I woke up the next morning feeling as sick as a damn dog.

I'd shot out of bed after a fitful night of sleepless worry. My mind had dared to take me to my crazy imagination where all the things Two-bit could possibly say would come crashing.

My eyes had dark circles under them and to be completely honest, I felt like shit. What a great way to start the day, am I right?

Two-bit still hadn't come home yet and I was starting to get worried. What if he'd gotten drunk? Hit by a car? What if he'd been drunk and hit someone else with his car? What if-

I stopped the thoughts brewing up a storm inside my head because of the fact I was giving myself a headache. I rubbed my temple on the left side of my head with my good hand.

I couldn't wait to get that wrap off. Not only did it cease me from doing everyday activities, but it was also starting to itch and smell odd.

I closed my eyes and got up to get something to help my aching self. I walked into the kitchen, rubbing my palm over my face.

Once I looked up I jumped.

"Jesus!" I held my hand to my chest as I breathed in a sigh of relief, "Ma, you scared me."

She waved me off as she took a small sip of her coffee, puckering her lips at the taste. I raised my eyebrows, but walked past anyways.

If I didn't know any better it seemed like my mom looked even worse then I did. Which, judging by my appearance, was pretty bad.

Her hair was matted and greasy all over. She had her old, blue robe on over one of her torn night gowns. She also had dark circles under her eyes, but they also sunk low, showing how worn out working as a barmaid could make your years look. She looked as pale as ghost, and my guess was that was from lack of sleep. If I was a few years younger, I'd have guessed she was dead.

I reached into one of the cabinets, searching for the aspirin, "Er Ma?" I called quietly. She turned her head slightly, the exact same expression on her face, "Doncha' got work?"

I wasn't one to get riled up when someone was going to be late for work, but Dally's threat was making me nervous about everything at the moment. I dry swallowed three aspirins and turned to look at my mom. She shrugged her shoulders and my face scrunched up.

"Ma?"

Her lip quivered slightly and I wondered if I'd said the wrong thing, or if Jack had left her for the week. I wondered if she knew something about Two-bit that I didn't or if it was just her time of the month.

I walked closer to her, "Ey' Ma. You okay?"

She shook her head a little and I looked into her eyes.

"I was fired, Liz," when she said this I thought I'd misheard, but the look on her face told me I hadn't.

"What? Why?" I questioned, groaning internally about the recent misfortune I'd had in my life. She gave out a small laugh and shrugged.

"I dunno," she looked towards the wall intently, as if something wild lied beyond it, "I guess, they just needed some younger folk. Ya' know?"

I looked down as she said that. I could see the years catching up with my mom. There had been a point where she was full of life and could probably pass for her late twenties. Nowadays, though, I wouldn't even bet on early forties.

Even for a drunk my mom had been a fairly good looking women, but time catches all of us at some point. Her hair was starting to gray, frown lines were intent and she just had an elderly sense to her.

"Aw Ma, I'm sorry," and I really was. Just because I wasn't very close to my mother didn't mean I was going to ignore it when she was upset. Unless it was over Jack leaving, then she could mourn all by her lonesome.

Sometimes I did need to step back and take a reality check, though. My mom had lost a husband not six years ago, causing her to turn to alcohol. Not to mention, her sonofabitch husband had taken over our lives.

She knew it, but she wasn't going to do anything about it.

My mom was afraid of loss and if that meant keeping Jack with her forever, despite his torturous ways, well then she wouldn't do anything about that problem.

My mom buried her head in her hands and let out a choked sob. She shook her head, and rubbed her hands down her face. I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

"I just don't know what we'll do now," she threw her hands in the air, "Jack doesn't have a job, God knows Two-bit wouldn't consider one and you- well their ain't much a girl your age can do."

'Sure,' I thought to myself. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"Ma, c'mon. We'll get by, we always have," and even I said this I bit my lip, knowing it wasn't true. As long as Dally followed through on his threat then we probably had no chance of getting by at all.

If only Dally would've know our financial situation, but there was no chance in me telling him now. I wouldn't have a clue where he was and I was starting to feel worse. I was stubborn when I was sick.

"Oh sweetie, you're so naïve," she laughed lamely. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, instead crossing my arms over my chest. It seemed like a more subtle gesture.

