Hey guys!!! Omg so sorry that litterly took forever to write the 6th chapter!!! I had a pretty strong idea of what I wanted to do with this story when i started to write it but now I don't want what I had planned to happen. In other words I am still trying to figure out where this story is going.

I have been super busy with school starting up especially because I just went into 9th grade. So I am just starting high school.

Please please review! Idc how mean or hurtful it is I just want feedback! Also if you want me to try and include any ideas you guys have please let me know!

Okay anyway without further ado: chapter six.

When I woke up next it was light in my room just like the last time. However the light was not as intense so I figured it was probably still morning.

I opened my eyes and saw someone sitting in the chair next to my bed. I looked at the figure for a moment still not recognizing them. It wasn't until he let out a loud snore the I realized it was Curly. I was over joyed to see my best friend.

I patted his knee hoping he would wake up calmly. I patted his knee about three times and he still hadn't stirred. "Curly" I whispered. His head bobbled but he didn't wake. "Curly" I said a little louder. At that his eyes shot open. He looked confused for a second before his eyes settled on mine. "Hey Izz" his voice had a strange tone that I couldn't place "how are you feeling?"

I thought for a moment. My head hurt like crazy and so did my ribs but for the first time since I had been jumped my ankle didn't hurt. "Good" I said trying to sound optimistic. Just like Sodapop I was always happy go lucky-grinning. I was always smiling. I knew it worried people when I was sad or not talking a whole lot cause that wasn't my usual personality.

Even though I was in pain I wouldn't show it any longer. My brothers had worried enough about me as it is. I don't need them to worry about me anymore because of this jumping. A smile slowly appeared on Curlys face before a sharp blast of pain went through my head causing me to wince in pain. I squeezed my eyes shut trying to steady myself.

When my head stopped spinning I opened my eyes to see Curly's smile completely faded. He was actually frowning at me. "Okay maybe not so good, but don't tell my brothers ok?" I pleaded with him. If he told Darry about this he would make me stay in bed for even longer.

Curly was quiet for a moment deep in thought. "Alright, but when your brothers ask you if you're ok you have to tell them what hurts" I didn't like that answer. "Okay I will" I lied. I definitely would not be telling my brothers that my head still hurt because Darry takes head injuries very seriously.

Pony got a real bad concussion last year and Darry barely let him leave his bed for weeks. I didn't want to end up like that. We sat in silence for a moment before Curly spoke again. "You know I have to ask" he spoke slowly "who did this to you?" I was actually surprised nobody had questioned me about this already.

Usually the guys are itching to beat the crap out of any guy who would make fun of me let alone beat me half to death. If you want the truth I didn't want anyone to know it was Alex's brother. Mostly because I didn't want people thinking I ran to my brothers for help. But I also didn't want anyone in our gang to get hurt because of me.

"I don't know who they were, just some socs" I was a good lier. Anyone else besides Soda maybe would believed me but Curly knew me too well. "You and I both know that's not true" Curly said harshly. I wasn't going to crack.

"Look, I want a peice of the guy that did this to you, not to mention your brothers and the rest of your gang is furious." He paused before adding the last part "when Pony told Tim last night he ran stormed off and I haven't seen him since" I knew Tim would be mad but I didn't realize just how far he would go.

"If you don't tell us who actually beat you up Tim might kill every Soc that he can find until he gets the right guy" Curly said seriously. I wanted to laugh but I knew what Curly said was true. I let out a long sigh

"Fine. It-it was Alexes brother, Brian I think his name is" I stammered. Curly just looked at me shocked and speechless. I continued talking quickly like Curly was going to explode any second "he said something about how he couldn't have his brother liking some greasy trash like me" Curly still didn't say anything "he said I was pretty too pretty then he said he would fix that" I finally finished the story.

I looked at Curly sheepishly. His face was filled with more anger than I've ever seen. "I broke his nose though" I said remembering the feeling of the bones crunch under my fist. His lips formed a prideful smile but his eyes were still blazing with anger. "The little" Curly went on calling Brian some colorful names while he stormed out of my room leaving me alone again.

I wanted to follow him out but I soon realized I was stuck there until someone came to help me because of my ankle. That made me mad that I couldn't even walk on my own. It was hard to act tough when I needed to be carried around like a baby. I laid back on my pillow staring at my ceiling.

I heard Curly talking in the living room. His voice was slowly rising and I figured he was telling the rest of the gang what I had just told him. Suddenly he stopped and everything was silent and the front door slammed a few moments later. Curly was gone. After a few moments of silence I heard more footsteps and the front door slammed again. The house was dead. I knew I was completely alone.

