Janie's POV

Well, we were in quite the pickle.

I glanced over at Lottie talking with Ponyboy and Johnny, sitting on the bench in the church. I groaned. I couldn't believe I wasn't able to really solve anything. Johnny and Ponyboy still ended up running away. The only thing I could prevent was the church from burning down.

I bit my lip. I hated remembering Bob's death, but it was all I could think about at the moment.

Ponyboy had woken us all up, really upset. Lottie and I immediately knew what had happened (well Lottie needed some hints and reminders but she caught on). I wasn't able to get Ponyboy to see some sense in all of this - he wouldn't listen to a word I had to say, and said I didn't know anything. He then dragged Johnny and the rest of us off and into the night. Right to the park. With the fountain.

"Ponyboy!" I had snapped for about the hundredth time, glowering at him. Ponyboy looked back at me.

"What?"

"Stop bitching about this like a little girl and see some common sense! Darry only slapped you because he thought you weren't listening! He was worried sick about you!"

Ponyboy glowered at me. It seemed like everything I was saying was making his anger skyrocket even more. "Yeah, well, you don't know nothing, Jane! It's not like you have any family anyways - your mother abandoned you and Lottie when you got here, so you can just keep quiet!"

Even though it wasn't true, his voice was harsh and it still felt like a slap across the face. I stood there, staring at him, shocked. But I got over it, remembering that Ponyboy usually said dumb things when he was pissed. But it still felt offensive. I did have a family, thank you very much!

"Ponyboy," Lottie started, her voice slow and calm at first. I smiled. Lottie usually talked like that when she was about to say something smart and reasonable. I could count on her to fix this.

Or make it worse.

Lottie had brought up the whole subject that Ponyboy was a teenager, so obviously he was overreacting and he should just hike up his skirt and go back home. That just worsened the whole thing, so he completely retaliated.

"Why do I even bother?" he exclaimed, glowering at us. "You're just a bunch of stupid girls!" He then stormed off and climbed the monkey bars. Leaving Lottie and I awkwardly standing there with Johnny.

Johnny looked at us. "Look, Ponyboy doesn't mean anything, he really doesn't. He's just angry... and upset."

"It's fine," I shouldered the topic off quickly. "You should go talk to him. Help him cool off," I nodded towards the upset Ponyboy sitting on the monkey bars, looking really detached from the real world.

Johnny nodded, giving us an awkward and grateful smile as he went over to Ponyboy. He climbed up the monkey bars as well and offered Ponyboy a cigarette, which he gladly took and they began to smoke, blowing out in large puffs.

I rolled my eyes at Lottie. "Boys."

Lottie giggled. "Bros before hoes,"

I shook my head. "Bows before bros," I smiled.

Lottie shook her head. "Ew, bows are so last season."

I huffed, folding my arms. "It's an expression, Lottie. It doesn't need to be 'in season'."

Lottie shrugged. We made eye contact, then burst out laughing. I don't know. It's just how lovely our friendship is. I've known her since the fifth grade, and since then I've been able to tell her everything and anything. She honestly is my only friend to be honest.

But maybe I could change all of that in this world.

While Lottie and I began talking about useless things (like our Outsiders crushes - mine on Johnny and hers on Dallas) the sound of shouts immediately alerted me to our place.

I had completely forgotten about Bob and the others.

Lottie and I immediately ran towards the monkey bars and saw that Ponyboy and Johnny weren't there anymore. Their cigarettes were on the ground, and I saw farther up ahead Bob and the others were dunking Ponyboy in the fountain. Randy and another Soc had kicked Johnny to the ground, to make sure he couldn't help Ponyboy. I clenched my fists, getting pissed. I didn't really want this to happen.

"Leave him alone!" I shouted, running at Bob. I left Lottie to help Johnny and get rid of Randy and the other Soc as I ran towards the main scene. I punched one Soc square in the face, while the others turned to look at me.

Bob's eyes widened slightly, but he smirked. Must've been the liquor taken a hold of him. He had no sense of the real world right now. "Continue dunking the kid, David," he nodded, letting go of Ponyboy's head. I heard Ponyboy take a deep breath, only to have his head dunked back into the fountain.

Bob approached me threateningly. "What's a pretty broad like you hanging with greasers like them?" He had a smile that was forming slowly. I stepped backwards, slightly terrified.

Okay, not slightly.

Maybe, totally terrified?

"Leave us alone," I said bravely. "What's the point you have here? So what? Greasers vs. Socs, I get it. You both have a huge rivalry. But why attack now? It's so unfair!"

"Like you're one to talk," Bob snapped. "Punching my buddy right in the face... You probably broke his nose!"

