Thanks for the reviews! So I figured I'd update for ya before I start getting super busy with my schoolwork again. I'd like to give a special thanks to LatinaChick4life and Gracie for inspiring this next chapter! Thanks to everyone who reviewed though! They mean a lot to me so thanks! And once again you all rock lol Anyways enough of my rambling here is Chapter 12…

Chapter 12

What do you Care?

I'd like to say that things just went back to normal. That I got over Ponyboy and everyone else got over calling me a slut. Better yet I'd like to say that Ponyboy came to his senses and forgave me and that we were back together. But if I said any of that, I'd be lying.

Everyone was still calling me a slutty little bitch. I survived Sunday at work thanks to Dez. She decided to come work with me that day so at least I had someone backing me up. But these two guys that I didn't even know were being real asses to me. Even Garrett finally couldn't take it any more so him and Lee basically beat the shit out of those two guys. I'd never really seen Garrett fight before. But watching him I knew that he was definitely a guy I wouldn't mess with. He looked really pissed off and I sort of felt sorry for the guy he was taken it out on. But then again I didn't, those two guys deserved it. And I'm not going to lie to you. I kind of enjoyed watching them get their asses kicked.

School was even worse though. I pretty much had to listen to shit from everyone. I caught some of my teachers even giving me evil glares or just shaking their head at me. The only people I had were Garrett, Jeff, Scott, and Danielle. I had Lee too but like I said before he dropped out of high school and same with Dez. Actually the only other person to believe me was James, the annoying guy that always kicks my seat in English. Well Johnny had told me he believed me. But he was Ponyboy's best friend. And around here everyone pretty much chose a side. And it was mostly me who had to deal with everyone's snide comments when I walked by and the evil glares they gave me. I felt like everyone was watching me and constantly picking me apart.

But the thing that made everything even worse was the fact that I still loved Ponyboy. I had only seen him once since Dingo's. He was walking down the hall with a few of his friends. He didn't even look over at me. It felt like someone had ripped my heart out all over again.

I was trying my best to deal with it all. But honestly it was way to hard. Having my friends there helped me out and I acted as normal as I could around them. But it was when I was home alone at Mrs. Hannigan's that things really started getting to me. I would just sit there thinking about everything; I had come so close just to giving up. I wanted to give in and just get away from all this shit. But I didn't. Not for me, but for Bryan.

So then I started thinking maybe I should just become what everyone thought I was. Be the slut everyone told me I am. Why not? At least then there comments would be true. Maybe I should actually go sleep with Curly and every other guy I had rumored to sleep with. Then Ponyboy and everyone else would have a good reason to be pissed off at me. But I couldn't bring myself to do that either.

Instead I became just real depressed. I didn't go out and party anymore. I hardly did anything anymore. I woke up, went to school, came home, read a book, felt bad for myself, and then went to sleep. Lee and everyone were starting to get real worried about me. One night I was home alone, while Mrs. H was at one of her doctor's appointments, Danielle had come over.

"Hey Kate."

"Oh hey Danielle," I said setting down my book.

"What are you up too?"

"Just reading."

Danielle nodded her head and took a seat next to me, "What's up with you kiddo?"

"Nothing."

Danielle gave a slight laugh, "I mean. Why are you sitting at home reading when there's a party down at David's again. Lee and I are going. Wanna come with?"

I shook my head, "Nah I'm fine here."

"Come on Kate. It'll be fun. I promise."

I tried to force a smile but shook my head again.

"Kate. You know breakin' up isn't the end of the world."

"Yeah I know," I said looking down at my bed, "But it still hurts real bad."

Danielle nodded her head in understanding, "I know honey. But you're not gonna be able to heal if you don't get out of here. You sure you don't wanna come?"

I nodded my head again, "I think I'd rather stay home."

Danielle nodded her head with a grin, "Well then I'm afraid I'm gonna have to leave you with him."

I raised an eyebrow and looked over at my door. There was Garrett wearing some ridiculous pair of pajama's and one of his sister's stuffed animals in one hand. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh my god Kate. We are gonna have so much fun!" he said in an all to girly voice as he leapt onto my bed.

"Garrett you are such a freak!" I said with a laugh as hit him on the head with a pillow.

"Oh now you've done it!" he said with a grin as he took the stuffed animal in his hand and hit me playfully with it.

I looked up at Danielle who laughed and headed towards the door.

"Have fun you two, " she said with a grin as she left.

Garrett and I had started a pillow fight. It was actually pretty funny. He was really trying to be girly even though he knew I wasn't really a girly girl. But I knew he was doing it to cheer me up. After awhile we had both settled down and we just talking.

