SO SORRY THAT IT'S TAKEN ME SO LONG TO UPDATE BUT, A LOT OF THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND I COULDN'T GET ON THE INTERNET FOR AWHILE THERE.. AND ALL OF THAT STUFF.

Rated K+

I don't own anyone but Melanie.

-School?-

The next morning was like hell to get up. Back in the city if I drank like that the next day I would have another beer when I got up so I didn't feel so bad, but I still remember last night seeing Two-bit with that nasty girl. God, what was he thinking? Well, one of this heads was thinking and it sure the hell wasn't the one that he grew his side burns on. I didn't want to drink as much as I did when I was in the city. I think It might just kill Soda. I pushed the covers off my bed and went over to my dresser to find a hair tie. Ever since George started coming into my room at night I started wearing more clothes and slept with lots of covers even when It was the hottest nights. I pulled my hair up and saw my roots were coming in. My natural color was a red/brown. I was about to open my door when Dally opened it looking around for me.

"Hey." I said moving quickly

"Darry told me to get you up." He said with the same hard look on his face. But when he saw me it softened for a sec.

Dally's POV

She wasn't the same. You could see that plan as day. If that was because Two-bit wasn't in her life or something happened in the city. She was mean and didn't care what people though about her. She flipped on a guy that tried to touch her. Well, the guy was nasty, but she got along with Tim real good before that she didn't get along with him that much. I don't know. Maybe it's just a woman thing.

"Morning Dar." I said pulling a chair out.

"School Today."

"Come on Dar, you know I hate school." I said crossing my arms in front of my chest.

"Melanie..."

"They will know where I am..." I said thinking about if George told them I ran away or not. He prolly did. He wouldn't think I would really tell on him. I would. I really would. If only I could tell the ones that really mattered.

"Melanie..."

"Darrel." I wasn't going to school and he finally gave up.

"Look for a job AROUND our part of town." He yelled on his way out to work.

"Gonna help?" I asked Dally seeing him standing there.

"Yeah. You think im gonna let you walk around all by yourself?"He said walking over toward me.

"Believe me Dal, I can take care of myself. I have for the past year." I said feeling my back pocket for my knife. Noone would be touching me without getting some cold metal in there skin.

"Alright... just saying..." He said taken back form my comment. I didn't mean it as if they made me go, and I dunno if that's how he took it but that's how it was said. Pony came out with his book bag full of books and his gym clothes. Two-bit and Steve walked in the door just then along with Johnny and Angela.

"Going to school Rosey?" Pony asked looking from Two-bit to me then back.

"Nope. Job hunting with Dally here today." I said putting my arm on his shoulder making Two-bit look away. I think he knew I left with Dally last night.

"Rosey..." Pony said amazed.

"Pony, you and Dar are the only smart ones, Plus the state could find me if I go back to school."

"I guess your right..." He said looking down. Angela took his hand and went out the door. Everyone but Two-bit and Dally followed. Dally could feel the tension in the room between the two of us and walked out to have a cig.

"Red.." Two-bit start to say. Red was his nick name for me. He said the red rose was the most beautiful one. I didn't say anything I just looked away.

"Red, please look at me." He said coming over to me putting his arm around me.

"Two-bit, Please don't do this." I said rubbing my eyes. He let me go angry and looked at me with burning eyes.

"What the fuck Melanie? First you just show up here, acting like nothing happened. Like you didn't leave for a year, then you have a look in your eye that I've only seen Dally and Tim have. Now you don't want to hear it? Im trying to say something important to you and you don't want to hear it? And to top it all off, you have a knife in your pocket and you left Buck's with Dallas last nigh!" He yelled getting real upset.

"Don't you dare yell at me! You don't know what the fuck I went throw and you sure the hell don't know me anymore. And about Bucks party... Weren't you the only making out with the nasty blond that made me leave?" I shot back giving him such a look it made him back up. "Go to hell Keith." I said going to my room.