Hey there. I'm sorry I haven't updated sooner but I had a really important exam I had to study for. Then I bashed my toe on a corner and couldn't even focus on anything because it hurt so bad. But I'm back now. This is kind of a filler chapter, but it shows Alex's relationship with her mother and I really want to show that. And I'd like to thank SodapopGirl17 for reviewing.

I do not own The Outsiders

We all stood there for about twenty minutes, mostly the guys were asking Alex different questions. She mainly gave smart remarks, dodging answers. Dally caught onto that and asked her why, and she said that she didn't want to spill everything to people she had just met. Dally couldn't blame her for that, because he was just as secretive with people he didn't know.

I pulled out my cigarettes and took one. I handed the pack over to Alex, but she held her hand up. "No thanks, I only try to smoke when I'm stressed. Hanging with you guys has actually relaxed me so I don't need one." I smiled a little bit, but managed to hide it by looking for my lighter. She was like Soda in that, so maybe that was another reason why I liked her so much.

I lit my cigarette and looked up to see a small tan car traveling down the road. It pulled over to the curb right next to us. Alex saw it and sighed, a small groan escaping her lips. The driver door opened and a tall woman stepped out. She looked just like Alex, only older and her hair stopped at her shoulders. She looked relieved as she walked around the car and wrapped her arms around Alex's shoulders.

"Alex, I'm so glad I found you." She pulled back, wrinkling her nose and looking at Alex with a look that I thought was disappointment. "Have you been smoking again?" When Alex didn't answer, the woman sighed exasperatedly. "Alex, you know how we feel about you smoking."

Then Alex sighed again. "Yeah, and you should know how Jim makes me feel. He stresses me out so bad that if I didn't smoke then I'd be arrested for beating up a random person." She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Momma, I don't mean to disappoint you, but sometimes I can't help it."

The guys just stood there quietly, as did I. It seemed like none of us knew what to say. Alex looked back over at us, like she was remembering that we were there. "Sorry guys. This is my mother Julie. Momma, these are my new friends," she said, introducing us all.

I instantly recognized the look on Julie's face, she was uncomfortable. I knew she was uncomfortable with her daughter hanging out with us, I just hoped that Alex wouldn't let that affect her.

Julie looked back at Alex and narrowed her eyes when she saw the red mark on Alex's cheek from when Dally slapped her. "Where did you get that?"

"Got into a bit of a fight with Dal over there." Julie's eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. Alex rolled her eyes. "Come on Momma, Brian and Tyler have done worse to me. I know what you're thinking, but these guys are tuff. Nothing you say is gonna change that so don't even try."

Julie looked a little shocked by what Alex said. She looked over at us again and a smile formed on her face after a few moments. "If Alex feels that strongly about you bunch, then you can't be that bad. And she's stubborn so I won't be able to talk her out of being friends with you." She looked over at me. "You're the boy that was waiting outside this morning aren't you?" I nodded and she smiled. "Well, it's nice to know that Alex has made such a good friend in a very short amount of time. But unfortunately I need to take her home now."

Alex's head shot up. "What are you talking about Momma?"

Julie looked at her with sad eyes. "Sweetie, you should've come home when your father told you to. He's furious right now and he told me to come find you and bring you home."

"Momma," Alex whined. "Just let me stay with them. I'll be home before my curfew."

"If you don't come with me you'll just make him even angrier. Please honey, it's best if you just come home right now."

Alex looked like she was going to argue further, but she exhaled sharply and her shoulders dropped, signaling her defeat. She turned to me and said, "See you tomorrow?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I'll walk with you again if you want."

She smiled. "I'd like that." Then she turned to the gang. "Hopefully I'll see you all again soon. And maybe next time we can hang out without it turning into a damn fight," she said, throwing Dally a smirk. He shook his head and laughed dryly, causing her to really laugh.

She turned and headed towards the car with her mother. Before she grabbed the handle though, she turned and walked back to me. "Pony, can you still spare a cigarette? I'm gonna need it."

I chuckled a little and pulled out my pack. "Yeah here you go," I said as I pulled one out and gave it to her. I took out my lighter and lit it for her too.

She took a long drag with her eyes closed. Then she opened them and looked at me. "Thanks." Then she turned and got into the car, the cigarette earning a look from Julie, and disappeared down the road.

"You okay there Steve?" I heard Soda say. I looked at them and saw that Steve looked really pissed.

He just sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, avoiding Soda's face. "Gotta feeling we'll be hearing a lot of shit from her about her dad. And I sure as hell don't wanna hear it."

I got mad at Steve then. Alex hadn't said a word about any of her family when she was talking to them. And who was he to complain about someone else complaining about angry dads? I had heard him run his mouth about his dad more than enough times. But I bit my tongue because I knew that yelling at him about it all would only cause him to hate me more and make Soda feel bad.

So I just said a bye to the gang and went inside.

Just to let you guys know, I do have an idea on how to make some of the gang not like Alex so she won't be so much of a Mary-Sue as you guys say she is. I'll update as soon as I can, but I've also got a lab practical coming up that I need to do well on. Until next time my dears.

Ciao,

Kris