"So let's talk about boys," Garrett said in his girly voice but then he saw the look on my face, "Or not."

I couldn't help but laugh, "Nah. It's fine. So what boys do you think are pretty fine?"

I grinned at him and gave him a playful push.

"Well you know Scott has been looking pretty fine lately. I think he likes me," Garrett answered with a grin.

We had a long pointless conversation about all the boys that Garrett 'liked.' I was really glad to have a good friend like Garrett around. After awhile both of us got tired and I felt myself slowly drifting off to sleep. Garrett had taken a pillow and made himself comfy on the floor. I smiled; he was a really great guy. Just as I was about to close my eyes I heard him say something.

"You know Kate. You're a smart, beautiful girl. You're funny or at least you try to be," he stopped and grinned yet he had a serious look in his eyes, "Don't let him or anyone else get to ya okay?"

I nodded my head and feel asleep.

The next morning I woke up a lot happier then usual. I felt a little more like myself. I got dressed but Garrett had to go home quickly before school to check on his sisters. I went with him. I've always liked Garrett's sisters and they liked me too. I was pretty much a sister to them. Which I thought was pretty cool. Besides I felt the same way.

Little Jenna ran up to me and gave me hug, "Hey Kate!"

"Hey Jenna! How's my girl?"

Garrett laughed as tried to break up his other two sisters, Lily and Tiffany, who were fighting over the bathroom. They're twins but not identical and there about 13. Jenna was still telling me a story about how some boy in her class put a tack on their teacher's chair. I was trying my best to listen but then Garrett's youngest sister, Anna who's 3, came running up to me begging me to pick her up. So I did and walked around with her for a little while as I was listening to Jenna. Garrett had finally managed to pull Lily and Tiffany apart when his other sister Bethany came running down the stairs in tears. Bethany was a year younger then Garrett.

"Oh my god! What am I going to do?"

"What's up Bethany?" Garrett asked in a casual manner as he guarded the bathroom door from Lily as Tiffany was using it to get ready.

"My life is over!" Bethany started yelling, just then she saw me, "Kate! Thank god! Come with me!"

She took grabbed my arm and I set Anna down so I didn't drop her or something. Bethany dragged me upstairs to her room.

"What am I suppose to wear! He's never gonna ask me out! Look at me! God what am I gonna do?"

I looked at Bethany's room that had clothes scattered all over the place. I couldn't help but laugh.

"This is not a laughing matter!" Bethany said as she started to cry again, "Justin will never ask me out looking like this!"

"Okay. Calm down Bethany," I said with a grin, "Now let's see."

I picked up a shirt and a pair of jeans.

"Try that on."

Bethany nodded her head and quickly put the outfit on.

"Now," I walked over to Bethany and took her hair out from her ponytail. I gave it a few flips. Then I took the front of the shirt she was wearing and tied a little knot, "There whadda ya think?"

Bethany ran to the mirror and let out a happy shriek.

"Kate! You're a life saver!" she said as she ran over and gave me a hug.

I couldn't help but smile, "Now come on get going. You're gonna be late."

Bethany gave me another hug before running down stairs.

"Love ya! Bye," she said as she opened the front door and took off towards the car sitting out front.

Garrett raised an eyebrow at me but I just shrugged. Garrett didn't really like the fact his little sister was getting a ride with some boy that he didn't know. But he didn't have time to object any ways as Lily made another attempt to knock her brother out of her way.

Garrett's Mom poked her head in from the kitchen. She was now holding Anna and she looked like she was in a hurry.

"Garrett will you drop Anna off at Daycare for me! I'm gonna be late for work again!"

Garrett nodded his head, "Yeah sure mom. Have a great day."

"Thanks honey! Bye."

Garrett nodded his head as Anna now ran over to him.

I helped Lily do her hair quickly as Garrett tried to get Tiffany out of the bathroom. The whole time Jenna just sat on the couch reading a book. She reminded me so much of Garrett.

After a few more minutes both Tiffany and Lily were ready. Jenna grabbed her backpack and Garrett made sure all three of them got onto the bus. Then Garrett grabbed his keys and locked the place up.

"Sorry about that," he said with a laugh as we left the house.

"Not a problem at all," I said with a smile as little Anna walked in between us.

Garrett smiled. We listened to Anna tell us about her new friends as day care. Anna insisted that we come inside so we could meet them. So we did but only for a second because we were going to be late for school. Garrett kissed Anna good-bye, I gave Anna a hug and then we were off.

Once we actually got to school. I had almost completely forgotten about how depressed I had been lately. Even Jeff and Scott were surprised by my cheery mood, but relieved. The day went by pretty smoothly until that is I saw Angela Sheppard.

