Johnny's P.O.V.

Those socs got Pony. Just like they got me. Man, I hated them.

"Didya catch 'em?" Pony said, and I saw him wipe at his eyes. He was cryin' but didn't want anyone to see. It was okay. I had cried, too, but I usually don't.

Two bit answered him, and I just watched. Watched Soda clean up the side of his head where he was bleeding pretty bad, watched Darry look mad and scared and helpless all at one time. Watched Dally light up a cigarette then hand it to me.

They all talked, Two bit kinda joking, Steve trying to make Pony look bad, and Darry letting all the mad and scared and helpless come out like just being mad.

"You don't ever think," he yelled at Pony, and Pony's head was down, just staring down. I knew how he felt cause I felt like that all the time. Like a screw up.

Dally's P.O.V.

"That might cool you off, greaser. After you wash your mouth and learn to talk and act decent, I might cool off, too."

That girl, that hot little red head. I knew she was out of my league, a soc and all, but damn it was fun. I wiped the coke off my face and smiled.

"Fiery, huh? Well, that's the way I like 'em." I went to put my arm around her. Just kicks, just fun, but I liked that mad and scared way she was looking at me.

"Leave her alone, Dally." Johnny said and grabbed my arm.

"Huh?" I stared at him. It took everything I had not to hit him. I came close.

"You heard me," he said, "leave her alone."

My hands were clenched into fists but I didn't hit him. Fucking Johnny telling me what to do. Nobody did that. Nobody.

I shoved my fists in my pockets and walked away. Hot little red head, shit. But I couldn't hit Johnny. And if I stayed there one second longer I would have.

Jerry Wood's P.O.V.

I had to find a phone. I was supposed to be home hours ago, but I felt like I couldn't leave that kid who ran into the church first.

"Hey, buddy, where's a phone?" I said to a fellow in a jumpsuit pushing a broom slowly along the floor.

"Over there," he said, pointing, barely looking up. I looked where he had pointed and saw it.

"Thanks," I said.

I dropped in my dime and punched the numbers fast. One ring, two, three, four.

"Hello?" my wife's sweet voice, but I could tell she was worried.

"Hi, honey,"

"Jerry! Where are you? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm at a hospital in Tulsa,"

"What? What happened?"

"The field trip today. There was a fire at the old church up on Jay Mountain"

"Oh my God!"

"Yeah, but you wouldn't believe what happened. These three teenagers come out of nowhere, two of them run into the burning church and save the kids! Jesus, honey, it was amazing,"

"Oh my God. But um, why are you at a hospital in Tulsa?"

"The teenagers who ran into the church, well, one of them is hurt pretty bad, and the other one is pretty shook up. I just felt that I should stay with him,"