By the time I had managed to control my emotions and freeze them by putting my feelings back in their proper box—deep down and almost nonexistent—my nightmares had subsided and I was wide awake.

It was still dark outside and the house was silent; everyone else was still sound asleep but I couldn't fall back asleep.

I decided that instead of just lying in bed and waiting hours till someone woke up, I would go do something to occupy myself.

I quickly got dressed in my tight jeans and after I put my bra on, I realized all my shirts were dirty and I had not one top to wear.

Toria wouldn't notice if I borrowed one of her shirts would she? Naw…I'll borrow one of the boys' instead… I've done it with my guys lots of times, I don't care if I wear a guy's shirt. I'd much rather walk around in a guy's shirt then risk getting my sister angry; I didn't know her well, but I knew better than to piss her off .

Sneaking into Soda and Pony's room, I had to stifle a giggle at the sight of Soda's arm slung over Pony and Pony's legs sprawled across the bed, and the sheets tangled around both of their feet at the bottom of the bed. Soda's Pepsi boxers were pretty funny, too.

Tiptoeing quietly and quickly over to a dresser, I opened the top drawer. I blushed and looked away; an underwear drawer. Then I blushed pure crimson at the sight of Ponyboy in his tighty-whiteys.

I closed that drawer and tried the next one down. Jackpot, shirts. Riffling through the shirts, I chose an old sweatshirt at the bottom of the drawer that was a size large, so I guessed it must have been Soda or Darry's previously and judging form the other shirts in the drawer, I knew I was in Pony's dresser.

When I heard a noise behind me I whipped my head around and Pony was starting to stir, so I quickly pulled the sweatshirt over my head. He went still a few seconds later.

Looking down to assess my choice of shirt, I saw that it was much bigger than I first anticipated. The shoulders slipped way past where they should be, and my bra was showing.

Sighing, I quickly snatched one of Pony's white wife-beaters from his drawer, closed it and silently slipped back into my room, closing the door behind me.

The wife-beater was only a bit big on me; it fit like one of my loosest tees but the sweater looked more appropriate with the wife-beater underneath.

I tugged on my old black cons which, by now, had many holes in them. My holey shoes.

Fixing the bed so that the pillows and sheets made it seem like I was still in bed asleep, I slipped out the window and closed it most of the way behind me then climbed down the tree and dropped onto the ground.

It was absolutely silent out on the streets and there was no sign of the sun rising anytime soon. Reaching into my jean pocket, I found that James Bennett's (AN: the dead James) old pocket watch was still in there; working. I was shocked that it was only 5 AM (6 in NY because of the time change) but returning the watch where it belonged, I decided that the cool, quiet morning would be good for me.

The only problem was I had no idea what to do at 5 in the morning, when everyone was asleep, all the stores were closed and Tim was at the Curtis' so I couldn't even bug him. Not that I would at 5 AM because he'd probably knock me out for waking him up for no particular reason other than that I was simply bored.

Okay, so who do I know that would be awake and bored at this time in the morning? Where do I know I can go at this time of morning that is fun enough to keep me out of trouble?

All I came up with was that I knew too few people in Tulsa, the gang, the Shepards, my brother and sister, Billy, that girl I met a few days ago – Stacy? , and the two 'socs' I met the day before yesterday, Jonah and Misty. Oh yeah, and Two-bit's little sister Jackie. But I had no clue where the Mathews lived.

So going through that list; the gang was asleep, Tim was with them, my brother and sister were also, I had no clue where Stacy lived, or the two socs I met yesterday – though from what I had gathered about 'socs', they lived on the other side of the train tracks. So now, I had no one to hang out with.

Huh…I still have a few books back up in my room. And I could always just…I yawned then and decided to go read a book.

I walked back down the middle of the empty, silent street and climbed back in my window. For a while I laid on my bed reading Peter Pan but some time after "So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Never Never Land," I lost sight of the line between the book I was reading, and the dreams in my sleepy Never Land.

A few really strange Peter Pan themed dreams later, I woke up to find myself slouched a bit over the lump in my bed with my book still open in my hand. I put my bookmark in and sleepily wandered out to the living room.

Dally was lying on the couch and Toria was sitting next to it on the floor. Darry was off somewhere getting ready for work and the other three boys, Pony, Soda, and Steve, were buzzing around, Soda trying to find his shirt.

"Nope, glad you know your spot." Dally said to Steve as I came into the room.

Suddenly out of nowhere, Darry called, "Someone let that damn dog in." Toria flinched and screwed her eyes shut.

