The Past Haunts

Pony's POV

"So I met the mysterious Brigit everyone's talking about today," I said casually setting my book bag on the coffee table as a bit back a grin when Darry's head popped around the corner, and light up.

"How'd you manage that one?"

"She came to pick up her little sister from school, name's Kadee, and turns out we're in the same grade."

Watching his face carefully I told him about what had gone down earlier, shocked by the possessive glint in his eyes as they darkened with anger.

"In the end we're human beings just the same as they are, and it makes no sense that they think they're so much better than we are cause they have money."

"Sounds like you feel the same way she does," I said leaning back on the couch as I began my English assignment.

I had a date with Ang later, and me and Darry had agreed, home work first and I could do

what I wanted long as I was in at a decent hour.

Soda's Pov

Looking up from the table as Love entered the room I sprung in to action tossing her across my shoulder and spinning before I realized she wasn't alone at all.

" Soda! Put me down you're making me dizzy!" She said laughing as I came to a halt and placed her on the ground as we both swayed.

"Hey Gwen," I said trying to look tough after making a fool of misled in front of someone I didn't know.

"Hey Soda," She said blushing as she smiled, trying to act like nothing had happened.

"See Gwen, this is how he is all the time," She said rolling her eyes as she shoved me playfully.

" I'm relieved to know its not just my brother," She said as they both laughed and I noticed the pile of magazines Gwen was holding.

"What's that?" I asked leaning closer to get a better look.

"Bridal stuff," She huffed rolling her eyes as they made their way in to the room.

"Geez," I said turning to face Pony and Darry with an exaggerated frown.

"When did Love go and get all girly on us, and did she ever mention when the hell their wedding was going to be anyway?" I asked laughing as I threw myself on Steve who was resting in the chair that had been

our Dad's favorite.

" Sometime in the winter, I think," Two- Bit said coming in to the living room with a mouth full of chocolate cake.

" Come on now Soda, all girls are like this when it comes to their wedding," Steve said playfully throwing an arm around me as I shook my head.

" I'm thinking she's fixing to drive us crazier than a loon," Darry said shaking his head as we all thought about how our mom should be here now, but never said it out loud.

"She's as much our sister as she is yours we'll all pitch in," Dally said making me smile.

For a hood, he sure cared a lot about us. He'd changed for the better since Johnny. It was the only good thing that had come out of that year.

Gwen's Pov

"Is it always this chaotic?" I asked as we plopped on to the bed.

" Yea, but we've all been together so long, its like having a big family, its good to have so many people having your back around here," She said locking eyes as with me as I nodded.

She'd asked me to be a bride's maid earlier to day, and I'd gratefully accepted. She said she didn't have many girlfriends, and her fiancée had a few guys he wanted to stand up with him. It felt

good to be a part of something once more, and I couldn't help but feel like the two of us had really clicked.

" You have any ideal what you want the wedding to be like?" I asked rolling on to my stomach as we laid the books out.

" I'm still trying to decide If I want to wear my mom's dress or night, it doesn't seem right to do with them not here ," She said frowning.

"For now I just want to decide on to main colors, and pick out brides maid dresses that aren't hideous like all of the ones I've seen," She said doing a mock shiver as we giggled.

This was going to be fun.

Love's POV

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Hearing the sound of my brother's voice raised in anger an hour later the three of us froze. Soda never used that tone with anyone, and to hear him do so now told me something really shady was going on in the

other room.

"Was that Soda?" Ang asked standing as I nodded and we all made our way to the living room.

Feeling like I'd been punched in the gut as I spotted the dishwater blonde standing in the doorway I clenched my teeth, and balled my fists. After everything she put him through she had the nerve to show

her face here like nothing had ever happened. Feeling like time was standing still I made my way through the almost statue like figures of the boys who all stood still not sure what to do. It was rare to

see Soda upset, ever, and this was a delicate situation. Placing my hand on his back in silent support I smiled when he leaned his weight against me, and placed a hand over mine to let me know he knew I was

there.

