Disclaimer-I do not own The Outsiders or any songs I will make references to and all that jazz, but I do own Corey and any others you may not recognize.

Chapter 1

Corey's P.O.V.

When I stepped out onto the sidewalk and looked up at the house I was about to live in for god knows how long, the first thing that came into my head was, Well fuck, this house is even worse then the last……. I looked over at my dad who was walking away, up to the house, without even bothering to help with HIS things. That obviously meant I had to carry everything in myself. I decided I could get it in a little bit and look around for a few minutes. I walked up and down the street and checked out the other houses. For 11:00 at night you would expect it to be quieter, I thought. God, all that noise seems to be coming from that one house, oh great and that one house has to be right next to me. Well I better get the things in.


As I was unloading the black truck, a boy a little older then me was walking towards me from what looked like a park. He had really nice long reddish hair; it went down to about his shoulders. He was walking with his hands in his jeans pockets and looked a little nervous. I tried to go un-noticed but he looked over and saw me and walked right over.

"Hey, you need any help?" the boy said, kind of shyly.

"Ummmm, I guess I just need a little help carrying those bags in the house, if you wouldn't mind," I said quickly and nervously. I got a little scared around people I don't know, but I mean who doesn't? He followed me in and out, getting all the heavy things. We worked for a few minutes and when we finished he started to leave but stopped suddenly.

"…….My name is Ponyboy and I live just next door to you guys, so if you need any help, just…………just come in, the door is always unlocked………so me or my brothers would be glad to, uhhh…….help."

"Ponyboy, huh? That's a nice name. Well I'm Corey, nice to meet you, but I got to go. I'll most likely see you again…..thanks." I hurried up and went into the house 'cause I didn't really want to talk to him. Don't get me wrong, Ponyboy seemed really nice, but he just made me a little scared. My dad was sitting at the table drinking a beer. Already there were two empty ones.

"Hey you there. Yea you get over to tha' room and don't make a fucking sound. You got that?" I nodded quickly and bolted down the hall of our small one story house. My room was small, but had a bed, dresser, mirror, and closet. I took of my sweat shirt and looked at myself in the mirror. I guess I wasn't a bad looking girl. I had chestnut brown hair and dark, dark brown eyes. I just call them black because I like to be unique. I haven't met another person with eyes this dark. I had tanned skin because I like to take walks and I just get a tan from the sun, I was about 5'2" and that isn't bad for my age since I was 13. I wasn't skinny, but I wasn't fat, because I could get away with wearing a two piece bathing suit and nobody minded. But what really bothered me were all my bruises. I had some on my legs, but most were on my arms and back. I couldn't see the ones low on my back because of my tank top, but I didn't want to. It would remind me of all those painful memories. I decided to go to sleep. I changed into my Mickey Mouse pajama bottoms but didn't take off my tank top. I didn't see the need. I was too tired anyways. I had just got driven by my dad from Des Moines, Iowa. Now I'm stuck here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Well, it really wasn't that bad I guess.

When I woke up it was 8:00 in the morning. I decided to go see if my Dad was ok. I don't know why I cared. It was just because he was my parent and I loved him just because he was my own flesh and blood I guess. I really hope that he loved me for that reason, too. He was asleep on the couch with an Iowa newspaper on his chest. It would have been comical if it hadn't been for the beer bottles surrounding him. I decided to go make my self some breakfast. I looked inside our fridge and ……surprise surprise…… nothing was there. I figured I could get some money from my dad and buy some food at a local store. I went into my room and changed into a clean pair of jeans, a new black halter top, my hoodie sweat shirt, and brushed my hair and left it down. It went down to the middle of my back. I jogged down the hall and stopped when I remembered my dad was asleep and I needed money. Well, I thought, I should just take it from him.

(Flash Back)I was walking downstairs in my old house when I wanted to go to a movie. I went up to my dad and found him snoring on the couch. I figured he wouldn't mind me taking a few dollars, and that would keep me for the next couple days. I went into his wallet and found three dollars. I was almost out the door when my dad yelled my name. He told me that I was never to wake him up just to get money. Then he grabbed my arm and threw me against the wall. I sat there crying for 10 minutes while he just watched T.V., ignored me, and drank and smoked.


Well this time I'm not gonna wake him up, I thought. I quietly tip toed up to my dads side table, right next to him and opened his wallet. He stirred when I zipped it open and I grabbed a 10. I hurried away, but he woke up when I clanked against a beer bottle. He looked at me and I just stupidly stood there with the 10 in my hand, not daring to move a muscle. He looked over at the 10 and stood up, saying my name in rage.

"I'm-" I started to say I'm sorry but my father yelled and walked over to me.

"You little bitch. Stealing from me again? I'll teach you-" He hit me on the side because I had turned away. He was swearing and hitting me. Then he grabbed my arm and took a piece of wood he found in his other hand and he me with it. If you don't think that hurts, think again.

He kicked me out the door and I flew down the steps. I thought about going to Ponyboy for help like he said but I decided I didn't want to bother his family or him. So I staggered over to that park he was coming from the night before. When I got there I collapsed on the ground. I guess I had hit my head when he kicked me down the steps. The last thing I saw was a boy around 15 coming towards me.

I was on a couch surrounded by 6 guys. I thought I was dreaming, 'cause what teenage girl doesn't dream about guys? I looked around them and I recognized Ponyboy. One of the other ones yelled out "Hey guys, looks like she's awake!" After he said that my head started pounding. Another one said to him "Shut up Two bit, she probably has a headache she has a nasty bump on it." Two bit looked around at the others glaring at him and turned towards the T.V. I looked over to see what he was watching.