"Easy, Baby Filly, come on, relax, he's just talking about Terror. Please relax, come on calm down." Steve urged. Dally grabbed her chin and jerked her head up.

"Look at me, Tore." He said firmly. She opened her eyes and stared at him fearfully.

"Listen to me carefully because I rarely do this, I promise you that bastard won't be coming near ya again, understand?"

Tore nodded. "He's still there." She whispered.

The all too familiar scene made me uncomfortable and I started to fidget in my seat. Luckily, I don't think anyone even noticed I was there and hadn't offered me food, because I knew I wouldn't be getting anything down this morning. My cramps were really bad; maybe I could try some Advil…?

"And it will fade over time but you can't let him control you. Come on, I know that strong girl I raised is in there somewhere. Find her and depend on her." I watched Dally stroke her cheek as he tried to sooth her. 'It'll take a damned long time for it to fade. You have no idea what you're talking about Dallas.'

"I don't want to be strong." I cringed when Tori said this, I had felt the same way and that's why I had just stuffed everything deep, deep down and pretended nothing had happened. Even worse; I pretended I was fine. If she did that she'd shut down completely like Dal and I had.

"I know Lizzie, I know." Soon, Terror came running in and he went over and started butting against Toria's side. As she smiled, he licked her face and gave her a puppy dog grin.

"It's alright buddy, I'll be fine." She told the puppy. He must not have been too convinced because he lay his head down in her lap. I think he was trying to get the crumbs from her plate, though.

"You've got your grape jelly and your puppy, now finish up." Dally said. She finished about half the toast and Orange Juice before she sat her plate on the coffee table. By this point, I knew I had to get out for a while. Seeing her so vulnerable, when I was used to seeing her as my strong, confident sister, was killing me. I felt helpless because I knew I couldn't do anything for her and I knew that anything anyone did to make it better would not help no matter what and that was tearing me apart.

"Dally, I'm not hungry anymore." She pouted.

"Lizzie." Dally started.

"I can't."

"Alright." I heard Dally say as I slipped silently out of the house, finally breaking and getting up the courage to leave.

When I left the house I wandered into town and ended up walking down The Ribbon. I walked past Jay's and absent mindedly watched a fight for a bit and when the cops showed up, I almost didn't make it out of the crowd. I knew the chances of getting arrested were not too high here in Tulsa, especially me being a girl, but my experiences from NYC made me nervous at the first sound of sirens.

After that, I went to the playground. I vaguely wondered why there never seemed to be many kids around the playground. There wasn't any today.

I sat on the swings and started to think about last night. A lot had happened last night, both really good and pretty bad. I felt higher than I had ever known, then really low. It wasn't the lowest I had ever felt; I had been through worse, my Nana dying, and James Bennett, but last night was still pretty low.

I looked up at the sky and saw it was partially cloudy now. 'Man, I hope it doesn't rain.'

Momentarily distracted from the bad part of last night, I replayed in my mind my 'walk' with Pony. I had not expected him to ask me out. I wasn't even sure what to do or wear or say, I hadn't done this before.

Because you know, when you're in a gang, practically running the whole group of teen boys by yourself, you don't really have much time for dating. Not necessarily no interest in dating, I guess I just didn't have time to think about whether I was interested in it or not. Though chances were at the time I wasn't interested in the useless pastime.

But now that I had time to think about it, I wasn't sure what to think or feel. Don't get me wrong, I was really excited about tonight but I was nervous about what everyone else would say.

'Oh no! What about Dal? How am I supposed to tell him? He'll probably be angry!'

Most of the morning, I beat myself up thinking about how to tell Dally; wandering around town with absolutely no thought about where I was or where I was going.

Eventually, I ended up wandering into some soda shop and found Toria sitting at the counter drinking a float.

Victoria's POV

After I heard Shawn and Robby's offer to train a horse and stay the night over there, I had to take a walk to clear my head and figure out what I wanted to do. I really wanted to train the thoroughbred but I wasn't sure it was such a great idea with everything between me and Dally and Emma at the moment. And with everything that had happened the night before, I was still pretty upset but I hoped maybe it would help me get my mind of it. Soon, I found myself at a local soda shop drinking a float.

Normally, someone sitting next to me at the soda counter wouldn't bother me but this time I looked up. When I did, I saw my kid sister Emma sit down. Speaking of taking my mind off things. My kid sister, maybe I could deal with her problems. Her problems always seemed easier. "You look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders." I said trying not to grin. Her blue eyes that we all seemed to have inherited from our father were kinda cloudy, her blonde hair just a little more messy than usual, and she was wearing a couple tops of Pony's that were much too big on her. I cocked my head and she sighed.

