I got to 150! Yay! Thank you guys sooooo much. You rule! I love reading and rereading your reviews. And thank you to my silent readers you guys are awesome too. You don't know how happy it makes me to see a new email saying that I have a new review or my story has been Favorited or alerted. It just really makes me happy. Thank you.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on this chapter so don't forget to review. Let's see if I can get to 200 reviews by the 30th chapter. I think we can. Go go go. ;D

Oh and my beta is soooo awesome. She made me like a ten times better writer than I was so props to Independence Undervalued; greatest beta ever. lol xD

Had there been a contest on consecutive trips to the girls restroom, Sandy would have won hands down. I sat perched on top of the counter waiting for her to come out of the stall.

"You okay?" I asked as soon as she emerged.

"Never been better." Her voice was snippier than usual.

"Maybe you should go home?" I suggested, jumping down from the counter and turning around to the sink to wash my hands.

She shook her head. "I have to much work to catch up on."

"But if you're sick-"

"I'm fine. Really." The smile she flashed me seemed forced and fake. I looked at her for the first real time in awhile and noticed how much thinner she was. Her skin seemed stretched across her body. "How are you and Curly doing?" she asked, trying to change the subject probably.

"It's going good." I smiled, not wanting to go into any details. Last month I would have told her everything without leaving anything out, but I don't know, something changed between us. She's been different since she got back from visiting her family. Stand-offish, reserved.

It was hard to explain; Sodapop noticed it too and it was bothering him something awful that she wasn't opening up to him like she normally would. It was bothering me too because she never kept things from me.

"I better get to class." She was out the door before I could say anything.

I had to stay after class to complete a test I missed earlier in the week. When I was finished I turned it in with satisfaction knowing I aced it. Darry had quizzed me the night before.

Curly was waiting for me when I walked outside. He grounded the cigarette he was smoking and held out a hand to me, settling all my books under one arm, and I took his outstretched hand happily. "You're smoking more." I observed.

"Not really," he responded. "Listen, I have to meet Tim today we have some stuff to discuss."

My heart sank. I knew what meeting Tim and stuff meant. Instead of begging him not to go and telling him that they could do without him I just said, "Be careful."

Flashing me that cocky smile I loved he said, "I always am."

I watched him go my heart sinking more with each step he took. I watched until I couldn't make out his figure and turned to go home.

Hugging my books to my chest I heard the engine of a motorcycle and turned my head at the sound. I inwardly groaned as I saw Raymond straddling the bike and keeping stride with me. I gave him a polite smile, but picked up my pace.

"Hey Cassie." He had abandoned his bike and was now walking beside me. "Come on I'll give you a ride home."

"No, thank you," I said. "I'm almost home."

"What's your problem?"

I frowned. "I don't know what you mean."

"Why're you acting like this? You were into me at that party."

I shook my head. "I wish I knew what you were talking about." I started to walk again only to be jerked back, which caused all my books to fall out of my arms.

"I don't want a relationship or anything, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun. Maybe I could show you what a real man is like." His smirk was different than Curly's, his was more twisted. I was starting to understand why Curly didn't want me around him.

I attempted to twist my arm out of his grasp, panic starting to rise inside me. "I'm sorry if I led you on in anyway, but I'm really not interested.

"Is it because of your boyfriend? He won't have to know."

"It's because I don't like you."

That made him mad and he gripped both of my arms, digging his fingers into my skin. I yelped out in pain, looking around wondering if screaming would be the best or worst thing to do.

Tears sprang to my eyes because he really was hurting me and I was scared. He brought his face close to mine. "You tell your little cock-blocking boyfriend that I don't take well to the way he talked to me that night."

I turned my head away from him. Then someone grabbed his shoulder and yanked him away from me. I was trembling, but relieved. I didn't even noticed Victor, the guy who gave me a ride home the day I got lost pull up.

