The Outsiders: Is really not owned by me.

Chapter Sixteen

The next day was warm with a nice breeze; I knew this first hand because I slept in the lot by Mel's house. Carefully I opened the door to our apartment. I quickly remembered Dog and wondered if she was still here. Johnny probably took her to his place, I thought as no pit bull came to great me.

I sat down on the chair, staring out the window, munching quietly on cereal. Two little boys fought in the street, I wondered how long it would be until they where fighting the Socs and having their own gangs. I got lost in thought not coming back until there was a crinkle of plastic against my hand skimming across the bottom of the cereal box and nothing was there to grab.

I'd gotten pretty messed up last night. The side of my face was swollen, and I had a gash on the side of my temple, not to mention a few bruises, just popping up out of no where.

Putting the box on the counter I traveled into my mom's bedroom. There was just something about it that always comforted me. It didn't smell like the rest of the house it had its own special smell that can't be described…

Climbing on the bed I crawled to the other side of the bed, to where my mom usually slept. On the nightstand was a small journal. Carefully I picked it up, skimming the cover with my fingers before opening it. Just as my gaze swept over the first line of writing there was a hard banging on the door that shook the walls. I leaped up, and as if it where old times I called, "I got it!" Then I realized I was home a lone and whoever banged on the door that loud must have serious issues. One hand on the knob I reached over and grabbed an umbrella, it would work as an okay weapon I guess.

As soon as I opened the door I was picked up and swung around. It took me a while to make out the faces but only two guys I knew could have such grins. "Hailey!" Donny called as he swung me around. "Long time no see!" Mickey cried snatching me up as soon as Donny put me down, squeezing me tightly. I coughed, "Stop Mickey I can't breathe!" I said struggling to free his grasp. He let go and shoved me back to Donny.

Donny stared at me, and soon Mickey was at my side looking me over too. "Gosh who'd you box with? I only saw a Winston get the wrong end of a fight and that was Colby and wasn't fair so I'd hate to see the other girl you scrapped with!" Donny said expecting my face. "I didn't fight a girl; me and Joe fought a couple of Socs last night." I grumbled pushing him away.

"Hmmm… Where ya going Hail, packing away to go with Joey-Crack?" Mickey said, just then Donny slammed his elbow in Mickey's gut. I stared at them, "W-what? Joe's going away?" I asked startled. "What you knew didn't you?" Mickey said holding his gut. "No you idiot!" Donny said. "Wait where is he going!" I said. The exchanged looks, "He and his family are leaving for New York." Donny said softly, I stared at him shaking my head no. "When?" I whispered. "Today… like now…" Mickey said.

I ran into my moms room grabbing my jacket which I laid on her bed, the journal fell to the ground with a thump, quickly I grabbed in a shoved it into an inside pocket my coat had. I didn't need my jacket but I wanted it, it was like a comfort issue. I didn't wait for Mickey and Donny I just took off down the steps running all the way till I reached Joe's house.

Three kids sat in the back of his car, all had pale blonde hair. They where his little brother Jimmy and two little sisters, Chelsea and Kenna. His mother was coming down the front steps carrying a plastic bag. She gave me one look and smiled softly. I always liked his mother; she was nice but firm and was very determined. "Joe!" she called into the house. "Hi Miss Greig." I said as we passed each other. She smiled and nodded. As I walked threw the front door Joe was coming down the steps, he smiled sheepishly and we looked at each other for awhile.

"Babes…" he said softly, extending his arms out for a hug. "I know Joe, I don't need you're excuses." I muttered. He hugged for a while and he kissed me on my head, it was then I realized we really didn't love each other we where more like brother and sister. Our minds wanted more out of our relationship but our hearts wouldn't let it. And of course as fate shut its door on our relationship we climbed right on threw the window. He knew it too but he was too stubborn to let it be.

"You don't go getting yourself messed up in New York Joe." I said as we departed. He smiled and walked out the door slowly, "I'm already messed up." he claimed. I stared after him, "You know what I mean Joe, and you keep a close watch on Jimmy, Chelsea and Kenna for me. Don't let them get messed up. Remember they look up to you." I said. We walked in silence the short couple of steps to the car and I gave him a quick hug before he got in the driver seat of his car. "Bye Hailey." "Good bye Joe."

I walked down the street, Donny and Mickey at my side blabbing away. "Why does everybody go to New York? I mean what's the big deal?" Donny said. I turned to him and shook my head, "Why don't you go catch up with Joe and go see." I said. He eyed me carefully, "You're not taking this so hard are you?" he asked. I shrugged my shoulders, should I be taking this hard? "I got other things on my mind; I mean I got a sister in the hospital." I said simply.

"We should go see her…" Mickey said softly. I remained silent. "Melody was there yesterday she was worried about you. Everybody's heard about you and Shepard running around and that Socs." Donny said with one of his cheesy grins. "Oh yay? Who's blabbing about that?" I asked taking out a cigarette. They stared at me as I did so, they never saw me smoke… it was a new habit I picked up. "Shepard." Donny said softly. "Really?" I asked surprised. "Yea… and when did you start smoking?" Mickey said. "It's a good stress reliever." I said shrugging my shoulders.

"We're going to the hospital." Mickey said a couple minutes later. I raised an eyebrow. "You're coming with us." Donny said. If it was just one of them I would have gotten away but not with two of 'em and we're talking stocky six foot tall guys, I knew I didn't have a chance. And fates door this time didn't shut instead it was wide open and it even had one of those flashing neon lights above it that said 'Welcome!'.

As I walked in the waiting room I saw everybody, I mean just about every Greaser sitting down. My brother's gang, the Curtis's, Johnny, the Matthews. Everybody that was considered family was there. Colby nudged my mom who looked up immediately smiling she stood up. I hugged her tightly for a moment, "I'm sorry mom." I whispered. "It's okay, don't worry about it." She paused and her fingers grazed my face, "What happen-" she started.

Just then a nurse rushed out of Erica's room, she took off down the hall and returned with a few other nurses. Everybody stood up and the room was dead silent….

-gasp- What's happening! Once again I know and your not supose to until next chapter:)... R n R Please!