Note: bold italicized words indicate Michelle's thoughts and memories.

Michelle's POV

I was in the kitchen of the house we lived in, in New York. It was a rather large house. I had just moved in with my boyfriend, Ponyboy, and I had no where else to live. Ponyboy could afford it because he was an accomplished author. He wrote his first novel, The Outsiders, about 10 years ago, when he was 18. We'd been dating for a little over three months now. I met him at a book signing, and somehow got the courage to start up a conversation. He was the one who asked me to go get a coffee with him. He seemed so much better than my ex-boyfriend Kevin. Nicer, and sweeter. I didn't know what his intentions were, I haven't known him long enough. Will he come home one day, pissed off drunk and knock me unconscious, like Kevin did? Kevin...that bastard! It's his fault I had to leave my home city of Boston. Ponyboy doesn't know about Kevin yet.

Lost in my thoughts, I dropped my glass cup on the ground. God, I'm so clumsy. I knelt down to pick up the glass as I heard the front door open.

Great, I thought, He's gonna be pissed!

"You fucking bitch", Kevin slapped me,"I pay good money for this shit and you just break it!"

"I'm sorry", I begged,"It was an accident! I..."

He slammed my head against the counter. My lip cracked open and bled. I just lied there and cried...

No, no more memories. Ponyboy walked in the door. There was a look of genuine concern and confusion on his face. He didn't look drunk, so I approached him slowly.

Ponyboy's POV

Michelle's face was pale as she approached me. There was fear in her eyes. She looked like she'd just murdered someone.

"I'm sorry", she said,"I didn't mean to do it."

"What did you do,"I asked calmly.

"I dropped a glass cup,"she started,"It fell to the ground and broke. I picked it up."

"Were you hurt,"I asked.

"No,"she answered,"But I broke your cup."

"Who cares", She winced,I didn't know I'd almost been yelling. I calmed my voice, "It's just a cup."

Why was she afraid of me? Every time I tried to touch her, she'd flinch. She cringed when I raised my voice even a little, or when she thought I was angry. Anger. Had someone taken their anger out on her?

Michelle's POV

Ponyboy walked toward me. I closed my eyes, here it comes. He was...hugging me?

"Did you like that babe,"Kevin said. I was crying. I nodded. If I said no, he'd do it again.

"Don't cry,"he said, and wrapped his arms around me. He started kissing my neck. No, no, no..

"No", I shouted, then opened my eyes. I was back in the living room,"Oh. Sorry."

He grinned halfheartedly. There was hurt in his eyes. He started to walk away.

"Pony..", I started. He turned around.

"Don't worry about it,"he said,"It's all right."

He walked up to his room. Were those..tears..in his eyes? I didn't think this was hurting him. I didn't even think how he felt. He'd been so honest with me, telling me everything about him. Why did I keep secrets? I wanted to tell him, I really did. But every time I tried, I heard Kevin's voice warning me to keep my "damn mouth shut". I couldn't keep this a secret any longer. I was going to tell him. I walked toward his room. Bedrooms. I haven't been in one with a guy since...no, push it out of your mind.

Ponyboy's POV

She hates me. That's why she's so cold towards me. I cared greatly for Michelle, but she clearly didn't feel the same. She didn't even want me to hug her. Maybe she's planning on breaking up with me. I hoped not. Just then, she knocked on the door, interrupting my thoughts.

"Come in,"I said. The door opened. Michelle stood there.

"Pony, we need to talk,"she said,"I need to tell you something."

"What is it,"I asked, already knowing.

The breakup. Here it comes.

"I don't know how to tell you this,"she started,"but.."

"You're breaking up with me,"I finished.

"What,"she was surprised,"No."

"Then, why are you so distant,"I asked,"Are you scared of me?"

"No it isn't you,"she answered.

"Then what is it,"I asked.

She spoke the next word, a name, with pure hatred and fear:"Kevin."