Disclaimer- I don't own The Outsiders, but I do own Corey. And Nakia. And Chris. And…

QTpie4- Thanks, I know its awesome! Lol, just kidding. Well here's the chapter you've been waiting for!

Evil Punk Rocker- hank you1 He is soooo jealous…lol…. Anyways, he's 17. Yea, Soda was pretty cool in the movie….

oOoDancingQueenoOo- Yea, I've said it plenty… hope you like this chapter.

shadowwolf518- Thanks! Yea, Dally getting jealous was so awesome… and Johnny may… lol… I might do the poll, but I'm pretty set on an idea right now, my friend hates it, she said so a few weeks ago, but boohoo for her.

Lady rose 05- Yea, Dallas getting jealous was cool. I'm updating finally!

Ekari Turone- And what is ysy? And thanks for reviewing!

Elvin Dragon Rider- Thanks for reviewing! It's ok that you didn't review for the others, at least you're reviewing now! And plus, I haven't updated in a while.

babygurl33- Thanks for reviewing hope you like the next one!

redxcliches- Yes, confusing am I? Well, you're almost on track with your idea's. Kinda. Well not really. Lol, just kidding, but read on and you'll find out!

random stuff about stuff- Is the "interesting" good? Please tell me it's good! But me and sugar don't really mix. Actually we don't mix at all.

Maykwa- Yay, I'm glad I'm a favorite author. Well actually I've checked out some others and I'm a favorite. I was really surprised. Really really. Oops, not trying to gloat but, I'm glad about it! Yea, I knew he was 20 years old. I love that movie soooo much!

Ponyboy's Tomboy17- Thanks I'm glad you like it but, just tring to point out(not rudely) that Chris and Johnny are the same age. I'm glad you are my faithful reader1 It helps me to know that!

Alex Curtis-I'm hoping that "god" is good? Pleeeeaaaaaaaase? Lol.

midevilfreako- Thanks, I'm glad you like it, and I'm sorry about the wait!

AN- I'm sorry about the wait, small writers block, and plus I've had play practice and homework. Anyways, I've just watched the new version of the movie for the second time. I love it so much, I'm glad I bought it!

Chapter 6

It's always gonna be Corey's P.O.V. so I won't put that there anymore.

I sat at home, concentrating on my home work, and not my dad's yelling. I was starting to get a head ache. I heard the phone ring, and I sprang to it so my father wouldn't have anything to holler about.

"Hello?" I said with a quiet voice.

"Hi, umm, is this Corey speaking?"

"Yes," I said awkwardly. I didn't know who this was, and I felt weird around or talking to strangers. I've said that before, too.

"Oh, hey, it's Nakia. From the audition," She said.

"Yea, I remember," I told her.

"So, umm, what's up?"

"Nothing really," I said casually. I really wanted to tell her about Chris, but I didn't want to sound weird.

"Oh," It was quiet for a few seconds.

"What about you?" I asked. I was now itching to tell her.

"Nothing much, soooo… how's high school?"

"It's a real bitch… Chris Visser asked me out yesterday." I don't know how I put that out, but now that was off my chest.

"Oh my gosh? Really? That's great! I wish someone would ask me out…" Sounded like she wanted me to ask. Like how if someone says something like, 'I don't want to know,' they really mean, 'Tell me!'

"Oh really? Who?"

"Ummm, no one particularly…"

"Aww, come on, I won' tell no one!" I said to her.

"…"

"Any one I know?"

"…"

"Ok, whatever, I don't care," I REALLY wanted to know now.

"Ok, fine, I'll tell you. But you gotta promise not to tell any one. ESPECIALLY not him."

"I promise, just get with the spilling!" It was getting easier to talk to her now. The first couple minutes are the worst. Then we were gabbing like we were best friends.

"…" She said something really quietly.

"I can't hear you."

"I said…"

"Come on!"

"Nevermind," She said.

"Whatever," I told her.

"I'll tell you another time."

"Ok."

"You know what, I gotta go, my older sister wants the phone. Good luck with the date tomorrow! Bye," She hung up. I set the phone back down, and finished my home work. I went over to The Curtis's house to see what's happening.

I walked inside at around 5:30, and smelled food. I looked around and saw Johnny sitting next to Ponyboy, quietly talking to each other, and Two-bit and Dally sitting next to each other on the couch. I turned away from the two of them, and walked over to Ponyboy and Johnny.

"What's happening?" I asked them.

"Nothing much, just doing home work," Ponyboy answered. He looked at me again. "Since when do you wear pants?"

"Since when do you stare at my legs?" I snapped back. I could feel the glare of Dally on the back of my head. I casually looked around, and his head turned a little away. It was quite funny how much we hated each other at the moment.

