Hello my lovelies, I wanted to update sooner, but this week has been so AWFUL, I can't believe it happened, but sadly it did. One of my friends sadly passed away far too young, only a few months older than me, and it just made me realize something: life really is short. Live it while you have it.

Now on a happier note…. Thank you guys so much for all the reviews! When I read them, I cheered up immediately! And for all the readers who left suggestions, I'll make sure to include it somehow! Thank you again for all the support, making this story a reality… Thank you!

Review!

~Missy

RIP C.C., an angel on Earth…

I stirred the cream of wheat slowly on the stove, the sweet smell filling my nostrils. I loved cream of wheat, especially the type my mom made, I'm sure Riley would love it too. I sighed, yesterday had been such a long day for everyone, starting with when we got back from our little 'expedition'.

After several minutes of debating, we finally concluded bringing Riley and Sabrina to the hospital would not be the best thing to do. Picture this: Two battered up girls in the arms of seven greasers and a teary eyed partial-Socs. I'm pretty sure they would never believe anything we said, so we just figured to bring Riley here, while Sabrina stayed at Jeanette's house. With that settled, we parted, but Darry was home early, and there was no way we could lie our way out of this. In the end, we told the truth, and got punished for it! Ponyboy grounded for a week, Soda got an earlier curfew, and I had to be home by six thirty every evening as long as I stayed. I don't think it's fair really, we explained to Darry that Michael had been abusing them, and all he said was, 'You don't have proof, and committed a felony, you should've told me,' and blah, blah, blah. Sometimes I just don't understand adults, you do something good, and you get punished for it! But as always, I just nodded my head and accepted my punishment like any young adult.

"Riley? Are you awake?" I whispered, holding a piping hot bowl of cream of wheat. Riley's head was resting on the couch's arm, while the rest of her body was covered in thick sheets.

"Mmm-hmm…" she said through closed lips and eyes. I put the bowl down on the table in front of her, and sat down next to her legs.

"I made you some cream of wheat- hope you don't mind." I said, smiling at her. She propped herself against a pillow, and reached for the bowl. She didn't even flinch when she touched the hot bowl, she just shoveled a spoonful into her mouth.

"Never tried any, but I'm glad, it taste yucky…" she said, grimacing as she swallowed. I laughed,

"Well, it seems like you haven't eaten in a few days, I don't want to upset your stomach…" I said nervously. Sodapop was in the shower, Ponyboy was asleep, and the gang wasn't here. This was probably the only alone time I would have with Riley, the only time I had to find out what happened.

I watched Riley for a few seconds, as she slowly ate the cream of wheat, frowning every so slightly at the taste. After racking my mind for what to say, I finally thought of something.

"You left your notebook here." I said casually. Riley shrugged,

"I told you in the note it was yours, unless you didn't read it." she answered.

"Oh no, I did read it. Just was wondering if you wanted it back-" "I don't want it back." she said, not looking at me. There was a slight edge to her voice too, but I nodded, biting my lip.

"So… It's been two days, you might want a nice warm shower." I suggested. She frowned at me,

"I was in a bathtub for two days, Alex. I think the last thing I need is to be back in one." she replied briskly. I winced a bit, I felt as if Riley wasn't in the mood to talk, and wanted me gone.

"Yeah, about that… How did you get into the bathtub?" I questioned. Her eyes narrowed,

"I don't know."

"Come on, Riley, you have to remember something, like what happened when you first came, what you ate, what you drunk, what you did." I continued. She was not getting off that easy. Her eyes darkened,

"I said I don't know." she repeated through her teeth. I exhaled loudly, why was she being so difficult?

"I don't believe that Riley, I know you're lying to me."

That did it.

"So what! So what if I'm lying? Like you care!" she shouted at me, standing up, sending the bowl plummeting to the ground. I frowned at her,

"Look at what you did! It took me a while to make that just for you!" I snapped at her. I knew it was wrong, but I only wanted to help, and she was acting like I was the enemy.

