Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the respected owners. No copy write intended.

Chapter 4

The sound of birds and the need to pee brings me from my deep sleep. With a yawn I hope out of bed and grab some clothes from my bag. It wasn't too hard to find the bathroom and a clean towel. After a quick shower I dry off and wrap my waist length black hair in the towel on top of my head. Puling on my underwear, I slip on a light pair of jeans and a dark purple tank top. Untwisting the towel, I put it in the empty basket on the floor and run my fingers through my hair. Once satisfied that the knots are out, I flip it over my shoulder to air dry. Picking up my dirty clothes, I head back to my borrowed room to put them away and make my way to the kitchen.

Darry greets me with a smile and a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast. "Morning Esmeralda. Sleep okay?"

I take the plate. "Thanks. Best night sleep I've had in a long time." I sit down and start to eat. It's not too long when Darry sits down across from me, a thoughtful look on his face. "Why?"

I'd been waiting for that. It's always asked at one point. I swallow my mouth full of eggs before looking over at him. "My mom died when I was born, I never knew her. My dad and I did okay. Never well off but we got by. We moved a lot because of dad's work. I never really knew what he did though. He got sick when I was thirteen and died when I turned seventeen. I took off after his funeral and I've been a drifter ever since. It's been a tough year but I like meeting people and seeing new places."

"Why haven't you gone back or settled somewhere?"

I simply shrug. "No place has felt like home yet."

With that, Darry leaves for work and soon Ponyboy and Soda are getting ready for work and school. While they eat, Steve shows up for food and to grab Soda. Johnny stops by just as Ponyboy is heading out the door to school. Soda and Steve head to work not five minutes later. Johnny figdets from foot to foot. I smile softly and make him a plate, sitting it down on the table. "Have some breakfast. Dally said he was showing me around town today. I hope you're coming with us. Dally kind of scares me."

Johnny sits down with a small smile and seems to relax. "He's not so bad."

"No? Hmm. Guess I'll just have to get use to him huh?" I sit across from him with my quitar and a smile. He stops mid chew and watches me closely. I smile sheepishly. "I hope you don't mind. I play every morning."

"What do you know how to play?"

He blushes and I try my best not to laugh. Instead I answer. "Well lots of things. Anything you'd like me to play? I may know it."

He looks down at his plate, but his eyes soon come to rest on me again. "Play your favorite."

I smile softly as I tune it correctly and make sure it's ready. "You sure?"

Johnny nods and takes a bite of bacon. I smile softly, looking down at my strings. "Okay." Closing my eyes, I let the sound of the music flow through me. The lyrics coming out smoothly.

'Wake up to a sunny day, not a cloud up in the sky
Then it starts to rain, my defenses hit the ground
And they shatter all around, so open and exposed'

I hear a door being opened somewhere in the back ground but don't let it interfere with my playing.

'I found strength in the struggle
Face to face with my trouble'

Heavy footfalls.

'When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken.
Little girl don't be so blue
I know what you're going through
Don't let it beat you up
Hitting walls and getting scars
Only makes you who you are
Only makes you who you are
No matter how much your heart is aching
There is beauty in the breaking
Yeah
When you're broken in a million little pieces
And you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken'

A chair is pulled out next to me but I don't open my eyes or falter in my playing.

'Better days are gonna find you once again
Every piece will find its place
When you're broken, when you're broken
mmmhmmmmm
When you're broken in a million little pieces
But you're trying but you can't hold on anymore
Every tear falls down for a reason
Don't you stop believing in yourself
When you're broken
Oh, when you're broken
When you're broken
When you're broken'

I finish the last cord and open my eyes. Johnny is grinning at me like he'd just found a long lost friend. I turn and look over my shoulder to the person who had randomly joined us to be met with Dally's shocked face and piercing eyes. Blushing I take my quitar and put it away, then for extra recovering time before facing them I take our dishes to the kitchen and wash them. Once back in the living room Johnny complements my singing more than anything. I blush so bright I can feel the heat radiating off my face. "Thanks Johnny. So let's head out. I have a whole town to map through today."