I couldn't stay too annoyed, though. I hadn't seen my mom like this, sober, in awhile. I was sure the whole drinking thing was passed down from my mom to Two-bit. Except, Two-bit wasn't a drunk. He just knew how to have a good time.

I shook my head, "I'm serious Ma," I itched my arm uncomfortably, "We'll figure something out."

She just waved me on again and I knew that in a few hours my mom wouldn't be the same woman she was right then.

I sighed and turned, heading toward the living room.

I now had another thing to put on my list of worries and things to run through my mind during the long-lasting nights. I laughed at my own problems for a moment and it made me feel insane.

I shook my head and tried to stop thinking about my problems. At the moment, though, it seemed the only thing I even had was my problems.

I sighed and sat on the couch, hiding my face in my hands. I thought about getting my hands permanently placed there. It'd save a lot of energy.

If living an easy life wasn't so much effort, life would be boring. At this point, though, I'd settle for boring.

I groaned.

Life was just a little shit.

I smiled at my thoughts and for a moment I thought I really was going crazy. Was it normal to laugh at life sucking?

Possibly, possibly not.

I shrugged my shoulders, realizing I was responding to myself. I held my head in my good hand.

"I'm fucking out of my mind," I mumbled to myself. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the couch. I had a sick feeling in my stomach and it was making me queasy.

I held onto it with my left hand as I took deep breaths. I didn't want to puke. It wasn't really on my agenda for the day.

I ignored the persistent ache in my stomach and decided to find something to distract myself. It was obviously too early to go to Buck's and I really couldn't bother Soda at work. I hadn't even seen him since Two-bit had gotten pissed over the fact he liked me.

I wasn't sure what was going on between us anymore, but if we were going together, no one would know it. I shook my head, trying to stop thinking about everything so much.

I listened as I heard grumbling come from upstairs, most likely Jack. He sounded in pain.

Haha. Serves you right you stupid drunk.

I smirked slightly at my own thoughts. It felt good to laugh at him for once, ya' know? Instead of listening to him laugh and watch him smirk over what he'd done to me.

I felt myself tense over the single thought of that night. Wow, I was pretty screwed up. I could've sworn to God I was going fucking mad.

I watched as Jack lazily stumbled down the steps. He didn't even glance my way, but he looked pissed and I was not about to have another run in with that fellow.

I leapt from the place where I'd been sitting, deciding it wouldn't be that big of a deal if I bothered Soda at work. Besides, him and Steve could've known where Two-bit was. Which, for as scared as I was about Dally's threat, I really hoped they did.

I grabbed onto my jacket and headed out the door. It was unusually chilly for the summer, but it had been warm and apparently a cold wave had hit. Was there such a thing as a cold wave? I'd have to remember to ask my science teacher once school started up again.

We didn't live too far from the DX. It normally took about fifteen minutes to walk there, twenty if you decided to screw around on the way.

I found myself kicking at small pebbles along the way and I wondered what those pebbles, if they could, would be thinking.

They got kicked around all the time, skipped across water, thrown far distances, stepped on and you'd never hear them complain.

That's partly because they don't have a mouth, but I started thinking that they might not talk about it if they could anyways, kinda like me.

Jack knocked me around, roughed me up, quite a bit. But when in Sam Hill did I ever bother complaining to anybody about it?

I didn't.

Pebbles, though, were the lucky ones. Since they weren't living, breathing and such they didn't have to go through the pain of feeling.

I did.

Now, I found that to be pretty profound thinking for someone like myself. Ya' know, comparing myself to a pebble? Then I kicked the pebble as hard as I could.

"Yeah right. I'm just bein' stupid," I muttered to myself, thinking more on the possibility of me getting closer to insanity. I brushed it off, deciding it was just me playing jokes on myself from being a little shook up the night before.

I finally reached the DX, trying to stop my imagination as I opened the door. The little bell rang to inform workers they had a costumer.

"Welcome to the DX," Soda called, absentmindedly. I didn't see Steve so I figured he must've been in the back, fixing someone's car.

"Hey," I said back, pushing some brown hair behind my ear. Soda looked up and grinned goofily. It gave me a small reason to smile slightly.

"Hey Liz," he set something on the counter by the register, "Long time no see."

