So this is my first fanfiction! Please, please give reviews. The beginning chapters are really going to set the relationship for Emily and Darry before The Outsiders goes on. I Do not own The Outsiders, or any of the characters, besides Emily and some of her and Darry's friends. My story goes along with both the movie and the book...

My eyes drooped from the lack of sleep, as I squinted at the tiny numbers on my combination lock. I could drop dead with sleep at any moment. No sleep, yet again. My parents always were fighting, not when other people were around, but my sisters and me. I couldn't stand it any longer. Too many nights I'd lie awake listening to the screaming. Last night, my dad came home drunk. Which he usually doesn't do, but when he does….it isn't a pretty sight. I could still hear the yelling crashing into my eardrums, their siren voices piercing in my head. Finally, my locker opened, and I threw my books inside. I heard my stomach growl, and the thought of lunch lingered through my head. Just as I reached into my bag and grabbed my wallet, I felt two familiar, muscular arms wrap around my torso, and a pair of warm lips kiss my cheek. I smiled, for the first time today, already knowing who it was.

"Hey, beautiful." Darry said, resting his chin on my shoulder. I grabbed his arms, reassuring his tight squeeze, and slowly let go, so I could see him. Darry stood, arm crossed, his back leaning up against the locker next to mine. Ooo, did he look good! He always did, but man, today it was something special. His football shirts sleeves rolled up, just enough to reveal his built arms, as well as the way it was tucked in, showing his stone-edged stomach. He wore dark straight leg jeans and some old converse, but by the way he always looked, he could have worn a dress and still have looked just as fine.

"I hate school. Why do we have to come here? Can we just run away?" I muttered, slamming my locker, and leaned up against it. My eyes closed, but soon opened when Darry walked in front, and my gaze diverted to him. His hand touched the light purple rings under my eyes, as his face became serious, his eyes concerned.

"No sleep again?" he asked softly, talking my hands in his.

"It's okay, don't worry 'bout it…" I mumbled, feeling my ears turn red. I was embarrassed he notices.

"Em, I'm your boyfriend, I'm supposed to worry about EVERYTHING." We both laughed a little, immediately my mind flew to last month, when we had first started going out.

He's in my math class, 6th period. I'd known Darry before, but not like I do now. I mean, I always thought Darrel was good looking, but then again, so did everyone. But a lot of my friends liked Paul Holden, Darrel's football buddy. I guess he's alright, but my sights always seemed to drift to Darry. And it just so happened he was in math with me this year. Our teacher partnered us up to work on homework….well that's not what we did, pretty much the entire time we were goofing around. My face was probably the color of ripe tomatoes; in fact I know it was. Because my cheeks felt hot the entire time. But after class, he winked and said we should go to the Dingo sometime, I fell. Pretty hard! Later, I told my friend Josie, who was seeing Paul at the time, about Darry and we set up a double date that night to the Drive In. I got all ready and we all met at Josie's, but Darry drove in his dad's ford pick-up. It was a lot of fun, and when Paul and Josie were going back to her house, Darry offered me a lift home. Once we arrived at my house, which ended up being pretty late, because we had decided to stay for a couple movies, he asked me to be his girl on my front porch. When I practically yelled yes, he gave me his ring. A week or two later, in the same place, we had our first kiss.

Darry's finger twisted his ring on my finger, and a wide grin spread across his face. I smiled back, as he tucked my hair behind my ear and pressed his lips to mine. My heart still fluttered every time our lips met.

"Ready to go grab some lunch?" he questioned, grabbing my hand in his, once again.

"If it gets me out of here, then I'm up for anything!" I laughed as we walked down the hall and outside to meet Dallas, Johnny, Sodapop, Steve and Two-Bit. They ran up to us, teasing Darry and I for holding hands. But then we were on our way to the gas station, closest to school. Darrel and I switched days in lunchroom and going with the boys. We both had some higher class friends, which is a little unusual considering we were lower class, but they wanted us to sit with them as well.

As we walked, we talked about our weekend plans, since it was Friday, and shortly the weekend would be arriving. My plans were almost identical with Darry's; probably because of the fact I'd be spending almost the entire weekend with him. For once, he didn't have a football game, so this special weekend allowed us an extra night to spend together. Two Bit kept asking advice for his new fling, Kathy, another one of many blondes Two Bit expressed interest in. And after only a few short minutes, we arrived.

After Darry and I finished our "fight" over who would pay, (we always did this, he handed over money, I said no, he said yes…same thing over and over) we ate with the boys, then snuck away for the last few minutes to be alone.

By the time school ended, it had felt like years had gone by. I could only think about Darrel. Darrel, Darrel, Darrel. Hell, he was the ONLY thing I ever thought about! I almost missed the last bell of the day because he clouded my brain. By the time I realized, half my class was out the door, so I grabbed my books and sprinted to my locker, trying to beat Darry to it.

As I walked up, Darry was already there. He smiled at me, and I apologized for running late.

"Don't sweat it, I don't mind one bit." He stepped aside, letting me put my books away. "Got a lot of homework?"

"Barely any." I grinned; it was nice to be open.

"Same." He said, taking my backpack and slugging it over his shoulder. I took his big hand in mine, and placed my fingers in the spaces between his.

"Off to the Curtis residence?' I asked, looking up at him. He was probably 5-6 inches taller than me.

"Yes ma'am." He answered, returning my gaze. And there we went, to start our weekend.