Chapter Sixteen

'I can't believe you're still making me go to school! At a time like this too!' was all Alice had when we'd gotten into the car. To be honest, I definitely think she thought Emily was telling the truth as she'd also wanted to go after her and apologize. But Kate quite bluntly wouldn't let her or I go back and told us Emily had to cool down but I have this feeling that she wanted to say more, but not whilst her sister was in the car.

I was, of course, in extreme shock that Emily was in denial. I honestly couldn't believe her. I mean, she doesn't act smart sometimes, even though she's this undiscovered genius, but I know that she's intelligent enough to get out of stupid situations. I just wish she knew that she had to get out of this one. And then to act the way she is it sort of hurts, that she can trust this boy that she's only known for a week over me, someone she has known for her whole life, or even her very best friend Alice.

It's just so unbelievable that she's acting like this. I'm starting to wish, as I stare out of Kate's car window, that I had of told this all to my brothers. My way was what I saw as the nice way but she didn't want that. Their way, which most likely would involve a lot of telling, would probably work. Sure, she'd probably hate us more but isn't that better than being hated and having him still there?

Sighing loudly I looked over to Kate, with the frown on her face and the crease between her brows, I think she agreed with me, even though I hadn't said anything she nodded and looked over to me and sighed as well. The car slowly came to a standstill again as the traffic lights turned to red and Kate began to speak.

"I know, Pixie, I know. This really wasn't right," she told me softly. "I feel so guilty and I'm not even close to her, I can't even think to how you're feeling." Kate then paused, "Ash believes her, I think it'd be best to keep her out of this now. Until its all over at least."

I nodded, "Yeah," I sighed as I tapped my fingers on the armrest. "I want to tell Darry so bad right now, but I'm scared of how he'll react. I'm scared he'll blame me for not stopping it, not telling him…not knowing."

"He won't. No, not Darry." Kate said quickly, I've known him all of my life yet she's known him for a few weeks but I believed her. "He'll get annoyed, but I think that's to be expected. He'll worry if anything, I swear on it, Pixie."

Then she gave this nervous laugh, "I know you probably think I'm being silly since I haven't known him that long but I feel like I've known him my whole life." Kate then gave me a smile and I smiled back. "I expect you think I'm weird, huh?"

I laughed and shook my head, "No, I don't. It just must be something special that you've got with my brother."

"It is," she smiled looking back to the road as the lights turned green.

Sighing again, only much quieter this time, I looked back out the window lost in my thoughts. This time muddled with drifting thoughts of my brother and his girlfriend. Blinking suddenly my brows furrowed as the car turned down a very familiar street that I can tell you right now isn't anywhere near where Darry is working this week.

"Kate, where are we going?" I demanded loudly.

"I know you said that you wanted to talk to Darry but I know that you'd rather tell Sodapop first," said Kate. "Then you can get comfort from him before you tell Darry. I know how it works, so does Darry. He told me."

I gaped at her in amazement and Kate just shrugged nonchalantly. I have heard people say before that your parents know more about you than what you think and I believed that with my parents but not with Darry. He's my brother, sure my guardian too but I'll always see him as my big brother first. But clearly he knows more than he ever lets on.

"Hey ladies!" Sodapop said smoothly as Kate pulled into the DX. I was taken back slightly but as Sodapop continued talking I looked up at him, "I take it staying in school has died on you lately huh, Pix?"

"No." I said softly meeting his eye. "I have something important to tell you, that's all."

Sodapop stared me back. "Someone die?"

"Nope."

"Someone ran over the dog?"

"Soda, we don't have a dog." I pointed out as Sodapop made an 'Oh' sound. "This is actually important, Soda. I'd appreciate seriousness now or I won't even tell you." I told him irritably as I stepped out of the car.

"Pixie, I have a class I may as well get to now that didn't work." Kate told me. "I'll come around this afternoon, okay?" As I nodded Sodapop gave Kate a perplexed look but she didn't supply him with an answer. "Bye Sodapop."

I felt Soda's hand on my arm as he led me away from the road and into the building. At a quick glance I saw Steve, who coincidentally saw no point in school the week before holidays, throwing Sodapop a suspicious look. Most likely due to the fact I was there. The Queen Goody-Goody. Well, that's what I'd heard him call me once, I debate whether or not he's still game to use it as I informed him when he used it I'd tell my mom. At this point in time we were twelve and Moms punishment of name-calling resulted in cleaning the house. Not a desirable job with three boys living there as well as all the gang.

Suddenly Sodapop's hand wrapped around my arm tighter as he dragged me behind the counter and instructed me to sit on the chair and not move an inch whilst he told Steve to come and hear this. I was going to protest and say it wasn't his business but then again it wasn't mine or Soda's either. Sighing in annoyance I sat down and crossed my arms impatiently as I started to tap my foot on the dirt-ridden floor.

"On a scale on one to ten how bad is this, then?" Steve wanted to know as the boys reappeared. "It's just I have to fix that car by two,"

I managed to restrain myself from smiling at that comment. It was just so typical of Steve to say that. "I'd say a nine verging on a ten. Or if we're badly mislead then it'd be a three perhaps, with incredible apologies to be given out on mine, Kate's and Alice's behalf."

"Her younger sister?" Soda asked without waiting for a reply he continued. "Is this to do with something Evie told you the other day? And it involves Emily?"

"Don't believe a word Evie says, she's probably stirring," Steve put in as my brother nodded.

"She isn't the only one backing this up. Ashley saw something, Ponyboy saw something and told me. Hell I saw it." I said miserably as I stopped tapping my foot. "You know how Em got herself that little boyfriend of hers?"

"Yup," they both said.

"He's Evie's younger brother, step brother I should say it." I informed them, talking slowly and clearly and elaborated the story for them to hear every little detail I knew and how badly I could have possibly screwed this up by getting the wrong perception on the whole thing. But by the end of it, from the shocked expressions on their faces I'm inclined to think that they agree with the rest of us on what we think too.

"So…he's hit her?" Steve asked in a strangled voice.

"We have no proof but since when has Em been a klutz?" I pointed out.

Soda nodded but said nothing. Looking at him you could tell he was thinking. Steve was mumbling to himself but kept looking up at me for reassurance that this wasn't some huge practical joke we'd all been involved in. I can only wish that it was, or even it being a dream. But no dream is ever as nightmarish as this.

"Darry needs to know, and Two-Bit." Sodapop said slowly. "Then no matter what Emily is not seeing this boy. I don't care. If someone was doing this to you Pixie I wouldn't care if you hated me forever but I wouldn't make you see him ever again, if she hates us I don't care."

"I'm all for that," Steve agreed.

I hesitated before I hastily nodded. "Yes…but do you honestly think we should tell Two-Bit?"

"He's your boyfriend, what do you think?"

"He'll kill him. I quite like the idea of having a boyfriend in my life, not in the cooler."

Steve smirked. "True. But we have to. You plan on being the victim if he's not told?"

I laughed nervously but shook my head. "Okay, I'll tell him. But I won't tell Darry."

"Deal," Sodapop sighed as he held out his hand and I shook it. "Now when do we kick this into gear?"

"Now."