We pulled away from the kiss and I felt like a whole new person. He stared at me, a grin forming on his face. I just felt my face get redder and redder. Soda chuckled slightly and ran his hand over my cheek softly.

"Why are you blushing?" He teased me. I looked down immediately because I knew I was about to put a tomato in a jealous state. He chuckled again, "Why are you embarrassed?"

I looked up at him, trying to make the blood flow leave my head, "I dunno. I can't help it I guess," I explained. He took his hand down from my cheek and smiled at me.

I looked away for a moment, lost in my own thoughts. It was peaceful, just standing there with the cool evening breeze hitting us.

"So, what is this?" I asked slowly, wondering if my fantasy was coming true. I slowly turned my head back to him as he looked off towards where the sun was beginning to set.

" Well, it's something," he noted, smiling. I rolled my eyes and slapped him, playfully, on the chest.

"I get it's something," I blushed again, wishing I could slap the heat out of my cheeks, " but what is that something?"

Soda stared blankly, just looking at the horizon. I was sad I couldn't read him. Some people were so easy to read, almost like an open children's book; Others were not. He finally turned, looking back at me. He grabbed my free hand with his right.

"I think, that this uh something, is me and you together," he told me, quietly. I barely heard from how quiet it'd actually been. I looked down as heat rose in my cheeks. I looked back up to see him looking at me, "Whaddya' think?"

I wanted to scream to him that it was an amazing idea, but decided to keep my composure at calm.

"I think it's a good idea," I saw his eyes flash with something I'd never seen before, as he grinned at me. That grin fit him perfectly and I loved it.

"Then, I guess we're something…" Soda leaned in close. I could feel his breath on my lips as he got closer. I made sure to lean in just the right amount so our lips hit each other perfectly.

I felt like I was flying, until reality came back and hit me. I pulled away.

"Wait, Soda. I-I can't do this," I said sadly. I looked at Soda and he seemed upset. He gave me a curious look and I sighed. Why couldn't I just say yes?

"Soda, you and I both know Two-Bit won't like this one bit," I tried to explain. Soda sighed, looking down. I was pretty sure he knew I was right. He looked back up, stuffing his hands in his jean pockets.

"Listen Lizzy. I really like you. If you don't feel the same way about me, then I won't even consider this. I can talk to Two-Bit , though. Ya' know, try and convince him?"

I thought it through. I really liked Sodapop too. I wanted to have that something with him that only a few minutes ago we decided we did have. I looked to him and bit my lip, nodding.

"Would you really talk to him?" I asked cautiously. Soda threw a glance sideways, then nodded.

"Yeah I would."

XXX

Actually, I was worried. I was pretty confident Two-Bit was gonna get pissed, but I needed Soda more than anyone realized.

When I'd been kissing him, talking to him, doing stuff with him I felt okay. I wasn't scared to close my eyes. I wasn't imagining Jack every moment. I forgot those horrid memories of Jack and anything he'd ever done to me.

Being with Soda made me forget things more than my nightly job did, and all I did was kiss him once.

Nobody knew how Jack made me feel, I'd never told anyone. I don't think Two-Bit had ever seen Jack hit me and I was sure I'd never told him. He may have seen Jack yelling at me, at most.

I was in the truck with Soda and he had his arm wrapped around my shoulders. It was such a warm, caring embrace and I loved it. It made me a little less worried about how Two-Bit would react.

Once we got a block away from the Curtis', Soda took his arm down and continued to drive, causing me to feel a little empty.

"How do we know Two-Bit's at your place?" I asked softly. Soda slowed the truck down as he parked the car.

"He told me to bring you back here after I took you to the movie," he replied as we walked up to his house. He opened the door for me.

I hadn't had as much trouble walking back, the pain in my rib numbing after realizing I wasn't going to stop moving about. I still needed some aspirin, though. My wrist was fine, but my head still hurt. The gash hadn't been as deep as it felt. I had been embarrassed, though, to go out in public with that stupid gauze wrapped around my head.

Soda tossed Darry the keys as he went into the kitchen. I went and sat down in the living room.

"Hey Two-Bit, I gotta talk to ya' buddy," I heard Soda say to Two-Bit inside the kitchen. I braced myself.

"You okay?" I heard Johnny ask me from my side. I turned to him and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied.

I waited a few minutes, trying to see if I could hear their conversation and, unfortunately, I couldn't. I waited until Two-Bit stormed into the living room, grabbing my arm in the process.

"C'mon," He said, pulling me up, "We're leaving."

I jerked my arm away from him, happy he'd grabbed the opposite arm of my wrist, "Wait, why?" I asked.

Soda walked into the room, his eyes pleading.

"C'mon Two-Bit. You know I would never hurt her," Soda tried, but Two-Bit shook his head.

"No Soda. She ain't old enough anyways," he tried to grab me again, but I stepped out of his reach.

"Whaddya' mean I'm not old enough?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest. Two-Bit rubbed his forehead. I knew it was hard for him to be this serious around his friends, but frankly I didn't care.

"Listen Liz. I know how guys Soda's age are! Okay? You're two years younger than him!"

"Two-Bit I'm almost sixteen! Soda's seventeen!" I exclaimed. I knew he would be mad, but what was the big deal?

