Ponyboy's POV

"You up to visiting Cherry with me today?" I asked Johnny as he walked me home from school.

"Sure. She did save our butts from those Socs that one time. 'Least I can do," Johnny said. I nodded and we began walking to the hospital. We found Cherry's room and sneaked in before any doctors suspected us.

She was lying on the hospital bed looking pale and weak. She was breathing slowly which was a good sign. I sat by her bed and took her hand.

"Cherry?" I said quietly. Her eyes fluttered open as she looked at me.

"Ponyboy..." She smiled through her chapped lips.

"Shh, you don't have to talk. Dally tried to choke Bob to death after he found out Bob kidnapped you. He's in the cooler now, for a few months. Nearly a year, almost," I recited what Darry told me.

Cherry just groaned and shook her head slowly on the pillow. "He did that for me?"

"Well, you are his girl."

"Did he do that for any other of his girlfriends?" She asked.

"It hasn't happened to any of his other girls," I answered. She just laughed weakly then turned her head.

"Oh. Johnny, hi," She greeted and Johnny waved. Suddenly the door opened and I thought it was the doctors but it was some Soc looking adults. The lady had red hair like Cherry and the man was really tall with blonde hair.

"Sherri, who are these...hoods?" The lady took a good look at me and Johnny. I let go of Cherry's hand.

"Mom, get out," Cherry warned through clenched teeth.

"Honey, don't talk that way to your mother," The man said sternly.

"Get out. You kicked me out the house," Cherry argued.

"We're sorry sweetheart. Can we talk to you? Please, it's very important," the mother spoke tenderly.

"Fine."

"Without them." The father looked at us evilly. I sat up quickly. Cherry started arguing.

"It's fine, we'll leave." Johnny and I walked out silently.

Cherry's POV

I started to sit up a little, but it hurt so I stopped. My mom and dad came to sit beside my bed.

"Sweetheart, we're so sorry for kicking you out. We really are. And we know all about how that boy Bob kidnapped you. We also heard about your...boyfriend Dallas who went to jail because he tried to kill Bob. We'd like to bail him out, for you sweety." My mother's words were coated in fake sweetness. But I really wanted to see Dally once I got out, not visit him in jail.

"You really will?" I asked, perking up.

"Yes." My parents said in unison.

"Fine. What's the exception?" I knew my parents well. They always did something for me with an exception.

"You have to go to that academy we told you about," my father said. I gulped.

"O-Okay. I'll do it. I'm getting out of here in two days."

"You have to get there in three days."

"Fine. Now leave." I pointed to the door and my parents obeyed.

Dally's POV

I was getting anxious in that damned jail cell. All because of Cherry. Ma, I should've never done that to that damn Soc. Not in public.

"Dallas Winston." I looked up to see a guard at my jail cell door.

"Yeah?" I sat up quickly. He started to unlock the door.

"You've been bailed out. Go change into your old clothes. Don't come back here." He looked at me seriously. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I've been bailed out once before and they say the same thing. 'Don't come back'. Whatever.

I changed into my clothes and went to the front desk. They all knew me there since I was a frequent. They handed me my switchblade, I said thank you, waved to my favorite officer (who happily waved back) and left the jail. The sun blinded me for a moment before I saw two people dressed in fancy clothes. The woman had red hair and the man had blonde hair. Socs. They started to walk towards me.

"Who are you?" I said, ready to whip my switchblade out.

"We're Sherri Valance's parents. We were the one's who bailed you out," the man spoke.

"Oh. Cool." I started to walk away.

"Aren't you going to say thank you?" The woman said in a very obnoxious voice.

"Hell no," I laughed loudly and ran away. But not before seeing the disapproving looks on their faces. Ha! I walked all the way to the hospital to see Cherry, then decided not to. If I saw her in that state, I might go wild again. So I walked to the Curtis house. Everyone was there, lying around in the heat, eating cake, and watching TV. When I walked in, all of them jumped up.

"Hey, Dal. What's up, Dally? Hey Dally thought you were in the cooler for a few more months." All their voices mixed up.

"Hey, guys. Got bailed out by Cherry's parents." I took out a cigarette and saw Darry eyeing me. I put my hands up in defense and walked outside to smoke it. Johnny and Ponyboy followed me. Like puppies.

"You go back and see her Dal?" Johnny asked, shoving his fists into his pockets.

"Nah," I said, taking a drag on my cancer stick. "She'll get out soon. I'll protect her from now on. Anybody who comes near her-" I punched my fist into my palm. Everyone was silent for a moment. I spoke up.

"I'm gonna get drunk. See y'all." I stepped off the porch and into the sunset to The Dingo.

hey y'all! This is about to end ;_; but I really want some reviews and favorites! Please please please leave a review I will love you forever (even if it's criticism.) ok bye