"How do you like it? Doesn't feel so good, does it?" He had Raymond's arm twisted behind him and pushed face first against his car. "Now get on your little bike and peddle away." He pulled him up from the car and gave him a little shove towards his bike.

Before he got on the bike he yelled, "Tell your boyfriend this shit ain't over."

I was still shaking as Victor knelt down and collected my books. "You okay?"

I nodded. "Th-thanks for stopping."

"Don't mention it. Come on I'll give you a ride home."

I accepted without hesitating and pulled myself together reaching for my books. Climbing into the car I let out a long breath, settling the books in my lap I rubbed my arms which still hurt.

"What was that guys deal?" he asked and I shrugged deciding it would be best not to get into the details.

"I don't know, that guys a weirdo."

"Well, try not to walk alone much anymore."

"I'll try." I promised.

Like the first time he gave me a ride I launched in with a rundown of my life and he listened giving a nod or asking a question here and there.

"You're looking for a job?" he asked after I mentioned wanting one.

"Not really looking, just something I've been thinking about." I told him.

"I've actually been looking for a few workers."

I sat up straighter interested. "Really? What do you do?"

"I, uh, own a bakery."

I stifled a giggle. Picturing this big guy owning a bakery was amusing.

"I can't bake." I admitted.

"Then you'll run the cash register."

I stared at him a little skeptical. "You'd give me a job, just like that?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"

I didn't say anything not sure how to answer.

"Thank you," I said again when we got to my house.

"No problem." He reached over and rifled around in his dashboard before coming up with a piece of paper and a pen. "Here's my number. Call me and we'll set something up."

I took it thanking him again and went inside. Dumping my books on the counter, I got a glass out of the cupboard and filled it with water taking a long sip from it. Regathering my books I took them to my room and started to work on my homework.

A few hours later when I was done I went into the kitchen and was startled to see Curly sitting on the counter talking to Sodapop who was cooking dinner.

"Hi?" I said not able to hide my surprise. "What's going on?" I looked from Curly to Soda.

"Nothing." Soda was the one who answered. "Curly was asking a few questions about cars."

"Oh," I said still confused. "Let's go to my room." I said taking Curly's hand.

"Leave the door open," Soda called after us and I rolled my eyes.

"And don't roll your eyes at me."

I giggled and Curly sat down on the floor.

"What was that about?" I asked.

Curly shrugged. "Just making an effort. I doubt Darry will ever like me, but I'm pretty sure I can sway Sodapop in my favor."

I kissed him lightly on the lips. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For trying." I told him simply and kissed him again.

He smiled and kissed back running his hands up my arms making me wince.

"What wrong?"

"Nothing." I turned away from him a little bit.

"You wouldn't have winced if it was nothing."

I sighed and showed him my arms half hoping there weren't any marks.

"What the fuck! Who did this to you? These are fucking finger shaped bruises." He was studying my arms.

"It's not a big deal," I whispered.

"Tell me."

I sighed. "Raymond."

He let out a string of curse words - words I never heard before, words that stunned me.

"What happened?"

I told him all the details with reluctance.

"Son of a bitch, he's going to pay for this."

"No. I'm sure he'll leave me alone now. Victor scared him pretty bad."

"Leave you alone after what he did to you? After threatening me? Now why would he just up and leave you alone?"

Damn Curly and his logic.

"Please, just leave it alone." I begged wrapping my arms around him.

"I can't just leave something like this alone, Cassie, I can't. I have to strike before he strikes again. He can't just think he can put his hands on you and get away with it."

"These bruises will heal; I won't heal if something bad happens to you because of me." I buried my face in his neck.

I knew most people would call me crazy or say I haven't known him long enough or that I was to young or so many other reasons, but I didn't care because sitting here wrapped in his arms I knew I was in love with Curly Shepard and I didn't care if he loved me back or not. If someone asked me why I loved him I wouldn't be able to explain it. All I know is I just did.

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