"I want to tell Dally something but I'm not sure how to."

"Will it make him angry?"

"That's a stupid question, Toria."

"Will it, Em?"

"Yeah, most likely." Emma answered.

"Then you're probably better off not telling him."

"And when he hears it from someone else?"

"Well, I don't know what to tell you maybe you should tell him." I said.

"Can't you tell him for me?" Emma whined.

"And have him yell at me? No, thank you. He yelled at me enough when I told him he couldn't stop me from dating Steve." Emma went a little pale at that.

"I want a word with you, Winston." I heard Angel say. I sighed and turned toward her. "Not you, her." She pointed to my sister.

"What is it you wanted to tell Dally?" I asked Emma over my shoulder.

"Probably the same thing she wants me for… Pony asked me out last night. He's taking me to the movies tonight." The last sentence she said really fast and Angel's face was getting red. 'Ah, see, I told you her problems were easier to deal with and kicking Angel's butt would make me feel better. And it'd keep me from laying into someone else.'

"Ponyboy Curtis?" I asked. Emma nodded. "You and I need to talk after I take care of her." Emma nodded again. "My dear Shepard. Why don't you and I step out for a moment?" I turned back to Angela.

"I'm not gonna deal with you, today. I'm dealing with that little brat." She spat.

"I know you're talking about her but she's not gonna deal with you. That's why she has me around. And I would greatly appreciate it if you didn't call her a brat. Emma, watch my soda. Outside, Shepard, before I end up losing my privileges here." I demanded.

"This isn't over, brat." Angela hissed.

"Victoria, be careful." Emma said, slightly rolling her eyes. I nodded, gripped Angel's arm, and drug her outside.

"You do not want to mess with me, Angel. Remember what happened last time? You ran away crying. I hope you took my advice and learned to fight."

"He's mine and your sister is gonna learn that right after I take care of you." Angel answered.

"You mean Ponyboy?" I asked. She nodded. "You see that's where you're wrong. Ponyboy doesn't know you really exist. He likes Emma and he asked her out so you had better back off or I'll make you."

"Prove it." Angel snapped. And so I did. I proved exactly why Victoria Winston had always been better than Angel Shepard and why she was going to leave Emma alone. To Angel's credit, she had gotten a few good punches into my ribs and swiped me across the face with her nails but we were pulled apart before it could go any farther.

"As much as I love a good cat fight I'd rather not have to explain to Tim why his little sister looks like road kill." Billy said from behind Angel. He was just a kid not much older than Angel's brother, Curly, but he had this normal kid look about him. No hair grease and his green eyes were warm and caring.

I turned my head to see who had pulled me back and found my old friend and neighbor Tyler Terrell behind me. "What started this?" Tyler asked.

"You'll hear about it eventually." I sighed.

"That's why I'm asking you now." Tyler said.

I turned back to Angel ignoring Tyler's demand. "You lay a hand on my sister, Angel, and not even Tim Shepard himself could stop me from kicking your rear. I really like you for the most part, Angel but this time I'm gonna side with my sister and you'll just have to get over the fact that he doesn't like you."

"Fighting over a guy. I should have known." Tyler said.

"I will give you this much, your fighting has improved." I said. Angel glared at me before storming away with Billy trailing after her. "Can I go?"

"Fine. Just watch your back." Tyler answered releasing his grip on my arm.

I went back inside and Emma bugged me as I finished my float. I just ignored all her questions though. Most of them were repetitive; all of them having to do with what to do about Dally. Looking up at the clock, I realized what time it was. "Steve will be getting off soon and you should probably be heading home."

"But, Tore..." Emma started.

"No buts, get home." She looked at me with these big puppy dog eyes and when I shook my head she left, annoyed. I paid for my float and a candy bar then left to the DX where Steve and Soda were just clocking out.

"Did you pick up a stray cat?" Steve asked looking at me.

"Why would you say that?" I answered.

"Well, it's either that or you got into a cat fight." We all got in his car and I flipped the visor down to look in the mirror.

"Stupid bint." I muttered. Steve glared at me and I just shrugged. "Sorry, but she is."

"What happened and with who?" He asked.

"Swear you won't say a word to anyone." I begged. "And Soda you can't either."

"This must be huge. Fine, I swear I won't say a word to anyone." He said seeing my look.

