A/N: Collaboration with Matchsticksandpoison, go read her story Metamorphosis for Bob's pov.

I could hear my parents yelling before I even reached my block. I sure was hungry but I knew what going inside meant for me. Jamming my fists into the pockets of my jean jacket, I turned and started walking back the other way. I could go to Ponyboy's house and get something to eat, but they are already struggling without me constantly mooching off of them. I could even go to the DX and borrow some money from Steve, but I felt guilty about rarely paying him back. It didn't bother him, but it bothered me.

Ignoring my growling stomach, I decided to head to the lot, figuring I could practice kicking the football, for the next time there's an impromptu game. I shed my jacket since the air is warm and start hunting around for the ball.

I didn't even hear the car pull up, but I did hear the slamming of the doors. I turn and at least four Soc's were headed towards me. There's a blue mustang parked next to the lot. I searched around desperately for some kind of weapon. Steve had once held off the same number of guys with a busted bottle, but the lot was clear.

I considered making a run for it, but they had me completely blocked in. I slouch and wipe any emotion off my face. "You're pretty far away from your own turf," I said cooly. "I wouldn't be acting so cocky if I was you."

All four of them laughed at that. "Yeah, well if I were you, grease." The one in the middle said. "I'd kill myself." Then he threw a punch that I didn't even have time to dodge. It made me stagger but I managed to keep my balance.

I take a swing back even though I know it's pointless, not only do they outnumber me, but they're bigger than me. I receive hit after hit, blood fills up my mouth, I can feel my right eye begin to swell shut, but that I could take.

I could take the beating, but the dark haired soc was in my ear, spewing nothing but hate. I can smell the whisky on his breathe and it makes me want to gag. His words are more vicious than each hit I take.

He takes over the beating, with each pound of his fist his rings dug into my skin, and each cruel word dug into my soul. I hated myself for each whimper that fell out of my bruised lips, but I couldn't stop. I fought to stay conscious, but with one more hit everything went dark.

I didn't know how long I was out for. Not only did everything hurt, but I was scared. Petrified really, that they would come back, just like they said they would. Finish me off like they had promised.

I tried to spit, hoping to get the copper taste out of my mouth. One eye was completely swollen shut, my nose throbbed, and it felt like my ribs were broken. I couldn't move. I couldn't even breathe without it hurting.

Fear gripped me when I heard someone approaching. I held my breath, begging God for it not to be the Soc's. I lay as still as possible, but I couldn't stop the moan that fell from my lips when my jaw throbbed painfully from the clutching of my teeth.

I closed the good eye when I'm turned over, afraid of the faces I'm going to see. My body starts shaking and it wouldn't stop.

"Johnny?" I almost sobbed when I recognized the voice and it's not one of the Soc's. "Johnny cake?"

I still didn't open my eyes and I winced when my body was given a small shake. "Soda?" I asked softly, needed confirmation.

"Yeah, it's me," Sodapop answered and I wanted to weep in relief. "Don't talk you're gonna be okay."

"There was a whole bunch of them," I said, my voice trembling. "A blue mustang full…I got so scared..." I swallowed and attempted to curse them but instead of all the swear words I had in my head for them, sobs came out instead. I fought to control them, but the harder I tried to stop, the more I cried.

I clung to Sodapop's shirt as sobs racked my body, which wasn't helping my ribs any. I could still feel the hate radiating off of them even though they were long gone, and I couldn't understand how they hated someone they didn't even know. I never did nothing to them. I never did nothing to my old man, or my mom either. What was wrong with me that it brought out hatred in people? Were the soc's right? Had I deserved it?

"Let's get him back to our place." A voice I recognized as Darry's said. I peaked out with my good eye and saw that the whole gang was there. I felt shame wash throughout my body. They had all seen me fall apart, break down, bawl like a baby. I couldn't even look at Dally. He would have never let this happen to him. With a fuzzy mind, I sunk back into the darkness.

As always feedback is appreciated!