I Blacken The Name Of Our Fair City

20!

This idea randomly came to me and I had to type up something super quick about it. Let me know what you think please!!! Enjoy :)

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Ponyboy,

If you’re reading this, then you’re far from home, settled into college in your new city. I didn’t really think this day would come. I can’t imagine you not being a holler away and, Lord, I’m probably missing you right now. But I couldn’t be prouder of you. I mean that. You’ve been through more than most kids your age, but you’ve kept your head up and your hard work has paid off. I know I haven’t made it easy for you, but if everything I did has prepared you for your new life in New York, then I’d do it again twice.

You’re smarter than I ever was. I know you’re worried about making friends, but you’re a great kid, and I know that will be easy. Just don’t fall in with the wrong crowd. If I know you, I know there will be days where you miss us back home, but don’t worry about Soda and me. We’ll be at the airport in December to bring you home and pick up right where we left off. We’re only a phone call away. I know you’ll want to pick up the telephone and call us to hear Soda’s voice or maybe even get some advice from me. I hope you know we’ll always be here for you. 

Keep your head up, don’t do anything stupid, and focus on your studies. Call us if you need anything. And have fun. You’ve earned it. And mom, dad, Johnny, and even Dally would want you to.

I love you buddy.

Darry 

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Pony,

Darry told me to write a letter to you. Says he’ll hide it in one of your boxes for you to find once you’re all moved in. He told me to write down anything I’d want you to know once you move to New York. You’re the only kid that would have me crying before I’ve even started writing.

I don’t know where to begin, Pony. I’m gonna miss seeing you every single day, that’s for sure. Hell, I’ll even miss you and Darry arguing. I don’t think we know how we’ll get along without you here for a few months, but we’re so proud of you. 

If anything good came out of losing mom and dad, it was the three of us becoming so close. That’s how I see it. I noticed you took the picture of them from our bedroom. I’m glad you have it. They’d be real proud of you, too. I hope you know that, Pony. 

Darry told me to give you some advice, but you don’t want advice from me. You know what to do. If any one of us was going to go to college, it was going to be you, Pony. I look up to you for going off and making something of yourself. I couldn’t.

Make sure you find yourself a nice girl. One of those cool New York types, not the kind of girls we have back home. If I know you, you’ll find her with her head in a book or at the library or something. Call me if you ever need advice. I can’t promise it’ll be worth taking, though.

You’re my best buddy, Pone. Take care.

Sodapop

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Hey Pony!

If you’re reading this, then you survived the plane ride to New York. Did you get sick? You owe me five dollars if you did and I’ll hold you to it.

Anyway, I have some wisdom to give to you. This is golden advice, so don’t go around sharing it with just anyone.

First, don’t pull a blade on your new roommate. You may be thinking, “Two-Bit, I didn’t bring a blade”. Check the box with your books. Consider it a gift from you to me. 

Second, go to class. I hear you can graduate in less than six years that way. 

Third, drink some water with your alcohol and you’ll never be hung over. Take it from me.

Oh, and remember: Liquor before beer every time. You only make that mistake once.

I can’t wait to see you for Christmas. Don’t go and become a movie star on us or anything. Can you bring me back a t-shirt from New York?

Well, that’s all I got. You know where to find me.

Two-Bit

✉️

Pony - 

Soda made me write this. I don’t have any advice for you except to not get killed. We can’t come and rescue you all the way from here. And let me know how the hot dogs are.

Steve

Reasons he might have: - he was a lower class drop out young male (primary target for selective service up to and somewhat even past the 1969 draft lottery) - se hinton told Rob Lowe that yes, sodapop does go to Vietnam and dies there

Reasons he might NOT have: - according to his birthdate on the outsiders wiki and the draw dates from the 1969 draft lottery, he’d have been 21 (one year younger the average age of a Vietnam soldier) BUT his calling number was 283 - this means that 282 rounds of drafting went on before his number would’ve been called, making his chances of being called up fairly low - Hinton also said at a later date that if something didn’t happen in the books it isn’t canon - sodapop canonically tore a ligament before the books occurrences, meaning that if it was severe enough, even if he had been drafted he might not have even passed the physical.