*I don't own The Outsiders.

Warning: Language. You can thank Robin for this warning.

I think we need some drama.

(PPOV)

Today was the first day I'd be going to the Lucas' house and staying there alone. I don't know where Mrs. Lucas was going for the day. I'll admit it, I was an ass and didn't listen to her when she explained where she would be. Then again, I do that to everyone.

I was just thinking about this play I'm reading called Antigone. The girl in it is real tuff. She going against King Creon when no one else would ever think about doing something like that. She goes against the King's edict all for her brother. She's devoted to her family and religion. I like that about her.

Antigone is bad ass.

Anyway, all I heard Mrs. L. say was she was going out and wouldn't be home after school. That's fine by me. Robin was going to be home with me until she got detention from her gym teacher. How the hell did she get detention in gym? Whatever, I get to go home and relax with nobody there to bother me. No complaints here.

As I walked from the bus stop home, I wondered what I could do with my free time. I wouldn't mind stopping by at this little music shop I saw the other day. They have this beautiful baby grand piano that I'm dying to get my fingers on. Some of the guitars are really nice too.

Robin told me that this little old couple owns the place and if you know how to play they let you use the instruments. Most places don't let you play, unless you're going to buy something. If your buying, I've found out that you can touch anything you want. It's kind of disgusting how money rules society.

The December weather was starting to get to me. It was cold and I didn't feel like walking the few blocks to the little music shop. Instead, I'm going to sit inside and watch some television. I haven't watched any t.v., except the day I watched those movies with Robin.

I'm use to watching television whenever I feel like it. It was always on at my house. It was a part of the back round noise in my house. God, I miss Tulsa more than ever, especially with the Holidays and everything. This time last year, I didn't know I was spending my last Christmas with my brothers.

I shouldn't think like that, I'll get back to them eventually.

Man, when Robin told me about her Mom and Dad...I didn't even know what to say to that. I felt so bad for her. The look on her face reminded me of Johnny. I know how to deal with Johnny though, I understand him. I know what to say to make him feel better. I have no clue, what to say to Robin. Sometimes I piss her off and, I don't know what I said to upset her. I don't like upsetting people, it makes me feel bad when I do. I feel bad when someone is upset and it's not my fault. I was so lost.

I could tell Robin felt horrible that her and her Mom's relationship was in a rough spot when her Mom was murdered. God, I can't even think about having my Mom murdered or my Dad leaving me. I know my parents are gone, but it was under such different circumstances. It just makes it...different. I'd be so pissed if it were someone's fault that I didn't have my parents with me. It was just an accident, one that could've been avoided, but I can't really pin my parent's deaths on anyone.

I wondered if my brothers got my letter yet. I'm pretty sure they did. I keep waiting for them to send something back. I don't know if they will since it would go to Brian's house before it got to me. I couldn't give them this address because we're not supposed to have contact, but I can't not talk to my brothers, even if it would be safer all around. If the state caught onto our contact, I don't want to know where I'd be sent off to.

I felt drowsy and warm as I curled up on the couch. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep. It was quiet, except for the hum of the television...

XXX(couple hours later, still PPOV)

The slam of the front door jolted me from my peaceful slumber. I rubbed my eyes quickly, trying to get a grip on who was here and what was going on. Have you ever been startled awake and not been able to grip what is going on right away?

That's how I felt as a hand gripped the front of my shirt and hauled me up off of the couch I had just been laying on. I was shoved roughly and landed against the wall. I looked up in fright as I saw Mr. Lucas come towards me.

"What are you doing on my couch, boy?"

"I-I was j-just watching some t-television and f-fell asleep, sir," I stuttered out, feeling my gut turn when I noticed the glint in his eyes. He was half drunk, not as bad as the night he went after his wife when I first got here. He had this crazy look in his eye, an almost feral look. I swallowed heavily.

His arm struck out and I was pinned by my neck against the wall, my feet just scraping the ground. He glared at me, that look in his eyes that I was sure I would never forget after this, he snarled, "This is my house, that is my couch, and that is my televison. Did I give you permission to use it? I'm sure Lucy didn't, seeing how she ain't here. Who the fuck do you think you are to come in and use my stuff? I told Luce I didn't want no brats around here, yet I got two of them. She sure is lucky I love her or I would've killed her by now. You got that perfectly good room that I gave you, yet you are using my stuff. You ain't no better than that little tramp running in and out of here as she pleases."

I was wide eyed and beyond words. Even if I wasn't struggling to breathe, I wouldn't know what to say. I was panicking, trying to get out of his iron grip. His labor filled job made it easy for him to pick someone my size up and keep me there.

