Chapter 2:

The sound of a plastic bag rustling was the first thing I heard while returning to the land of living. This sound was soon followed by the all too familiar hollers and shouts that only a group of reckless teenage boys can make. They moved around the house, banging into things here and there, making more noise than I could stand. The pain from the night before still lingered quite heavily in and around my body and now I was getting a headache to go with it.

I was guessing no one had noticed me yet and I hoped it would be another hour until they did. I should have known better. Less than three minutes later I felt something bony and heavy land on top of me. I cursed and let out a small umph at the added weight but I didn't bother to struggle, the person on me was doing enough of that. They stirred; moving around fast and digging their elbows and knees into my already tender body. By the time the person had finally pulled themselves off of me I was in worse shape than before.

"What the hell?" I heard a voice mumble beside my head. My eyes fluttered and then opened, two small green orbs taking in the sight around them. A tall guy with rusty colored sideburns was staring down at me.

"Mornin' Two-bit" I smiled. He returned the smile and took a step back.

"Glory Mac, I thought you were some stray Sodapop had let in last night. All curled up with your hair all o'er the place like that."

"Awe, thanks for makin a girl feel pretty" I replied sarcastically while stretching. I looked into the Kitchen to where Ponyboy and Johnny were quietly nibbling on their eggs and toast. Darry was a few feet away cooking the rest of the gang's breakfast, while Steve was shouting with his head in the icebox for Soda to get ready. I wondered where Dallas was, probably hiding out at Buck's.

"No problem kid. So what were you doing on the chair?" I shook my head and began to get to my feet.

"Who was in my chair?" I heard Darry yell.

"Thanks Matthews." Two-bit just shrugged and stepped into the kitchen leaving me to deal with Darry.

"I was in your chair Curtis" I yelled back in just the same tone. Darry turned from his fried eggs and for the first time took me in. He flashed me a warning glare before smiling. "What?" I snapped playfully.

"Don't let it happen again. I don't want you getting it all wet."

I looked back down at the chair. It did seem a bit damp and there was a small pool of water that had formed underneath my boots. Shit, I didn't need this.

"I'll clean it up Curtis. Jeez, don't get your panties in a bunch or nothing."

I moved through the kitchen, ignoring the worried looks on Pony and Johnny's faces and stepped into the bathroom. Steve was leaning in the doorway, waiting for his better half to finish his shower. I grabbed a towel from one of the drawers and headed back out, giving Steve a questioning look as I did.

"What are ya looking at me like that for?" he asked.

"Jeez, the way you cling to Sodapop you'd think you guys were going out or something." Steve narrowed his eyes and turned away. I guess Two-bit had heard the remark because he was laughing his ass off and had already begun to add to it. I punched Steve's arm gently and smiled.

I hadn't taken more than a single step when I felt my head start to swim and the scene in front of me tilt. I reached out, hoping to grab onto something but there was nothing. Something shot up through my lower back, lighting a trail of pain all the way up to my shoulders and everything got really dizzy. I heard Two-bit still laughing as everything got worse. Pony and Johnny were still eating and Steve was now talking to someone, it must have been Soda because I couldn't hear the shower. I tried to speak, to warn them or something, I don't know, to say anything at all I guess. But nothing but a short squeak came out as I felt my body finally plummeting to the hard linoleum floor.

Two-bit whispered "Mac?" He must have been standing right above me now. A few heavy foot steps echoed through the room as they hit the floor, the sound ringing in my ears and making the dull pain in my head hurt more. A rough callused hand touched the side of my face, slowly making its way to my forehead.

"Is she okay?" I heard Ponyboy ask.

"Does she look okay?" Steve snapped back. I hated when he was mean to Pony. I always told Steve off when he did that but I couldn't even bring myself to tell him to shut up.

"Doe, open your eyes?" Soda begged. He sounded worried so I listened. With the bit of strength I could muster, I raised them. His flawless face and tuff looking hair stared back at me, his trade mark grin spreading across his face. "That's a girl."

Soda didn't stay in my line of sight for too long. Darry was there, pushing his younger brother away and reaching out for my hand. I took it, a little reluctant at first. He was rougher than Soda was and I hated to admit it but I wanted Soda there helping me up instead of him. I laced my fingers in Darry's, and let him start to lift me.

"I think you should rest on the couch" Darry commanded more than suggested. I shook my head.

"I'm fine Curtis. Just need to walk it off…" I felt my side pain as I tried to regain my footing. There was another cracking sound just like the one from last night but it was a bit quieter than the other one had been. I grimaced, stumbling backwards from the sudden pain and ending up in Two-bit's open arms. He was warm and soft and although he reeked of booze, I was happy to be near him.

"Mac?" I shivered, feeling cold all of a sudden. "You're shaking kid."

"I'm fine." I snapped.

"Why don't you sit down?" Soda suggested. "You look beat."

"No."

