The Helper

(Entwined with The Outsiders)

I do not own The Outsiders, only my OC Jaylee. This is my first FanFiction so go easy on me. ^.^ Reviews are gratefully accepted!

My name is Jaylee. I am neither a Greaser nor a Soc. I care for each of them. After rumbles they usually come to see me. I smile and then tend to their wounds. I've gotten so used to the smell and sight of blood that it doesn't bother me as much as it used to.

My mother was a nurse. People of all sorts visited our house at any hour seeking help for their loved ones. I usually stood back and watched, but there were times when my mother and called for my help, and I gratefully accepted her requests. I gagged at the sight of blood but my mother sort of welcomed it. I didn't know why she loved her job so much until I started to take in her personality. I never realized how much I loved taking care of people until that one faithful day that my mother was sick. I tried my best to make her feel better. She told me what to get from the store and what to cook. She told me this, "Be good for your father. You know how he can be sometimes…but no matter what, never stop believing in yourself. Watch your step. Sometimes you can be such a klutz." She laughed and I laughed with her. She was right, as always. I always have a way of messing something up and tripping over my own feet. She looked at me with her tired but happy eyes, grabbed my hand and whispered, "I love you." She closed her eyes and her head sunk into the pillow. Her grip on my hand became loose. Tears had swelled up in my eyes. "Mom, I love you too! Mom! Mom? Please don't die mom!" I couldn't stand having her be gone. Months after months I visited her grave and cried. My new biggest fear since then was to lose someone that I love or care about. Meeting new people in my life was a challenge. I tried to close off myself from them, but my mother's personality kicked in with my personality and everyone was allowed into my heart, no matter who you were.

I plumped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I was so tired from school…I could just fall asleep right now… "JAYLEE! SOMEONES AT THE DOOR FOR YOU!" I heard my father shout. I got up and rubbed my eyes. "Coming!" I said. I worked my way to the bathroom and splashed some water on my face. Even after restless nights, I could see no bags under my clear face. My hands pulled my hair back into a ponytail, leaving my bangs hanging over my face.

I raced out of the bathroom and to the front door. I wasn't surprised to see a beat up Soc and his buddies standing before me. "Dallas got to him. Think you can fix him up?" one of them said. I smiled and said, "I'll try my best."

They set him on the kitchen table. There, I examined his cuts and bruises. Other then that, I found no major damage. I grabbed a towel and wet one end of it. I went back to the roughed up Soc and cleaned the blood off of him. I've worked with these types of patients before; they were the easiest to treat. A few moans came from the mouth of the Soc.

"Does it hurt?" I asked concerned. "A little bit." The Soc lying on my kitchen table said. He looked so hurt and vulnerable.

All my patients did, except for Dallas Winston. His cold, mean personality never made him vulnerable. I never saw him like everyone mentioned him though. I always saw more to him than just his cold stare. I saw a bit of joy somewhere deep inside of him, which made me glad he didn't hate the WHOLE world. At least there was something good in his life that kept him going.

I went to a cabinet and pulled out some alcohol and this medicine that helps to stop any infection in the future. I poured a little bit of alcohol on the dry end of the towel. "This might sting a bit." I said. I dabbed his cuts and he grit his teeth. I know it burns but it helps fight infection. My mother did it to me when I was younger, so I do it to my patients all the time.

After hearing painful moans come from the patient, I took the medicine and covered every cut I saw. He sighed in relief, probably thankful for no pain to follow. I finished covering his body with medication and the Socs gave me hug. "If those Greasers ever hurt you, just come tell us. We'll set them straight." They said. Then they laughed. I smiled. I don't think I would want to be anywhere else but here, with caring people. "Well, thanks guys, but they're actually pretty nice. I don't see why you guys have to fight so much." I said. They all looked at each other and laughed once more. "A kind person like you, Jaylee sees good in everything. Its no wonder why you wouldn't understand." One of the taller Socs said. He came and patted me on the head.

"Humph. That doesn't answer my question." I said. One of them looked at me and said, "You have to become tough like us to understand. If we tell you, you'll never get it. Stay good kid." I tried to let it go. "Well, come back if he doesn't feel better." I said kindly, and with that, they left.

