Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders or anything that has to do with the plot or characters in the book. I do not own anything commercial, products mentioned, or songs used.

Author's Note: It is my honor to say I'm beyond excited to continue one of my personal (and it seems fans') favorite story on Fanfiction which is something I haven't done since 2010. This Author's Note will be a bit longer than I've ever written because I'd like to just say who I am and the promises I'd like to fulfill and keep when it comes to writing.

I'm a senior now, 17-years-old and have more experience and intelligence then I had back when I was writing in middle school. I know getting back into writing for personal enjoyment is going to be a tough, but manageable ride. If you haven't seen the review I've left on my chapter 3 reviews or visited my profile, I'd suggest you do that so to my faithful old fans and new ones alike, you can have a better understanding of my goals for this year pertaining to my writing. I do have school so posting stories might take a few days to a few weeks depending on my schedule, writer's blocks, and motivation, but you all can help me with some by encouraging me to continue. Positive reviews means a more thought out and amazing story that you all deserve to enjoy.

I do have to say that I'm not the same younger girl I was 3-4 years ago and my views and hobbies (including anime and yaoi's) have significantly changed, however, I do seem to have a passion for writing and although I might not be into all the things I was into years ago, I still have a story to tell and I intend on telling it. Go ahead and critique me, there's always room for growth and honestly I'm not even sure many people will be into this like it was before. All I can do is hope that my mind can have a sense of creativity, passion, and drive that will move me forward and keep my readers interested to continue on the ride.

Before I end this I must admit that it's been such a long time and I'm going to be a bit slow in the beginning. Even after I reread the story, remembering old ideas and formulating new ones, I have to be honest and say I don't remember the Outsiders well and I'm skimming and reread the book itself so I can quickly use as a reference so the integrity of the characters, their personality, and the story surrounding them will align with the original text. Now without another word, I present the late Chapter 4 of The Life and Times of Sodapop Curtis!

November 4, 6:59 AM

Dear Journal,

Hey buddy, I know it's been a long time since I've written, you can tell by my chicken scratch that I have not been keepin' keeping up lately. It's been quiet around here since I caught Darry sneakin' sneaking around late that night… I don't know what to think. All I ever think about is talking to him about it but man, you don't go around getting into Darry's business, not even me. I'm worried about him, but more than that I'm worries worried about me. The nightmares still come. It's either Ponyboy killing me or me killing him. I'm scared with no one but you to talk to. No one knows but you how I feel and they won't look at me the same if anyone found out. I can also feel some weird feeling in my gut. Like somethin'- sorry, the eraser is used up and I can't erase or really write. I know I'll get back into this. But about that gut feeling… I'm afraid that something bad'll happen to someone. Maybe it's my fear of keeping the secret of being in love with my younger brother, but maybe it's something else. Darry's been acting real strange. He doesn't seem to be out at work during the day as much. He's been laying on the couch all day, like a lazy dog on a hot summer day, not saying but two words to anyone. Then, at night, when he thinks we sleep, he tip toes out the room and leaved leaves until about 5 in the morning, sharp. I looked at the clock when I hear any movement and it's always at 5. I don't even think about going to follow him or anything like that, I just stay up and wait until he safely home. Nothing bother's me more than that one night I caught him. He was half necked naked and had some stuff I've never seen in his arms… I don't even know what they were, maybe some stuff Dally stole? I don't even wanna know. Well maybe I do. A bit. I think soon, I'll find out what's going on with him. I need to

"Shit." I murmured as I threw my journal back under my bed and jumped into my dusty like bed.

I heard some noise in the hall and instead of acting innocent, I pretended to be asleep. I heard the door slowly creak open and a light breathing sound. I wasn't sure who the person was, maybe it was Ponyboy, but when I slowly opened one eye, I saw it was Johnny, staring back at me.

"Psst. Soda. Soda? Wake up, I need to talk to you." Johnny begged. He started moving closer to my bed. "Soda, come on, I know you awake."

"Hmm?" I pretended to be out of it, but I knew I weren't fooling no one but myself.

"Soda, we have to talk about Darry."

"Darry?" I shot up and jumped out my bed. "What happened? Is Darry hurt? Is he okay?"

"Yeah yeah, he fine. Nothing like that but… I've been around and hearing things. I wanted to see if you heard or seen anything that might be… what?" I must've looked a bit mad or something because he stopped talking and just stared back at me.

Slowly I said, "He ain't hanging with the damn Socs is he? He ain't going behind our backs, he's Darry. He wouldn't."

"No, no, Soda, listen. So I was about to leave my folks place, my pops was getting ready to start his day drinkin' and before I left, I heard him on the phone saying, ' Yeah, I've heard. That Darrel kid. Yeah he be really putting on a good show, eh? I might have to go and see that shit for myself.' and before I could listen more, he threw the beer bottle at me and told me to scram. I don't know what he was talking about but do you know anything?"

I wasn't even listening no more. My mind was running wilder than me. When talk gets around in our neighborhood, it's never good. The idea that Darry was sneaking around seeing a girl was officially out. Most guys around here bang broads and its normal, or what we call normal, but this isn't what it is. What if Darry's hanging with the wrong crowd? No, that couldn't be it either. He's not like that, he's like dad. Takes care of home.

I must've been somewhere else because then Johnny started over towards me and shook me hard.

"Soda, you're not hearing me. I think Darry's into something and we need to figure out what it is. Promise me soon we'll go and be like that one guy Pony's always talking about. Shermock Homings or something. We'll go investigate." When I finally looked into his eyes, I could tell Johnny had that glaze, that glint of determination and seriousness that was scary itself.

I sighed, knowing he was right, yet, getting in the way of Darry was like trying to go through a brick wall with a toy truck. This wasn't gonna be easy.

"Okay, so let's say I agree to this. How we gonna pull this off? We can't get the whole gang into this and especially not Pony. He looks up to Darry like he's God. I'm not sure how'd we do this."

"Listen, I might not seem all that bright, but sometimes I have a plan. Tomorrow, we'll follow Darry everywhere he goes. We'll tell him you staying over my house or something since my pop's won't be there and we'll see what he's up to during the day. When it gets nighttime, we'll follow and see what he does then and hopefully we won't find nothing bad. Okay?"

I couldn't believe my ears. Johnny with a helluva good plan. I felt uneasy about this but I knew I needed to know what my brother's getting himself into and if I can protect him. He's always superman for everyone else, he can use a Lois Lane to help him out and support.

I looked back at Johnny and he was grinning a big grin and spit into his hand. "Shake on it?"

I closed my eyes, knowing this is going into something I weren't sure was a good plan but instead of using my head, I opened my eyes, spit into my hand and shook.

After I said goodbye to Johnny, I ran back upstairs knowing I just got myself into a bucketful of trouble, but I can't back down now. I dropped down on the floor near my bed laid on my stomach and reached for my journal I carelessly threw under there and grabbed my pencil.

I'll find out what's going on with him. I need to do this plan and protect my brother… Oh Ponyboy, I'm sorry I can't be with you now and I hate to lie to you but I have to protect you from whatever this truth might be. I need to stop being a cry baby and be brave like you. I love you kid. Tomorrow, let me uncover the dark secrets.

End Note: I do hope this was a good returning chapter so leave a review, favorite the story and me (the author). I'll keep you all informed on when the next chapter will be updated and please do tell me if I should continue or not. I don't believe in writing for air or internet space without good people to enjoy it. Until next time. Oh and a P.S. I might change my nickname again, not entirely sure yet. I want to start off fresh and it starts with the penname as I'd rather call it. Have a fantastic day everyone!