Embracing the Future

Chapter 6: Leave Now

A/N: Thank u again reviewers! And I luv my new cell! I can take pictures with it and Chris stole my phone during end of the day home room and took a picture of Cody and Jimmy but Jimmy's is all messed up cuz Chris went up behind him and yelled "SMILE!" and Jimmy turned around and Chris took the picture. Lol it was funny. And I luv hearing reviewers suggestions, so if u have any just e-mail me or u can just post it on the review board. Thank u! Neway on with the story....

The light hit my eyelids and they fluttered open. What am I lying on? I thought confused. I looked down and I was lying in between someone's legs my eyes went up and there was a pair of arms wrapped around my waist I traveled up the arms and saw Pony's face. I was resting on his chest, I must've fallen asleep. I reached out and put a lock of his hair out of his face and whispered, "Pony, hey Pony?" I shook his shoulder, "Wake up Ponyboy."

His eyes slowly opened and he smiled and said sleepily "Morning, Arri."

I smiled and said "Thanks, Pony."

He looked slightly puzzled, "For what."

"For putting up with me."

He smirked and kissed my forehead, "It's my pleasure, Princess Arri."

I laughed "Get lost." I said and pushed him out the door and was about to close it when he put his hand out stopping the door and pouted. I smiled and gave him a quick kiss, "Bye, Pony."

He pulled me into a hug and I rested my head on his shoulder. We just stood there like that for a minute when Pony finally said in a quiet voice into my ear, "I love you."

His words sent chills up and down my spine and I wasn't sure what to say. Finally I managed a weak, "But you've only known me for like a week."

"And there's a time limit on how long it takes to fall in love?" he said raising his eyebrows.

I blushed "Well no."

"Then you can't tell me not to love you." He said.

"I wasn't telling you not to love me I was just saying that I didn't think it was possible to fall in love in a week."

He pulled me back into a hug and whispered, "I'll never let him touch you, never."

I smiled and kissed him and told him to beat it and shut the door to go and take a shower. I love you too. I thought sadly, why couldn't I say it? I thought as I let the steamy water run over my body.

Not long after they let me and Pony out of that god damned hospital. I was so happy to be home, the minute I stepped into the house I burst into song and my Mom came running down the stairs, "Oh, Arri! You're home!" she squealed hugging me. But of course she had to go to work. Stupid work.

I went to Pony's house and was hugged in turn by everyone saying how happy they were that me and Pony were ok, I just nodded and smiled.

"Football?" said Soda tossing the football up and down in the air.

I smiled "Football." I said snatching the ball out of the air when it went up and running out the door. I heard them scream and come after me. I managed to get all the way to the field when Pony leapt and caught me round the waist and Soda grabbed an arm, Darry got my legs, Steve got my other arm and Two-Bit snatched up the football when we all hit the ground in a tangled mass. I laughed so hard I cried. We had an awesome time playing football again, and again I was sad to leave. I'd missed hanging out with them.

The gang said they'd all walk me home, "That's really not necessary." I said slightly taken aback.

"Oh, yes it is." said Steve.

"Ya," said Pony, "There's no way I'm-we're risking you getting mugged, again."

I sighed, they had a point. It was possible someone could try it again, unlikely but possible.

We were all walking down the street when I saw a car parked a few yards away from my house. I couldn't help but wonder who it was my Mom was still at work. Pony slipped an arm around my waist; I could tell he was nervous. As we went to walk by the car its door opened and my blood ran cold. I froze and took sharp shallow breaths trying to calm my nerves; I would've fainted if Pony hadn't been holding me by my waist.

"What is it?" asked Pony nervously.

The rest of the group had stopped to and was staring at me as I tried to tell myself I was just imagining it. No he was almost to us. I paled and Pony held onto me tightly.

The man stopped in front of us and stared at me, "Arri." He said.

I swallowed, trying to rid the lump in my throat as he stared at me with his blazing green eyes, "Dad." I said in a quiet strangled voice.

Pony's eye's widened. His arms tightened around me and I squeezed his hand. "What do you want?" I said trying to keep my voice calm and level.

The gang even though they had no idea what was going on, had gathered protectively in a semi circle behind us, making themselves look their toughest.

My Dad swallowed like he was the nervous one and said, "Arri, please just listen."

"N-no!" I said shaking my head vigorously and backing up forcing Pony to back with me.

"Please," said my Father, but I could tell he was losing his patience. We had to leave, now.

"No! You hurt Mom and almost killed me! Just stay away!"

"Arri, just come with me, we can go somewhere and talk." He said voice rising and taking a step closer to me and Pony.

"Stay away from her you filthy bastard." Hissed Pony.

My Dad's eyes blazed and I trembled slightly. They had to leave now! If he was going to do something to me let him but I would never let him touch Pony and the others. I'd made my choice. "Pony," I said quietly, "Leave now, get away from here. You and the others have to go."

A shocked and hurt look crossed his face, "No," he said shaking his head, "I'm not leaving you Arri, I promised you I wouldn't let him touch you and I'm sticking to that."

I hated myself for doing this, but I pushed him off me forcefully, shocked he backed away from me. "Go now! Do as I say!" I bellowed.

"Arri," He said reaching out to me.

I slapped away his hand, "Just leave me alone. Go." He just stood there a look of shock and pain on his face, the gang behind him echoing his expression.

My Father grabbed my arm and pulled me back painfully. Pony's glared at my Father, eyes blazing.

"If you hurt her," he said voice shaking with rage.

My father merely smirked as he pushed me into the car quickly so that I banged my head on the roof on the way in. It started to drizzle as he slammed the door shut. With tear filled eyes I stared at Pony. It was raining harder now and Pony and the others just stood there as my Dad came and sat in the front seat.

He turned around in the seat and before I could do anything he slapped me across the face and hissed through clenched teeth, "You say one word and I'll go back ensure that ball of grease boyfriend of yours a one way ticket to hell."

I was about to scream at him for talking about Pony that way, but that might only put him in danger. I held my tongue as he started the car and started to drive I stared out the back window of the car, watching Pony stand there in the pouring rain, watching me drive away.

All I wanted was to be in his arms, fall asleep to the sound of his breathing. I curled up into a ball and thought to myself in, out, in, out, in, out. As I tried my hardest to fall asleep without Pony's arms wrapped around me, keeping me safe. Then I had a horrifying thought, what if I would never feel his arms again?

You're all gonna hate me for this one too aren't u? Lol, I'll update soon!

Em