Rated T for violence, underage drinking&smoking, and cursing

Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders.

Update(2/09/2014): The Outsiders takes place in 1966, when I first started writing this it took place in December 1966 and not January. I changed it to January at last minute and totally forgot about the new year thing. I didn't realize this until a few chapters before this story ends, but just do me a favor and just pretend that the Outsiders was taken place in 1965 instead of 66 because this whole story I went my a 1966 calendar.

On Thin Ice

Chapter One: "An Unpleasant Walk Home"

It was the beginning of January, three months after Ponyboy turned in his theme, now inching four months. The snow sparkled in the cold air as it flew to the green and white ground, but Ponyboy wasn't paying much attention to it, rather towards the engraved rock in the ground he was standing right next to. Below him had laid his beloved best friend, someone who had died nearly three months ago-Johnny Cade.

Ponyboy was of course alone, that's how he wanted it to be. Even though Ponyboy had gotten over and used to Johnny and Dally's death, he still needed time to talk to his friend, and plus he didn't want anyone in the gang to see him cry. Ponyboy wanted to spend his last day of winter break alone, or at least the part where he visited Johnny and Dally.

When his teeth begun to shatter, it brought him back to reality and realize it had started to snow. He knew it wasn't that long from the fact that the shortly cut grass was still easily seen. Pony wiped his face and stuck his hands in his pockets before walking out of the cemetery.

The cool January breeze brushed against his red face and his cold rosy cheeks got even redder. It was freezing outside, but Ponyboy didn't care. It didn't bother him. If only if he wasn't as careless as he was at the moment he probably would have realized that he was being followed. But the fourteen year old never used his head and that was one of his biggest flaws.

Ponyboy didn't realize the shadows of the figures that were approaching him-the Socs. They had been stalking him the past few months.T hey knew his routes and places he often visited. Pony didn't know how many times he had been jumped by them since Johnny and Dally died. It seemed like almost everyday. Pony never told his brothers or his friends either. He was strong enough to take care of himself he didn't need help and plus they only attacked when he was alone.

A hand reached out just about to touch the boy's shoulder when he noticed he was being followed. Before the Soc had the chance to grab him, Pony had a switchblade out and flipped open. He started carrying one after he'd been jumped the third time in one week. He took it from his older brother Sodapop after Soda got a new one for his birthday in October. He didn't seem to notice it was missing.

"Stay away from me!" Ponyboy commanded. He wasn't in the mood to deal with them. Not now.

One of the Socs laughed. "Aw, is the little greaser scared?"

Truth is, Pony wasn't scared. He got used to this so much that it didn't scare him at all, it just annoyed him, but who wouldn't be annoyed? Being harassed by the Socs nearly everyday irritated Pony so much. He hasn't been himself in a long time. He just wished they would get bored and leave him alone, but they were Bob's friends. Bob Sheldon was a Soc who Johnny had killed in self defense when he and Ponyboy were jumped by Bob and some his friends. The others who were close to Bob blamed Pony even though it was Bob's fault for getting himself killed.

"What's the matter, cat got your tongue? You greasers are nothing but stupid thugs who think they are tough but they aren't." Another Soc with dark brunette short curly hair laughed when Pony never replied. Ponyboy knew this Soc. He was very popular and was technically the head of the school and his name was Shane. "You're all just scum!"

Pony sighed. It wasn't unusual for greasers to be called this. But if the Socs just opened their eyes they'd realize they are they same. "Takes one to know one," he softly mumbled.

"What did you say?" The first Soc asked, he was getting angry just like the other four were.

Ponyboy tightened his grip on the knife. "I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you." A Soc started to step closer to him, and Pony took a step back. "You better watch it!"

"Or what? You're outnumbered grease!"

It was then Ponyboy realized it was five against one. It was usually only one or two Socs who would bully him, but now it was a large group. His heart began to pound, he wasn't scared before, but that was before he realized he was going to lose. He was surrounded and he couldn't escape.

"We're going to finish off what Bob started," Shane said, pulling out his own switchblade.

"And go to jail? Don't you think that would ruin your reputation?"

"Actually kid, getting rid of you would improve our reputation."

Ponyboy gulped. Were they really going to kill him? He couldn't tell if they were bluffing or not. That night at the fountain the Socs took things too far, and because of that, Bob was now dead and if Ponyboy and Johnny didn't have to go into hiding, Johnny and Dallas would both be alive. If these Socs went too far… Pony didn't even want to think about it.

The fourteen year old glanced at the five boys. He need to get away and when he spotted the smallest Soc he ran towards him, and pushed him to the ground, running away as fast as he could from the Socs, who were close behind him running as well, but Ponyboy was faster.

Pony slowed when he lost them, but he kept running until he got home. He paused as he got to the fence of his house. The snow was about three inches now, not a patch of grass was seen. It was a beautiful sight, and Pony wished he was able to watch the snow fall longer, but he couldn't. It was freezing and his brothers were probably curious of where he was.

The smell of cooking food and the sound of an extremely loud TV smacked Ponyboy in the face as he entered. He put the pieces together and figured Soda was cooking something unordinary for dinner and Two-Bit was watching Mickey Mouse.

"Hey kid," Two-Bit asked not taking his eyes of the television screen. "Where have you been all day?"

Pony paused for a moment before replying. "I was at the library doing research for this paper I have due tomorrow."

Two-Bit looked up from the screen and raised an eyebrow. "I thought you already finished that the first day of break?"

"I did, but this one was for extra credit and I'm failing English already."

Two-Bit focused back on the cartoon. "You're the only kid I know who does extra credit. Anyway did you run all the way home from the library or somethin'? You're breathin' like a dog after he played fetch the summer heat."

"Uh, yeah. It's freezing outside." Pony walked out of the room before Two-Bit could ask another question. He knew Two-Bit wasn't exactly buying the whole library thing, but if Pony told him he was at the cemetery instead, then his oldest brother, Darry would find out and and then Pony would probably get grounded. The cemetery is on the Soc's part of town, it was dangerous to go out there alone. it was dangerous to go anywhere alone.

Pony plopped down on his bed. After talking to Two-Bit, he realized that tomorrow was not going to be a great day at school from what had just happened on his walk home. Tomorrow was going to be horrible.

I apologize for grammar/spelling mistakes. I proof read this only once and I'm not sure if I'm going to continue it so until I know I get a beta reader. Also I am sorry for the short length chapter, but usually I write short introductions. Please review and tell me what you think! I'll try to update next week if things go well.