Ponyboy POV

Today's the day. The day I leave for Vietnam. I quickly packed and put on my uniform. I walked in the kitchen and it grew quiet.

"Hey guys." I said so quiet I didn't even recognize that I was talking.

"Hey Pone." Soda said in a sad tone.

I looked at the clock. 3:45pm. I leave around 5pm, but I have to get to the bus station early to put my stuff under the bus.

"Where's Darry?" I asked casually.

"He's in the shower."

As soon as I sat down on the couch, Two-bit, Dally, Johnny, and Steve (unfortunately) came in.

"Hey guys." I said quietly.

They all said hey. I wanted to make conversation, but what do you say to your friends who are like brothers to you when your leaving to go to war?

I sighed and waited for Darry to get out of the shower so I could be there on time. 10 minutes later Darry walked out of the bathroom dressed and ready to go. Wordlessly, I got up to get my bag. Nobody said anything as I went to put it in the truck. I walked back inside my house for the last time and said,

"ready? who's all coming?"

Everyone said they were coming to the bus station. On the ride there, Soda, Darry, and I sat in the truck without saying a word. I sighed.

"Please say something! I need to hear something from ya'll before I leave!!" I pleaded on the break of tears. I put my head in my hands and almost lost it.

"What is there to say Pone? your going to war. you may-" Soda stopped mid-sentence and hung his head.

"Yes Soda I might die. Yes Soda I might get hurt and sent home. There are a variety of different situations I might have to be in. All I know is, i'm going in this war and I will be brave, I will come home."

The car stopped as I turned to both my brothers and said strongly,"I promise. I won't let ya'll down. I will fight. I will be strong."

My brothers and I got out and hugged.

"I love you" we said at the exact same time. I laughed a little.

I got my bag out from the back of the truck and put the strap over my shoulder. I looked around. There were a lot of boys my age going into the army. I saw the gang come up to me and my brothers. I hugged everyone at least twice. I turned around before I left and said to all of them,"Be strong. Don't forget to remember me, OK? I will return. Write me. I promise I will respond. No matter what."

They hugged me again, except Steve and Dally of course. I told my brothers I love them and they said the same back. Darry was full of worry, I told him not to worry about me. He and Soda looked the same.

"Don't forget. Remember me Okay?" I said as I loaded the bus.

I waved to my friends and my family. They were all crying except for Dally and Steve. What surprised me most was that steve was waving at me. I waved at them as the bus started to move. I kept waving until they were out of my sight.