A/N: Thank you all for continuing to support and read my work.

Big thanks to DrMcNerdy for being my beta! If you like Grey's Anatomy, go check out her fantastic story!

Reviews are very much appreciated!

Disclaimer: I do not, nor will I ever own "The Outsiders" or its characters.

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I see myself walking down a road. Mom and Dad are walking beside me. I am much older, but they look exactly the same. Somewhere along the way Mom and Dad stopped walking, and I turn, signaling for them to catch up to me, but they just smile and shake their heads. No matter how urgently I beckon for them to come, they don't. They stand where they are and wave me on.

"Please come with me?" I beg. "Please?"

Mom takes Dad's hand, and they turn away from me.

"No," I call out desperately. "Don't leave me! Not again!" But it's no use. They're already gone.

I wake with a start, sucking in deep breaths, my heart beating fast. I reach over and turn on my lamp, illuminating my room in a soft light. I half expect to see my parents standing next to my bed, but I am alone.

Alone. Something I always end up as whenever I dream about Mom and Dad.

I lay in bed a long time, trying to fall back asleep. It's no use though. No matter how hard I try, my mind just won't shut off.

I give up on sleep when I hear the sound of water running and know Darry's taking his morning shower.

Forcing myself out of bed, I make my way into the kitchen. I look at the clock hanging above the stove, and it reads 5:15

I glare at the clock like it was its fault I was up so early. I give the clock one last dirty look before dropping down into a kitchen chair without bothering to turn on the light.

Hugging my knees to my chest, I rest my chin on them and think about my dream. This wasn't the first dream I had about Mom and Dad. Surely it wasn't gonna be my last, but there was something about it that gave me an eerie feeling. I didn't like it. Not one bit.

I am still thinking about the dream when Darry comes into the kitchen. He switches on the light and I blink from the harshness of the brightness.

I watch Darry as he begins to make his morning coffee. He still hasn't noticed me, and it gives me a chance to really study him. He has dark circles under his eyes, making him look older and tired. He always looks tired lately. Tired and worn down. Something stabs at me as I watch him. Guilt, maybe? For not helping out more around the house.

When he turns to open the fridge, that's when he sees me. "Cassie," he says, a look of surprise crossing his face. "How long have you been sitting there?"

I shrug one shoulder. "Not too long"

"What are you doing up so early?" he asks, grabbing the milk from the fridge and closing the door.

"I couldn't sleep," I reply straightening my legs out and propping my elbows on the table, resting my cheek in the palm of my hand.

"Did you get any sleep?" he asks, joining me at the table.

"A little," I yawn.

He doesn't reply and drinks his coffee slowly. It's quiet. The only sound I can hear is Soda's light snoring and Dar's occasional sip of coffee. Darry doesn't seem eager to start a conversation which is fine with me because I don't really know what I would say.

It was easy talking to Darry My Brother. There was no pressure. But ever since he became Darry My Guardian, things have been strained between us. I can't talk freely anymore. He now has the power to ground me, so I don't say much to him lately.

Darry seems content drinking his coffee in silence. I draw circles on the table with my finger, thinking. I wonder what would happen if Darry ever finds out about the times I snuck out. And worse; why I snuck out. He's already grounded me a few times for getting a couple of bad grades. This would be so much worse.

The sound of the chair scraping back brings me out of my thoughts, and I look up at Darry as he carries his mug to the sink and rinses it.

"I better head out," he says, placing his cup in the sink.

"Really?" I ask. "This early?" The sky is still dark outside, the sun not making its grand entrance just yet.

"We need to start early and get as much done as we can before the sun really starts pounding down."

"Oh, um," I nibble on my lower lip trying to think of something to say, "well don't work too hard." I know he will though. He always does. Even before Mom and Dad died he was always pushing himself.

He gives a nod and stops before leaving the kitchen. "You and Pony clean up around here today, okay?"

"Sure," I agree.

"The state's gonna be dropping in for a visit soon," he goes on and looks at me.

"I know. We'll get it into shape," I can tell he's worried about the people from the state's. He tries to hide it, but he always tenses up before one of the visits.

"And Soda has to work, so don't forget to pick up his report card," he adds as he heads out of the kitchen.

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I hold my report card loosely between my fingers. I haven't worked up the courage to look at it. No good's going to come from it. I know that much. Ponyboy looked at his as soon as it was handed to him. Straight A's. Big shocker there.

