A/N: Okay, okay, I know: I'm a terrible person. I left you hanging for what? 3 months? I don't really know, but I know that I left you at one of the worst parts I could and I cannot apologize enough. And it doesn't make it better that this chapter is short, but it needed to be. Hope this starts to make up for it.

I guess it's gonna have to hurt,

I guess I'm gonna have to cry,

And let go of some things I've loved,

To get to the other side

I slammed my door shut and started for my room when Rodney stopped me. His eyes were full of concern as he took in the sight of me. I didn't bother trying to hide my impatience. "What happened? I swear, if he hurt you I'm gonna make him wish he'd never been born." He exclaimed, anger starting to fill his deep hazel eyes, making them stormy.

I instantly got defensive. "No; it wasn't Soda." I though about it for a second and backtracked. "Well, it wasn't all Soda." I clarified.

"And what exactly does that mean?" My brother demanded. I sighed and walked to the living room, knowing he wasn't going to let me be until I told him. He followed me and sat promptly on the couch, while I paced back and forth. "What happened, Andrea? Tell me."

"We went to the drive-in and I got up to go to the bathroom and some Greaser tried to pick me up; thought I was some Soc girl he could fool with. So I threatened him with Dallas Winston and he ran outta' there. When Soda and I were walking home, Sandy Morgan showed up and asked us to walk her home. Soda agreed, and then left me with her. She got brave and talking crap about how no one loves me and people go to extremes just to get away from me and how I only get people to pay me attention through my 'pity stories' so I hit her. I didn't really mean to, it just kinda happened, but I don't feel bad about it. But Soda came back and dismissed me like I'd shot her or something. I stormed off while he made sure 'Her Highness' was okay before coming for me. We got into a huge argument and here we are." I explained in what felt like one breath.

"He didn't hurt you, did he?" Rodney asked, springing to his feet like a pogo stick. It felt good to have him care again.

"No; no matter how mad he gets, Soda would never hit me." I said quickly. I may think that Soda was a traitor right now, but I would never think he was a cruel person in any way.

He relaxed some. "Good." Was all he said. Then I remembered what that Greaser boy had said earlier. "Rodney, does the name Marcus mean anything to you?" I inquired.

He shot me an almost accusing look. "Why?" He asked. "Because he's the Greaser who hit on me tonight. He recognized me eventually and said he's got a bone to pick with you and that he would be able to repay you with me. What was he talking about? And I swear, you better not give me some bull-crap answer, Savvy?" I said.

After thinking for a moment he sighed and fell back into the couch. I followed suit and collapsed into the armchair. "It was a few months ago, maybe two or three. I don't know; it's all blended together." He explained the whole thing to me in detail, and I didn't know whether to be disgusted or horrified at him by the end.

I didn't know what to say. "This isn't funny, Rodney. Stop messing around." I told him. No way that he did that. Regret was plainly written on his face and I knew he wasn't lying. He didn't even have to say a word. I put my face in my hands. "Great, just great. So now I'm related to two criminals! Guess it just runs in the family." I mumbled under my breath. "How long?" I asked at regular volume.

"How long for wh-" "How long until the police find you? How long before you're gone again?" I interrupted him. "And don't act like they won't. Because you know as well as I do that the fuzz watch this place and pretend like it's Hell itself. Anything that so much as resembles crime is blamed on us. And any Greaser would be happy to rat you out. They will find you, Rodney, and they'll haul you in before you know what's happening. And you know we can't afford to get you out of this!" I snapped at him. I couldn't believe that he was going to leave again, and just as I got him back.

"I know, Andrea, I know. I'm actually surprised they haven't come knocking yet." He said and then cursed under his breath. "Man, I just can't stop messing up, can I."

"Why didn't you tell me? Were you just gonna wait until you got hauled in to tell me?" I asked, incredulously.

He sighed. "I don't know." He admitted. I waited for him to give me some excuse, but he stayed silent. "Well thanks for nothing, then." I snapped and stormed upstairs to my room.

I threw myself on my bed in frustration. This was not what I had hoped tonight would end like. I just found out that Rodney could be taken away from me at any second, leaving me all alone again.

And then there was Soda. I wasn't sure where we stood at this point. I couldn't fathom the thought that he would chose her over me like that and then say I had no right to do what I did. Anger was still flowing inside me at the both of them.

