's new like dawn like the way you dig sunsets pony that's gold keep It that way it's a good way to be I want you to ask dally to look at one I don't think he's ever seen a sunset there's still lots of good in the world tell dally I don't think he knows your buddy Johnny" I cried just listening to him read It to me. He hugged me and then said for me to leave him be so he could write his theme, I hung out with Soda the rest of the day. He and I took a walk in the lot together, we walked into the lot imagining that Johnny would still be there. But he wasn't and I then walked with Soda back home thinking I'd see Dallas raiding the fridge. But I didn't. It wasn't long before I was heartbroken wishing they'd come back to us all. Ponyboy finished his theme and we went to school. The next day. And he got his grade the teacher under the circumstances was very kind with grading It. We went to the house. And I hung out with Ponyboy in the lot. Where Johnny used to lay. "I can't take much more of this Ponyboy I miss them so much. " I said putting my head in my knees. "I know you do. It's gonna be hard but you'll be fine." Ponyboy said. "Cause Ella you're a strong girl you can do anything you set your mind to." Ponyboy said "Pony that's so sweet of you." | said. "I know." He smirks. Soda comes to find me in the lot with Ponyboy. "Hey Darling, how are you?" Soda asked "I'm good." I said. "I was just sitting here with Pony." | said "I know, that's why I came to see you babe." He said. Ponyboy got up and let me and Soda be alone he went in the house. "Oh Soda, I miss them so much, it's like I keep seeing them everywhere." I said. "Awe babe, I'm sorry your hurting, don't worry that's just part of the process of losing someone." he said. "I know I just feel so broken, so helpless." | said hugging him. "I Know Doll, but it'll be okay." He holds me close to him as I cry into his chest. Then I fell asleep in his arms, so he carried me into the house and put me on the bed in his room. "I love you, Ella, It'll all be alright." He said kissing my cheek. I fall asleep and have a dream about Johnny and Dallas, and it helps me cope, it helps my heart, it helps me get at ease with my feelings. I dreamt that we were all having a good time and playing games and being cooky and weird. "Hey Ella! Come on why do you always win!" Dallas said. "Cause I'm awesome that's why!" I said. "Yeah she is awesome." Johnny said. "I know she is she's our best bud." Dallas said. "Does she know we're alright now,Dall" Johnny asked. "Yeah I think she knows." Dallas said. Then a bright light came in the dream and took them away. I woke up, and teared up a bit. "I know they're at peace, but I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye, not yet." I said. Soda heard this as he leaned in the doorway of his bedroom I know, but you gotta let go babe, I'm not saying forget them completely