" Is there a problem baby?" I whispered turning what I knew was an icy glare towards the blonde who stood all but shaking a few feet away.

I could tell she didn't recognize me as her eyes filled with question and she scanned my face for a sign of what Soda meant to me.

"No, I think she just got lost," Soda said tearing my heart out as he shook slightly.

" Want me to handle it?" I asked grinning wildly when he nodded at stepped aside.

Soda's Pov

I think stepping away from Sandy knowing my sister was going to tear in to her was one of the hardest things I ever had to. Still in my heart I knew it was necessary to finally get some closure. She'd

cheated on me, gotten pregnant, and left without so much as a goodbye, I didn't owe her anything, and it was time I realized it. Just seeing her again made a part of me ache, and I couldn't help but be curious about what happened to the baby, and what she was doing back in town.

"Go back inside baby doll," She said gently reminding me of our Mother when she ran a gentle hand across my cheek.

"I'm only going to talk to her Soda, I know despite everything really hurting her would hurt you," She whispered hugging me close as I buried my nose in her hair.

" Did I ever tell you how much I love you Gloria?" I asked grateful that she was speaking low enough for just us to hear.

Looking at Sandy once more I met her hopeful gaze.

"Its been over between us for a long while now Sandy, and if its all the same to you I'd appreciate if you didn't come around anymore," I said turning my back as she began to sob.

"Let's have a little talk girly," Love said closing the door as she stepped out front.

"You ok man?" Darry asked as they all crowded around me.

"Yea, for the first time I really think I am man," I said ruffling Pony boys' hair as everyone relaxed.

" What do you think Love's doing to her right now?" Steve asked as they all looked towards the closed door.

"What she deserves," Ang said making me smile as she threw an arm around my shoulders.

"Stick with us boys, we take care of out own," She said making us laugh as I smiled at Gwen apologetically, the poor girl had no ideal what the hell was going on right now.

"Sandy's my ex, it didn't end real good," I said shrugging as she nodded sympathetically.

Love's POV

"You still don't know who I am do you?" I asked keeping my distance

as I let her sweat.

" His new girl."

Shaking my head I scowled in disgust. If I'd been her a year earlier she never would have gotten pass the not good enough for my brother radar.

"You're pathetic, if you'd ever really loved Soda the way he'd loved you, you would have been able to take one look at me and know who I was."

"Since it's obvious you're clueless I'm going to tell you who I am. I'm the shadow that will darken your doorway if you ever come near my brother again," I said smirking as knowledge shined in her eyes.

"Yea, the one who was away for a long time in the reformatory," I said menacingly.

" I think you dig what I'm trying to say, I don't like people hurting my family, and its clear to me at this point that all you'll ever bring Soda is pain, I'm going to put it to you this way, If he hurts you'll hurt," I said toning down all the things I really wanted to say and do.

" I just wanted to tell him I was sorry… for everything," She whispered standing slowly as she made her way down the front stairs.

"You didn't have to come all this way just to tell him something we all ready knew," I said leaning against the door way as I watched her leave, shoulders slumped, and head down.

Brigit's POV

"You're welcome," I said playfully tugging my sister's pony tail as we walked in to the house with her still giving me the evil eye

" I just wish it could be different sometimes Brig."

"I know baby truth is I do too, I hoped things would be more relaxed here, but life has a way of not turning out how you planned, so we have to make the best of it."

Patting her back as I took in the grim faces of my brother I waited until she was engrossed in her homework before making my way in to the living room.

"Dish," I said crossing my arms as they exchanged a look I knew all to well.

"I think we saw Max today," Aidan said taking a deep breath when I paled.

"What?" I snapped as my heart began to pound.

"What the hell would he be doing here Dill?" I asked all ready knowing the answer. He wanted me back..

"It wasn't a sure thing Brig, we just, wanted you to keep an eyes out, just in case," Dil said wrapping an arm around my waist as I scowled.

" If I ever saw Max again in this lifetime it would be too soon," I said rubbing my arms as my flesh broke in to goose bumps.