Disclaimer: It's a bummer that I don't own The Outsiders, but it's great that I own Amanda's family.

R&R

Chapter 12 (Amanda's POV)

After a while, Soda and Steve came in the door. Soda came and sat next to me on the couch. He put an arm around my shoulders and asked, "You doing okay, baby?"

"Yeah," I replied. I didn't feel like stating a whole conversation of what happened today. I knew that Soda saw that because he didn't drag out the conversation.

"How was work today?" Two-bit said with eyes glued to the television.

"Okay," Soda and Steve said in unison.

"Come with me and we'll get you situated in my room," Sodapop whispered in my ear. I followed him into his room and sat down on the bed. "You will be sleeping on a spare mattress we have." He went into the closet and pulled out a single sized mattress and laid it next to his and Pony's bed. "Is that alright with you?"

"Yeah," I said still thinking about today. Soda saw that I was still bummed out and sat next to me.

"It's going to be okay, you'll get your job back," I said rubbing the arm on the other side of me.

"It's not that. Did Ponyboy tell you why I'm going to stay at your house for awhile?" I asked looking up at him.

"No," he said with concern in his face.

"Well, the reason that my dad didn't want me to work at DX anymore was because I would be around you and the gang. He doesn't want me around you guys and I couldn't stand it, so I ran out on my family." I could tell that Soda knew I was about to break down, so he pulled me close to him. I let out my tears while he held me. I liked that he understood me a lot.

"It's going to be okay, Mandy. I'll talk to your dad tomorrow and see what I can do about it." I hugged him after he said this. He started to run his fingers through my hair.

After a few minutes, we came out of his bedroom. I was done crying by then. The only reason I did it in there was because when you're a greaser, you don't cry like I just did, but I trusted Soda a lot more than any other gang member. Darry was home by then and Ponyboy asked him about me staying over their house. He said yes and faked a smile that only Soda knew was fake. We went to sit back down on the couch.

Darry started to make dinner for us after the rest of the gang left. He was making chicken, mash potatoes, and corn. At dinner, Soda started a conversation. "So how was your day Darry?"

"Okay," he answered. They don't usually talk during dinner and I didn't feel like starting a conversation.

After dinner, Soda and I went into their room to put sheets on the mattress I was going to sleep on. We had a lot of fun because most of the time he would through the sheets on my head. I the fact that he can make anyone laugh and at anytime, too. He's the best boy friend I could ever ask for. I hope I don't ever lose him to anybody.

When we were done making my bed, I asked, "Can I talk to you, Soda?"

"Sure, about what?" he said while sitting next to me.

"I don't think it's a good idea to confront my dad," I said with a concerned face.

"Why not, what could go wrong?"

"I don't want him to come and find me and force me to come back. If he does find me here, he'll probably get a restraining order on the gang."

"Come on, he won't do that."

"You don't know my dad. He was trying to be lenient on me when I got hurt the first time, but when it happened again, he didn't like me coming home with bruises."

"Well, then what do you want to do about this mess?"

"I don't know, but I don't want to lose you, Soda," I said looking up with a sad face almost in tears.

"How about this, I won't talk to him tomorrow and you can live here with us."

"Will Darry allow that?" I asked.

"I'm sure he will," Soda said, trying to cheer me up.

"Okay, that's a better solution," I said while hugging him. After that I went to bed because it was late at night.

How did you like it? Please review and tell me what you want to happen in my next chapter. Should Soda go and talk to her dad without her knowing or should he keep his work to Amanda. Tell me in your review.

Peace out!