I gave a small laugh, "really," I looked around the store. I didn't come in that often, never used to at least.

When Two-bit used to have to take me places before I was old enough to be alone he'd bum around here sometimes. I'd just stand right inside the door, arms crossed over my chest, pouting about how I wanted to go to the park.

I never was sure what Two-bit found interesting in that gas station because it wasn't like he knew anyone else who bummed around back then. I figured he thought it was the easiest place to swipe something without getting caught.

Soda nodded toward me, "Your wrist any better?"

I shrugged and looked it over, "Yeah I guess. I think it'll be good to go in a few days or so."

Soda smiled, "Good."

There wasn't much more to be said, except for Two-bit of course.

"Hey have you-uh-seen my brother around?" I wanted to smack myself on the forehead for how nervous I sounded, but I didn't, not in the mood to look stupid.

He shook his head once.

"Nup, can't say I have," he pointed his thumb in the direction of the back room, "Hold up, I'll ask Steve," he cupped his hands around his mouth, " Ey' Steve-o!"

Steve walked out a second later, rubbing grease on his jeans, "Yeah Sodapop? Whaddya' want?"

He looked over and saw me, "Hey Liz."

I gave a small wave then looked back to Soda.

"Oh yeah. You seen Two-bit around lately?"

"You mean your brother?" Steve asked, looking towards me. I rolled my eyes.

"No, I mean my horse," I replied sarcastically, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Well, there ain't no doubt he's your brother. You both come up with smart ass comments like that," he snapped his fingers as he muttered his reply. I growled.

"Just answer the question please," I grumbled to him. He rolled his eyes, picking up a 'Playboy' from a rack.

"No ma'am. I ain't seen your horse anywhere."

I rolled my eyes again, but nodded.

"Well that's just fucking great," I mumbled to myself.

"Nice tongue," Steve called from where he'd decided to sit down to skim through his magazine. I glared at him.

"Are you in like some strange funk or something?" I shot at him, "Like, where you act like you have a fucking rod up your ass?"

Soda tried to hide his laugh, while Steve glared at me, searching for his comeback. He smirked.

"I dunno, are you like on your period or something?"

This comment caused Soda to slip up and he could no longer hide his laughter.

I had to admit, Steve was one helluva guy to pick a fight with. This really did get my mind off of things. I smirked at him, shaking my head. He looked away and back at his magazine.

"You two are like an old married couple," Soda teased, fumbling with some mechanical piece in his hand. I shook my head while Steve was too focused on his reading material. Soda laughed lightly at his own joke, "So why you lookin' for ol' Two-bit anyways?" he asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Haven't seen him since yesterday."

Steve laughed, "Aw, don't worry. He probably got boozed up or something. I'd bet 10 bucks he's somewhere getting' over a hangover."

I shrugged my shoulders, not sure what I thought of that. It was a possibility and Jack hadn't said anything about Two-bit. If something like that was pissing Jack off you'd hear him grumbling about it underneath his breath. Believe me, I'd know.

I wiped a slight amount of sweat off my brow and laughed quietly.

"It's a lot warmer in here then out there," I pointed behind me as I started to take my jacket off. As I slipped it off a twenty dollar bill fell out of the pocket. I bent down to pick it up, setting my jacket on the floor. I heard the bell ding by the door from behind me.

"Where'd you get that money?" Soda asked curiously.

"Buck's," I answered, before I even realized what I'd said. My eyes widened as I covered my mouth. Steve had looked up by then.

"Doin' what?"

I knew what they were thinking. There wasn't much else a girl could do at Buck's to get money other then being a prostitute. I wasn't though.

Before I could speak, though, an angry voice came from behind me.

"What?" The voice said. I was frozen for a moment, not expecting to be in this situation.

"I can't believe this! You're exactly what he said!" it shouted, angrier then I'd ever heard, "You're just a little whore!" The voice screamed from behind me. I turned, but I didn't need to look to know who it was. My mouth formed into an 'o'.

"No…no Two-bit….you don't-" I tried, but he wouldn't listen. The next thing that happened I'd never guessed was even possible.

His hand collided with my face and I gasped, stepping back. Soda was at my side in an instant, trying to calm everyone down.

