After a while, her breathing steadied and I assumed she was asleep. I looked over toward the clock and saw that Soda and Darry would be coming home soon.

I nudged her softly to wake her up, and she moaned slightly. I felt bad, because she had looked like she hadn't had a good sleep in weeks. She looked up at me, and her crystal eyes were fogged over with sleep. Memory faintly smiled and said " Why'd you wake me up Ponyboy? Is something the matter?"

" Naw, but my brothers are coming home soon. So you gotta wake up, and we gotta separate. My brother wouldn't like seeing my like this." I said in a hushed voice. She slowly edged away from me, and I immediately missed her warmth. I pulled her back close to me, and she gasped.

" What are you doing Ponyboy?" she asked looking up at me, her crystal eyes bright and clear now. I placed a finger on her lips and she quieted down and snuggled into my embrace. I could hear her heart beat, along with mine. She sighed suddenly, and I was happy, not a care in the world! Until –

" PONYBOY! WE'RE HOOOOOOME!" Darry and Soda. Oh God, save me now.

" Ok you have to sneak out my window and knock on the front door ok? Pretend you were never here!"

She scrambled out my window, and ran around to the front. I hear foot steps coming to my room. I hopped on the bed, and dug under the cover, and pretended to be asleep.

Darry walked into my room, and I managed to grumble, and turn over in my

"Sleep".

" Hey kid, how are you feeling?" he asked sitting on my bed.

" Better, just sleepy." I faked a yawn and continued, " I'm a little hungry though…" Darry nodded and left the room.

A little later, a knock came at the front door, and I jumped up to answer it. Deciding against it, I stayed in bed, and waited for her to come into my room.

" Hey, you're Johnny's sister right?" I heard Soda ask. " Oh my God, what the hell happened to you?" I had forgotten about her bruises. I couldn't quite hear what she was saying, because her voice was so quiet. A knock came at my door, and She walked in.

" Fancy seeing you here." I joked. And she sat don next to me on my bed. I don't know why she did what she did, but I sue liked it. Memory leaned in and brushed her lips lightly against mine. Her kiss was so feathery, I could swear she never touched me.

" Sorry Ponyboy, but I have to go home. I have no where else to go. But I promise, I will take care of myself." She said, but I couldn't quite hear her, I was still dazed. She got up and left without another word.

Finally, I snapped out of my daze, and Ran after her.

I caught up with hr and grabbed her shoulders, and turned her to face me.

" Why don't you stay with us tonight?" I asked, noticing that she had started to cry. Unlike the last time she cried, she allowed silent tears to fall, swallowing her sobs. I was curious as to why she kissed me. I came to the conclusion of waiting.

She slowly nodded her head, and allowed me to take her back inside. I led her to my room, and told her she could sleep there. I would just sleep with Soda.

I didn't even bother to ask Darry if she could stay, because I knew he would just refuse.

Turns out Soda's bed wouldn't fit me and him, so I slept on the couch. Darry sure was mad that I allowed a girl to sleep in our house. I finally got it through to him why she needed to stay with us, and to never go back to her father. I pondered about her family for a little while.

It still didn't make since. How could she be related to Johnny. They look nothing alike. My thoughts were broken. I heard the soft sound of a door being closed. I sat up from the couch and looked toward the hall door.

My eyes soon adjusted to the dark, an I saw a figure slowly walk through the hall door. It was memory. I closed my eyes ad pretended to be asleep.

" Are you awake?" She asked me, placing her hand on my cheek. I nodded, moving closer to he touch. I turned over to my side, allowing her to sit down.

She took the hint, and lay next to me. Memory snuggled into my, and I felt my heart jump.

" Sorry I kissed you Pony…" she whispered, I could feel her hot breath on my lips. I shuddered slightly, and I think she thought I was cold, because she came closer to me. Think, so close, I could feel her heart beat.

" It's ok… but why did you?" I asked, hoping it wasn't some dump answer like ' oh it was just a spur of the moment thing.

" I don't really know…" oh God. " I think its.. your gunna think I'm stupid…" she whispered, her breath on my neck now.

" Naw, just tell me…"

" I know we just met and all, but I really like you and stuff. I love being close to you, because I feel like you understand me." She paused for a moment, " Protect me forever?" there it was again, her breath, it was driving me crazy because I think I enjoyed it too much.

I pulled her closer to me, and she kissed m again, but it was a longer kiss, and not so gentile as her first.

" I think I'm in love with you…" she whispered, and I was sure my heart stopped

fourth chapter. PLEASE reviw and tell me how you liked it, or disliked it