"Lizzy, just c'mon," he told me, but I shook my head. He couldn't keep telling me what to do. I wasn't his little slave.

"No Two-Bit, I don't wanna-"

"I don't care Liz! I said no! Now c'mon," he pulled on my arm, this time the one with the bad wrist. I whimpered slightly, but I was pretty sure he didn't care at the moment.

I couldn't pull away from his grip because he tightened it every time I tried. I gave up, looking back at Soda. I tried to give him a look so he would know I was sorry.

He nodded, indicating to me that he got the memo.

Two-Bit pulled me all the way back to our house and by then I'd started crying. He let go of my arm once we got inside and I turned away from him immediately.

"Liz I-" He started, but I made sure to not let him finish.

"Don't talk to me," I said, putting my hand up to him, "I hate you," I mumbled quietly. I heard Two-Bit sigh.

"Lizzy, don't ya' think you two were rushin' it a bit?" He asked. I turned back around to see him rubbing the back of his neck. I scowled.

"No, I don't," I spat at him, "Two-Bit, he just wanted your permission to date me! Nothing more!" I crossed my arms over my chest, "And like hell I need it! He was just decent enough to ask for it."

Two-Bit rubbed his forehead with his right hand.

"Liz, I know what guys like him want," He tried to explain to me, but I wouldn't have it.

"Two-Bit Matthews if you think that for one second I would ever let just any guy have their way with me then your dead wrong," I told him, pointing a finger at him.

Outside the sky was starting to get dark. Not only was night becoming present, but a storm was forming. I looked back at Two-Bit and he sighed.

"Lizzy, I know you wouldn't, but sometimes teenage hormones-"

"Two-Bit! I really don't wanna have this kind of a talk with you. I'm smart Two-Bit, smarter than you think," I said, a very harsh tone in my voice. Heat rose in my cheeks anyways, but I didn't care. Tears still slowly formed from my eyes and slid lightly down my cheeks.

"Lizzy, please don't cry," Two-Bit wiped one of my tears from my cheek, stepping closer to me, "Ya' know I don't like to see ya' cry," He told me. I sniffed and bit my lip.

"Yeah, well you've been the cause of most of them lately," I felt bad for saying it, but it had a lot of truth to it. Two-Bit just stared at me. He looked a little hurt, but his greaser self forced him to shake it off.

"Two-Bit, why can't I just be with Soda. You know him!" I sighed and stared at the ground, "You guys are good buddies. If he ever hurt me I'd tell you, ya' dig?" I just wanted him to say yes. He sighed.

I could tell he'd gotten really serious. I saw his eyes flick back and forth, while he looked down. After a few moments he looked back up and looked at me, letting his shoulders down.

"Fine," He grumbled. He seemed unhappy, but I think he felt better when I hugged him, "But he does even one little unfaithful thing to you, and you will never see his sorry ass again in your lifetime."

My smile faded slightly, but I nodded anyway, happy he'd said yes.

I quickly went upstairs. I got dressed for sleep and lay down in bed. I fell asleep thinking of Soda and all the amazing things about him.

Of course, though, I couldn't control what thoughts brewed inside my mind while I slept.

"Daddy!" I cried as tears spilled from my eyes. The nine year old version of myself ran foreword towards my dad. I stood overtop of him, his body motionless as it lay stone cold on the ground.

"Daddy no!" I screeched as I grabbed onto his shirt, falling to my knees.

Everything was a blur through my tears. I tried to scream for someone to help, but noise had ceased from within me. No one was around to hear me if I could.

Everything suddenly disappeared from the scene, leaving only my dad and I. It was dark and I grabbed my father's cold body, trying to find comfort. When I found none I tried to scream, but no noise could be found.

My dad's body slowly dissolved from my hands, leaving me there, holding nothing.

"Daddy," I whispered so quietly, it was barely audible.

I was suddenly twelve and walking in our front door as quietly as I could. I held my report card in my right hand and started to tip toe slowly, sadly though, I wasn't quiet enough.

Jack came out, looking drunk.

"I heard report cards came out today," He slurred, stumbling a little. I didn't nod, I didn't do anything. I was hoping and praying he'd just sort of forget I was there.

"Well," he started, "Lemme see it."

I whimpered quietly to myself. I kept my hand holding the report behind my back. I never had been the smartest person in school, most people knew that. Jack didn't like accepting it.

"Girl, I said lemme see it. Now give it here!" He yelled giving me a shove back. I stumbled and handed the report card to him. He gave me a distasteful look and I knew I was in for it.

Right before he started beating me I was back in the alley again. Cold, alone and bare. I looked around me, my eyes widened with fear. I couldn't shake the disgusting feeling I felt all around me.

I saw eyes appear out of the darkness. I would know those cold eyes anywhere by now.

Jack approached me and started to unzip his pants.

"Hello Elizabeth."

I shot up out of bed, sweat pouring and tears rolling.

I looked over at the clock, it read 11:38 pm. I sat up in bed, throwing my legs over the side. I hid my face in my hands and rubbed up and down.

I needed something to help me.

I didn't want to bother the Curtis' at this time of night and I couldn't tell Two-Bit about all of this. Too many secrets would be revealed. I sighed and decided that there was only one thing I could do.

I started to change and get ready, so I could head on over to Buck's.