Thank you for your reviews! Reviews really do provide feedback in the sense of whether or not a story should continue. I hope you enjoy this next chapter. Please read and tell me what you think. This story may have many more chapters left, but I'm guessing three or four. What do you think?

NOTE: I noticed that I forgot to mention how Tim Shepard was at the rumble. Let's put it on record here and now that he had gotten bailed out by his brother and sister, 'kay? Great!

Disclaimer: It's a nice idea, owning my own characters and having a movie. However, I own no such things. That would be S.E. Hinton's job.

-Lyn-

I had lived less than a block away from the Curtis's for all my life. I had known all three brothers for as long as I could remember. Well, I remember when Pony was just a baby. I also remember their parents before that awful accident. I was in the same class as Soda and Steve, and had met them when they became nearly inseparable. I remember going into fourth grade and Two-Bit suddenly joined our class, having been held back. I remember holding his hand for a week after his father had left him, his mother and his little sister Aimee. I remember Dally moving into town, and his father being an ass. He scared me once when I was twelve and thought I'd bring Dally his homework since he had been out, supposedly "sick". Dally never let me visit his house again after that, saying it wasn't safe for me to be near his old man. I was there with the rest of the gang when Johnny got beat on by his father. I was there when they found him in the lot, nearly beaten senseless. I was there for it all. Life on the East Side had been hard, but I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

I figure, when I look back on it, I'll be bound to remember the day I somehow made the first real tough decision concerning "love". I don't know how it happened, and I never really thought to question it, but as I stood by my buddy Steve's hospital bed, his hand still firm in mine, I knew I had chosen him.

Two-Bit and Dally walked into the room, and I didn't let go. Steve squeezed my hand as if to say thank you, but I was too busy wondering how I had suddenly made up my mind to respond. Hell, I'm even confusing to myself! It's no wonder boys can't figure out women!

"Well, what's this we're interrupting?" Two-Bit cocked an eyebrow, noticing Steve's hand held firm in mine. Dally's gaze burned into mine, but I didn't look away. I knew then that he wasn't going to let this go quietly. I'd have to talk to him. Returning his gaze, I saw the same concern, but maybe even admiration, that I had seen when I hadn't backed away from his father at the simple age of twelve. Two-Bit coughed.

"Well Stevey, when you comin' home?" He asked, trying to break the silence. I heard Soda nearly gurgle.

"The docs wanna keep him over night to make sure his brain isn't squishy." He scrunched up his nose. I giggled. Everyone, including Steve, turned to stare at me.

"What Pepsi-cola means is that the doctors want to make sure he doesn't have any complications from the concussion." I giggled again. Dally smirked and narrowed his eyes before turning to walk out.

"I better tell Superdope and the kids before they walk a hole into the hallway." He strutted out. Yes, Dallas Winston strutted. I rolled my eyes. I ignored Two-Bit and Soda chatting and turned to Steve.

"I'll be back." I didn't want to say that I had to talk to Dally. I wasn't sure what I was going to say, and besides, Steve and I hadn't even talked yet. But I knew I had to go out there, for Dal's sake, and from the look in Steve's eyes, he knew it too. He nodded, but from the smile on his face, I knew he was feeling the same thing I was. I let go of his hand, nodded at the other two boys, and went to find my buddy.

-Dally's POV-

After telling Superdope, Johnny and Pony about Steve, I strolled right out the front door. I needed some air and a cig. I sat with my back against the cold brick wall and puffed out my smoke, not quite sure what I was feeling.

"Do you think it'll ever stop?" I hadn't heard her coming outside. I knew it was her, but instead of looking up to meet her eyes, I jus passed her the cig and watched as her smoke swirled past me.

"What do you mean?" What did she want to stop, the injustices of the world? Did she want the Socs to stop picking on us because we didn't have money like they did? Did she want the boys to stop landing themselves in the hospital? I didn't know what she meant and I waited for her to respond. I took the cig back from her and blew smoke up at the sky in exasperation.

"I'm sorry." I snorted. What was this chick's game? I don't accept apologies well. Actually, now that I think about it, people don't ever apologize to me. I looked at her then, startled to see the fire in her eyes burning into my icy ones.

"What are you jabberin' about?" I asked as I passed her the cig again. She took a long draw and paused before answering.

"I don't know how to fix everything."

I'm sure I was starin' at her like a dummy, but I just didn't know what to say.

"Lyn, what is yours to fix?" She looked away then and shrugged.

"I couldn't stop that ass of a father when he hurt you. I couldn't stop the damned Socs before they hurt Steve. I couldn't get to Johnny in time. I'm….I'm just sorry." She shrugged again and handed me the cig without looking at me.

I don't know why, but I laughed.

I laughed and it felt good. I could feel the bitterness drip out of me like it was air. I could feel her eyes on me, prolly feeling hurt, but I couldn't stop.

"Oh Lynie, babe, that's not your fault. Hell, none of that is something you should have to worry about." I stopped then, and stared at her. God was she beautiful.

I knew when I came out here that she wasn't going to be my girl. Hell, she wasn't my type, and I was glad for that. This girl deserved better than that…she deserved better than this neighborhood. For the first time in a long time, I was starting to feel sad.

"Lyn, trust me. I dig. I get it; and I think you have been just who the boys needed." I squeezed her hand and nearly retched at myself. Winston, you sentimental lot, I growled to myself. I shook my head and smirked at the girl sitting next to me.

I'd protect her while she tried to protect me.

-Soda's POV-

"Soda-Pop, can you get me some coffee?" Steve grunted. I grinned at him.

"Buddy, they don't let ya sickies drink coffee in here! It'll kill ya." I couldn't get the plastered grin off of my face. Steve glared at me dumbly, but I don't think he really cared.

I had seen the glint in his eye as he stared down Dal and Lynnie kept holding his hand. I wanted to be giddy for my best buddy.

"Damn it Soda, stop grinning." Steve glowered. Ooh, did he look angry! I laughed and turned to Two-Bit, surprised to see him staring at me like I was high.

"Soda, what are you hollerin' about?" Two-Bit clocked me in the head and I turned and walloped on him. We were wrestling when Darry walked in.

"What the hell are you hoods doin'?" He bellowed, but I could tell he was relieved to see us in such great spirits. Steve coughed on his bed and I looked up from under Two-Bit's arm.

"I dunno what they're doing Superdope but I wanna go home." He shook his head at us and turned to look at Steve.

"They'll send you home tomorrow little buddy, just get some rest." He grinned, clapped him on the chin and turned and motioned me and Two-Bit to follow him.

"We'll see ya tomorrow Steve-o," Two-Bit called out. I turned to my best buddy as the others left the room and grinned.

"Not your type, huh?" He scowled as I walked out, smug in proving him wrong.