Disclaimer: Hey yall…sorry I haven't updated…I just haven't been too into writing lately when I've got the time…so this chapter was a bit of a struggle and I'M SORRY IF IT SUCKS…please don't stop reading it…Immortal Soul's chapters always ROCK…so read those…I'm sorry again! Please review…and if theyre bad, then just at least tell me how to make them better ok? I'll happily accept suggestions. Now, no more delay!

Chapter 7

I groggily woke up to find Two-Bit leaning over me. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, did I wake you up? I'm sorry. I was just watching you."

I furrowed my eyebrows and scrunched up my face. "Watching me? What?"

"Watching you sleep."

I grinned and playfully punched his arm and sat up. "You're a sweetie," I said, kissing him on the cheek.

He smiled back his adorable goofy grin and put his arms around me. I stiffened, remembering the Socs from last night.

Two-Bit must have sensed my hesitation, because he withdrew his arms and asked what was wrong.

I tried to smile back but my mouth just wouldn't form it. "Uh, nothing…I was just thinking about my da-I mean the Socs that kidnapped us."

I almost spilled out that it was my father who was one of the guys, but then so many unanswerable questions would be asked.

He gently pulled me against his chest and just held me. It felt good; I felt so loved.

Just then a knock was heard on the door and Two-Bit yelled, "Come in!"

Bleu cautiously entered, grinning. "What is it?" Two-Bit asked.

She gleefully giggled and jumped up and down. "Darry and Dally found out who the Socs are! We know their names and everything! We can so get them busted!"

**Bleu's POV

My red/auburn hair jumped up and down as I scuttled towards Two-Bit and Shelly. Shelly looked, oh I don't know, unusually pale when I had told her the news about the Socs. Hmm…

"What?" Two-Bit stuttered, "how?"

I bit my lip and cast a sly grin. "Well, um, I kinda…let's just say I've learned some maneuvers from Dally that could get me in prison."

"Let me guess. You stole the guy's wallet." Two-Bit rolled his eyes and I laughed out loud.

"How did you know?" I giggled, then glanced at Shelly. She looked like she had an egg stuck in her throat; she looked sick and unable to swallow.

"Uh, Shelly? You ok?" I asked, nervously.

"What was the guy's name?" she asked so softly I had to ask her to repeat it. She said it loudly, and I frowned and dug my hand inside my pocket.

I clutched the wallet and opened it up. I retrieved the ID I had found earlier and studied the name inscribed upon it.

"Uhh, Chris. Chris Simmons."

I heard a thump and looked up. Two-Bit was hovering over the ground, looking at something. I frowned again and walked over to that side of the bed and to my astonishment I learned that it was Shelly who Two-Bit was standing over! She had fainted!

**Two-Bit's POV

I tried slapping her face, even though I didn't want to. It didn't work, so I tried gently nudging her with my foot. Still no response. I heard Bleu's footsteps retreat from the room and thought frantically what I could do. I couldn't really think of anything, so I just lifted her up and set her on the bed. Just then Bleu came running back in the room with a wet washcloth, and set it on top of Shell's forehead, occasionally swiping her neck and cheeks.

**Shelly's POV

I sputtered and choked on something that was halfway down my throat. I shot up off of the bed (I didn't remember getting on the bed…? What happened?) and ran my fingers over my tongue.

"Eh! What was that?" I frowned, staring at Bleu. Something about her I just didn't like…

"Some solution. Mostly water though," she answered, rolling her eyes at me. I guess she didn't like me either.

Two-Bit looked kind of uneasy. That seemed kind of weird, Two-Bit being uneasy. Almost like saying winter was warm, or summer was cold. It just didn't happen.

"Shelly!" I suddenly heard Stargirl screech from the living room frantically. I bolted from the bedroom and followed my sister's voice. She sounded pretty urgent.

I entered the living room and surveyed the surroundings. Soda and Steve were playing cards, Darry was sitting on his chair reading the newspaper, Dally and Johnny weren't here, and Ponyboy and Soda were talking to someone at the front door.

"Michelle?" Sodapop was saying, "Yeah, she's here. She's been staying with us for a while."

"Well, I'll be damned. What's she here for?"

"Our parents knew each other," Ponyboy explained.

"Oh. Well, cool. Where's Michelle?"

Just then the speaker walked into the room and we locked eyes. My mouth fell to the floor as I recognized the face of my best friend in the whole world.

"GORDY!" I screamed, and ran over to him. He grinned and gave me a big hug. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question, ma'lady," he retorted, then grinned again. Gordy reminded me a lot of Two-Bit.

Speak of the devil; he walked in the room with Bleu. "Who's this?" he asked, suspiciously, noticing our arms were still around each other.

"Ohh…Two-Bit, this is Gordy," I replied, "and Gordy, this is Two-Bit."

"Two-Bit? What-" he cut himself off, glancing over at Stargirl. He was probably remembering the time we beat someone up for making fun of her name.

"Cool," Gordy added, "Well, uh, Michelle, can I talk to you outside for a minute? It's real urgent…about your mom."

Just then I felt a funny feeling in my stomach, but I walked outside with him anyways. I know Two-Bit was suspicious; I hated that. It almost made me mad for him to assume something was between Gordy and me; ok, we're practically siblings. There's NOTHING between siblings!

Gordy's hands were in his pockets and he seemed kind of…upset. "Gord?" I asked, "What's up?"

"Well, um…I didn't wanna be the one to tell you this…"

"OUT WITH IT GORDY!" I yelled, tired of his hesitation.

"Alright!" he shouted back, holding out his hands, "Alright."

He took a deep breath before adding, "Something happened to your mom. She's…"

He looked down at the ground, then nervously met my glance.

No. NO! No…no I was just assuming things…Thoughts raced through my head…NO!

"Gordy, is she ok?" I finally asked, my voice quivering.

Gordy closed his eyes and mumbled something, scuffling his feet and putting his hands back in his pockets.

"Gordy?"

Ooooh, suspense.