The sino rang loudly, announcing the end of class. The classroom got increasingly louder as the kids got ready to leave.
“I'll see you seguinte week, class. Ponyboy Curtis?” My English teacher, called out.
“Yes, Mr. Syme?” I answered, looking up from my desk.
“May I speak with you before you leave?”
“I guess so.” I picked up my books and headed for the front of the room. “Am I in trouble?”
“No, no. Nothing of the kind. Ponyboy, did you write this all por yourself?”
I instantly recognized the composition notebook in which I had written The Outsiders. I flipped it open to the first page and quietly read the first paragraph, "....When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I have only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman---He looks tough and I don't---but I guess my looks aren't so bad. I have light-brown, almost-red hair and greenish gray eyes. I wish they were mais gray, because I hate most guys that have green eyes, but I have to be content with what I have. My hair is longer than a lot of boys wear theirs, squared off in back and long in the front and side, but I am a greaser and most of my neighborhood never bothers to get a haircut. Besides, I look better with long hair...." I closed it and looked at it for a while, then said, “Yeah, I did.”
“Ponyboy, did all of this really happen?”
“Yes sir, Mr. Syme.”
The English teacher leaned back in his chair and looked at me, then asked, “I knew some of it but......Did you show this to your older brother?”
“No.” I shifted uncomfortably.
“You should. Take it on início and have him read it. You can bring it back to me on Monday, I have something I want to do.”
“Okay. Uh, Mr. Syme? Do I get that passing C?”
“No, Ponyboy, I'm giving you an A-.”
“AN A?!” I was shocked.
“An A-, Ponyboy. You could get a better grade if you would just accomplish your work during the actual semester. That is an excellent composition, Ponyboy.”
“Thank you, Mr. Syme! Wait'll Darry hears this!” I left the room, the realized I didn't have the notebook, stepping back in, I took it and said, “I'll see you on Monday, Mr. Syme!”
Outside the classroom, Two-Bit was waiting for me, “Had to stay after, huh?”
“Yeah.” I shrugged and started down the hall.
Two-Bit followed and asked, “You in big trouble?”
“No. Mr. Syme told me to have Darry read this.” I showed Two-Bit the notebook.
Two-Bit wiped his hands on his jeans and took the notebook, flipping through it. “The Outsiders? Hey, this has me in it!”
“Yeah. I wrote it about last month.” I took the notebook back.
“Ah. Hey, Steve, me and some other greasers are gonna head down to the corner store and hang out, you wanna come?” Two-Bit, now outside the building, pulled out a packet of cigarettes.
“Can't. Gotta get home.”
Two-Bit lit a cigarette for himself, “Darry get after you again?”
“No. I've got homework and the house is a mess after you came over.” I said meaningfully, glaring at him.
Two-Bit ignored my point, offering a cigarette.
“No, I gotta get home. Anyway, Darry said I'd better quit smoking. It gives the welfare workers something to work off of.”
“Okay, Ponyboy. See you later.”
“See you later, Two-Bit.” Two-Bit headed off down the rua and I started home. I wandered down the street, thinking about the earlier month. I knew that it all had happened and I remember all of it clearly, especially in my dreams, but I've never had really thought about it in depth. Passing the DX, I saw Steve working at one of the pumps. “Where's Soda?” I called out.
Steve saw me, waved and responded, “He already left. Darry called and said Soda was only going to work a half dia today. You know, that sounds like a good idea. I'll call Buck and see if he can send over a replacement.”
I grinned, Steve never worked a full day. “See you later, Steve!” I called as he stepped inside for the phone and I moved on.