"Good!" I snapped back.

That was the wrong thing to say. Instantly, Bob slapped me. The smack was loud and echoed throughout the silent darkness of the park. My hand instinctively went to where he had slapped me, my eyes wide. I glared at him, about to say something until he attacked me. He slapped my other cheek, so both of them were burning. I tried fighting back, but it didn't work. He just laughed, shoving me to the ground like I was nothing. Which I was probably. I can't fight back - I hate fighting, and I don't know how. Bob laughed, kicking me around. At first it was lightly, but then he kicked me hard. Right in my left rib cage to. I screamed as his shoe came in contact with my ribs and it felt like they were shattering. Bob didn't care though - the alcohol clouded his judgement. I could hear his laughter as he continued kicking me around. He stopped, and I took a deep breath. I couldn't feel my left side near my rib cage.

I was lifted the ground, Bob holding on to me by my collar. He smirked, his eyes locking with mine.

"You're gonna regret you ever came to Tulsa, greaser-wannabe."

Then my vision was clouded as he punched me in the face. My vision was spotted with black and red as I fell to the ground. The last thing I remember seeing was Bob falling to the ground and Johnny standing there, switchblade in hand as he watched Bob fall.

After that we immediately went to Dally (after Ponyboy and Johnny and recovered from the fact that they had murdered somebody) and Dally told us what to do. Saying that we had to head to Windrixville and blah blah blah. Lottie and I already knew half of the story. But I didn't bother to tell them about the soreness near my rib cage. It had stopped throbbing for the half week we were in the church, but the pain was starting up again. I also couldn't feel anything from my chest on my left side, down. It was terrible. My ribs were probably cracked, or I was bruised. Jumping out of the train made it worse, but I didn't tell anybody about it. We were in enough trouble as it was. I didn't want to add to it, and become a burden.

During this time, though, Lottie seemed to be getting along with Ponyboy and Johnny. They liked her, it seemed. Especially Johnny. I couldn't help but feel jealous - Johnny was my favorite. And Lottie wouldn't stop flirting with Dally when she first met him. I hated it. All of my favorite characters adored her, whilst they completely ignored me.

It was like living in hell.

My heaven had become hell. And the numbness in my left side just added to the pain. I sighed. "I'm heading out," I stated. Not like they cared, though. Their response was laughter to what they were talking about - something only they understood. I sighed, and headed out. I was greeted by the warmth of the sunlight. It was the seventh day of the week. So we were running low on food, and things to do.

And I was practically losing my best friend to my book crush and person who I wanted to be my best guy friend.

Perfect.

I groaned, sitting down on the grass. Jay Mountain sure was pretty, though. It had a nice overlook of a forest. And the sun was setting, so the sky was a pretty orange-red color. It was gorgeous. I still couldn't feel my left side, and it was getting pretty painful. It was getting harder to sit down and stand up without wincing. Soon enough they would notice something was up. At night time I was able to check what had happened - there was an ugly bruise forming, but since it was dark I had no clue what color it was. I didn't want to find out, either.

Someone brushed against me and I half-hoped it would be Johnny or Lottie, but it was Ponyboy. He grinned at me, and said "hey".

"Hi," I said back, trying not to show my disappointment.

He noticed.

"Are you okay?"

I sighed. "Okay as I'll ever be," I responded. My voice sounded dull and pained. It was obvious that something was bothering me, but I honestly didn't want to talk about it. I wasn't good at talking about my problems with other people. I only did it with Lottie, but Lottie was too busy living and amazing life here, whilst I was being overshadowed.

"I'm sorry," Ponyboy began. I looked at him. He wasn't looking at me - he was staring at the sunset. "For calling you stupid earlier... before... the Socs came. I didn't mean it - really. I was just, upset. At everything. At Darry. At myself... Just everything."

I gave a small smile, looking back at the sunset. "It's fine."

"Y'know, Lottie's real worried about you."

I snorted.

"Really! She is."

"Well, if she's so worried why doesn't she talk to me?"

"She doesn't know what you'll say."

I don't know why, but that pissed me off. But I can assume why. Maybe because she had confided everything to Ponyboy and Johnny, telling them everything, instead of talking to me - her best friend? I didn't care if I was overreacting, it just pissed me off. I stood up, about to storm off angrily, but stopped when my left side screamed with pain. I clutched it and winced. Ponyboy stood up immediately. My eyes met his hazel as he looked at me with concern.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine," I snapped for the final time. I stormed off back to the church. "Just leave me alone."

