The news of Cherry being a spy shocks Pony and Johnny. Dally explains that Cherry felt responsible for what happened with Bob and had promised to keep the greasers aware of what the Socs were planning and would testify that Johnny and Pony fought back in self-defense. Pony thinks to himself: “So Cherry Valance, the cheerleader, Bob's girl, the Soc, was trying to help us. No, it wasn't Cherry the Soc who was helping us, it was Cherry the dreamer who watched sunsets and couldn't stand fights” (85).

Johnny suddenly announces that he and Pony are going to turn themselves in. He tries to not sound eager when asking if his parents are worried about him, but he is dismayed when Dally admits they have not. Dally tries to console him by sharing that his father does not care about his well-being either, but his efforts are futile. Dally is visibly angry about Johnny's choice, but then pleads with him to reconsider because he does not want a prison sentence to hurt or “harden” Johnny, the way it had him. 

They return to the church to see it is on fire, and Pony and Johnny ignore Dally's command to stay in the car.