How Old Was C Thomas Howell In The Outsiders Novels & Stories

He is too young to know and understand death. I arrive at Thomas’s school; I climb out of my car and lean against the car waiting for him. I can’t wait to see him again. It has been three months since I last saw him—the last school bell rings. I saw Thomas walking down the stairs from the school’s main entrance. I couldn’t contain my smile anymore. Thomas looks up, probably looking for my mom and then his eyes met mine. He starts running towards me. “Crissy!” Thomas yells while leaping into my arms. “What are you doing here?” He hugs me tightly.

The only person who knows about this is my diary which is buried in a loose plank underneath my bed and I plan on taking this secret with me to the grave if I have to. Why? Because no matter how close we are, and how Mrs. Gua enjoys having me around her son unlike the 'unmannered' girls she admits she didn't like Thomas hanging out with, I know Thomas would never look at me the same way I did in a million years. Yes- in middle school, Thomas didn't look as good as he did now. He was skinny then, he still got haircuts from his mother and he had zits all over his face.

"So what did you learn in school?" Noah puffed out his chest. "I know addition." "Oh?" "What's seven plus six?" Thomas blinked. He looked at Maxine helplessly. Maxine laughed. "You don't know?" "I know!" "Then answer." Thomas looked genuinely troubled. "Twelve?" "It's thirteen!" Noah shouted. Thomas placed his hand dramatically over his chest. "I've been defeated." Noah laughed loudly. Maxine watched the two of them. Her smile slowly softened. Thomas looked... natural with Noah.

From that day, I decided that I’d not say a word. I’m waiting for the day when I turn 18, and then I’ll leave this hell-hole. I know it’s difficult to survive alone, but it’s better to live on the streets than live with these people. Thomas earns enough, but all his money is for my mother and his sons.

“Captain Blunick, was it?” Kaze looked at Thomas with slight confusion. If he had not taken the initiative to speak, Kaze would have forgotten about him. Too many things happened at once and too many people were at the scene. “Just Thomas is okay!” His face was swollen due to the slap and coupled with his curled-up lips that were supposed to resemble a smile, he looked funny. In addition, he was in his 40s. His age somehow became a subject of ridicule to the other South River Branch agents, all looking at him scornfully.