Lottie still wasn't talking to me. She kept giving me looks though, like she wanted to. I decided to ignore her though. I didn't feel like talking to her yet. I was upset. And jealous. But mostly upset. I was back outside - it was the day after I had my talk with Ponyboy and I was laying on the church floor. It was dusty and uncomfortable, but I was so tired I didn't care. Right when I was about to find my way to pure bliss and quiet tranquility, Dally stormed in.

"Hey, wake up Sleeping Beauty and Snow White!" he exclaimed, shaking Ponyboy, and then coming over to me, blowing in my face. I opened my eyes, glaring at him. He didn't notice though, because he was greeting Lottie and Johnny. I shook my head, standing up.

"Dal!" Ponyboy greeted him. "Is it safe for us to go back?"

"Hey, listen to this... So the fuzz call me in - no big shocker here, they thought I had done it because of my "record" - and then I let it slip that I heard you were headed for Texas. Get that? Texas! Ha! I'm a genius," Dally grinned.

"And they believed it?" I asked.

Dally nodded. "Yes ma'am, they sure did. They already sent a patrol out to Texas to find you guys! Nice hair by the way, Pony," he ruffled Ponyboy's hair, and Ponyboy fixed it, looking sheepish. He still hadn't gotten used to his new hair - he and Johnny had cut it and Ponyboy had to bleach his.

"Did my parents ask about me?" Johnny asked. I looked at the ground. I knew what the answer was; no. It was painful to hear about Johnny and his family - his father hated him and beat him up and his mother ignored him, sometimes beating him up too. He had a horrible life. Hardly anything good happened. And he rarely smiled.

But he seemed to smile a lot around Lottie.

Whoa, that almost sounded bitter.

It was meant to be bitter.

I was obviously, and unconditionally jealous. And in love with Johnny.

Kind of sucks.

As Ponyboy read the letter from Sodapop, Lottie finally walked over to me. She nudged me, and gave me a small smile. I looked at her, and her blue eyes met mine. "Hey," she started. "Are you okay?"

I sighed. She had nudged my left side. The pain was back again. I guess it never was gone. I just chose to ignore it, but something would always bring me back to concentrating on it again. I looked back at Lottie, and she gave me a sad smile.

"I'm sorry."

I had wanted to hear her say those words, but hearing them now... it just didn't serve justice. I guess I was still disappointed.

And jealous.

"It's fine."

"I love you. You are my best friend, you know that?"

I looked at her and nodded. "I know."

"You know I don't like them," she nodded her head to Ponyboy and Johnny. They were busy talking with Dally. Lottie lowered her voice, just in case, so only I could hear. "I like Dallas."

I sighed. "I know. But that doesn't change the fact that they like you more than me."

Lottie frowned, her eyebrows furrowing, but then they relaxed, a beautiful smile forming on her face. Her blue eyes flashed. "I see. Now I know. You're jealous."

I huffed. "So what."

Lottie gave another sad smile. "Maybe you should try talking to them. You have been really quiet this whole week we've been here."

"Not like they'll like somebody like me. I'm loud. And awkward."

"But you're funny and nice."

"And I'm annoying and clingy."

"But you're smart and sarcastic."

I rolled my eyes. "You're the pretty one here."

Lottie sighed. "Oh, honey, you've got to be kidding. I'm just blonde, with blue eyes. You have gorgeous brown hair which I envy, and you have beautiful skin."

"So do you."

"I know," Lottie grinned. I returned her grin. That was the Lottie I knew (and frankly) loved. She hugged me. I hugged back. "I'm really sorry for ignoring you. It's just... it's not everyday you become friends with characters from a book you just read."

I shrugged, letting go. "It's fine. I understand."

Lottie smirked, then nodded towards Johnny. Dallas was talking about taking us to Dairy Queen since we haven't had anything to eat, really. "I could help hook you up with him," she raised her eyebrows suggestively. I could feel my cheeks heat up and I hit her.

"I told you! Ixnay on the-"

"I know, I know! But I promise - I'll be subtle about it," Lottie laughed, along with myself.

Dally glanced back at us. "You girls wanna join us?" he asked. "Could use some lady company,"

Lottie grinned. "Sure," she said. She grabbed me by the arm. "Come on!"

She tugged and pulled.

It was my left arm. Searing pain rushed through me and I moaned, pulling away from her. The others looked at me, and concern washed over Lottie in waves. "Are you okay?" she demanded.

"I'm fine," I muttered. I didn't convince the others, but they didn't say anything as we got in Dally's car and drove off.

When we were in the line for Dairy Queen I finally remembered something.

The fire. I had forgotten about the matches and cigarettes that the little kids get into that start the fire.

The fire that Johnny died in.

And the fire that had also killed Dallas in a way as well.

How was I going to stop that?