"Well it was nasty anyways!" she fought back. I clenched my teeth,

"Why are you being so mean?" I asked her, my voice quivering. Riley glared at me,

"Oh please, Alex. Don't act like you're such a saint, because you and I both know, right after I tell you what happened, you'll go off running to your precious Ponyboy to tell him all about it!" she snapped. I gasped,

"No I wouldn't!"

"Yeah right, then explain to me why you told him about Michael and Gracie? That was our secret Alex, our secret! And the moment you found out, you went off to tell him. And I was stupid enough to believe that you would protect me from Michael, but your just selfish Alex! Always caring about what's best for you and how to get what you want. But just as soon as you do, you forget all about the person who helped you. The apple picking, the pie baking, the sisterly chats at midnight- was that all part of your plot too? Well you truly deserve a round of applause, acting all innocent. Who would've thought you would be so fake!" she spat, storming outside. I didn't even try to stop her, I was frozen in place, my mouth open wide. Had that just happened? Had Riley just screamed in my face?

I didn't know how, but the next thing I knew, I found myself against the door in Ponyboy's room, bawling my eyes out. I was only trying to help, and she acts like is my fault! Well fine! If she doesn't need my help, I don't care, besides, it's not my job to care about her.

"Alex? What happened?" Ponyboy said, sitting up on his bed. I immediately stopped crying, I had forgotten he was still asleep. I quickly wiped away the tears and cleared my throat,

"Nothing…" I mumbled, looking down, just in case my face betrayed me.

"It doesn't look like nothing, is it the whole Michael thing?" his voice was calm, yet worried. I sighed,

"No, it's Riley. She got mad at me for trying to figure out what happened! I just don't get it!" I said, blinking away new tears. I regretted it the moment I said it, Riley was right. The moment I left her, I went straight to Ponyboy to tell him! Maybe everything else she said was true.

"I just don't know why everyone hates me so much…" I sighed. Ponyboy smiled weakly at me,

"No one hates you Alex." he assured me. I frowned at him,

"Dally hates me, Steve hates me, Two-Bits always teasing me, and Darry's so bossy to me!" I protested. I knew they hated me, and nothing he could say would change that.

"Dally hates everyone, and Steve is just… Steve. Two-Bit likes to tease everyone - don't take it personal, and Darry… well, he just is worried." I heard Ponyboy hesitate at the end, but still wasn't convinced.

"Sure, but explain Riley and Sabrina. I never did anything bad to them, it seems like no one wants me here. Like if it wasn't because of you and Soda, no one would speak to me. Have you ever felt like that?" I asked.

Ponyboy's face was thoughtful for a second, and he looked as if he wanted to say something, but a knock on his door stopped him.

"Ponyboy? Alex? Are you in there?" said a quiet voice. I knew at once it belonged to Johnny, and tried to fix myself up before he came in. Didn't want to let him know I was crying.

"Yeah were inside, you can come in!" Ponyboy shouted, as the door opened slowly. Johnny walked in, a new bruise on his cheek. I secretly wondered where it came from, but decided not to say anything.

"Hi Johnny, how are you?" I said as politely as possible. He smiled at me,

"Good… are you alright?" he asked, staring at my face. I sniffed, and nodded my head,

"Fine." I answered quickly, shooting Ponyboy a warning glance to not say anything.

"Okay…"Johnny muttered, looking hurt that we were keeping secrets from him. Ponyboy was his best friend.

"It's just Riley, she wont tell me what happened, she acts like I'm the bad guy." I admitted, not wanting anyone else to hate me. Johnny looked at me with solemn eyes,

"Alex, have you ever thought of how Riley might've taken it? She was kidnapped for two days, I don't blame her for not wanting to talk about it. Don't worry too much, she's just scared… trust me." he murmured.

I was actually surprised. Johnny hardly ever spoke, and when he did, he always had something good to say. I tried to imagine how I would feel if Michael had kept me hostage for two days after someone promised to protect me from him. I probably would never speak to that person again, let alone, look at that person.