"I promise I won't." Soda said.

"Pony asked Emma to the movies and you know how Angel gets about him. No one is allowed to date him but her even though he barely knows she exists. She got angry when she heard and I protected Emma. That girl has claws and she knows just how to use them most of the time. I would have had her but Billy and Terrell stopped us, saying something about road kill."

"My little brother? Are we talking about the same Ponyboy Curtis?" Soda asked.

"Yes. And don't say anything."

"Is Emma hurt?" I knew Steve was just asking to make me feel better because he didn't particularly care for Emma.

"No, but she will be when Dally finds out. He'll tell her she can't see him and she'll argue. Sometimes I wish he'd act like a normal brother. Then he'd just say you hurt her and I'll kill you Curtis and be done with it."

"That would make your life easier. It's like they're always putting you in the middle." Steve said glancing at me.

"Yeah, but they don't mean it. Emma comes to me and I feel like I have to protect her."

"From Dally?"

"Especially from Dally. Sometimes I think if I wasn't standing between them they'd never get along. He'd probably make her cry every chance he could. Either that or he'd ignore her all the time like he didn't even have a sister."

"Makes sense, I guess. Toria don't worry too much one day, Dally will grow up and he just might show he cares."

"I hope you're right." I sighed. "Speaking of Dally...Robby and Shawn made me an offer today. They want me to train a horse that Robby's kid brother Kenny just got."

"And what do you think?" Soda asked.

"I kinda want to do it but I know Dally won't be too happy."

"So don't go." Steve said.

"Why not?"

"Because you know you're gonna make Dally angry and you don't like it when he is." Steve said simply.

"I know, but it's no different from me training to race." I said.

"Maybe not but I still don't think you should go." Steve said pulling up to the curb. We got out and walked up onto the porch.

"What do you think, Soda?" I asked.

"Steve, why don't you go get us some chocolate milk?" Soda asked. Steve glared at him but nodded and left. I looked at Soda who sat me and himself down on the front step. "Tell me what you didn't tell Steve."

"There's nothing else." I said. He cocked an eyebrow like Two-Bit and I broke. "Robby wants me to stay with him as well. It'd be easier that way."

"True, but Dally wouldn't allow it." Soda said.

"I know, that's what I was trying to figure out. How could I explain it to Dally without making it sound like it was the original idea?" I asked curious.

"It sounds to me like you've already made your decision." Soda said.

"I meant if I decided to go. I'm not sure." I deflected.

"I think you are. Just don't think too hard and follow your heart. It's easier that way." Soda kissed the top of my head just before Steve came out. He handed me and Soda the milk and leaned against the rail.

"Tore...will you go to dinner with me tonight?"

"I don't know, Steve."

"Come on; spend some time with your boyfriend."

"Fine." I sighed.

Emma's POV

When Angel walked into the soda shop and demanded to have a 'word' with me, I knew this wouldn't end well. Surprisingly, Toria jumped in and fought for me, dragging Angel outside and beating the tar out of her.

I noticed that Angel managed to get a few good punches to Tore's ribs and swiped her across the face with her horribly long fake nails, but for the most part, she was just flailing her arms and trying to 'defend' herself.

After a bit, Billy and Tyler Terrell showed up and they pulled apart the two feisty girls.

The group discussed things for a few minutes before Angel stormed away with Billy in tow and then Toria came back into the soda shop and sat down again to finish her float.

As soon as she sat down, I exploded with all the questions that had formed in my mind. She ignored everything I said and even I wasn't sure of half the stuff I was asking.

After a bit, she looked up at the clock. "Steve will be getting off soon and you should be probably getting home."

"But Tore…"What about Dally? And I don't need to go home, I can take care of myself on the streets, and what about you said we needed to talk?

"No buts get home." I tried out my haven't-been-used-in-a-while puppy dog eyes but I was out of practice and Victoria just shook her head. So, I left, in a slightly annoyed mood.

But that mood wore off pretty quick. Walking up the street to the Curtis', my stomach dropped and it felt like a bazillion butterflies were trapped inside it.

I went straight to my room and retrieved Peter Pan, which I read quietly on the couch. A while later I heard a car pull up and knew it must have been Steve, Soda, and Toria. Steve came in and got Soda and Toria, who were still on the porch, some chocolate milk than went back out. Moments later, the three came back inside together.

"Lizzie Beth, what happened to your face?" Dally asked the moment Tore walked through the door.

"Cat fight." She answered.

"And who, pray tell, did you fight with this time?"

"Angela Shepard."

