The rumble was the heaviest night of the year; Darry begged Ponyboy, pleaded with him to just stay home, stay safe and to not get caught up in the wave of punches being thrown. But, Ponyboy insisted. So here he was, gripping the edge of his sleeve, trying to put on a tough face to keep Darry’s off his back, but inside, his heart was pumping with a sense of adrenaline merged with subtle fear. He could hear Darry’s quiet whispers whistling into one ear and out the other, asking him to stay safe, but Ponyboy’s head was elsewhere. All the Socs looked so rich, yet menacing, gritting their teeth upon seeing the young boy barely passed fifteen; Pony didn’t always feel this small under the Socs haunting gaze, but now every rustle in the distance stroke him with panic.

In the midst of the Socs dressed in madras shirts and khaki pants, Ponyboy suddenly noticed a girl, smaller than the rest, biting her nails in a gesture of nerves. Pony rested his eyes upon spotting her, his heart fluttering seeing her shaking body tremble. Why was girl here about to fight? He saw the boy beside her nudging her roughly, as if telling her to “man up,” despite the phrase not having any meaning behind it to her expect for making her brother proud. It was Bob. Bob sheldon was her brother. She was a Sheldon. “Stay behind me Ponyboy!” Darry commanded as the fight broke out and the two sides piled into a blooding mess; one charged straight towards Ponyboy, throwing him to the ground, before Darry picked up the boy by his collar and started punching him mercilessly, leaving Ponyboy breathing heavily in a daze.