9

It was finally time for the rumble. I was playing poker with Steve when Pony asked when we started shaving. I told him that Darry started at 13 and I started at 15. Steve had the radio up so loud that I thought that the police would hear. Then Pony asked us why we liked to fight. I said that it was like a contest. Steve likes to beat people. When Pony asked Darry I said that he liked to show off his muscles. Darry started to worry about Pony being in the rumble but I stook up for him. Pony asked about why darry didn't worry about me and he said that he didn't have to. Then we were off to the rumble, jumping and doing acrobatics along the way. When we got there, Tim Shephard and company was already there with a gang from Brumly. We got aquainted and then the Socs started arriving in their tuff cars. They filed out in a line in front of us and there was an earie silence. then Darry stepped forward and said he'd take on any one. Then a soc stepped forward. It was Paul. They circled for a while, then somebody said, "Hold up!" Darry turned to look and Paul threw a punch to the jaw. The rumble was on. It all happened in a blur. Then they were running. I was beside Steve, talking to him in a low voice while he groaned. I looked up and saw one of the Brumly boys getting beat for using a weapon. Then I saw Dally (how did he get here?) and Pony running off toward a car. I guess they were going to see Johnny.