Holy shit, do not let me go this way! I didn't know what to do. Then, suddenly, he let go. Mr. L. threw a punch to my gut, knocking much needed air right out of my lungs. I fought to suck the air back in, but was punched in the face. I tried to retaliate, but he knew what he was doing, very unlike the Socs we went up against a couple weeks ago.

Eventually, I gave into unconsciousness, my thoughts resting on my better memories of Tulsa.

(Robin's POV)

Mrs. Lucas was hanging out with her sister today because it was her birthday. I had called her to come and pick me up from my freaking detention. It was an undeserved punishment. That bitch couldn't play basketball to save her goddamn life. Sorry, if I didn't want to risk passing the ball to her.

Then, I try to explain that nicely and coach gets all pissed off. She was probably PMS or something. I got no clue what would have crawled up her ass. Then again, who knows what is stuck up in those rolls. Whoever heard of a fat gym teacher? Hypocrite. She is always telling us to work out and be healthy and yet, she's a cow. Yeah, does she do all of that exercising? If she does, she is doing something wrong.

Mrs. Lucas was lecturing me on my behavior. For a quiet little woman, she sure knows how to nag. I nodded and apologized in the right places. I told her I'd try to be better and all that shit she wants to hear. I can't tell the woman off, for some reason I care.

God, help me. Why do I care? I shouldn't, yet I've been caring a lot lately.

Ponyboy just comes in here and mind fucks me. I don't know why I give a shit about him. I shouldn't, caring gets you hurt. But, dammit, I couldn't just sit there and watch him let people go after him.

I guess him and Mrs. L. are both kind hearted and, have the tendencies to let people walk all over them. It makes me want to protect them. It's not a bad thing to be a nice person, but you got to stand up for yourself or you're screwed, or you'll be screwed sometime in your life. I learned that the hard way.

Yet, I could be making the same mistake all over again. Twice. One being Mrs. L. and the other being Ponyboy. I even told him about Mom and Dad! Was I on something!? No, I wasn't, but you would think I was. I can't believe I told him about all of that.

Ugh, who is he to get me caring. The little bastard.

I grimaced, knowing he doesn't deserve to called that, yet not really caring.

Mrs. Lucas noted that Mr. Lucas still wasn't around. Great, he's probably going out to get drunk. I hope he passes out in some bar and doesn't come home tonight. I don't want or need to fucking deal with all of his bullshit on top of today's bullshit at school.

What a fuck of a day.

As I entered the kitchen, I froze. It was dark, but I could still see that things were out of order. I saw a lump laying on the ground in the livingroom and gasped, not needing light to know who it was.

I was already thinking he was dead. Mrs. L. was talking and broke off mid-sentence when she turned the light on. I unfroze and ran over to Ponyboy. He was curled up in the corner of the livingroom.

I stuck two fingers on his neck, looking for a pulse. Relief flooded through me when I found one. His eye was swollen and his lip was cracked with dry blood all over it and his chin. His cheek was turning black and blue right before my eyes. His curled position led me to assume he was hurt in other places too. The biggest concern was the fact he was out cold.

Mrs. Lucas was freaking out. I glared at her and snapped, "Shut up! Go get some warm water and a cloth." She scurried off without a word.

"Pony, hey Pony, it's Robin. Time to get up." I patted him a little on his not bruised cheek, hoping I wasn't hurting him. I gave him a little shake, gripping his shoulder. I was met with a groan.

"Yeah, I know, Pone. Hurts like a bitch, right?"

He made a face that pretty much confirmed what I said. I've been in his position before and didn't have a helping hand. It sucks when you don't have someone backing you up. I guess I gotta be that helping hand for Pony. He's too good to have to go through what I went through.

I smiled sadly at him. He met my look with understanding. A small amount of communication went between us, silently. "I'll help you up, ok?"

He nodded and tried his voice out, "I'm ready," he croaked. That's when I noticed the bruises on his neck.

"Holy shit, h-he...your neck!" I exclaimed, as I helped him sit up. Painfully on his part and mine, I wasn't here to help him out. Damn the fucking fucktard!

He just stared at me silently, looking like a wounded puppy with them green eyes.

I supported most of his weight and got him into his bed. I used the supplies Mrs. L. brought in and cleaned him up. Eventually, I got annoyed with her hovering. Ponyboy doesn't like her mothering anymore than I do, so I sent her out. I was rude, but I can't help it sometimes.

Pony and I made small talk. He told me what happened, and to be honest, I wanted to comfort him. I just didn't know how to. How do you comfort someone when you haven't been for years?

Damn, I wasn't lying when I thought, "What a fuck of a day."

Whoo, another chapter.