I really hope you guys are still loving the story :) Thank you for reviewing. FrankElza Thank you for the review. You always pick out my favorite lines from the chapters :) Pony'sgirlfriend you will see the love interest soon I hope. lol I love that you keep guessing though. Thanks for the review. I hope you guys like the update. Please keep reading and reviewing :)

Scars

I stayed out of school with Johnny that week. Darry didn't like me missing that many days, but I didn't want anyone to ask about my bruises. Besides that, I wanted to keep Johnny company. I helped him as much as I could. We played cards for the most part, and he taught me some cool card games that I have never played.

Even though I was happy to be there, I still felt like I would cause them less problems if I went back home. I was sure that my family was even angrier at me. They wouldn't report me missing though. That would tell their friends that I had run away. That was just not done in the Soc's world.

On that Friday Ponyboy came home with a letter. He handed it to me.

"What is this?" I looked up at him.

"It's from your brother. He told me to give it to you."

I looked at Pony in shock. "Did he hurt you?"

Pony shook his head. "No Dally walked me home, so there wasn't much else your brother could do."

I nodded and opened the letter.

Elizabeth,

Mom and Dad told me today they don't want you to come back. They say you made your choice and left your family. I'm sorry I hit you like that. I guess I should tell you that, but I am not sorry for hating those greasers. You will always be my sister, but I can't look at you the same way. You have made your choice and now you have to live with that. I wish you could have seen the truth. I won't stop fighting that trash. I'll make them pay. You have gotten what you wanted. They can be your family now.

Bob

Tears weld up in my eyes. "They never really wanted me."

I threw the letter down and took off outside.

I ran to the vacant lot and sat near the fire pit. I brought my knees to my chest and cried. I know that the gang cares for me more than they did, but it still hurts to be told you are not wanted.

I was out there for about an hour before I felt someone sit next to me. I didn't have to look over to know that it was Darry. He put an arm around me.

"I read the letter." He pulled me to him. I leaned into his side. "They don't know what they lost."

I tear up again and he rubs my back. "You can be a part of my family. I already see you in it anyway."

I looked up at him and he whipped my tears. "Elizabeth you can live with us. We want you, and we will take care of you."

All I could do was nod. He hugged me. "It's going to be okay, sweetheart."

Eventually we went back to the house.

"How's the kid?" Dally asked as we walked up.

"She will be alright." He hugged me from his side again.

"Look Liz, you didn't deserve the hand you got dealt, but at least you have some people to look out for you," Dally said.

I nod and walked passed him. I just didn't want to think right now.

Two Bit was inside watching Mickey Mouse. I snuck a few of his beers and went into Soda's room. I knew he wouldn't be home till later and I wanted to be alone.

I looked at the beer and wondered why so many people liked it. I opened one and took a sip. I almost spit it back out. It tasted awful and it felt weird going down my throat. I kept drinking it though. Maybe it did numb this pain.

After the two beers, I started to feel lighter. Maybe everything wasn't that bad. I heard a knock on the door so I shoved the cans under Soda's bed.

"Come in." I lay down on my back.

Darry came in. "It's time for dinner."

I sigh. "I'm not hungry."

"Liz you need to eat." He walked over and sat next to me.

I stiffened a little. I didn't want him to know that I was drinking.

"Come on Liz. This will pass. You have all of us. I know that we aren't your real family, but we love you."

I looked up at him. "My own parents don't love me. Why would any of you?"

He hugged me. "Because you are like the little sister we never had." He chuckled. "You can't get rid of us now."

I smiled a little at that. "You may change your mind. You haven't known me that long."

"Nope family is family and it is deeper then blood." He smiled down at me. "Now come on. Dinner is ready and we have cake."

I smiled again and got up. I staggered a little.

"You okay?" He looked concerned.

"Yeah, I just got light headed." I shook it off and followed him to the kitchen. The whole gang was there.

"There she is." Two Bit said. "Now we can start the party."

"I think you do just fine starting parties without me Two Bit." They all laughed.

"Maybe, but they aren't the same without your pretty face." He smiled at me.

"You are full of it." I laugh at him.

"He is always full of it." Steve said stuffing his face with food.

I smile and sit next to Johnny. "How you feeling?" I asked him.

"Better then I look." He smiled.

We all ate and hung out that night. I was glad to have all of them even if my family didn't want me.

Darry told me that he was going to make room for me. Pony could stay with Soda and I could have his room. I didn't want to take Pony's room, but he said he wanted me to have it. I was so confused by everything. I felt more love in this home than I ever did at my parent's. How could I lose so much and gain even more?

The next few days went by quickly. The boys helped me get my room together. I was happy that I got most of the cloths I liked from my parent's house when I first left. Darry said he would try and get me more soon. I wasn't worried though. I never really wanted a lot of things. I just wanted someone to care for me. Now I had a lot of people that did that.

Soda came into my room on Sunday evening.

"Hey Lizzie can we talk?"

I looked up at him. "Of course." I smiled

He came and sat next to me. He brought his hand around and showed me a beer can.

"Two of these were under my bed." He looked at me.

I stiffened and gulped a little.

"Do you know how they got there?"

I looked at my lap. I guess I shouldn't lie. "I put them there….I drank them the other night when I got my brother's letter."

"You know Darry doesn't allow me or Pony to drink. Do you think he wants you to?"

I shook my head. "No. I know he wouldn't want me to."

"Well I think you should tell him."

"Come on Soda. Can't we just let this go? I won't drink again. I was just upset."

Soda sighed. "You better not do it again. It's bad for you."

I nod. "I know. I won't."

"Being upset doesn't give you the right to drink either. If you are upset you come to one of us."

I nod again. "I will."

"Alright then." He got up. "Dinner is almost ready."

I nod as he leaves. I was still upset about everything. I mean who wouldn't be? They didn't know that I still skip meals. I tell them I ate when I don't. The only time I can't get away with that is when we all eat dinner together.

I know they all care about me, but right now I just don't know if I care about me.