I walked into the restroom and stripped off from my clothes. I moved the curtains and turned on the shower. I stepped in and let water run down my face and hair. My hands held the necklace my mother had given me years ago. My words still buzzed in my head. "I don't see why you guys fight so much." "Oh mom…why can't we all learn to get along. Fighting never helps anyone." I said out loud.

I grabbed the bar of soap and scrubbed down my body. The soft, smooth soap against my skin felt amazing. I set down the bar of soap and rubbed shampoo in my hair. After washing it out, I did the same with the conditioner. I shut off the water and grabbed a towel. I wrapped myself in the towel and stepped out of the shower.

I went into my room and put on a t-shirt, shorts and socks. I dried my hair with the towel and let it hang over my shoulders. I put on my jacket and slipped on my Converse. "Dad, I'm going out. Be back later!" I said. "Ok! Don't get into any trouble!" Dad shouted. He should know me by now. I always try to stay out of trouble.

I walked down the sidewalk, having the sunlight greet my face. I didn't feel like telling my dad that I was going to see Mom. He doesn't like me grieving over her and he certainly doesn't like me out all day. Her grave wasn't too far anyways, and I like to visit her. It's the only other place than the shower that I can really express my emotions.

When I got to her grave, I said, "Hi Mom." I knew she wasn't with me, but I felt her presence. "Life's been pretty good to me. God has given me so many nice people thankfully. I am so blessed for having such a great life…Dad was telling me a while back that when God takes something good away from you, he'd give you something better in return. I can't say that loosing you and having everyone else is better, but I can live with both." I stopped and thought. "No ones really asked about you anymore… It's probably either because they forgot about you or they just don't want to bring me down. I'm sure it's the second one. No one can ever forget you, Mom. You made such a great impression on everyone. No one can forget your generosity or your caring personality. You treated everyone the same. Forgave anyone who betrayed you. You treated criminals and murderers as normal people. Just like I treat the gangs in this city like family. Without them…I don't fit in with anyone. I don't fit in with the cool kids or the nerds. I don't fit in with the pretty girls, the preppy girls, the nobodies, and the druggies. I'm kind of a loner without the Socs or the Greasers around. The only thing that bothers me is that they always fight… It tears me to shreds when I see one of them jump each other. Fights or rumbles aren't any good either. I asked the Greasers one day, what was the reason they fought one another. They answered it's a good way to let off steam. Then I suggested writing in a journal or something. One member of the group who's named PonyBoy's eyes had lit up at the suggestion. The others sort of laughed and my cheeks flushed red. I still don't see why they rather hurt one another than write their emotions on paper…" My voice trailed off.

"Well…I miss you, Mom. I really do. Hopefully one day I can see you up in heaven. Maybe one day you can fill the whole in the empty space in my heart." I said softly. I struggled to fight back the tears forming into my eyes, but in the end, I won.

I sighed and looked up into the sky. "Take care of my mother up there." I said. I smiled, giggling a bit. I turned around and walked back down the sidewalk.

About halfway home, I saw PonyBoy walking alone. I haven't seen him much since the day he came to my house with Johnny. Johnny had just been jumped by a gang of Socs and beaten pretty bad. They took him to me to treat his wounds, although I couldn't help much with the cuts on his face. That was the same night when I saw Dallas seem so concerned for Johnny…a few times they referred to him as "Johnny cake." I thought it was pretty cute. I even told them that. A few of them laughed and Johnny's face flushed red. The Greasers were more laid back than the Socs in so many ways, but remembering that night, everyone seemed tense.

I was about to yell "Hey!" and wave when a group of Socs came out of nowhere and were going to "jump" PonyBoy. I didn't know what to do. Scream stop? They probably wouldn't listen and would tell me to get out of there. I would never call the cops on either of them, so that's not ever a choice. Instead I just stood as I watched one of them pull a switchblade. They held it just below Pony's chin. I heard Pony screaming for anyone and one of the Socs yelled, "Shut him up! Just shut him up already!"

I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing. Then I saw some more Socs coming from my right.