I had a little time, and I know it's short, but a lot happens his this chapter.

I spent the rest of the morning in the bed with Darry, just thinking and staring into space. I was trying to figure out how to exactly keep Jennifer from moving back to Old Dominion. Her father was determined and I had no clue how to get her away from him. The something dawned on me, something that hit me hard. I loved this girl. I don't know how, but I love her. And I don't want her to leave. Darry popped up, surprising me. I sat up too, out of surprise.

"What is it, Dar?" I asked, looking hard at him. He was staring at the staircase.

"I thought I heard something...," he said, trailing off. I heard a soft crash and mine and Darry's gazes met. Another one followed, louder this time and a scream followed it. As if we both knew what was going on, we jumped off of the sleeper sofa and headed for the stairs. I got to my room door first, Darry was trailing me. I jiggled the handle and noticed it was barricaded.

"We got to knock it down, Darry," I said, backing up. He joined me, "One... two... three." We ran for the door and hit it at the same time. We bounced off of it but I could hear the cracking of the lock.

"Again," he said, backing up again, "One... two... three." Again, we rammed the door, this time having it spring free. Pops was standing there, holding the collar of Jennifer's shirt in his fist and holding her off of the floor. Darry went for him; he wrapped his arms around Pop's neck. I went around them and grabbed onto his arm. I bit down hard into his wrist. His hand jerked open and Jennifer dropped to the floor. Darry now had Pops bound in his arms as I tended to Jennifer. She had a small gash on her forehead and a bruise forming on her cheek. I wiped the blood from her forehead slowly and softly. She looked at me with pleading eyes.

"Two-Bit..." she whined. I frowned at her. Pops was yelling and cussing us out, more at Darry than at me and Jennifer. But Darry, being as strong as he is, kept a good hold on him. Jennifer looked at me again, "Two-Bit, I don't want to go back home..." and she began to sob. I pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back.

"I know, kid...," I said, keeping a tight hold on her, "But I know how to get you away." She looked awkwardly at me.

"You do?"

"Leave it to me," I said, kissing her cheek. She smiled at me. "Go get my mom and Linda, okay?" I said. She got up and maneuvered around Darry and Pops. After a couple of minutes, Linda and Mom came in. Darry released Pops, letting Linda chew him out. Darry and I went out and back down the stairs. Jennifer was sitting in my big, fluffy chair. Darry stripped the pull out bed before pushing it back in.

"I'll put these in the basement," he said and left. I looked at Jennifer for a moment, then dug in my pocket. Before I had left my room, I grabbed my class ring. I had ordered it last year before I knew I was held back. Jennifer cocked her head to the side, confused. Kneeling, I extended the ring to her and took her hand in my free one.

"Um...," I stammered, searching for words, "I know we haven't really know each other that long but..." I looked at the ceiling for an answer, "I feel like I know as much of you as I need to know. And I also know I need to keep you away from your hell hole." I looked back at her and smiled, "And I also know that... I love you."

"T-Two-Bit?" she stammered, knowing what was coming next. I slid the ring on her ring finger and grinned wider.

"Will you marry me?"

OMG

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