Restless, I drew myself off my bed and started pacing my room. I needed to talk to someone; anyone. My first instinct was someone in the gang, but that was an obvious no. Maybe Evie was finally off her date with Steve. I figured it was worth a shot. I ran down the stairs, attempting to avoid Rodney, who was in the kitchen. I started heading towards the back door instead when I heard a knock.

I knew it had to be Soda; who else would come to my house at eleven o'clock at night. I turned to Rodney, shaking my head and mouthing for him not to answer the door. He seemed to understand and stayed where he was. Soda didn't seem to get that I wasn't in the mood, though. "Andrea, c'mon, I know you're in there and I know you can hear me. Just answer the door; we need to talk." He pleaded through the door.

Rodney gave me a questioning look and I nodded, knowing that Soda would stay there all night if we didn't answer the door. He slowly treaded to the door and craned it open. I could only partially see Soda's face but it seemed to light up and then fall again when he saw it was my brother who had opened the door. He looked straight at me, ignoring Rodney. "C'mon, Andie, just talk to me." He begged, but I'd had enough today and just rolled my eyes and ran back up the stairs. Keen on listening to their conversation I sat down at the top of the stairs.

"I think you should go; she's had more than enough to deal with today. She's really upset." Rodney said firmly, but of course Soda didn't listen.

"All the more reason I need to talk to her. I can help her."

"And you think I can't?"

"I never said that. But part of what she's upset about is my fault, and I just need to fix it, okay? You of all people should understand just wanting to make something right, especially with her. Just let me talk to her."

There was a silence in the house and I knew what was going to happen next. Saving him the trouble I came back downstairs, upset at him for being able to sway my brother. I just walked outside, knowing Soda would follow me. Once I was out of reach of the house I spun on my heel to face him, waiting for him to get on with it. He stuck his hands in his pockets, but not in the menacing way, more of a submitting kind of way. "Andie, you know I could never choose her over you. I was just caught off guard that you would do something like that. You've never acted back to anyone violently and I didn't really know how to respond." He started.

"Well, considering the situation and what she said to me, it really isn't surprising." I crossed my arms across my chest and avoided looking in his pleading eyes.

"What exactly did she say to you, Andie?" He was hesitant to ask, probably knowing what was probably said, but I didn't really feel like answering that right now.

"The more important question is why you didn't ask me that earlier and instead listened to her lies and then just disregarding me and what I might be feeling. And the day after my own mother's funeral, too. You know everything in me is broken and then when I finally get pushed over the edge you don't even check to see if I'm alright, you just come shatter whatever pieces are left! And then you come here and expect me to melt from your eyes and smooth talk. Well, newsflash, it's not that easy, Soda!" I yelled at him, fighting back the tears of anger behind my eyes.

Recognition and regret passed through his eyes. "You know I never meant to hurt you; and I'm sorry with every part of me knowing that I did. I would never in a million years choose anyone over you. I just want to fix this; I love you Andrea." He was practically begging me.

My anger started to diminish, knowing he never intended to hurt me. I stared at my shoes, trying to gather the courage to do what I felt like needed to be done, my emotions and thoughts like a whirlwind inside me.

When I looked back up at him I had tears in my eyes, but I was forcing them not to fall. "Soda, I think we need a break. I just need some time to figure everything out. With everything that's happened with my family, I just need to focus on me and how I feel. I hope you understand that you couldn't have loved me better, but I just don't think I can be with anyone right now. I just need to sort some things out. I'm sorry." I slid off the ring he had given me earlier and admired it once more before putting it in his hand. "Goodbye, Soda." I said and turned back towards my house.

I didn't even look at him, knowing that if I did, I would change my mind. I thought I'd be alright until I heard his voice call out from behind me. "Andrea." I thought he might try to stop me, and if he did I wasn't sure if I could resist it. I only stopped and turned my head to the side. "What, Soda?" I asked, my voice shaky. "Just know I'll always be here for you if you ever need someone to talk to or anything. Forever and always. I mean that; always have." He said softly. The hurt in his voice broke my heart and I could only nod and keep walking. Tears slipped down my face as I heard him walk away, my heart going with him.

So hard to see myself without him,

I felt a piece of my heart break,

But when you're standing at a crossroad,

There's a choice you gotta make.

A/N: Aww dang. Yeah I know, this was a terribly mean way to end it, but I feel it's necessary. I promise to you that I won't leave it hanging there for too long. I'm thinking the next chapter will be in Soda's POV and will be longer, and it should be up fairly soon, so just bear with me. Please Please Please review! I cannot beg more for you to do it, so please.