The DX sign stood tall in the sunlight along with the small gas station below it. It was a sight I haven't seen for awhile, but I had to admit that I missed this place. In the distance, I could Steve pumping gas into a customer's car, while Two-Bit stood nearby, talking his ear off. I hoped that Sodapop was somewhere inside, so I could tell all three of them the truth at the same time. I just wanted to get this over with. I wasn't sure how they were going to react. I was nervous that they wouldn't accept me or want to be my friend anymore. I didn't want to ruin another friendship like I had with Darry. I still held hope that I could fix what happened between Darry and me though. If I was going to leave Tulsa, I couldn't have him hate me. I just didn't like leaving like that.

As I walked up to my two friends, the customer paid Steve and drove off in their car. Two-Bit grinned widely and ran up to me, bursting with excitement that surprised me. "Diana! When did you get out of the hospital?"

Steve was also smiling as he made his way towards Two-Bit and me. "And you're walking!" He exclaimed with a proud nod.

I rolled my eyes and laughed at the two of them. I had forgotten about their abundance of energy, and I really needed their positivity right now. "I got out a few days ago," I said. "Sorry I didn't visit you guys earlier."

"Don't worry about!" Steve said assuringly.

"Yeah, seriously, don't sweat it," Two-Bit added. "Sorry we didn't get to throw you a welcome back party!"

I chuckled. "You'll give any reason to party, Two."

"Ya got that right," Two-Bit winked. "Oh, hey, did you hear about Sheldon?" He asked, almost too happy about his death. I didn't blame Two-Bit though. I had mixed feelings about Bob now that he was dead.

"Yeah, I did," I said with a small nod. "Dally and I got hauled into the station for questioning."

"They didn't try and accuse you two, did they?" Steve asked worriedly.

I shook my head, no. "Dal and I were bein' asked about Pony and Johnny," I explained.

"I heard that those two were behind it, but I just couldn't believe it," Steve said. "I guess it makes sense now cause they just.. disappeared."

"Who knew those kids had it in 'em," Two-Bit spoke, shaking his head in surprise. I frowned thinking about it. It's a shame that these kids were pushed this far. They shouldn't have to kill someone else to protect themselves. It's a shame that the socs and greasers can't just forget their differences and get along. I hoped that there would be a time where the feud would end. I wonder who would be able to finally stop the fighting once and for all.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Steve said suddenly. "I've been working on something for you, Diana." I quirked a brow curiously. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I was still excited for whatever this gift may be.

I followed Steve into the DX building with Two-Bit trailing behind. He led me into one of the garages where there was an old motorcycle standing in the middle of the room. I circled the bike and expected it. Motorcycles had always interested me and I had always wanted one. "Where'd you find this?" I asked Steve.

"Some junkyard nearby," Steve said. "I thought I could spruce it up a bit."

"Well, you definitely did a great job," I complimented. I ran my hand on over the leather seat. "It looks amazing." I said, sending him a smile.

"I'm glad you like it," Steve spoke happily. "Cause it's yours." My brows furrowed in confusion. When I looked up at him, he tossed me a pair of keys, which I caught easily.

"Wait.. really?" I asked, becoming excited. Steve nodded. "Jeez, Steve! Thanks." Two-Bit laughed at my reaction as I placed the keys in the ignition and turned the motorcycle on. The engine hummed viciously. It was a very nice bike considering it was trash before Steve fixed it up. I pulled the keys back out of the motorcycle and gave Steve a look of gratefulness. "You really didn't have to do all this just for me."

"It was no trouble," Steve brushed me off. "When we met, you mentioned how you've always wanted a bike, so I thought I'd give you one for when you got out of the hospital."

"Perfect timing," Two-Bit chimed in.

"You've always stuck up for us greasers, so I thought I'd find a way to say thank you," Steve replied. He kindness warmed my heart. I was so happy to have found such great friends. The whole gang was just so caring and genuine, which made me feel so guilty for lying to them this whole time. I was a terrible person for getting them involved with me. If something ever happened to any of them, it would completely be my fault. My face fell instantly. I was feeling overwhelmed again. Steve took notice and wore a worried expression. "Diana? Are you okay?"

"Are you gonna cry?" Two-Bit asked humorously.

I rolled my eyes and breathed a laugh. He always had a way of joking around in the wrong times. "I don't cry," I remarked. "I just.. There's something I haven't told you guys." I took a deep breath. I wasn't ready to reveal my secret, but I knew I couldn't hold it in any longer. My past had been weighing me down ever since I got here. "I'm not who you think I am.."

"What do you mean?" Steve asked. His brows were knitted together in confusion.

"Are we on some tv show right now?" Two-Bit spoke quietly as his eyes scanned around the room.

I laughed softly but shook my head, no. "I'm not from Tulsa," I started off. "I'm from New York."

"Wait, really?" Steve asked, completely dumbfounded.

Two-Bit shoved his arm harshly. "Duh! Can't you hear her accent?" He remarked. Steve rubbed his side as he thought to himself, his eyes then widened in realization. "You're a long way from home," Two-Bit said, nodding his head.

