Embracing the Future

Chapter 3: Don't Cry

A/N: Thank u again ppl who reviewed! It makes me motivated to write the next chapter when I know ppl want it. And I'd like to give a little note to miss cheerful. Arri was based mainly on me personality wise, she has my acting teachers hair, the eyes I wish I had, and she sings like my friend. OK on with the story....

"Arri, you awake?" said a soft voice as they shook me gently. "Common Ri, wake up. You're gonna be late!"

My eyes snapped open making my mom jump slightly in surprise. I jumped out of bed and took a shower. "Bye Mom! I'll see ya later!" I called to my Mom as I ran out the door.

I ran to Pony's house and opened the door without even knocking, my brain was still half asleep. Big mistake. I didn't see anyone so I opened my mouth to yell something when I heard arguing. The voices were coming closer and I recognized one of them as Pony's. They came into the room, "Hey Po-" my voice died in my throat. Pony was in nothing but his boxers and a boy with hard eyes only had pants on and a shirt in his hands, the shirt had a stain on it, and he had been saying something about how it had been Pony's turn to do the laundry. They both stopped dead when they saw me. "I....uh...." I couldn't seem to find any words. Pony turned crimson and the other boy turned slightly pink.

Pony looked like he was about to say something when a boy, the most handsome boy I've ever seen actually, came out of the bathroom. In nothing but a towel. Pony put his face in his hands and I heard him mumble between his fingers, "Arri, these are my brothers. The one who actually has pants on is Darry and the one in a towel is Soda-Pop. Mind if we go find clothes?"

I blushed "Um, yeah, sure. Clothes, right." They all immediately made a break for the laundry room.

When they came back out Darry and Soda came and shook my hand and Pony walked over to me staring at his feet, finally he said, "Maybe we should just pretend that never happened."

I blinked at him stupidly, "Why? It was funny."

Pony just stared at me like I was insane "Do you find everything funny?"

"Yes," I replied "Most of the time."

He stared at me for a second, his expression unreadable. A quote from a book I read once flashed through my head: What is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the words I've read in my life.

As we walked to school Pony told me about his brothers. They're all so different. All of them. Not just Pony and his brothers but the whole gang. They all look at everything from a different point of view and have a different reason for even being in the gang. And even though their personalities should clash severely, they're like a big family; Always looking out for each other. Secretly, I wanted to be part of that; to feel loved and needed.

After school I again went to Pony's house, it had become my second home in less than 24 hours.

I was extremely tired today and not in the mood to play football so I sat on the sidelines watching them play. A little while later Pony came and sat in the grass next to me. "You know," I said, "I'm almost disappointed that you and your brothers are now able to keep your clothes on around me." I turned and smiled at him.

He was slightly pink but was also smiling. He looked back at the field and burst out laughing.

I jumped slightly surprised at his outburst "What is it?"

"I think you spoke to soon." He turned to look at me and seeing my puzzled face motioned with his head towards the field. I turned and looked at the field where all of the guys had taken off there shirts since they got too hot. I stifled a laugh and Pony said "You have on odd effect on people, Ri."

I smiled to myself as the sun started to set making the light hit Pony's hair in that certain way so it turned a beautiful red. I then realized that I hadn't seen the sun set the other day. I stood up and Pony stood too, "I'm gonna head home, I'll see you later ok?"

He gazed at me for a second and he nodded and said "Sure, I'll see ya tomorrow. Should we walk again tomorrow? I promise we'll remember clothes this time." He added with a smile.

"Well there goes the fun of it, but I guess I'll come anyway."

He laughed and shook his head as I winked and walked away.

I was going to miss the sunset so halfway home I saw a park and decided that would be good place to watch it go down. I was almost there when a car stopped beside me and out stepped 4 Soc.'s. My heart was pounding in my chest but I kept walking, maybe they weren't gonna jump me, I wished that Pony had walked me home.

One of them grabbed my arm and I thought my heart would explode out of my chest, "Now, now," said the Soc. holding my arm "What's a pretty girl like you doing walking all by herself?"

"I'm going home." I said forcing my voice to stay level and calm as I tried to yank my arm out of his grasp, he held on tight. He laughed and I smelt booze on his breath as the rest of them circled me "Let go of me, now!" I said starting to get nervous.

"Oh, no," He said bending closer to me, "Let's have a little fun first."

My blood ran cold as I realized they were planning to rape me. My fist went back and decked the guy in the nose. He fell backward in surprise letting go of my arm. I whipped around and lifted my foot to high kick one in the chest but they grabbed my foot and threw me backwards. I hit the ground hard cutting up my palms as I attempted to break the fall.

I was about to get up and keep fighting when another one brought his foot back and kicked me in the stomach, hard. There was a sickening crack and a searing pain as I later found out I had broken 3 of my ribs. I cried out in pain.

I stumbled to my feet only to have the last Soc. punch me across the face. I grabbed my cheek as I felt the skin split open and blood pour out. I collapsed onto my knees, is this how it's going to end? I thought as the first one flipped out a switch blade.

Pony's POV

I watched her walk down the street until she was out of site. I had a lot on my mind and knew that watching the sun set would help me sort it out, and the park was the best place to see that.

I told the others I was headed to the park and would be back later. As I got closer to the park I heard a scream, my blood ran cold, I knew that voice. I quickened my pace and rounded the corner to see a group of Soc.'s in front of the park. Someone in the middle of the group got up holding their side, I couldn't quite make out the face, as one of the Soc.'s brought back his fist, in that split second the person lifted up their head. Arri. The Soc. punched her in the face, slicing open her cheek with his ring, blood poured down her face.

I ran, the only thing on my mind was keeping her safe. Arri collapsed onto her knees as one of them flipped out a switch blade, she looked so helpless.

I ran as fast as I could as they brought back the knife I flung myself in front of her without a second thought. They plunged the knife into my chest, the Soc.'s eyes widening as he realized he had missed his target.

I heard Arri scream at the top of her lungs behind me in total terror. "Oh, my god! PONY!" she screamed as I staggered backwards and she steadied me. She was about to say something but they grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her away, as she fell backwards the only thing holding her up was the Soc. holding her hair.

I took a step forward, I had to save her, but the blood wouldn't stop flowing out of my wound, sucking the life out of me. I collapsed onto the ground.

"God damn Grease." Said a Soc. next to me kicking me in the wound so that I rolled over and coughed up blood. I heard Arri's silent sobs in the background. Don't cry, Arri. Don't cry... I thought as my world spun and I passed out.

Arri's POV

"NO!!" I screamed "PONY!!" I started crying even harder if possible screaming "LET ME GO!" I knew it was no use though, they had a firm grip on both my arms and one of them had my hair, I could only sit there crying as Pony died and I fought to stay conscious.

Just at that moment I heard the sound of running, someone was coming. "Run!" yelled one of the Soc.'s and they dropped me and made a run for their car, speeding off.

I crumpled into a heap onto the ground as my whole world went black.

I know you all are gonna hate me for this chapter but w/e. I'll update as soon as possible and please review. I also need to give a shout to my friend Meg, she gave me the idea for the whole all of Curtis brothers in almost nothing thing. Thank you!

Em