"I don't stare at your legs, only an observation…" He trailed off. He closed his English book and set his work aside. I sighed. I was really bored. I looked outside, and walked to the door.

"Where you goin'?" Ponyboy asked.

"Out for a walk, wanna come?" He shook his head, and turned to his book that was on the table. I shrugged, looked at the cover, and walked outside. He was reading Gone with the Wind. He seemed to love it so far. The cold air blew up on my face, and I breathed it in through my nose. It was still light enough to go for a walk. I went down town to a small diner, and bought a double cheeseburger with some fries. I also got a cherry coke. The warm food felt good down my throat. I ate everything except the pickles, and drank the coke. I set down some money, with the tip included, and walked out. I felt like I had a big bulge in my stomach now. You must look so fat… there was that little voice in my head again. I hadn't heard it for a while. It made me rush behind the dumpster and throw up. I threw up because of the smell too. It stank something horrid. I wiped my mouth with my hand, and spit a little. I looked around, and luckily no one was there. I wouldn't want to be stuck down this alley in the dark with a stranger.

I walked down to the DX where I knew Sodapop and Steve were doing their shifts. Their boss can be pretty mean sometimes, I heard. I walked inside, and the little bell rang. Soda sat there at the counter, dozing and drooling. No one must be coming. I poked him in the shoulder and he fidgeted. I sighed and poked him again. He looked up, looked around, and bounced back up.

"Huh? What happened?" He said confused. I smiled and pointed to the coke cooler.

"Oh you want one?"

"Yea," I said while putting a quarter on the counter. He got up and gave the coke to me. He slid the coin back to me.

"You don't have to pay. The guys never do." I smiled and started to walk out.

"Bye, Soda," I said tiredly. He looked up at the clock.

"Wait, I'm getting off in 10 minutes, I'll walk you," he said grinning. Steve came out, wiping his greased up hands on a dirty towel.

"Done with the last car, Soda," He said, throwing the towel at him. I sat down on a stool and looked at magazines. Steve didn't like me that much. He didn't seem to like Ponyboy, either. I guess he didn't like kids. Steve scowled at me, and turned back to Sodapop. He was good at scowling, from practice I guess. I sighed again, and set my unopened coke on the stool next to me. I stared at the same page for 7 minutes while my thoughts strayed. I couldn't keep my mind off Dally. He could be such an ass sometimes. Other times he was really nice. Then I thought about Chris, and I smiled. He had real nice hair and eyes. So far I liked his personality. I had seen him around a week or so ago, and he wasn't all tough acting like Dally. He stood there, kind of watching his friends. Observing from the sidelines. I tried to picture how our date was going to go tomorrow. I started getting nervous about it, when I started thinking about it.

"Hey, Corey, we're leaving. Come on," Soda said while walking out from behind the counter. I stood up and grabbed the coke bottle. I walked behind Steve and Sodapop, feeling awful short. I drank all my coke, and thought about Dally. Why did I keep thinking about Dallas? He was just a no-good hood, and he couldn't keep in his own business to save his life. Sodapop tried to start conversations with me, but I would give one word answers or shrug. I really didn't feel like talking to him. We got to our street quickly, and he turned to his house.

"You coming in?" he asked while Steve walked past him.

"Nah, I'm just going to the lot," I said to him. Steve grabbed Sodapop's arm and they went into the house.

I walked past my own place, and listened as the TV blared. I went into the vacant lot first, then went through the fence gate over to the park. I looked at the sky and it was pretty much dark now. I shuddered. I sat down on a park bench, and my teeth started chattering. I pulled Johnny's jacket and buttoned it. I was still holding the coke bottle. I got up, and thought about Dally…again. I threw the glass bottle as far and hard as I could. I watched it explode and glass shattered everywhere. I smiled and walked over to it. I didn't want to leave all that glass everywhere, but oh well. In the few minutes I had been there, the sky had darkened completely. I took a running jump up to a tree, and climbed it. I loved being so free to do things. I could stay out as late as I wanted, it's not like my dad cared. As I sat on the top branch, I realized how much more abusive my father had become. It seemed like he was trying to make up for all the time he went to the bars or something like that. I looked down and saw two shadows coming towards me. I started freaking out.

"Core? Where are you?" I heard Johnny ask. He's the only one that could call me Core.

"Right here." I yelled down. I was starting to get dizzy from looking down. I wasn't thinking when I climbed the tree.

"What are you doing up there? Ain't you scared of heights?" he asked, looking upwards. I saw Dallas next to him.

"Umm, yea… thank you for reminding me! Garrrrrrr…….." I answered. Johnny stood there for a moment, looking confused.

