Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders

~Ella's P.O.V~

"How could you not like that movie?" Ponyboy asked, disbelief spreading acrossed his features.

"I liked the movie I just can't sit in a cramped movie theater where it feels like it's a million freakin' degrees" I explained, chucking a piece of popcorn at him. He dodged the small kernel with ease, shooting me a playful glare before turning his attention to a mirror outside of the movie theater.

He began to make faces in the mirror, running his fingers through his greased hair. I bit my lip as I attempted to keep my laughter under control. I failed though, laughter taking over my body as Pony proceeded to make the duck face.

"You know I'm somewhat embarrassed to call you my friend" I joked.

"I would say I'm your best friend but I think we all know that's Johnny's spot right? Although pretty soon you guys will be more than just friends" He winked, nudging my shoulder. I simply rolled my eyes, ignoring the heat rushing to my cheeks.

Johnny and I got have been told by a lot of people that we should date. Some people even think we're together already! Elderly couples have stopped us on the sidewalk to tell us how "cute" we are. It's just weird, I guess?

"Hey Greasers!" A guy yelled, peering out the window of a mustang that was slowly cruising by.

I gulped, stepping closer to Pony as I hoped to feel some safety. Only in these situations would I allow Ponyboy to protect me. He was a lot taller than I was and had more muscles. I on the other hand was a whole lot shorter and only had some muscles although it wouldn't be enough to fight off that many Socs. So basically Ponyboy was the only way we make it out of here with a few bumps and bruises.

"It's fine El there just drivin' by" He assured me.

Socs never used to scare me, they were just people on the other side of town. Well that was until a group of guys caught me walking home one night. I was punched and kicked, they even pulled a blade on me, but thankfully Buck Merril had stepped in before they could do anymore damage. I still remember how angry Dallas was, he went off and searched for them. He didn't find them though which had it's pros and cons.

I was pulled from my thoughts as Pony grabbed a hold of my wrist, tugging me closer to him. My heart began to race as I watched the red mustang race by us one again. They were closer to us now, zooming down the alleyway in front of us. We took this chance to run, Pony's grip on my wrist tightening. Any other time I would've pulled away or yelled at him until he would let go. This time was different though, we had to stay together cause if a group of Socs catches you alone you better be ready for a beating.

Pony's house came into view, relief rushing through my body. The relief left as soon as it came, the red mustang pulled beside us, the passenger door swinging wide open. Pony and I took a few steps back, him standing a few inches in front of me.

"Hey Greaser" He said, stepping closer to us. The boys eyes wandered over to me,scanning my body up and down, making me feel rather uncomfortable. "Guys how bout' we give the kid a haircut" A smirk formed on his lips. The others boys surrounded us, suddenly pulling Pony from my grasp. I reached for him, only to be stopped by one of the Socs. One of his one snaked around my waist, pressing me flat against his chest.

"Get off of me!" I screamed, raising my hands and pushing against his chest. His strength gave him an unfair advantage, leaving me with only one thing to do.

My hand clenched into a fist, pulling away from his chest before smashing into his nose. The boy howled in pain; releasing my waist to clutch the wounded area.

"Son of a bitch!"

I took this chance to run, pushing past the others boys as I ran towards the Curtis's house. I caught sight of a familiar flash of dark brown hair.

"Dally!"

The boy whirled around, his head moving back and forth as he tried to find out where his name was being called from. Before I could yell his name again, I was tackled to the ground, my back smacking painfully against the gravel. I cried out in pain, a hard smack to the face and a shut up ended that though. Before I knew it, large hands wrapped around my throat, squeezing hard.

I began to panic when I could no long breathe, my air supply being completely cut off. My hands pulled on the Socs, desperately trying to get him to release his deadly grip.

After a few seconds things had started to become blurry, tears slipping down my cheeks. My hands became weak, falling from his arms.

"Dammit man let go before you kill the girl.

The hands around my neck were released; allowing me to breathe again. I took deep breaths of air, the air rushing to my lungs. I attempted to lift my head, quickly letting it fall back down, the dizziness making me want to vomit.

I let out a small shriek as I was lifted off of the ground, unaware of who it actually was. I began to tremble, afraid that it was one of the Socs.

"Shh El it's just me" A soft voice cooed.

Johnny.

It was a voice I would be able to recognize anyway, seeming how I heard it almost everyday for the 3 years. The soft voice had given me comfort so many times, calming me when my anxiety was voice that had made me laugh so hard I had cried, or made me smile.

I moved closer to Johnny, my face burying into the crook of his neck as he carried me bridal-style towards the house. His scent was just as comforting as his voice; a mixture of cigarettes and his cologne.

"My head hurts Jo" I whimpered, my head leaning away to look to at him.

The pain in my head was excruciating, it felt as if someone was stabbing my head repeatedly. Johnny quietly shushed my whimpers, nudging me closer to him. The soft denim material of his jacket, rubbed against my cheek as my fingers grasped his black t-shirt.

When we began to move, my eyes squeezed shut as, wishing the dizziness and pounding headache would just go away

Voices could be heard around us, rather angry voices that is. I could hear the sound of skin on skin which meant they had gone after the socs and that Dallas probably got the guy who nearly strangled me to death. The squealing of tires signaled that they Soc had escaped Dally's grasp and managed to escape with the rest of them.

"How is she?" Dallas asked, making me pull my face away from Johnny to look at him.

"I-I'm fine Das" He took a step closer to Johnny and I, silently inspecting my face.

"Jesus look at your face El! And oh my god your neck!" He exclaimed, his fingers gently brushing the sensitive skin. I smack his hand away, whimpering as he pushed on the skin a little to hard. "Sorry"

"It's fine" My head leaned against Johnny's shoulder, studying Dallas facial features.

He was angry, well more like fuming. His eyebrows were furrowed as his lips had formed a frown. His brown orbs were dark, a look of anger in them. It was times like these that I began to actually fear my brother. You never knew what he was going to do. He was completely unpredictable.

"I'm going to put you down now El" Johnny whispered. I groaned but allowed him to place me back on my feet.

I was dizzy at first, leaning on Johnny as I tried to keep my balance until it finally passed. By then the boys were into a conversation, discusing the issues with the Socs.

"Things would be so much easier if the Socs just stayed on their side of town" Johnny muttered.

"Now don't you worry Johnny we're going to have it out with them sooner or later" Steve assured him. Johnny nodded, still uneasy about the fact that Socs were in our territory.

"Hey Johnny, were those the same guys that got you?" Dally questioned. Johnny shifted uneasily before replying.

"No t-they were some other guys" He replied.

"Well don't worry kid, I'm going to make it my business to find out who did this to your face"

I squeezed Johnny's arm gently, assuring him that I was here for him. His head turned to look at me, soft brown orbs twinkling as he gave me a small smile.

"Now will someone please tell me why these children aren't together yet?" Steve yelled, throwing up his arms. Johnny and I groaned, listening as the boys went into a full conversation about how we should date.

"Guys would you just shut up? If it bothers you that much then I'll ask her out." Johnny said, interupting them.

"Alright then, do it Johnnycake" Ponyboy teased.

"Fine. Ella would you like to go with me to the movies tomorrow night?" Johnny asked. His cheeks begining to flush.

"I would love to"