Thanks for still reading!! Oh, and yes, I do love exclamation marks and I tend to use them without even thinking so ... sorry. haha


Johnny's neck froze in complete fear while Pony and I slowly turned our heads. Six Socs stood behind us glaring with pure hatred.

"Get out!!" the one in the middle barked at us.

"Why should they?!" Two-Bit appeared beside them with Dally following.

"Because it's our seats, hood!!"

Two-Bit looked offended. "I'm not a hood! But Dally, he's a hood!"

Dally flicked out a switchblade, his eyes widening maniacally.

"There's no need for that!!" the soc spat.

"Get outta here!!"

Two-Bit pushed one of them and the socs freaked. He shoved Two-Bit back harder, knocking him into Dally. "Don't touch me, filth!!"

Don't fight! Please don't fight, I thought, I don't want to be dragged in and I don't want to watch! I'm too weak!

"Don't – call – me – filth!!" Two-Bit roared and punched the soc in the face.

No! I cried in my head.

The soc fell back and his friends attacked Dally and Two-Bit. Ponyboy jumped over the seats and joined in while Johnny and I watched terrified.

"What do we do?" I blurted, my mind shutting down out of fear.

Before Johnny could reply, the great blur of guys fighting had separated. The socs backed up, eyes big. Dally and Two-Bit both stood there flashing their switchblades. Two-Bit twitched as if to get them and they all ran the opposite direction. My body numb, I just stood there shocked. Two-Bit burst out laughing and put away his prized blade. How could they both stay so cool in the middle of a fight?

"Still wanna watch a movie?" Dally asked, grinning crazily.

Johnny and I both shook our heads slowly, still startled.

"Nuh uh!" Pony stated, rubbing his head.

Dally glanced over at Johnny and his smile slid away. "You okay, Johnnycake?"

Johnny looked up surprised. "Oh! Yeah … Yeah, I'm fine!"

Dally nodded. "Okay."

Once we'd left the drive-in, Dally saw a girl and chased her, and Two-Bit remembered he had a date with one of his many blondes, leaving Pony, Johnny, and me all alone to walk to … wherever we were going. For the rest of the day at least until midnight we just roamed around like usual. Not much fun.

"Do you guys … Where … er …" Pony searched for words, rubbing the back of his neck. "I dunno … You guys can stay at our place anytime, you know that right? … It's no bother for any o' us at all!"

I stared at my feet and Johnny nodded, "Sure, yeah!"

"Okay, well then … see ya!" He waved and stepped into his house.

"Come on," I said and Johnny and I headed back to the park where we sat on the fountain. I ran my fingers through the water and Johnny stared up at the sky.

"It's gettin' real cloudy up there," he stated after a few minutes.

I looked up and saw the big thick dark clouds coming in. They were beautiful and all but … it also meant rain (I LOVE rain) which also meant having to find a place to stay.

"Maybe they'll just pass over," I mumbled, staring up at them too.

So we both waited and watched, and about fifteen minutes later I felt the first drop. Gradually the rain grew harder and harder until it was pelting onto us and thunder started shaking the ground, and we were forced to get up and run.

"Wait!" I said, grabbing Johnny's arm and stopping, "Where are we going?"

"Er …" He shrugged, blinking the rain out of his eyes, "Either your uncle's or … the Curtis' or … my house."

I stood there, the rain soaking into my clothes, thinking hard. Johnny didn't want to go home, I was too scared to go to "my" house, and we both felt guilty for staying at the Curtis'.

"Fine! Pony's it is!" I exclaimed and we raced to their small but oh so homey house.

We stood on their front step nervously and paused before we entered. Soda looked up from the couch where he was watching TV and grinned. I was surprised he was actually sitting still!! He jumped up.

"Hey guys! Wow're you drenched!" He raised an eyebrow. "I'll go get you some dry clothes."

"Oh! You don't have to …" I started but he interrupted,

"No! You'll get a cold or … whatever. Just a sec," and he disappeared into the bedroom he shared with Pony.

Pony came out of the room, holding a book. "Hey Johnny, River!" he greeted cheerfully. "Guess you can't sleep outside in a storm, huh?"

Johnny smiled weakly.

"Well, I'm glad you guys came here," he continued, "Personally, I think it's a bit better than cowering under a piece of cardboard."

Just then Soda arrived with two towels, two shirts, and two pairs of jeans. "Sorry, jeans, not real comfy but all we got."

I took one of it all and locked myself in the bathroom. I stared at the clothes for a few seconds before putting them on. It felt pretty awkward to be wearing Soda's clothes. I was just glad it was a long-sleeved shirt, and his jeans were loose, therefore comfy. When I emerged, Pony had left for bed and Johnny was lying on a pile of blankets and pillows on the ground. Soda was still grinning widely.

"You got the couch, River," he said, pointing at it.

"Oh! Why do I get it?"

"You're a girl, of course!"

I frowned and sat on it.

"Well, g'night. Sleep well," Soda said and left the room.

I lay down and sighed. Ooh! It's sure comfy! And a few seconds later I was dead-asleep. A new record for me!


'Kay so ... I know not much happened in this chapter but ... I couldn't think. haha. I can't think a lot!! Please, I'm STILL begging you, review!! Thanks!