"Ey' c'mon now!" he yelled. Steve was standing up, trying to get the pissed off Two-bit to settle down. I could feel the warm tears flowing down my face as I held onto my cheek. Soda shushed me and made me let go of my cheek so he could check it.

I didn't particularly like the look on his face when he did.

"Two-bit what the hell was that about," Steve asked as Soda looked their way. I looked towards the ground, my lip quivering.

" Oh , did word not get to them yet?" Two-bit spat the question at me. I looked up slowly, tears falling freely. Two-bit laughed to himself, "Dally told me what you've been doin' Liz," he paused for a second, "I know."

I got a slight bit of courage and growled, "Like hell you know!" I through my hands up and I could see Steve and Soda staring at me, " Dally don't know anything! He was making up a bunch of shit!"

Two-bit scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest, "Dally may not be the best guy around, but he wouldn't lie to a buddy."

I couldn't believe what he was saying. He believed Dally over me? His own sister? Hell no.

" He tried to get me to sleep with him Two-bit!" I could sense Soda tensing and it looked like Two-bit did slightly too.

"Well it sure looks like you woulda done it willingly," he growled and I choked slightly on my own tears. Fuck Dally. This was ridiculous.

"You're a dick!" I yelled at Two-bit. He shook his head and if I didn't know any better I'd say he was smirking.

"Well you would know one," I felt my face get hot as I realized Soda and Steve were listening to all of this. Here I was, getting accused of sleeping around, and my sort of boyfriend and his best buddy were right there. Soda held a hand up.

"C'mon now-" Steve tried to step in, but Two-bit cut him off.

"Ya' know what else?" he spat and I wiped some of the oncoming tears away, " I bet you were lyin' about the whole thing with Jack ," he smirked. I felt myself tense and start to shake a little. What was he talking about? Why would he even say that?

"Shut up," I tried, but he ignored me.

"No Liz. Cuz' I think you wanted that from him. I think you lead him on," I gasped at what he said. Where the fuck did that come from? He knew better!

Steve and Soda looked as confused as ever. I shook my head slowly.

"Shut up Two-bit," I tried again, but he wasn't having it.

"I think you told him that you did stuff for money. Stuff he'd enjoy."

"Two-bit.." Steve warned, but he waved him off. I couldn't believe my ears and for a moment I wanted to be somewhere else. Somewhere safe, no troubles or problems. Like Heaven or something.

"I bet you held him close, told him his dreams could come true," he sounded so evil, so, not Two-bit. I shook my head a little harder. Why the fuck would he bring this up? I was in fucking hysterics the day before. I wasn't that great at lying or anything.

"Shut the hell up Two-bit."

"But after you were done," he let out a low laugh, "You realized the nastiness behind it all," he smirked and it was like a punch in the gut, "And so, you made it all up.," he shook his head, " 'Jack raped you, forced you into something you didn't want to do', but really you wanted it the whole time."

I felt an anger I'd never felt before brew inside of me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Actually, I was almost wishing I was getting hit with a ton of bricks right then. I'd at least not have to listen to Two-bit.

"Shut the fuck up!" I screamed, trying to dodge for Two-bit, but Soda held me back. Tears sprung from my eyes and I was in hysterics for the second time that week, "You're a fucking liar! You don't know what the hell you're talking about!"

Two-bit started talking again as if everything I'd just said had gone in one ear and right out the other.

"And to think I was goin' to beat the slimy bastard up," his voice got cold, "That was, until I ran into Dallas on the way home."

I fought through Soda's grip, but it was strong and I wasn't.

"He lied to you Two-bit!" I said to him. He rolled his eyes, "I swear to God he lied!"

Two-bit growled shaking his head, "Then how the hell did you get the money at Buck's?"

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came. No matter how hard I tried, the real truth wouldn't come out. Maybe because, it still wasn't much better then being a prostitute.

Two-bit crossed his arms over his chest, "That's what I thought."

He turned and left the DX. I was still struggling against Soda's grip, but finally stopped as I lost all my energy.

I collapsed and as I did the tears were overwhelming me.

How the hell could this happen?

A/N: So the summary part finally came! I'd like to let you guys know I started a new story called 'Going Places.' I did get the high school name wrong, but I will fix it. It's a Steve fic because I just don't see enough of those.

Review!