"Yeah, what are you doing in Oklahoma?" Steve questioned.

I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. "I ran away," I admitted. The two boys wore confused expressions, so I continued to explain my story. "My friends and I lived in Harlem. There were four of us: Todd, John, Erica, and me."

"Is Erica hot?" Two-Bit interrupted.

"What does this have anything to do with her story?" Steve asked, giving Two-Bit a look.

Two-Bit shrugged. "Just trying to visualize everyone, ya know?" I rolled my eyes but sent him a curt nod anyway. Two-Bit just smirked in response.

"The four of us have been breaking the law for as long as I can remember," I said. "I came up with this idea to rob this new bank on Main Street. We got away with 50k-"

"Holy shit!" Two-Bit cut me off again. "Do you know how much beer that could get us?" I glared at him for interrupting me again. Now, Steve was the one who shoved him in his arm. "Alright, sorry.. I'll be quiet now."

"Thanks," I said sarcastically before finishing my story. "We thought we were in the clear until the police found our warehouse. We all split and ran from the cops. My friend, Todd, had told me about this freight train that carried cargo out of the city and into another town, so I hopped on and ran away." I felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. I still felt guilty for lying and keeping a secret from my friends for so long, but I felt better now that I had opened up about it.

"Are the police still looking for you?" Steve asked carefully. The two boys wore unreadable expressions. I couldn't tell if they were mad or upset or shocked.

"Yes," I replied. I felt nervous. I didn't want them to react like Darry, but I wouldn't blame them if they did.

"So you're a wanted criminal?" Steve asked. I nodded slowly.

"How much cash would we get if we turned you in?" Two-Bit questioned curiously. My eyes widened and I took a step back. "Kidding! Obviously."

Steve raised his eyebrows at his friend and then met my eyes. "He's kidding," he assured.

"Right.." I remarked, chuckling unsurely. "So.. are you guys mad at me?" I asked my friends.

"Mad?" Steve repeated. "Why would we be mad?" He said with humorously.

"Cause you guys could get in serious trouble for being around me," I explained. Maybe they didn't understand the 'wanted criminal' part.

Two-Bit laughed and shook his head. "Are you kidding? This is like out of a movie!" He exclaimed. "I knew you were one badass babe." I smiled, remembering when he first called me that. Two-Bit's face fell serious for a brief moment. "Don't tell Dally I said that. He'll skin me alive!"

I laughed softly and rolled my eyes. "Your secret is safe with me," I replied.

"And yours is safe with us," Steve commented. He sent me a friendly smile.

"Group hug!" Two-Bit exclaimed. He pulled Steve and I into a hug and I didn't resist. We all shared a laugh as we pulled away. I was so happy that they still accepted me after I told them my about my past. Finally, I felt relieved.

"By the way," I spoke. "Is Sodapop here? I gotta talk to him too."

"Oh, yeah," Steve said. He pointed towards the side door. "He's outside, taking another lunch break."

"Soda hasn't been himself lately," Two-Bit added. I nodded and made my way over to the door, exiting the DX building. He's probably very lonely and upset. Not only did his girlfriend cheat on him and run off to Florida, but his younger brother also left without telling anyone, except for Dally and me.

"Hey Soda," I spoke softly. He was sitting against the side of the building, staring into the distance. A sad frown was plastered on his lips.

Sodapop turned to glance at me and tried to send me a smile. "Oh, hi Diana," he replied quietly. I walked over to him and took a seat next to him. "I didn't know you were out of the hospital."

"Just got out a few days ago," I said with a small shrug. "How have you been?" I asked. I kind of already knew the answer to that though.

"Not too well," Sodapop admitted honestly. There was a moment of silence between us. I wasn't sure whether or not I should say something or wait for him to talk. "I know about New York and all," Sodapop spoke up.

"How'd you find out?" I asked curiously. I was a bit surprised that he knew about my secret before I was able to tell him.

"I figured it out," Sodapop replied. I hummed in response. A lot of people overlook Sodapop because of his looks, but there's a lot more to himself than most people realize. "I want you to know that I'm still here for you.. Darry has his opinion and I have mine. He'll realize sooner or later that you shouldn't turn your back on friends."

I smiled at that. "Thanks, Soda. That's means a lot."

Sodapop nodded. "You know where Pony is, don't you?" He asked suddenly. I contemplated whether or not I should tell Sodapop. Dally said that the less people know, the better, and I agree with that. It just felt wrong to keep this a secret. Sodapop obviously cares about his brother. If I were in his position, I would want to know where my sibling was. "You don't have to tell me," Sodapop said. He must've noticed my internal conflict. I watched as he pulled out a folded piece of paper and handed it to me. "Could you just give this to Pony please?"

"Of course," I replied. I put the letter inside my backpack and made sure it was kept safe.

"Thanks, Diana," Sodapop said. I sent him a small smile before getting up and walked back inside to retrieve my new motorcycle. I ignited the engine and rode out of the DX.

As the wind blew through my hair, I finally felt a sense of relief and calmness that I hadn't felt in awhile. The weight of my lies and secrets were lifted off of my shoulders as I told my friends the truth about myself and my past.