All characters except Jane, go to the credit of S.E Hinton.

Chapter ONE

It's been a while now, living without mom and dad. Darry, Soda, and Pony have been taking it better than I am, when they died reality shot me in the face, I'm taking it real hard. Ponyboy has been getting these weird nightmares he wouldn't remember when we woke up, and he would really give us a little scare when he would scream bloody murder in the middle of the night, Soda started sleeping with us ever since, 'cause I don't know what to do, unlike Soda, I'm not good with comforting people.

Darry has been working 2 jobs and he's been growing up too fast, he's only 20. Soda quit school, as much as Darry would have loved him to stay, he would refuse and say he's too 'dumb' to be in school. I'm two grade levels above Pony, but he's way smarter than I'll ever be. I wanted to quit school too, but Darry said that I have a whole life ahead of me, and that Soda and him are bringing enough money for me and Pony to go to college. I've been cooped up in my room that I also share with Sodapop and Ponyboy. They haven't noticed my glum behavior a few weeks ago, but now, I think they're getting worried. I keep telling them I'm fine, but staying in bed during the weekends and refusing to go anywhere isn't going to make them believe me.

"Jane," Soda's voice said softly. I made a weird animal noise bringing the soft blanket up to cover my face from the light, "Dinner's ready, Darry made it."

"I'm not hungry." I mumbled trying to fall back asleep, but having a brother like Soda, it's almost impossible.

"You said that for lunch," He sighed trying to rip the blanket off of me, but I refused to let go, "C'mon now." He finally got the blanket running with it out the door. I would have fallen back asleep, but I decided against that and forced myself to get up. My bare feet hit the cold ground and I stood up and stretched, I rubbed my eyes to wake me up a bit and headed to the small kitchen where Pony, Darry, and Soda were eating.

I caught Soda's gaze and glared at him for waking me up. He returned a sheepish smile and returned to his food. I slumped down next to Pony and Soda with a huge plate of food in front of me, I'd never be able to finish it or else I'd throw up. They say I've lost weight since my parents' death, but I lost my big appetite ever since.

We ate listening to Soda's comments and as soon as I was through half way my plate, I felt sick so I stopped eating the rest, "Jane, you goin' to finish." Pony asked after everyone finished, it was Soda, Pony, and my turn to pick up the dishes and wash them.

"No, I'm done." I reassured picking up my plate before he could. I collected some other plates and put 'em in the sink. I washed the first plate as Soda dried them with the old towel.

"You didn't eat much." Soda interfered as I threw away the rest of my remains to wash the plate, I rolled my eyes getting soap and scrubbing it.

"So," I shrugged, handing it roughly to Soda.

"So, that ain't healthy, you 'ought to be sick if you keep it up." He replied.

"I ain't gonna be sick, I'm fine." I snapped scrubbing harder. I hate it when they give me sympathy, I get it everyone, and nobody gave it to Pony or anyone when they get hurt. It's just me, they make me feel like I can't take care of myself, and that really gets me annoyed.

"Look I'm just saying you should be eating more, that's all." He replied quietly. I huffed in guilt, he really does know how to make someone feel guilty, and it doesn't feel good.

"Soda, I'm sorry." I replied finishing off the last plate, "I just hate it how you treat me like a little kid."

"That's 'cause you are my little kid sister, along with Ponyboy." He hugged my side after putting away the last plate.

"You're saying Pony is your sister?" I chuckled. I hadn't noticed Pony sitting on the kitchen table doing his homework, glaring at Sodapop for saying that.

"You know I didn't mean it that way pal." Soda chuckled patting his shoulder. Sodapop can sure bring a smile on your face, even if you feel 6 feet under. I walked off to the living area and finding a cheery Two-bit laying on the couch, "Hey Two-Bit, what're ya doin' here?" I asked picking the blanket Soda took away from me less than a hour ago.

"You sayin' I can't stay here for a reason?" He asked sarcastically.

I chuckled half-heartily, "Nah, I'm waiting for Steve to get here, Sodapop wanted something to do, he called." He explained.

"Oh, okay." I sighed walking back to the bedroom to take yet another nap, that was until I bumped into Darry,

"Where do ya think you're going?" He asked as I stepping into the room.

"To get a rest." I replied turning back to look at him.

"You've been sleeping the whole day, you might wanna stay up for a few hours." He said.

"Do I have a choice?" I asked throwing the blanket on the bed and sitting on top of it.

"With Sodapop and Two-bit, I doubt so." He chuckled leaving the room, I huffed laying my back on the bed.

I stared at the ceiling, seemed like hours, but in reality minutes. How could Sodapop always have a carefree mood all the time, he's always up and jumping around, that kid sure does have a lot of energy in him. I haven't seen Darry come home saying he's exhausted, he sure does look like it, but he never admits it, and Ponyboy, well Ponyboy hasn't changed much, unlike Soda who quit school, or Darry who has 2 jobs. Ponyboy is still holding on, he ain't got anything to worry about, he's the baby. Well to me he is, but to Soda and Darry I am, even though I'm only a year younger than Soda, and 2 years older than Ponyboy. I have Soda's hair which is a golden-brown color, and Darry's eyes, a pale-blue color, but I haven't got anything like Ponyboy.

I'm 5'5, quite short for my brother's heights. Darry is a good ol'6 foot 2, with broad shoulders and a muscular built, Sodapop's a 6 foot and he's slightly slimmer than Darry, and Ponyboy is a 5 foot 8, but he's only 14, which is a pretty tall height for his age. Otherwise I'm 16 and I'm shorter than even Johnny.

Johnny, Steve, and Two-bit are good friends of ours, they come over anytime during the day, but Steve has a job with Soda, they both work as mechanics. Their business is doing good, Me and Pony don't know if it's 'cause of Soda's good looks, or Steve's car ability.

Johnny is a dark skinned kid, with big round brown eyes that I honestly love. He has jet-black hair heavily greased to the side. He and Ponyboy and the youngest, thankfully I'm 2 months older. Johnny is the gang's pet, everyone loves him.

Two-bit was the oldest –along with Darry- and the was 2 inches shorter than Darry. Two-bit has long rusted colored side-burns that he is proud of, he has gray eyes and a stocky built.

We love 'em all like family, but I can't say that about Dally. He's always in a dangerous mood; he got arrested at age 10. He has blue, cold ice eyes, he ain't afraid of anything. Dally loves fights, and he's known as a real hood. He even got a record down at the police station, I'm just saying that he's is a real dangerous one.

"What's wrong?" Ponyboy asked putting his books away, I hadn't noticed him entering the room.

"Nothing really, just thinking." I propped up on my elbows taking a good look at him, "You done?" I asked motioning to his work.

"Yeah, are you?" He asked sitting down next to me.

"No," I huffed remembering my work, "Math's really tough."

"I could help you." I saw him shrug from the corner of my eye.

"I'm two years ahead of you Ponyboy." I replied.

"Why don't you ask Darry?" He asked again.

"It's alright, I'll just copy it from someone tomorrow." I winked looking down at him.

"Darry'll kill you." He chuckled.