Why I Wish I Stayed A Closet Outsiders Fan

[sharpshooter]

Anyone else find themselves wishing they were a closet Outsiders fan? I know I do.
I don't know how many times I've been called 'Sodapop', or my Dad says something to me about a rumble going on later. I'm tormented relentlessly, especially by my Dad, and he's the ne who read all of Hinton's books when he was younger and told me I should read the Outsiders in the first place!

Just a couple days ago, I accidentally broke a jar. So I go to clean it up, but instead my Mom picks it up. She acts like she hit it against the wall to break it, then holds it out and goes," You wanna fight? Huh, huh?!" I was so embarressed. -yet I was laughing my butt off too-

Anyone else had similiar experiances?

[Maddiecake]

<sup>Yes, although mine come from my father and my friends. My dad constantly pokes fun at the book, which once resulted in him helping me with a paper to analyze Nothing Gold can Stay, so I left and when I came back he typed up something about Ponyboy reciting it while eating "a righteous ding dong". I feel awkward talking about the book with my family.

Then there are my friends who call me various things from the book, and my best friend called me Maddiecake at first because she thought it was kind of cool, and then she just used it to make fun of me. Which is how it usually turns out in the end.

Of course, there are other friends that just mock the book and say bad things about it, but yeah. Sometimes I wish I was a closet Outsiders fan.</sup>

[Keira]

Most people I know either don't know to what extent a fan I am, or don't care. My little brother is the only one who knows anything about this fan fiction business, these sites, etc... My mom would make a huge deal out of it, and I just don't want that.

My oldest brother, John, saw me on this forum a few weeks back and he was trying to get me to get off MY computer (heh) so that he could look something up. I told him to give me a few minutes and he said, "Seriously, Keira? How much more is there to learn about The Outsiders? Nothing." I just laughed and said, "That's what you think."

But, truthfully, no one that I know really cares all that much. My boss thinks it's bizarre that I know as many facts about the book, the movie, or can relate something to it (which I only did on one day, and haven't done since). But, he doesn't know, and never will -- I would never ever ever ever EVER hear the end of it if he did, lol.

[Keira]

One funny thing, though -- my brother John likes to quote the movie, but not to make fun of me. His favorite line is, "We'll do it for Johnny, man! We'll do it for Johnny!" I think he likes it because they have similar names *Shrugs*

[sharpshooter]

Maddiecake; A righteous ding dong? Dad's can be so weird... I know what you mean, except I feel that way more when I'm talking about it with my cousin. She's really cool and all, but when anyone even mentions the word 'outsider' around her, she turns to me and starts laughing. -.- I just feel.. awkward talking to her about it, because of that.

Keira; Oh, my little brother is a John, too. I thought it was so funny, because my dad always called my little brother 'Johnnypancake' -don't ask- and then when we listened to The Outsiders during a car trip and I heard them calling Johnny 'Johnnycake', I thought he'd been calling my little brother that just because of the book. xD But it is annoying when I'm talking about Johnny from The Outsiders, and my little brother's like," What?"
Wow, ramble much?

Your brother doesn't even know the half of it. So innocent, so innocent...

[Tensleep]

Confession time: I am still a closet Outsiders fan. Everyone but my brother and Shadow are oblivious to the fact I write it/read it.

I am the only person I know who writes. Period. Sure once in a while some of my buddies will send me some goof off, but it's like I'm all on my own out here. So I never have anyone to talk about things with. I have to get on the computer for that. So I have remained a closet Outsiders fan because of that.

My regret about staying a closet Outsiders fan is all around my neighbor James. He read the books once upon a time and he loves S.E. Hinton's books, but he gets things messed up sometimes. Like he'll confuse Johnny and Mark or something. And I'll correct him. So I get "Like you'd know. You're not an expert. I was reading these before you were born. So, shut up Ashtray and bid already!" - for some reason these arguments always pick up over poker.

So tempted to say "Yeah, I wouldn't have a clue, Jimmy. I just own all the books, write fan fiction based off it, have hundreds of reviews, and co-run a little web discussion forum all about the different aspects of the book. You'd better find someone more qualified to talk to."

But you know, if I came out of this very demented closet, I'd never hear the end of it. I'd be teased mercilessly and get strange looks from the Powers That Be. It's just not worth it.

So I think I'm going to shut the closet door on this

[sharpshooter]

Tens; Man, that must suck. I wouldn't have enough control over myself, I'd just be like," Guess what, I'm obssessed with Hinton and all of her books, so take that!"

You shouldn't be a closet Ousiders fan, because then you can't spread Outsider's good-ness. xD