"Oh hey there slut. I mean Kate," Angela smiled at me as she stood there hands on her hips as her friends laughed behind her.

"Hey Angie," I said with a polite smile.

I had learned from Danielle that Angela was the one who had started the rumor about Curly and me. I knew she had done it to get me out of the picture. She had a thing for Ponyboy and she knew since Curly was her brother he'd go along with what she said.

When I had found out, I was going to be the shit out of Angela. I had even walked all the way to the Sheppard's house. But once I had gotten there, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I knew it wasn't going to change anything. So why even bother. Why should I let Angela have the satisfaction of knowing she had gotten to me? Instead I just gave her the cold shoulder. Though when I heard Curly bragging to some guys how good I was in bed, I had given him a good kick to the groin. I hated both Angela and Curly for what they had done to me. But at the same time I knew I couldn't change it. Ponyboy had made up his mind and me kicking the shit out of Angela wasn't going to change that.

"So you coming to the dance tonight?" she asked with a hint of mockery.

"Actually I am," I said confidently.

Garrett, Jeff and Scott all looked at me in shock. I actually wasn't going to go. But now that I had said it to Angela I knew I had to. Besides I was in a good mood today. Maybe getting out of the house wouldn't be a bad thing.

"Really?" Angela asked with a raised eyebrow, "Can't wait to see you there."

I nodded my head as I walked by them without another word.

Danielle was ecstatic when I told her I was coming to the dance. She made me go over to her house and get all dolled up. I didn't really mind. Actually I was kind of having fun. And I will admit Danielle and I were looking pretty damn good. Lee picked us up and when he saw us I could see his jaw drop slightly.

"Wow I'm one lucky guy."

Once we got to the dance I spotted Garrett and Scott over by the punch bowl.

"Hey."

"Wow. Hello Kate," Scott said as his eyes wandered over my body.

I gave him a playful punch but I still caught him looking at me every once in a while. But I let it slide. I was actually enjoying some attention from the guys. And I was actually getting some complements. Which was a definite change of pace.

I was having a pretty good time. Garrett and I were out dancing like a bunch retards. Which only made it more fun. I looked over to see Ponyboy, Two-Bit and a few other guys standing on along the sides watching me. I tried to act like I didn't notice. But I could feel my heart beating faster as I saw Ponyboy starring at me.

Garrett had made his way over to where Jeff was flirting with some girls and I turned around and started dancing with Scott. I was just about to risk another glance over at Ponyboy. He was looking real good tonight. But then I saw Angela walk up and wrap her arms around his neck. I stopped, dead cold. My eyes went wide in shock yet I felt like I could cry. But I didn't. I pushed my way through the crowd to get outside. I was sure there had to be some body out here with a beer or something.

I typically don't drink. I'd only ever gotten drunk once and that was a few days after Bryan had died. I figured that getting wasted might help take away the pain. If only for a little while. It took away the pain for a while but the hangover the next day wasn't worth it. Not to mention the lecture I got from Lee. But I didn't care right now. I wanted to get completely wasted. I didn't want to feel a thing.

I saw a group of guys by some cars and I walked over. They all seemed to be pretty wasted so I figured they'd have to have a beer or whiskey or something. I was right. One of the guys whistled at me.

"Hey baby. Wanna join us?"

I felt myself twirl a piece of hair pretty much out of instinct, "If you're here. Then sure."

The guy grinned and offered me a beer. I took it.

It's wasn't to long till I was on my third beer, or wait, maybe it was my fourth. I didn't know. I was flirting like crazy and just hollering random things. One of the guys figured I was probably going to be coming home with him and kept passing me more alcohol and slowly getting closer and closer to me. Just as he was leaning into kiss me, another guy went inside their car and turned up the radio. I quickly broke away from the one guy hitting on me and started doing a little dance.

I had finished yet another beer and was reaching for another one when someone grabbed my arm. I felt this electricity pass through me as I looked up to see who it was. I looked over to see Ponyboy holding my arm.

"Kate. What are you doing?" he asked with genuine concern.

I looked up into his eyes. I loved them so much. Hell I loved him. But he was just in there with Angela, he was over me. I felt tears rolling down my face as I pulled my arm away from him.

"What do you care?" I said coldly.

"Kate. You know I-"

But just at the exact second Lee showed up. He glared at Ponyboy and I started seeing two of everything. I was swaying like crazy and I was just about to fall when Lee grabbed me. And the last thing I remember were Ponyboy's sad eyes starring at me and Lee's strong arms holding me before I passed out.

There you go! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please let me know what you think!