What luck, it would take Darry, Dally, and Two-bit to knock these guys down. Adrenaline ran through her blood, she intended to fight, even though she was half their size.

"Aren't you gonna try to run greaser? Aren't you gonna beg for your life?" with that the soc kicked a rock at her, hitting her chest with a blow. She hunched in pain momentarily, but stood rose and stood as tall as she could. She brought her chin up high,

"No, I'm not going to fulfill your idiotic fantasies." Then she reached in her sock and pulled out her brother's old switchblade. He didn't know she had it, but it will be worth his punishment if it saved her some bumps and bruises.

"What the-? Well, fine you get a weapon; we're still going to kick your ass. Come on boys" They advanced on her fast, swerving her slices of her knife. She felt the slice of skin with her blade, and felt a moment of relief as she heard a scream of pain. Someone grabbed her hand, and it was bent backwards, forcing her to drop the switchblade as she screamed from agony. The guys kicked her constantly as she lay on the floor. One hard kicks to the head and she went black.

When she awoke all she saw was black, then she saw Johnny's face. Moan "What's going on? Where am I?" She tried to sit up, but a pain in her head stopped her.

"What the hell where you thinking! Getting into a fight! By yourself! You could have been killed!" She could see Darry shiver with fury,

"It's nice to see you too. Hi Johnny." She smiled faintly and since she felt somewhat better sat up. She placed a hand to the ache on her head.

"If you weren't so bruised, I would seriously kick your ass right now. You took my blade? How could you? To school none the less, that's asking for trouble." Darry stopped the car in front of the house and went to the door to help her out.

"I don't need your help, I can walk." And yet she discovered she couldn't so she lent on him as they entered the house. She sat on the couch and accepted the ice she was offered. Darry started to pace Boy, now I'm in trouble. I just want to go to bed; can't he just yell at me in the morning?

"Listen, you can be mad at me, and you can yell at me, but can't you do it in the morning? I'm so tired, I just want to sleep." She gave him what she hoped was a pout, hoping he would spare her tonight, though he never did.

"Fine, go to bed." She sat there for an instant in shock, and then went to her room as quickly as possible; she didn't want him to change his mind. She got into her room and plopped on the bed. It was the first time in years she fell asleep instantly.

"Do we have anything for a killer headache?" Mere shuffled into the room and almost tripped over a pair of legs. "Ah crap, what the hell." Looking down she discovered that the legs belonged to none other than Sodapop Curtis. She had forgotten he had gotten home. He began to stir.

"Mmm, mornin'." He looked up at a face he hasn't seen in years Wow, is that Steve's sister? She's kinda ho- His thoughts were interrupted by the door swinging open and a mass of people storming in.

"Wow, lookie who's back in town. Soda how's it hanging man? How was the big city?" Two-bit marched over to the semi-sleeping man on the couch and slapped his back with a loud whack. Soda grunted and rolled over.

"Not a social man is he today? Guess he's got a bit of jet lag. How are you ladee? You got hit some, yesterday as I heard." Dallas plopped on the recliner as Two-bit walked over to Mere to give her a hard slap on the back like he did Soda. Mere winced as he slapped her hard on one of the bruises on her back. Two-bit went over to the couch for a seat and plopped himself right on top of Soda's legs.

"Alright, alright I'm awake just get your gigantic body off of me." Two-bit shifted so Soda could sit up. "So, what's for breakfast? Waffles? Pancakes? Eggs?" When he received an annoyed glance from Steve, who was currently digging in the fridge, he shrugged. Darry walked into the room, from the shower.

"Hey Soda, how was your sleep? I'm surprised you still fit on that rotten couch, you musta grown some while you were away." Darry, discovering nowhere to sit, sat on a box, which collapsed some under his weight.

"So, what's this about a fight I hear? You get yourself knocked around a bit Shoelace?" Mere grunted at the childhood name she had yet to grow out of. "Just some bozo's picking a fight, it was nothing." Mere sat down on the floor next to Darry. Darry flicked her on a white bandage on her head.

"Yep, it looks like nothing. How did this happen? What did you do to piss them off this time?" This time, nice touch Darry "You know what, I don't know. They said something about just because I go to their school doesn't take away from the fact that I'm 'scum'. Maybe that's their problem." The look on Steve's face told her he wanted a fight. "And don't think about it Steve, they were big, the size of Darry at least. Besides it's not something to take that seriously."

Soda spoke up from the couch, "It's something to take seriously. They're saying shit about you, and beating you up. I think this calls for a fight."

"You know what, it's not anything new, and they have been doing it since I got into the school. It's happened before, it'll happen again no matter what. A fight isn't going to help any."

"I guess she's right. There's no point in starting with those guys. I think Soda's just eager for action, am I right?" Two-bit punched Soda's shoulder.

"Eh, if I want action I can just go to Sandy's place, ha-ha! I just think if someone wants to mess with one of the gang we should stick up for them. If it's been happening for as long as you say, I don't think we should let it slide, I mean how is this going to stop?"

"So we should just start a fight with a whole school because a couple of them have a problem with our girl here? You've got to admit that's stupid. Now don't get me wrong I'm a man who believes in respect, and honor, and all but you have to no where to draw the line"