I sat not daring to move for five minutes or so and not a sound was made in the whole house. After I was jumped I hated being alone. I don't know why but I scared me. I would never tell anyone cause that was babyish. Then I did something I haven't done since my parents deaths.

I cried. I cried until my throat was raw and my eyes refused to produce more tears. I sobbed loudly knowing no one was around to hear it. I cried for what felt like hours. All the crying wore me out and I fell asleep again.

I was suddenly in the middle of sidewalk. I was standing looking out into the distance. I could see a figure coming at me. As the person got closer I realized it was Brian. I turned and tried to run but me feet wouldn't move. They were cemented to the ground like glue. As Brian got closer I saw that his face was distorted. His nose was bent and his jaw was stuck completely crooked. He smiled only to reveal blood that came dripping out of his mouth. He came closer placing his hands on my shoulders just like he did when he jumped me. He leaned down until his face was almost touching mine. Then all of the sudden he spit blood in my eyes and everything went dark.

"Shhhhhhhh baby it's okay" a voice rang in my ear but I couldn't place it. Someone was shaking me but I couldn't seem to open my eyes. "Come on honey wake up" a different voice spoke softly. Suddenly I could feel the cool air on my face and the blanket around my body.

My eyes snapped open. I was curled up in a tight ball with my knees tucked in my chest and my arms wrapped around my legs. I blinked away the tears in my eyes to find Darry's face right in front of mine. "There you are Izzy" he said softly. "It was just a nightmare" Sodas voice came from behind me somewhere.

I shivered with the thought and whimpered with the images that came to my mind. I curled up tighter into a ball. Suddenly a blood curdling scream came from the other room. It was Ponyboys scream. He was having a nightmare just like me. We were all used to Ponyboy having terrible dreams that would make him scream and cry. The only way to clam him down was to shake him until he woke up.

I suddenly remembered the feeling of hands shaking me and I wondered if I had been screaming too. "I'll get him" Soda said as he jumped up and ran out the door. I was still curled up in a ball and I was on the verge of crying. Darry didn't say anything. Instead he got up climbed around me to the other side of the bed. He turned me around so I was facing him. He pulled me close to him enveloping me in his big muscles. I relaxed. I was convinced that nothing could get me when I was in Darry's arms.

I laid my head against Darrys chest and heard his heartbeat pounding steadily. I found myself drifting off back into sleep not scared of any night mares because when Darry was there they couldn't get me. I was momentarily scared that Darry would leave but somehow I knew he wouldn't. Surrounded by warmth and safety I fell into a dreamless sleep. I woke up momentarily when Darry got up and quietly left the room. I knew he was going to work even though it was still pitch black outside. I was so tired and I wanted to go back to sleep but I couldn't. I was scared of being alone. I was scared the nightmare would get me.

I stared at the ceiling for what felt like ages until I heard the front door slam and I knew Darry was gone. I got up and tiptoed into the kitchen. I opened the cabinet door which squeaked loudly. I grabbed a glass and filled it with water. I sat down at the table and realized I had just walked. I didn't even remember my ankle injury.

I looked down at my ankle. It was still a little swollen but it was back to its normal color. It didn't hurt at all. I probably couldn't go running or play football for a while but at least I could walk. I slowly sipped the water while I was deep in thought. Why did it scare me so much to be alone? All at once the memories of when I was jumped came rushing back. Brian's hands on my shoulders, his venomous green eyes staring deep into my blue ones.

My heart beat increased as the room started to spin around me. I couldn't seem to breathe as I clenched the table to ground myself. My breathing became more rapid and I knew I would hyperventilate if I didn't calm down but I had lost control. I was panicking my wide eyes darted around helplessly, frantically. I rolled out of the chair I was sitting in and crumpled onto the cold tile floor of the kitchen. I tucked my knees to my chest and curled into a small ball. I squeezed my eyes shut willing myself to breathe. My heart was racing. Memories of the jumping taunting me as I fought for breath. My ankle snapping, Brian's fist connecting with my jaw, getting kicked in the head.

Memories flashed as I struggled to breathe. Struggled to get control of my self. I was suddenly very dizzy and lightheaded. I was not getting enough oxygen. Suddenly a pair of hands landed on my shoulders and were shaking me. I was vaguely aware of someone's panicked voice saying my name but I wasn't sure. Brian's face came into my thoughts and I jumped. My breathing was so fast I knew I was going to pass out. Then everything went black. "Izzy!" a voice called this time much clearer than before. My eyes snapped open to see Sodas very worried face leaning over mine.