"Then why'd you climb up?" I rolled my eyes at him.

"'Cause I forgot…" I said quietly. I laughed, then closed my eyes. I slowly breathed in and out, trying not to think of how high I was. I was well over Johnny and Dally's head. "How do I get down?" I asked him.

"Well how did you get up?" Dallas sneered.

"I climbed," I said quietly.

"Then climb!"

"There's no foot holds!"

"Then jump!"

"No way, you idiot. I'll hurt myself! Like you care."

I felt a slight breeze on my back as I swayed with it. I looked down at Johnny again. I sat there trying to move as little I could. Johnny looked up again and started climbing the tree. A huge gust of wind came as he was about halfway up. I shook, and started to fall.

I could feel the wind as I screamed. I was falling past Johnny, heading for the ground. I braced for the impact, and waited. Nothing came. I opened my eyes. And realized Dally had caught me. He set me down lightly, and ran his hand through his hair. Johnny was now beside me, asking if I was all right.

"I'm fine. I'm gonna go home, I'll talk to you, later." I started walking away as I heard Dally say something.

"You're welcome!" he said after me.

I kept walking.

………………

The next school day came with a blur, I couldn't wait for the date. I met Ponyboy and Johnny outside of school after it ended.

"Hey guys."

"Hey, wanna come to the drug store quickly? I just gotta get some more aspirin for Darry," Ponyboy said.

"Uhhh, sure," I told him. The three of us walked over to the store, and me and Johnny waited outside for him.

"Sooo, whats been happenin', Johnnycake?" I asked.

"Nutin' much."

"Ummm… wait is that Dally? I asked, squinting at someone making out with a black haired girl. His white blonde hair was all messed up by her hands. I started to turn red. I recognized her, she was a junior in our school. Her name was Sylvia, I think. I could see the glint of his ring on her finger. Johnny looked up, and blushed when he saw them. He nodded. The two parted and she smoothed her hair. She got into her car and drove off. Dally lit up, and walked over to us.

"Hey, y'all," He said. I smiled, and coughed a little. My throat was feeling awful scratchy. I coughed again, into my hand, and looked at it. Johnny's eyes were huge. Little specks of blood were on my lips and over my hand. My mouth tasted salty. I looked at them again, and rushed into the store. I pushed past Ponyboy, and ran into the store's bathroom. I looked up and saw Nakia and Janie talking to each other. Nakia looked up at me and she smiled. Janie also looked over, but rolled her eyes. She started walking over to the door, but Nakia didn't move.

Nakia looked at me again, this time seeing the blood, and she came over. "Wow, what happened to you? Did someone hit you or something? Are you ok?" I looked over at her.

"I'm fine!" I snapped. I sounded real rude, and I didn't mean to. She looked at me again, and left with Janie, saying a faint good bye. I grabbed paper towels and wet them. I wiped my hands down, and then rinsed my mouth out. My lips were still a little bit specked from the blood staining them, but it was hardly noticeable.

I walked back outside where Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally were all standing. They looked up at me as I came out.

"Hey you all right there, Corey?" Dally asked. Johnny looked up and waited for an answer. Ponyboy looked confused.

"Yea, I'm fine, I have a sore throat, that's all," I told them, kicking a small rock into the street. I could feel their stares boring into my head.

"Hey, no sore throat does that," He said, pointing at me. "Anybody hurt you? I can't figure out why that would happen! You should go to the hospital."

"Ain't nobody been hurtin' me, ok? It's really nothing!" I said. I coughed again, well more of a hack that time, and more blood came out. My throat felt even worse.

"I gotta get you to Darry," Dally told me, grabbing my arm. I pulled away from him.

"I told you, I'm fine! See I haven't coughed again! Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get home." I turned away from Dally, Johnny and Ponyboy and walked away. Ponyboy looked awfully confused.

When I got home, I laid out my clothes for that night. I wore a white tight fitting tee shirt, and a jean skirt that went down to my knees. I pulled my hair up into a ponytail, and put on a little black mascara. Not too much so I looked all goopy eyed, but just a hint of it. I looked at the clock on the wall, and decided to finish my home work. I looked up at the wall again after finishing it all, and it was 6 o'clock. I decided to kill time and go over to Ponyboy's house.

I saw no Dally when I walked in, or Johnny. Steve and Soda were playing cards, and Two-bit was drinking a beer. Pony was quietly reading Gone with the Wind. He wasn't concentrating hard on it though. He set it down on the table next to Steve.

"Hey, Corey," he said looking up.

"Hey Pony," I said back, sitting down next to him on the couch. "What's happening?" I asked him.