"Maybe your right…" I finally answered. We were silent for a few heartbeats, looking at each other. I didn't know what else to say, if there was anything left at all.

"Can I talk to her?" Johnny asked softly. I raised an eyebrow,

"Why?" I didn't mean for it to come out so rudely, but it sort of did.

"Because… I want to say something to her." he whispered. I secretly wanted to ask his him what, but knew it wasn't my business. Johnny was trustworthy, if it were Dallas or Steve, I'd might have to think about it, but they wouldn't even bother to ask for permission in the first place.

"Sure, once she gets back." I remembered she had left the house, maybe she was on the porch. I prayed she was on the porch, if she wasn't, Sabrina would burn me to death.

"Get back from where? When we came in, she was sitting on the couch watching Mickey Mouse." he said, a little confused. Thank God! But he had said we, great, the gang must be here, ready to torture me with words.

"Oh, alright then, lets go." was all I could say. Ponyboy jumped out of bed, and followed us out the door.

The closer I got to the living room, the more nervous I was. Would she be even madder? Or worse, hate me! What if she got hold of a mini lighter and wants to burn me? Alright, I may be getting a little out of hand here…

"Hi you guys," Sodapop said as we entered the room. I noticed him on the floor, wiping something up and felt guilty. It was Riley's cream of wheat. I had made him clean it up, that's so mean! I looked down, embarrassed, not able to look him in the eye.

Johnny gave him a smile, before making his way to the couch, where Riley was sitting, with Two-Bit on the floor, eating chocolate cake.

I saw him say something to Riley, and after they exchanged a few words, she scooted down to make room for him,

"Hey Alex, can you…" Sodapop asked. I didn't hear the rest because I was paying attention to Riley and Johnny.

"Sure, that sound like fun. Where are Steve and Dally?" I answered, smiling, even though I had no idea what I was agreeing too. Soda smiled at me

"They went to get Sabrina and Jeanette since Sabrina can hardly walk, ready?" he said, heading to the kitchen leaving me there. I blinked, confused, what was I supposed to do?

"Aren't you coming?" he asked poking his head out the door. I laughed,

"Yeah, sorry, I was daydreaming." I lied, walking to the kitchen.

Soda went to a cabinet and pulled out some flour, green food coloring, and a mixing bowl.

"What are you making?" I asked suspiciously.

"Pancakes! Can you get me some eggs?" he asked me. I nodded, a little confused. Food coloring? For pancakes? As I walked by the door, I spotted Johnny and Riley laughing, what were they talking about?

"So Alex, I talked to Darry, and he said you can stay as long as you need!" Soda continued. I smiled,

"Really? Thank you so much!" I froze a bit, realizing my voice had not been disguised. Sodapop seemed too busy mixing to notice.

"No problem, ever since you came here, things have gotten better!" he said happily. I frowned,

"Better? What do you mean?" I asked. I saw him hesitate for a second,

"Well, you might've read in the newspaper a few months ago about the whole stabbing of a Socs…" he trailed on.

"Oh yeah, that was really big. I feel sorry for Johnny… and Ponyboy." I hadn't really cared too much about it, the Socs had lived, Johnny and Pony got off easy. No big deal, but now that I thought about, Johnny was in a room with Riley. He would never hurt her, I knew that, but I bet no one ever believed he would stab someone either, but he did.

"Yeah, well ever since that whole mess, Ponyboy had been really quiet, and talking a lot less. He doesn't tell me stuff anymore, and hardly speaks to anyone other than Johnny. When you came, he's gotten to be his old self again, and I don't want to ruin it." he finished. I felt my heart warm, every since I came, I've brought nothing but trouble. I never once realized I was helping a lost family!

"You give me too much credit, if you had never let me stay here, I wouldn't have helped him." I said smiling at him. He grinned at me,

"And I'm glad, besides, I couldn't leave you out on the streets." he said. Yeah he could've, it would be easy. Well to me at least.

"Thanks again, I wouldn't have survived without your help."

