…the next morning…

"Time to get up!" I heard from my room. I looked at the clock on the desk next to my bed… 7:01am… I got out of bed and went over to the closet. I grabbed my blue jeans with the edges folded up into cuffs, a red short sleeve shirt, black boots, and a jean jacket. I combed my hair out and did a somewhat sloppy braid, mostly cause I was too lazy to do a proper one and my arms were getting tired.

…one hour later…

Two-Bit and Steve came by like they always did. Darry didn't have work cause his boss had a huge meeting so Steve would drive himself and Sodapop to work. Two-Bit, Ponyboy and me would just walk to school like we always did.

I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth. "Rain, could you come into the living room?" Darry called. "I'll be right out," I called back, or at least tried to, considering the toothbrush was still in my mouth. I out it away and walked to the living room. "Ok, what's up?" I asked and walked into the room. I gave a confused look when they all looked at me nervously. "What's going on?"

Darry sighed a bit then opened the front door. A police officer walked in, and my parents followed in behind him. I felt the color drain from my face and my eyes widened. "Your parents got a death penalty and they wanted to talk to you before it happened," he said quietly.

My dad looked to the five. "Would you please let us talk to Raina alone?"

"I think it would be better if Darrel Curtis stayed in the room, considering that he is her legal guardian," the officer said.

Darry nodded and sent Two-Bit, Soda, Steve and Pony out of the room. But if I knew them well enough- which I did- they were probably in the next room, trying to hear whatever they could. "I have nothing to say to you too," I growled at my parents, sitting down at the Curtis' table and resting my head in my hands.

"Then just listen," my mother said sadly, "Raina… we regret everything we've done to you that caused you pain. We… we just wanna make things right."

I just shook my head slightly and remained quiet.

"We're sorry for everything we've done to you and-"

"Wait, wait, wait… you're sorry?" I interrupted and stood up. "You made my life a living hell, and all you two have to say, is sorry?... news flash- this sort of thing can't be fixed with a simple "I'm sorry." It's already hard, living on this side of town and then going to the school, filled with people form the West side of town. They beat us, they mock us, they jump us for absolutely no reason- I didn't need my own parents treating me the same exact way! Then that day in the courthouse… you really had the guts to hit me there?... your apology is not sincere. You're doing it probably cause it was court orders, or for your own selfish reasons."

"You heard him before, Raina. We've been given a death penalty. If we have to die, we wanna die, knowing our daughter forgives us," my father said.

My head started to spin from everything going on. "Well, I'm sorry to inform you, but it's not gonna happen. .. sixteen years. For sixteen years, you two thought that what you were doing was right. The fact that it took you that long, and for your own daughter to press charges against you is pretty pathetic if you ask me… I can't get over how you two think just saying sorry will change anything. This isn't preschool! This isn't like when one little kid hits another for whatever reason they had. You two kept on doing it for whatever reason you had! There are some things you can fix, and there are some you can't… and this is one you can't fix."

I was getting dizzy and my head was pounding from all the yelling I just did and the sudden frustration and nervousness. I probably looked like I was about to fall to the ground, but I really didn't care at the moment. I was going to get what my parents had done engraved into their skulls.

"We understand that," my mother said, "We just wanted you to try and understand how sorry we are."

"You must not have a word I just said… my point is: I don't accept your apology. I don't believe a word-"

"Rain, I think you should sit down. You don't look too good," Darry said and put a hand on my shoulder.

"He's right, Raina. You-" my father started.

"Stay outta this!" I shouted and started to walk forward but stumbled a bit. Darry kept his hand on my shoulder then called to Sodapop and Two-Bit, "You two, help her two her room. She doesn't look good at all." "What just happened in there?" Two-Bit asked.

I sat down on my bed and placed one hand against my head. "My parents came to 'apologize' for everything they've done."

"What'd you do?"

I shrugged. "I yelled in their faces… but honestly, I don't remember a word of what I said. It just happened."

Ponyboy had left the room and now came running back, "You guys may wanna see this."

We all left the room and peaked around the corner into the living room. Darry stood there facing my parents with an expressionless face. His arms were crossed over his chest and he just stood there, waiting for them to say something. My parents had pleading looks on their faces as they looked back at Darry. "I don't know if you remember us from when you were younger, but-" my father started.

"Oh, I remember you two," he interrupted.

My mom looked down. My dad gave a sad sigh and continued on, "Maybe you could, try talking to Raina for us?"

Darry shook his head. "No… no, I don't think I can."

"Why not?" my mom frowned.

"Cause I agree with everything she just said to you two… did you two really think that she would forgive you after how you've treated her? Now, I've never been in her shoes in this case, I came from a home with loving parents. Ones who took care of me, my brothers, my friends, and yes- Rain. My parents treated her like she was their own, like she was their daughter. You two treated her like trash. You're her parents. Your job as parents is to take care of her and make sure she's fine and everything is going alright. You've neglected her for sixteen years and you only confronted it cause you were reported," he said only raising his voice a little.

The rest of us watched the scene in front of us with wide eyes. I bit my lip. "I think it would be best, in everyone's interest… if you two left," he finished. My jaw dropped a little. I looked at my parents who stood there with expressions of both shock and sadness, and if I was right, even a little anger. The officer who had brought them put them back in their handcuffs and brought them out to his car. We all ran back to my room when Darry turned and started walking toward us. A minute later, he got to the room. I was pretty shocked when he started to laugh. "Quit the gag, I know you five were watching," he laughed, "Steve, Sodapop- you two going to work?" The two nodded.

He looked at Ponyboy, "You gonna go to school? You'd be late for your first class but I could write a note for you to give your teacher. Only if you want." Ponyboy nodded.

Darry looked at me. "You on the other hand- are staying home today. You nearly fell unconscious before and I know all of us agree, we don't need any more excitement today." He turned to Two-Bit, "If you're not going to work or school, you'll stay here while I drop the other three off?" He nodded. "Alright, I'll be back in a little while." Darry walked out with Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Steve following behind him.

"You ok?" Two-Bit asked worriedly.

I shrugged a little. "How would you feel if your parents, who abused you all your life, came to where you currently live and claim that they were wrong but only cause they had a death penalty?"

"Not too good, I'm guessing."

I tapped my nose. "Bingo, we have a winner," I chuckled.

He did the same. "You know, I wanted to just run up to them and hurt them for what they did to you."

"Who was stoppin' ya?"

"Superman was in the way," he laughed.

I couldn't help but laugh at that. Darry wasn't too fond of when we called him "Superman", but it was a perfect nickname for him. He was big, strong, and this may sound weird- but good looking. I'll admit to that. I'm shocked he had no girlfriend yet.

"Good thing they left so he wouldn't hear that," I managed to get out.

"We haven't left yet!" Darry called from the other room.

My eyes widened and I fell back on my bed laughing. Two-Bit nearly fell out his chair laughing. I could hear the rest of them laughing. "It's a small house with thin walls, you two," Darry said trying to sound serious, but it was obvious he was teasing us. Plus it didn't help him that I heard him start laughing. The four said good bye, then it was just Two-Bit and me. "Well that was fun," I smiled once I finally calmed down.

Two-Bit also calmed down but he was still smiling like me. His face that was into a smile changed to a face of concern and he put a hand on my shoulder. "But you're alright?"

I gave a soft smile, took his hand and my and kissed him. I smiled as I pulled back, "I'm fine, I swear."