~"Pony, listen," Darry started for the hundredth time, "it's just gonna scare you more. Especially after what happened."

Soda was being quiet, and that was worrying Abbi.

-Christi looked at the doctor with big sad eyes, "Can- Can I be alone?"

The doctor nodded, walking out and shutting the door behind him.

Christi rolled her eyes, and got dressed. Before running out of the hospital. She clutched her arm, and then hitchhiked to Texas.

~"I don't care!" Ponyboy cried exasperatedly. "She's alone, and I just feel like I oughtta be there! How would you feel if you were me?"

"Look, I know it's awful what happened, I understand that, but you can't change a damn thing. So just let it go, alright?"

-Christi found a payphone and a coin. She smiled, before dialing the Curtis's. She hoped they wouldn't be too upset. She was gonna try to get to Louisiana eventually.

~Ponyboy stayed quiet, but it was obvious he was mad. The phone rang and Darry answered it with a short hello.

"Hey." It was Christi. "Look, I ain't got time to talk... Bus should be comin' soon. I'm in Texas, but I'm ok." Christi sighed, "Tell the gang, will ya? I'll keep y'all updated... I gotta go now. Bye."

-Christi hung up the phone, and started walking to the bus stop.

~"Wait-" Darry started, but Christi had already hung up.

"Who was that?" Two-Bit asked.

"Christi." Darry answered blindly.

Ponyboy's eyes went wide.

-Christi got on the bus, and sat near the front. She slowly fell asleep. When she woke up, she was closer to the East side of Texas. She sneezed and got off the bus, and started walking. Next time she saw a phone she'd call.

~Abbi stood and crossed the room to sit next to Ponyboy.

"What did she say?" Ponyboy asked.

Darry hesitated before answering. "She's in Texas."

"What? How could she just leave like that?" Ponyboy looked like he was close to tears. Soda put his arm around his brother as Abbi laid a hand on the young gang member's knee.

"Tough break kid," Andy sighed sympathetically.

"I'm sorry, Pony." Johnny said.

-Christi walked for a bit, before finding a phone. She phoned up the Curtis house. "H-hello?"

~The phone rang again a while later and Darry answered it once more. Christi was on the other line.

"Christi? Are you alright?" Darry asked with concern.

At the sound of the girl's name, Ponyboy perked up and listened intently.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I didn't wanna leave..." Christi said in a small voice.

"Then why did you?" Darry asked, slightly annoyed.

Christi bit her lip, "I had to. Damn doctor told me I'd be goin' to a foster home in California. I-I don't wanna talk about it." She was scared already, and didn't need Darry adding onto the pressure. "Is... Is Abbi there?"

"Yeah, here," Darry handed the phone to Abbi, who spoke into it quietly. "Christi?"

"What happened?" Abbi asked in worry.

"T-they said I'd be goin' to a foster home in California... I don't wanna leave... Tell the gang I'll be back for Christmas." Christi said squeaking loudly as a guy approuched her. He had a cowboy hat and a friendly grin.

"Christmas? That's more than four months from now!" Abbi cried. "You know how Pony's gonna feel about that?" She whispered.

Christi bit her lip. "Well, it beats not comin' back at all." She thought for a second, "Can I talk to Pony?"

"Yeah, sure. I'll see ya. Here's Pony." Abbi handed the pone to an awed Ponyboy. "Hi, Christi."

"Hi, Pony. How are you?" Christi asked, with a grin on her face.

"Okay I guess. How 'bout yourself?"

"Good... Listen, don't worry 'bout me. I'll be fine. And I'll be back for Christmas." Christi explained.

"Christi?" Ponyboy whispered meekly.

Christi smiled at the sound of his voice. "Yeah?"

"Be careful. I love you." Ponyboy confessed.

"I love you too. But I gotta go. Take care, and I'll call when I get backvto Louisiana." Christi said, her voice gloomy and she said goodbye.

"Wait-" Ponyboy started, but Christi had already hung up. Ponyboy sulked back to the couch.

(Time lapse)

-Soon it was November, and Christi felt sick. She hadn't planned on it, but she decided to call. She phoned Abbi.

~Abbi was awakened by her brother knocking at her door early one morning. "Abbi, phone for you. It's Christi."

Abbi sighed and got up. Josh was standing at her door, looking slightly annoyed. She started towards the phone and picked it up as Josh commented sarcastically before going back to his room, "You're welcome."

"Hey Christi."

"Hey, Abbi? I ain't been feelin' too good. Can you come get me?" She remembered a couple months ago, and got worried. "'Member when I got shot?"

"Yeah." Abbi was concerned and listened closely. "Where are you?"

"Louisiana." Christi responded. Christi sighed, and burst out crying. "Well I didn't tell you everythin'... And now I'm worried I might be pregnant. And I don't know what to do!"

Abbi froze. "Pregnant?" She whispered in awe. She took a deep, shaky breath. "Yeah, okay, I'll have... I have no car. Okay, well, I can ask Two-Bit or Darry. I'd ask Soda, but Darry doesn't really want him driving alone yet even though he knows it wasn't Soda's fault. So... Who do you want me to get? Well, I could ask Danny and just see if I can borrow someone's car... What do you want me to do?"

Christi took a deep breath and calmed down, "Doesn't matter, just don't tell anyone. I wanna tell them in person." She was calmer, but she still shook. "If it's easier I can go to Texas, I have two dollars left."

"No, stay where you are. Which is... where exactly?" Abbi felt overwhelmed.

"New Orleans." Crhisti explained brushing some hair out of her face.

"Okay, we'll find you. Keep an eye out and don't move. I'll be there soon. Bye, Christi." Abbi hung up and ran out the door, again, without changing clothes.

-Christi found a bench to wait at and nervously sat, hoping Pony wouldn't be upset. After all, only time could confirm her suspicions.

~Abbi ran to Two-Bit's house, praying he was there. His car was, but he could've walked. She knocked on the door, which was answered by Two-Bit's mother. "Abbi," Mrs. Matthews smiled. "What brings you over so early?"

"Is Two-Bit here? It's a bit of an emergency." Abbi explained.

"Oh, sure, one minute." Mrs. Curtis went back into the house and a few minutes later, Two-Bit appeared.

"Hey, Abbs, what's the big E?" He asked, rubbing his face. It was obvious he had just woken up.

Abbi shivered from the cold November air. "Think you can drive to Louisianna?"

"Louisianna? What's in Louisianna?"

"Christi."