The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton

I used to talk about killing myself . . .” He drew a quivering breath. “I don’t want to die now. It ain’t long enough. Sixteen years ain’t long enough.

Sixteen years on the streets and you can learn a lot. But all the wrong things, not the things you want to learn. Sixteen years on the streets and you see a lot. But all the wrong sights, not the sights you want to see.

“Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold . . .” The pillow seemed to sink a little, and Johnny died.