I am a little tempted to take a peek at Soda's, but I don't and stuff both papers into my book bag and sling the bag over my shoulders.

"Let's stop by the DX and see Sodapop," Pony says, and I shake my head.

"I told Darry that we would clean up the house today." I tell him, putting an emphasize on we.

"Awww, come on! Its already pretty clean."

I roll my eyes. "You go on to the DX, and I'll meet you at home."

"You sure?" He asks, looking a little uncertain.

I give his shoulder a small shove. "I'm sure. Go on."

"Thanks Cass," he says, flashing her a grin before taking off.

"Bring me home a root beer," I yell after him, but I'm not sure if he actually heard me or not.

I go on walking home. It is so humid out, my blouse keeps sticking to my skin, and there is no breeze whatsoever. I kind of regret not going to the DX with Ponyboy and at least getting a cold drink.

I regret not going even more when I spot a blue mustang that's going a little too slow for comfort. I start to walk faster, and sure enough the car speeds up too.

I have a reason to be wary. The rich kids from the other side of town like to get their kicks by driving to this side of town and jumping unsuspecting boys.

I've never known them to go as low as to jump a girl, but I don't wanna be the one to test that theory. I am getting ready to make a run for it when I hear my name.

With my heart pounding, I step closer to the car, curiosity getting the best of me. I peer through the window, trying to get a look at the driver.

"It is you," the voice goes on to say. "Gosh but you've gotten tall. You must have grown six inches since the last time I saw you."

I know I recognize the voice, but I can't seem to place where from. He obviously knows me and must have not seen me in a while if I've grown half a foot since the last time he's seen me.

He reaches over and pushes the passenger door open. "Hop in. I'll give you a ride."

I hesitate, thinking about what Darry would say about me getting into a car with a stranger. He wasn't a stranger though, I reasoned. I obviously know him even if I can't place how. Plus, I wasn't looking forward to my walk home in this heat.

After a minute of deliberation, I shrug off my book bag and climb into the front seat. Placing the bag in my lap, I study him. He's young. Probably around Sodapop's age. He has short brown hair that falls over his forehead. He's very clean cut. Even if he wasn't driving this car, I would know he wasn't from this neighborhood just by his looks. I recognize his face like his voice, but can't put my finger on where from.

"Your hair has gotten so long," he is saying and I finger the ends. It is almost to my waist.

"You look different too," I offer, and he glances at me.

"Do I?" He asks, and I shrug, not being able to completely confirm. He must look different too though.

"This sure is a nice car," I say, running my hands over the upholstery. Ponyboy would flip over a car like this. This is one tuff car, I can hear him say. "Is it yours?"

"Yep. Dad got it for me for making the Dean's list," he looks over at me when he stops at a red light. "I was really sorry to hear about your parents, by the way."

"Thanks," I mumble and turn my gaze out the window. I never knew what to say when people told me they were sorry about that.

"My dad said the service was really beautiful," he offers, and I look at him surprised.

"Your Dad was at my parent's funeral?"

He gives me a funny look. "He performed it. Don't you remember?"

At that moment, everything clicks together. How he knows me. Why he looks so familiar. "You're Pastor Harrison's son," I say, naming the pastor of the church that mom dragged us to every Sunday. "You're Ethan Harrison!" I clarify, and he looks puzzled.

"You thought I was someone else?"

"Well no... not exactly..." I stare down at my book bag, my face heating up. "I wasn't really sure who you were." I admit.

"You climbed in the car with me, not knowing who I was?" Ethan asks, and I nod my head sheepishly.

"You make it a habit of getting into stranger's cars?"

"You weren't a stranger," I reply defensively. "I just forgot who you were." I finish lamely, feeling like an idiot as the words come out.

"I can't believe you didn't remember me! My ego's really taking a hit with that one," he says with a teasing grin, and I can't help but grin back.

We pull up in front of my house, and I'm a little surprised he knows my address. "Thanks for the ride." I tell him and start opening the door.

"Wait," he says and reaches over and rifles around in the glove compartment until he comes up with a pen and what looks like an old receipt. After writing something down on it he holds the paper out to me. "Call me sometime, and we can catchup."

I take the paper from him and smile. "Sure. I'd like that." I get out of the car and wave. He honks his horn twice before disappearing around the corner.