Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' Gang. Sigh. The real owner of "The Outsiders" is my favorite author, the fabulous S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write here on this site.

A/N: If you like it, love it, or even if you hate it, you know what to do. Tell me in a review. I would love it if you favorited, followed, and/or if you gave me (a) suggestion(s). Thank you. :)

Ponyboy's POV

"Hey Johnny," I started. Soda had told me that I needed to tell Johnny about the abuse, but I was scared that he would judge me or be upset with me or something like that. I was scared to trust him even though he went through the same thing at his house.

"Yeah?" He asked in his usual soft voice. I gulped and pulled up my shirt to expose my scars. Well, the physical ones at least.

"I got to tell you something," I told him. His eyes were wide and his finger traced a deep pink scar that went from the bottom of my ribs up my chest, but he didn't say anything and let me finish my thought first.

"Well… I really don't want to do this… but you should know who did this to me… it was… my dad. He was a drug dealer and he used to hit us around a lot when he was drunk or high or needing a fix. He told us that if we told anyone he would hurt us worse and we would get taken away," I told him. After I got started in rushed out of me like water. He seemed to be processing it all slowly and carefully. I heard him take a deep breathe before staring to speak.

"I know it helped me when I started to talk to you about the abuse that went on at my house, maybe it would help you to talk to someone," he suggested. That was a long speech for Johnny Cade, I was impressed.

"A therapist? Darry already beat you to the punch. He wants Soda and I to talk to a "helpful and trustful adult" which would be a therapist," I told him sarcastically and bitterly. He shook his head.

"I meant the gang. I can tell Dally if you'd like. It isn't such a bad idea to see a therapist, but I see you don't really want to," he observed. I nodded.

We moved on to some lighter topics until the sun set. When we got done watching it I went inside. For the first time tonight nightmares of dad's beatings didn't plague my dreams. I had no secrets, no reason to worry. Soda told Steve, I told Johnny, and Johnny is going to tell Dally. Why worry? Perfect question and that's what I'm scared of. Having no pain and no fear. I didn't know how to live without violence.

Sodapop's POV

"Do you remember the first time that you told me about your dad throwing you out?" I asked my best buddy. He nodded, remembering how I caught him crying in the lot.

"I told you I understood," I started, hoping I didn't have to spell it out.

"Spit it out, Soda. What are you talking about?" He asked.

"I promised Ponyboy that I would do this. Dad and mom were drug dealers, they abused us, and my dad was high when he wrecked and miles my mom. He is in jail," I said hurriedly. I tried the band aid technique, fast and painless, but I was still nervous to talk about the abuse that took place.

"That's horrible. Bastard! Why didn't you tell me earlier, I'm your best buddy, aren't I?" He asked with a little bit of hurt in his voice.

"Well, because my dad told us that we would be taken away from home and he would find us and hurt us, I'm sorry Steve," I apologized. He waved it off with a smile that it wasn't because I didn't truest him, it was just fear and threats.

"It's okay, Sodapop," he assured me. I smiled and got back to work, feeling a touch lighter, but worried about the repercussions now that the gang knew what had taken place in our house.