"And why were you fighting with Angel?"

"I was protecting Emma." My stomach fell right out. 'Oh my gawd Toria don't tell him that! Besides, I don't need protecting!'

"You can't use that excuse every time, Liz."

"It's not an excuse, Texas. It's the honest truth."

"Then why did Angel want to hurt Emma?"

"Well, you see I can't tell you that." Liz said.

"And why not?" Dally asked.

"Because it's none of my business." 'Ok, this is getting better…'

"So you'll protect someone even if you don't know why you're protecting them?" 'Crap he's getting angry!'

"No, Dallas, it's not my business to tell you why I was protecting her."

"Pony asked me to the movies tonight." I said quickly. I wasn't going to let my sister get chewed out by Dally for something that never had anything to do with her in the first place.

"Tonight? I don't think so." Dallas argued.

"Come on, Dal, be reasonable. This is Ponyboy we're talking about. He ain't gonna hurt her and he ain't gonna let her get hurt either. You know it as well as I do. Besides, I thought you didn't care." Toria spat.

Dally gripped her arm and pulled her close getting right in her face. The look on his face and his body language was really scaring me. "She's my kid sister, of course I care. I've told you that dozens of times." I heard him say really low. 'That's bull shit! You don't even care enough about Toria to comfort her last night and you dare try and convince any of us that you care about me! I'm not an idiot Dallas!'

"You're too overprotective, Dallas Kyle." Liz jerked away from him and looked at me.

"She's going to the movies tonight and that's final." She said.

"Oh yeah?" Dally asked spinning her back around.

"Yeah, you plan on stopping her?"

"She listens to me...At least more than she does to you." Them speaking like I wasn't there was starting to grate on me. I'm still here you know! 'I felt kind of unwanted. Like, even though I was the main topic of the argument, I really had nothing to do with it at all.

"If you want to believe that." Liz stated.

"We'll just see." Dally said. They both looked at me and Dal said, "You are not going anywhere tonight."

"That's not fair, Dally." I protested.

"You're right it ain't. Don't listen to him then Emma. If you really want to go don't let him stop you." Tore said.

"Emma." Dally warned.

"I..." I stuttered.

"Follow your heart, Em. I've got to go get ready but don't worry, somehow it'll work out." Toria said.

"Where ya going?" I asked, grateful for the distraction.

"Like you, I have a date tonight." She answered.

"With Steve?" Dally asked.

"No, with the most wanted hood in town." Tori answered sarcastically. I tried to hide my giggle.

"Liz." Dally started.

"Yes, with Steve, but even if it was with the most wanted hood in town you still couldn't do a thing about it." She replied and I knew it was the truth, she was a strong girl. I was surprised she was being this confident so soon after, well…

"Fine." Dally snapped. Wow… that was easy.

"Good." Tore went and got ready then left to have dinner with Steve.

After supper, during which Dally watched me intently with a kind of glare the whole time, I slipped off to my room with Peter Pan to "read." Actually, I was finished Peter Pan but I was starting on my second time reading it and I was only getting ready for my date with Pony.

I had no idea what to wear. We were only going to a movie, where we'd be in the dark theater where he wouldn't be able to see me anyways… 'Aw crap. All my clothes are dirty.' Normally, I would have just shrugged it off and worn what I was wearing, but for some reason I was compelled to wear something other than my – now boyfriends? – sweater and old wife beater.

Knowing the possibility that I might have a raging Winston to deal with later because of it – I took a chance and opted to borrow some of Toria's clothes.

Looking through her drawers, I was amazed at how many clothes she had. I mean, I obviously owned more clothes than the meager amount I had brought to Tulsa but I still didn't have that many. I was slightly disappointed to find that Tore did not own one skirt or dress but only slightly because even I was picky about my skirts and dresses.

Trying on a few of her tops, I was dismayed to find that Tori was not the same size as me. I found a tee-shirt of hers in the bottom of her drawer that fit me fairly well – not perfectly, but it wasn't obvious that it was two sizes too big, and some people might only assume it was a looser style tee.

One glance at her jeans and I knew they were too big so I was left to wear the jeans I had on.

I slipped into the bathroom to get a quick check of my hair and groaned at the state it was in. I brushed it and brushed it till all the knots were out and continued to brush it in an attempt to make it soft – but all that I got from that was static hair. I wet the brush and tried again but, after tying my hair a few different ways, I gave up and threw the elastic on the floor and just flipped my hair and went with that.

When it was almost time for Pony and I to go on our date, he came down the hall and pulled me out the back door.