And that was the truth. He had saved me from Trisha, cleaning floors, the Punee. He has done more for me than he can imagine. He may have even rescued me from Michael.

"Hey, what are friends for?"

I laughed, I was his friend! Oh my goodness! I was his friend, which is like half his girlfriend! Just missing the girl part!

"You know what? We haven't hung out at all, how about tomorrow, you meet me at the DX, and we go watch a movie or something? You have to be interesting considering how much Ponyboy talks to you!" he suggested. My heart fluttered, was this really happening? Ponyboy had told me Soda didn't really like movies, since he could hardly sit still to watch all of it. Was he really inviting me to one?

"You mean like a date?" I blurted out. I gnawed my lip as Soda gave me a confused look. Great, the first time a guy asks to hang out with me, I blow it!

"Uh…no." he said, each word carefully. I laughed nervously,

"Just… kidding?" it sounded like a question, but it was the best I could manage. He continued to stare at me, like he thought I was crazy or something.

"So, those pancakes aren't going to cook themselves." I said, changing the subject. He nodded his head reluctantly.

"Yeah… let's finish them." his voice still sounded a little confused, and it was times like these that I wished mom was here to help me. Or at least a sister.

Even though we had that little awkward moment, making the green pancakes were fun! I couldn't wait till the next day, my first date (I'm going to pretend it's a date in my mind)!

"I'm going to give these to Riley." he said, holding a plate with three green pancakes, stacked up high, once we had finished. I smiled at him, fighting back the urge to stop him, with the fear she might get sick because of the lack of food.

As he left, Johnny entered smiling, with Ponyboy behind him.

"Did you talk to her?" I said, ambushing him. He nodded,

"Yup,"

"What did she say?" I pressed. He shrugged,

"Nothing really, we just talked."

I frowned a bit, was he going to play the 'not telling' game too?

"About…?" I continued. Johnny shrugged again,

"Lots of stuff, pie, cake, cookies-"

"Wait, you talked to her about baked goods?" I asked in disbelief. He shook his head,

"No, we talked about soccer, she really likes soccer, and bugs. But mainly soccer."

"What about the Michael stuff?" I questioned.

"I didn't ask her about it." he told me. I gasped,

"I thought you said you were going to talk to her!"

Johnny looked at me confused,

"I did talk to her." he said. I groaned,

"About Michael!" I said, exasperated.

"No, I just wanted to talk to her, get to know her and stuff." he answered honestly. I exhaled, well just when I thought I would find something out.

"She did tell me something though…" Johnny started. I looked back up at him curiously. Maybe he did find something out.

"Alex, Riley isn't mad at you, she just said she feels as if your always playing 'detective' with her. She said you never took the time to ever get to know her. I don't know where you stand in Riley's life Alex, but I know if I were you, I would try to be a friend first. If you talk to her, I'm sure things will get better." Johnny finished, walking away. That had been the second thing he told me today that made so much sense.

"I feel like he gets her better than I do…" I whispered to Ponyboy. He smiled at me,

"Well maybe he does. They both have it rough at home, maybe that's why he can communicate so well with Riley." he replied. I winced, was that where the bruise on Johnny's cheek had came from? And how did Ponyboy know Riley's parents were crueler than Trisha? All good questions, with good answers.

I sighed, thinking about all the times I had spoken to Riley. Never once did I ask her what her favorite color was or food. I just kept digging for information, not thinking about her.

"Hey Alex, do you want to go to the lake tomorrow? We can bring Johnny and Riley." he asked. I wanted to say yes, when the thought of my 'date' tomorrow came to mind.

"Sorry, I'm going out with Soda tomorrow." I couldn't hide my excitement, I just wanted to tell the world! I saw Ponyboy's face fall,

"Oh…" was all he said.

"Uh, we can hang out another day." I said quickly. He frowned at me,

"No, forget it." he muttered, leaving. I stared at him confused.

What's wrong with him? Boys, such an odd specie.

Sorry this chapter was shorter than usual, as you know, this week has been rough, but I really wanted to update just for you guys!

Hope you liked it!

Review!