The klok, bell rang loudly, announcing the end of class. The classroom got increasingly louder as the kids got ready to leave.
“I'll see u volgende week, class. Ponyboy Curtis?” My English teacher, called out.
“Yes, Mr. Syme?” I answered, looking up from my desk.
“May I speak with u before u leave?”
“I guess so.” I picked up my boeken and headed for the front of the room. “Am I in trouble?”
“No, no. Nothing of the kind. Ponyboy, did u write this all door 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 meer 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 u toon this to your older brother?”
“No.” I shifted uncomfortably.
“You should. Take it on home pagina and have him read it. u 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 u an A-.”
“AN A?!” I was shocked.
“An A-, Ponyboy. u could get a better grade if u 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 u 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, u 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 u again?”
“No. I've got homework and the house is a mess after u came over.” I zei meaningfully, glaring at him.
Two-Bit ignored my point, offering a cigarette.
“No, I gotta get home. Anyway, Darry zei I'd better quit smoking. It gives the welfare workers something to work off of.”
“Okay, Ponyboy. See u later.”
“See u later, Two-Bit.” Two-Bit headed off down the straat 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 zei Soda was only going to work a half dag today. u 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 u later, Steve!” I called as he stepped inside for the phone and I moved on.