"What are you doing?" I called out in surprise.

"Saving us from major harassment and embarrassment. Two-bit's in there with Soda and they were already starting in on the mocking. Trust me; I just saved you from a lot of trouble."

I laughed and then we headed over to the movie house. I loved movies and didn't get to go to them very often but this movie was pretty boring and Pony was really zoned into it. I tried to get his attention by holding his hand (which, was a very brave move for me), throwing popcorn at him (I got it in his mouth twice); but no matter what he'd just kinda smile and keep watching the movie. At one part he got really excited.

"Look! Look!" And so it went on in the movie. I tried to get his attention and he was really into the movie.

After a bit I just gave up and watched the guys in front of us who were fooling around. One time I laughed out loud and Pony looked over at me but didn't get what was funny, because he didn't see what they did to the sleeping fat guy in front of them.

After the movie, Pony held my hand the whole walk home. I wasn't scared in the least walking home in the dark in the back alleys but Pony flinched at every sound. I didn't say anything about it but when he jumped about two feet in the air when Jet jumped out of the shadows I burst out laughing. Eventually he laughed, too, and the whole lure-Jet-home-hey!-cat-pay-attention loosened him up quite a bit.

Pony and I didn't talk too much on the way home, but he did ask a couple very random questions. 'Have you ever had a boyfriend before?' Of course I never had, and I told him just that. 'What are your thoughts about marriage?' That, I answered with something along the lines of I had never thought about it. Truthfully, I had, but only related to John and Mom divorcing, and Dennis marrying another woman and taking Dallas. At that moment, though, when he asked that question, somehow a picture of him and I getting married flashed through my mind.

Then Pony caught me off guard. "What's your mom like?"

"What?"

"Is your mom nice?"

"Well, I tell people she isn't, but yeah, I guess she is. Though I think I'm a little biased in that statement."

"Biased? How so? Wouldn't you know if she was nice to you or not?"

"Pony, even if she was terribly mean to me, which she isn't, she's my mother. Of course I'm going to stick up for her. Besides, she's not just my mom. She's all I got."

Pony didn't say anything after that and we just continued to lure Jet home in silence.

When we got home, it was a little after 10 PM and Darry sent Soda and Pony to bed. Toria was already home from her date with Steve, he said goodnight to her and headed home, and Johnny said he'd better head home, too, but I could hear his parents fighting and I knew he'd end up at the lot if that wasn't where he was going now.

I sat on the couch and Toria went to use the phone for a bit; speaking entirely in German. I found it odd that she knew German, but hey – what do I know about her anyways? Eventually, I got tired and when I couldn't stop yawning Darry suggested that I go to bed, too. I tried to protest but Toria was off the phone and had come back into the room and Dally demanded we both go to bed, leaving absolutely no room for argument.

"Uh... Tore?" I asked as she was changing.

"Mmm…?"

"I hope you don't mind… I had to borrow one of your shirts tonight…" I picked at the hem of it, looking awkwardly at my feet. "I would have asked, but I had no clean shirts or anything and you had already left for you date..." I added in a quick, almost-whisper.

"No, that's fine." Toria finished changing and when I looked up she had turned to me. "That one doesn't fit me… well it does, but it's somewhat tight and I never liked that one anyway." She shrugged. "You can just have it."

"Th-thanks." I said hesitantly, turning around to change into my pajamas. Dropping my jeans on the floor and pulling some old track pants on (my Eyore jimmies were dirty, too) I pulled off my bra but left on her tee shirt. "Uhm Tori?" I was changed, but didn't turn around.

"Yeah Em?"

"I... I'm sorry about last night. I didn't say anything or do anything, and I should have. I just... wasn't sure how to react."

There was a moment of silence before she answered again. "No, you wouldn't... It's not something you would know how to react to when you haven't been there yourself…"

My eyes started to blur with tears of frustration at myself and I was glad my back was to Toria. I shook my head. "No, no... I, I should know how to react but I… Ughh." I growled in frustration. "I understand what you were going through and I should have said something and I'm… I'm sorry." I sighed, turning around.

When I turned around, Toria kind of had her head cocked as if she wasn't sure about something, but she just nodded and turned over in bed and pulled the sheets over her. "Goodnight Emma." She said softly. "Oh and could you remind me to run a few loads of laundry in the morning? I've been meaning to do it and I keep forgetting."

"Alright. Night, Tore." I whispered as I crawled into bed myself. I fell into a light, troubled sleep a few minutes later.