Authors Note: I'm still not sure where this story is going so if it gets weird or dumb at anytime TELL ME! Thanks. Good to get my first reviews. Awe, Kodak moment lol. Hope you all like the next chapter. If anyone else reviewed and I didn't mention them than I'll be sure to do it next time I update.

Volleyballlover- Thanks for the review. I like the nice ones, but I've never had a bad one, yet. Guess cus this is my first fic LOL. Thanks.

Loree- I love answering questions. Umm, I made the Shepards jump Doe mainly because she was actin like an ass to them and their supposed be tough so I figured they wouldn't want to take that from her. And I guess even if Dally slashed the tires it's because Doe is close friends with him and she wouldn't tell them where he was so…ya. LOL, I hope that makes sense but I don't think so. Enjoyed the review though, and I hope that answered your question.

Dreamer4lyf718- Loved your review, it was real encouraging to me. Thanks.

Character Note: One more thing before you guys read the next chappie. Sorta answering Loree's note on Does character because I don't go into much detail about her. I most likely wont stop and take a breather to get her to describe herself a lot in the story but I dropped some clues I hope. She's average size, red hair, 16 years old. And she knows the gang from years back(mite mention that in the story) and their just all good friends. So, hope that helps :D.

Chapter 5:

I had a bad hangover the next morning. The sun was just starting to come up and I realized that I was the only one awake. For once the house was quiet. No one was wrestling around on the living room floor or tossing a football in the kitchen. I checked my watch and to my surprise it read six fifteen. I'd only managed to grab three and a half hours sleep, if that. A long tired moan fell from my lips and all I wanted to do was fall back into the couch and let the cushions swallow me up and let me sleep for another five hours. Instead, I got up and dragged myself past the bathroom and the Curtis brothers rooms and outside.

The morning was beautiful. A light blue and pink haze meshed across the sky, hiding the scorching sun for now. It was going to be another hot Okalahoma day.

"Hi Doe."

Ponyboy was leaning against the side of the house, taking a long drag on his cigarette. His usually greasy hair hung in front of his face. It didn't seem natural to see the tuff hair without all that grease piled in it. I waited for his eyes to take me in again like they always did when we met.

"I thought I was the only one awake. What are you doing?"

Pony blushed slightly and looked back at the sky. "Watchin the sun come up."

I let out a hard laugh. "No really?"

"Really. I like watchin it. It's nice…don't you think so?"

I had to think about it for a moment. I mean of course the sunrise was gorgeous, with all those colors mixed together like that and the sun just getting a few rays of gold through the cracks in the sky. It was a masterpiece waiting to be painted, but I just couldn't tell the kid that. Since my mother's death I'd wanted to be a tough chick, not a sentimental one who'd turn weak at the knees when they'd see a good looking guy. Pony would understand if I told him what I thought, he wouldn't laugh either. I knew he wouldn't, he was different that way. In the end though, my reputation always came first. As harsh at that may sound it was the truth. I needed to survive and a reputation made that possible for me.

"Yeah, it's okay, if you're into that kind of stuff."

Pony's gaze shifted to his worn out tennis shoes. He whispered a "Yeah" and then stomped out his cigarette.

I felt real bad just then. I'd probably made the kid feel stupid or something, which I hadn't intended to do at all. "Hey!" I began to change the subject. "What are your plans for this morning."

Pony went to walk past me and into the house, giving a slight chuckle as he did. "It's a school day. Remember?"

"Oh, that's right."

I didn't bother much with school myself. Occasionally if there wasn't much to do around town or if I just wanted to stir up a little fun I'd head on over to the ol' prison for kids. Most of the time I stayed with Dally or loitered at the DX, which really had got me thinking the past few days that maybe I should just drop out of school completely and get a job. Don't think the ol' man would like it too much, but he never paid attention to that stuff anyhow.

Back inside, the other members of the Curtis Clan had begun their morning routine. Soda was in the shower, singing to himself and cursing every time the shampoo would fall into his eyes. Darry was busying with breakfast, sipping a mug of hot coffee, and yelling at Soda to hurry up. Any moment Two-bit and Steve were bound to pop in and possibly Dally and Johnny would join them.

I took a seat on the kitchen counter next to where Darry was standing. He didn't even bother to look at me, just stretched out his big arm and swiped me off the counter.

"Hey, I was sitting there."

Darry finally looked up. "See those" he pointed over to the chairs. "Use em."

"Fine." I headed for the kitchen table mumbling "big brawny ape" under my breath as I did.

"What was that!" Darry yelled after me.