"Mackenzie sit down before I kick your head in" I heard Darry threaten. I looked up into his hard eyes and realized he wasn't joking. He wouldn't kick my head in but he'd probably add to my pain. I muttered a curse and let Two-bit help me to the couch.

"I'm sitting. See? This is me sitting" I told him angrily, gesturing with my arms. "Now, this is me standing and leaving." I got on my feet and stepped away from the couch.

"Ah, no you don't Mac" Two-bit called after me as his hands gripped my sides. He tugged me back hard and I grimaced, clenching my teeth in spite of the pain. I sunk back, landing roughly on the couch. Sweat broke out on my face, slithering down like thin translucent serpents. I moaned quietly and shut my eyes leaning further into the soft cushions.

"Thanks a lot Matthews."

"Doe lie down." Darry's hands gently lowered me onto the couch, so that I was laying length wise. He moved his fingers across my front torso, inching up the front of my white torn dress. I was glad now that I had worn jeans underneath, course, I always wore jeans. When I knew that everything below my chest was showing, I opened my eyes. His hands were poking at my ribs careful not to hurt them anymore. I tried not to look anyone directly in the eyes, because I knew they'd start to fuss over me and I didn't want that. It was too late though. Somehow I had managed to lock eyes with Darry, and once that happens you can't unlock them unless he's the one to pull away first.

"Wanna tell me about it?"

"Shepard's" I hissed when his fingers prodded too roughly. His eyes widened.

"Tim did this to you?" Steve growled. I couldn't see him but I knew he'd been the one to say it.

"Yeah, Curly scrapped my arms up a bit. Nothin much, you know that punk can't fight worth a damn. Tim did most of it."

"What for?" Soda asked.

"Don't know, because he's an asshole."

"Sure it didn't have anything to do with Dally slashin Tim's tires" Steve said.

"Oh, yeah. That's what it was." I shut my eyes once again, realizing how tired I was getting.

"Why didn't you wake one of us?" Darry asked.

I opened my eyes one last time "I don't need no protector Darry." He sighed and moved into the kitchen again. After a few minutes of more talking and answering questions the rest of them left too. Everyone except for Two-bit, he sat himself down right beside me. I had shut my eyes again but his smell gave him away. It wasn't very pleasant but he was the only one I knew that smelt like that.

"What is it Two-bit. I'm kinda tired."

"Nothin, just watchin ya sleep."

"You're one strange hood, you know that?" I laughed and reached for his hand. After a minute of searching I caught it and pulled into onto my stomach, holding it tight as I dozed off.

The house was unusually quiet when I got up next. My dress was still raised but now instead of my light purple bruises there were bandages. It must have been Steve; he was the only one besides Darry or Dally who could bandage a person up half decently. I pulled my dress back down and put my boots back on before leaving the empty Curtis house.

It was about mid afternoon when I ran into the boys again. Two-bit, Pony, Dally, and Johnny were having a game of football in the lot. I pulled out a smoke, a habit I have of doing whenever I'm real tense or worried, or if I just want to look tough. It's almost the same as Sodapop's smoking habits, except I must get stressed out a lot cause I smoke more than him. I took a quick drag and shuffled hurriedly to the lot.

Two-bit was doing a victory dance, with Pony's head under his arm, face pressed right into his pits. I felt sick, knowing that the smell couldn't have been any better than B.O. and gym socks. Maybe if Pony was lucky Matthews had put some deodorant on that day, but judging by the loss of color in the kids face I doubt he had.

"Two-bit you crazy son of a bitch" I yelled. Dally and Johnny stopped horsing around long enough to acknowledge me. I pulled Pony out from under Two-bit's sweaty arm and let him take in a few fresh breaths of air. "You could have suffocated the kid. Well, no wait. The smell woulda killed him off way before the suffocation." I looked back at Pony. "Think you'll live?" I asked in mock fear. He nodded.

"I'll manage." He gave off a fake cough and together him and Johnny both laughed. I smiled to myself.

"So, what was the big idea about leaving me all alone back there huh?" I yelled at Two-bit.

"I didn't think you would wanna play football." He replied. "I mean you are a girl and you never were any good before" he teased. "and I doubt you'd be much better with those banged up ribs."

I glared at him. "Matthews, you dirty…" I was ready to call him every foul word I knew when Dally spoke up, voice harsh and cold.

"What's wrong with your ribs?"

"Just got a little bruised that's all" I said quickly. I really didn't want him to know it had been his fault, although it hadn't. Just it was in a way because if he hadn't slashed the tires, than Tim wouldn't have taken it out on me and…

"Was it your ol man again."

"Yeah." I didn't bother looking at Two-bit because I knew he was mad.

"Doe, don't lie." He shoved past me. "it was the Shepards." That's all that had to be said. Dallas' hand was already on my wrist and he was dragging me down the street, when he shouted back to the others to mind their own business and not to follow.