I was still laying on the ground in the kitchen, Soda was sitting with my head in his lap. I wondered how long I had been out for. I started to sit up. "Izzy what happ-" Soda started when suddenly Brian's eyes appeared in my mind again. I leaped into Sodas chest and started bawling. I hadn't cried in front of my brothers since I was a kid. Soda wrapped his arms around me and held me like a baby in his lap. I burrowed my face into his chest while I cried.

Soda soothed me and tried to hush me but I couldn't stop. I cried and cried and cried. Eventually Soda must of gotten tired of sitting on the floor because he picked me up and took me to my room. I was scared he was going to leave me alone so I wrapped my arms tighter around his waist. Luckily he sat down on my bed with me still in his arms. He let me cry into his shirt until the sun rose. Although my sobs became quieter the tears still rolled down my face. I hiccuped and sniffled with shuddering breaths. "Shh it's ok baby" Soda soothed "your ok".

I was suddenly aware that Soda was probably tired because of me. He had work today and I was depriving him of the sleep he needed. "I-I'm s-sorry So-da" I got out in between sobs. Soda tightened his grip on me "don't be sorry Izz" Soda said as he smoothed my hair. He planted a kiss on top my head. My eyes were red and puffy. My breathing was still irregular. We sat in silence for a moment before Soda spoke again. "I have to get ready for work now baby" he said as my stomach dropped.

Just the thought of being alone made me want to start bawling again. "Nooooo" I wailed like a child. I cluched onto Soda. "Shhh Pony will be here" he spoke. "Okay" my voice wavered. He helped me up and lead me down the hall to the couch. "I'm going to wake up Ponyboy I'll be right back" Soda didn't wait for a response before he left down the hall. I stared at my feet and I couldn't stop another tear from trickling down my face.

I could hear Ponyboy and Soda talking quietly down the hall. I knew Soda was worried about me and probably Darry too based off last night. While Soda was comforting me earlier that morning I could tell he wanted to ask me why I was on the floor of the kitchen hyperventilating but he held back. I was thankful for it especially because I wasn't sure what had happened myself. However I knew Soda would ask me later.

I kept my eyes glued on my feet while I listened to two pairs of feet pad down the hallway. I look up when Ponyboy sits down next to me and wraps his arm around my shoulder. I leaned into his warmth. Soda came and squatted next to me, forcing me to look into his eyes. We just stress at each other his eyes full of concern and sympathy. "Ponyboy is going to stay with you. The gang will be over later." He said gently putting his hand on my knee. "I'll be home around 5, Darry will be out a little later" I was relived that I wasn't going to be left alone today.

"Okay" I said shakily. Soda gave me a small smile as he stood up and then planted a kiss on the top of my head. He ruffled Pony's hair and gave him a smile but I couldn't help thinking that it looked forced. I wondered if Soda was doing okay. I hadn't asked him lately how he was doing. I decided I would ask him about it later. Soda disappeared out the front door after putting his work boots on.

I had been crying for hours and yet I still felt like I was going to start crying any moment now. Pony and I sat in silence for a moment before he spoke. "What's got you so worked up Izz?" He softly asked. I opened my mouth to speak but instead of words the sobs I had so desperately been trying to hold back came pouring out again. Tears escaped my eyes streaming down my face. I turned into Ponyboys chest and he wrapped his arms around me. He didn't ask questions he just held me and comforted me.

I had only been bawling for 5 minutes before the front door swung open and Two-Bits cheerful voice boomed through the house. "Good morning Curt-" his voice suddenly cut off when he saw me. I heard some shuffling and I peeked away from Pony's chest to see Two-Bit, Johnny, and Dally staring blankly at me and Pony. I turned my head back to Pony's tear stained shirt as I continued to cry. It occurred to me then that I had never cried in front of the gang.

Not even when both my parents died or when I broke my arm or when I got bullied at school. I was always tough as could be around these boys. I wasn't embarrassed that they were seeing me like this though. I couldn't bring myself to care. Everyone was silent for a minute and the only sound was my bawling. "Dal, can you come hold Izzabel for a moment" Ponyboy said "I need to get something from the kitchen" I heard more shuffling and suddenly Ponyboy lifted me into someone's arms. I guessed the arms belonged to Dally based on the previous conversation but I didn't look instead I quickly turned myself around and buried my face into Dallys chest.

He seemed to hesitate for a moment before he too wrapped his arms around me and held me. I peeked at the kitchen door just in time to see Ponyboy leading Johnny and Two-Bit into the kitchen. Probably to tell them that I had been crying like this since 4 in the morning and was scared to be alone I thought to myself. A small part of me realized how much of a baby I looked like right now and how I probably would never be treated like a tough hood now. But my other emotions were too strong to stop crying.