"Oh my god! Its Mickey! I love Mickey!" I said to them. The others just looked at me, except for this one who was sitting next to Ponyboy, who was sitting on the couch now that I was sitting up. He had jet black hair and matching eyes, just like mine, except…awww, his are darker, I thought, disappointed.

"You like Mickey, too?" Two Bit asked, excitedly.

"Ok stop talking everybody!" said the stern looking one. They all looked at him. "Why don't we try and make sure Corey is ok? So how are you feeling" he directed at me. I looked at him but didn't say anything. I really felt if I said anything more I would fall down dead.

"Do you want any aspirins?" Ponyboy asked me. I nodded my head. He went into what I supposed was the kitchen.

"Uhhhhhh, how do you know my name?" I choked out.

"Cause Pony told us," said a real handsome one. He actually looked a little like Ponyboy. I wouldn't be surprised if they were brothers.

"Oh, so how did I get here?"

"Johnny found you in the park and carried you over!" He said all happy-like.

"Which one's Johnny?"

"Oh, we haven't introduced ourselves? How rude! My name is Sodapop, but you can just call me Soda," said the real handsome one, "That's Steve, Darry, Two Bit, and Johnny." Ponyboy walked in with a glass of water and 2 aspirins. I took them dry and held the glass of water.

"Ummm…. If you don't mind me asking, how did you get all those bruises? Did the Soc's get you………..wait they wouldn't beat up a little girl………" Soda was saying. I shrugged and asked if I could use their bathroom. Darry told me it was down the hall and on the left.

I shut myself in and washed my hands and face cleaning it even more, though it looked as though they had already cleaned me up of my cut from the fall. For some reason I didn't go out there. I listened in on the door.

"So guys, do you think the Soc's got her?" I heard Ponyboy asking.

"No, are you stupid Pony? Didn't you hear Soda say they probably wouldn't hurt a girl?" I heard one I didn't recognize talk. It must have been Steve or Johnny.

"Sorry, Steve….."

"Dammit guys, can't you see she gets beaten! Those are old bruises on her, too!" So that must have been Johnny. How did he figure it out so fast though………Well before they talked even more I decided to get out of this bathroom. I rushed out and they were all staring at Johnny is amazement. I wonder why, I thought. I cleared my throat so they could know I was there. They turned to me, Johnny and Ponyboy looking embarrassed, the rest were all relaxed.

"I think………ummm…… I should go now, or something."

"No! Why don't you stay for breakfast? Well, only if you want to." Darry said.

"I guess I could stay for a little bit……..thanks"

I stayed the whole day at there house. Soda told me how Dally's is another member of their gang, and he might come by after dinner. Soda described him and I figured I could definitely wait for when he comes. At dinner everything was fine. I was sitting next to Two Bit and Johnny. I felt kind of small, I mean, I was like a midget compared to them.

"So how old are you guys?" I asked Two Bit, Johnny, and Pony, who was across from me.

"18."

"14 and Johnny's 16."

"Really? I'm 13," I said, glad that he was so close in age with me. Then I thought about school, how I was bumped up a grade because I wasn't having a challenge. But that would make him in 8th grade.

"So your in 8th?" I asked.

"Nah, I was put up a year. I'm in 9th, what about you?"

"Oh me too! At least I'm going to know someone in my class if we get them together."

"You would know two, Johnny's in freshman year, also."

Two Bit poked me in my shoulder and started to say something but I winced and sucked in the air because that's where my dad had hit me with the board.

"Are you ok Corey?" Two Bit asked.

"It just hurts again," I said while rolling up the sleeve to my sweat shirt, forgetting about the bruises and how hard he hit me with the board. Once I got to where he poked me, I remembered and quickly pulled down the sleeve.

"Wait Corey, let me see your arm,"

"No Two Bit."

"Come on, I thought I saw something…." He tried pulling up the sleeve.

"I said NO."

Everybody was looking at me by then. I didn't care though.

"Please, it's important."

"Fine," I grumbled. I pulled up the sleeve and let them look at the Bruises and the few cuts I had. Two Bit didn't say or do anything except gawk at my arm.

"If you want to stay here tonight you can," offered Darry. I think he was offering that so I didn't have to go home to my father. I really wanted to stay for some reason. I actually felt safe around them, even though I hardly knew them.

"…………….ok"

After dinner we watched T.V., but Mickey wasn't on, to my and Two Bit's disappointment. At about midnight Darry said me and Pony should go to sleep. Soda told me I could sleep on the couch, and Johnny said he would sleep here, too. He was about to lie down on the ground when I told him he could have the couch.

"Its ok, you should have it, plus I like the floor better then the couch."

"But I'm a restless sleep-"

"I said you should have it."

"Ok if you're sure…... ummmm didn't Soda say that a person named Dally was coming"

"He probably went to Buck's Party."

It took me a while to fall asleep but after I did I was soon awakened by me falling.

"Ow!" I said, waking Johnny up. "Sorry Johnny,"

"Its ok, Corey."

I had gotten used to the dark now and I could see I had fallen off the couch facing Johnny. A couple more inches and I would have probably fallen on him.

"Uhhh, are you gonna get up?"

"No, I'm too lazy and it IS more comfortable down here on the floor!" For the first time since I had met him, I saw him smile and laugh, then we fell asleep, with our backs facing each other.