I stayed quiet, hoping he would forget it. Pony shifted his weight, nervously looking from me to Darry, wondering what his older brother might do. Darry always seemed to bug Pony a bit, never quite rubbed the kid the right way or something. I think Darry just loved his little bro too much though and those responsibilities he carried made it hard for them to have a real relationship like the one Pony and Soda shared.

Seconds slowly slipped by, Darry's eyes still digging into my soul as I sat there. I was waiting for him to pounce on me but he didn't. Or couldn't really. A loud bang echoed from the front door and a stubble faced Two-bit came rolling into the kitchen. He swayed on his feet, trying to regain his balance after having somersaulted into the Curtis'. With his heavy leather jacket strung across one shoulder and a torn Mickey Mouse shirt on, he shot me a toothy grin. I'd barely even managed to see the others piling in through door behind him.

"Come on Two-bit, we'd like to get in some time today" Steve whined, placing the heel of his hand to his forehead while shoving the greaser in front of him with the other. Two-bit took a seat next to me and let the others pass. Johnny went to go with Pony in the living room, while Steve and Dally still lingered in the doorway.

"Hangover anyone?" Two-bit, Steve, and Dally all nodded, quiet so they wouldn't disturb the pounding in their heads.

"You?" Dally asked. I nodded.

"That's not all you got huh?" Steve added. He was leaning against the far wall and facing in my direction.

"What do you mean?"

"That blood on the left shoulder of your blouse."

The gaze of a few worried greasers turned to me. I hadn't even noticed the blood stain or the slight throbbing from where Angela had cracked the bottle. I shrugged –causing myself a bit of pain- and sunk further into the chair. "Shepard" I said.

"You got into another fight with Shepard!" Dally yelled. I shot him an incredulous look. Why was he getting himself all riled up about a scratch?

"Yeah, I gave her quite a beating too."

"Her?"

"It was Angela" Two-bit supplied, still grinning although everyone else in the room had turned a bit serious. "Glory, you should have seen it. Mac completely trashed Angels face. Don't look so tuff now" he laughed. Steve hit him upside the head.

"You clown."

"What happened to your shoulder?" Dally asked, this time a bit more calmly.

"Rum bottle. Nothing big."

"Shepards ain't going to like you messing with Angela."

"Jeez Winston, relax okay? I can handle it if something happens."

"Like you did before?"

"Shit, Dally I don't need you lecturing me on the Shepards." I was really starting to get sick of him.

"Well, obviously you do!"

"That's it!"

I jumped out of my chair, the sudden movement knocking it back onto the ground. The entire gang, minus Soda who was still showering, flashed me these curious glances, probably waiting for me to scream or something. I didn't though. Except for letting the chair hit the floor, I was as calm as could be. I slipped on my leather cow boots and made my way for the door, not bothering to look back I said "Sorry bout the chair Curtis" and left the house.

Dally was right about the Shepards. They'd probably go hunting for me and then get me back for the work I'd done on their sister. Dally was always right. He was smart in that way and I hated him for that. I didn't need him to watch out for me, I could handle it myself. Actually, I probably wouldn't be able to handle it, but I'd still take it and at least try to fight off the Shepards again.

"Mac, wait up."

I heard panting and the smacking of shoes hitting the pavement a few feet behind. Two-bit breathed heavily next to me, sweat running down his face in clear wavy lines.

"Don't you exercise at all?" I laughed. He cocked an eyebrow and slung an arm over my shoulder. "What's up with Dally? Why's he been acting like such an ass?"

Two-bit chuckled. "Awe, he's always like that Mac. The hood probably feels responsible for you getting jumped by the Shepards."

"Wow."

"What?" he asked.

"Something finally came out of your mouth that made sense."

"Hey, I've said plenty of clever things."

I paused. "Yeah, uh huh. You keep lying like that Matthews and your nose will start growin." Just for the hell of it Two-bit shrieked and touched his nose to make sure it was still its original size. I smiled because the guy could just about make anyone do it. "you better get back to the Curtis', you still have school" I teased.

"How bout I skip and the two of us go back to my place for the day" he winked.

"I know what your suggesting Two-bit and don't count on it."

"Fine."

He started off back to the house, shuffling his feet pretending to be sad. Head bent and gaze fixed on the cracks in the pavement. I called after him "Matthews!"

"Yeah , you change your mind?"

I laughed. "No! But come find me after your done school. I'll be at the Dingo."

He jerked his rusty head back and fourth in a weird nod and began to run for the Curtis place faster than a bat outta hell.