"Nothing much, Dally's gone with Sylvia some where, and Johnny's at his house I think. What about you?"

"Nothing much, either."

"Ain't you going some where with that Chris guy?" He asked me.

"Later, at around 8," I nodded. He looked around a little bit.

"What was up with earlier?" He whispered. I shifted a little.

"Nothing really, I have no idea what happened. It never has happened before. Does, uhhh, the rest of the guys know?"

"No, no one told them," He said looking at me.

"Ok," I said, turning towards the TV. Some weird home TV show series was on. We watched Steve and Soda arguing over who won. Finally some cards slipped out of Soda's collar, and Steve shouted at him. He moved his beer fast and it spilled on Ponyboy's book. Ponyboy looked at the soaked pages, and rushed into the kitchen to try and dry it off. He came out with it again and threw it into the trash can. He slouched down next to me.

"Some of the pages got ripped out while I was trying to dry it off. Plus it smelled bad."

"Rubbed too hard with the towel?" He nodded at me. I left around 7, and went to my house to grab some money. When I got back out of my room, my father came out of the living room.

"Where do you think you're goin'?" He eyed me.

"Out," I whispered.

"THEN GET THE HELL OUT!" he yelled, kicking me out the door. I ran to the end of the street, where my house was just a peaceful looking place, with one light on. I walked away, towards the drive in. I got there at about five to eight, and saw Dally glued to Sylvia's face in the lot. They were in a car.

I watched as a black truck drove up and Chris got out. He came up to me.

"Hey," he said, looking around and lighting a cigarette. I sighed. I didn't like people to smoke. "So," he said again, "You wanna grab that spot over next to that car?"

I looked at where he was pointing at. The only open spot was next to Dally.

"Uhhh, you wanna just sit down over at the no cars spot, or whatever you wanna call it?" He looked at me again and nodded. I smiled, and he smiled back. Not a 'whatever' smile, but a real one.

We sat down, and he fumbled for some of his money to get some food. I rolled my eyes, and couldn't stop smiling. I couldn't help it, there was something about him that made me wanna smile. He asked me if I wanted a Pepsi, and I said sure. He came back with two and sat next to me.

'So, umm, you're 13?" Even though I knew he already knew the answer. Probably Dally went up to him to talk to him, knowing Dally. I nodded. I looked at the screen, and there were a whole bunch of girls in two piece bathing suites. It was some weird beach party or something. Anyways the date went with our conversations being very small. It went from him asking questions to me answering, and so on and so forth. We stepped outside the nightly double gates. We walked over to his car.

"So, you wanna go out again sometime?" He asked, while lighting a cigarette. I looked up at him again.

"Umm, sure how about Sunday or something'?" I asked him, smiling.

"Sure, you wanna ride home? You can tell me where you live, and I'll drop you off."

"Nah, I like walking. Plus it's a nice night out. I'll see you Sunday. Here's my number," I told him, handing him the slip of paper. He smiled, looked at it, and slipped it into his jean pocket. I smiled again.

"Yea, see you," he said getting into his car. I walked away.

………………

I walked over to the park, and sat down on a bench again. I saw Johnny walking towards me after about 10 minutes of me listening to the sounds of silence (not the song, just silence, so I didn't make a mistake or anything).

I looked at Johnny in a new light. The way he slouched over, and his greasy bangs hung over his forehead, shadowing his eyes. His black hair swung in the breeze. I thought in horror as I could actually find myself in fear of him. But in a strange way, I could find myself liking him. Not that I did like that, but his eyes were so wonderful, and he had a great personality. It kind of gave me a slight stomach lurch. The good ones, where your stomach feels like it is floating. Then I remembered Chris, and the thoughts died away for a while. Except when I would look at him. Which was then.

I walked down to my house, saying a quiet goodbye before I would embarrass myself in front of him. Not that Johnny would ever laugh at me. Or make fun of me. He was nice like that. Then I also realized in horror that I also felt like this to two other people, in my mixed up mind. Chris of course was the top on of the three. But I couldn't really like Johnny like that, he was my best friend. But it's the one closest to us that we love the most, but then you may lose them. Hold on to them as much as you can, and if they're gone, you still have memories. But Johnny would never leave me like that, I knew that then.

………………

AN- Ok there it is, it prolly sucks, BUT O WELL. I hope y'all like it. I like it. Anyways, update! I might not update for a while, either 'cause of writers block or I'm not allowed on the comp. And the blood coughing thing, that happens to bulimic people. And the reason for her being bulimic is her being slightly schizophrenic. That will come up later in the book, too. And does anyone else think Pony looks way better in the movie with the bleached hair greased back? Cause I thought he was cute… update please! I said that…