My feet thumped hard against the cement, my lungs were burning and my legs felt like jelly but I had to keep running. Once I thought that there was no way they could find me I ran into a public toilet to check out how I looked. My long dirty blonde hair fell down my shoulders in frizzy waves covering the jacket. I pulled my hair into a low ponytail to show off the jacket. It sure made me look both tuff and tough...now I just need some shoes.

I cautiously looked out the door to make sure the guys weren't anywhere to be seen or to see me.

I walked down the street for a while just soaking in the sunlight and thinking where I might run to next. After I got the shoes I was planning to leave this place...after all there was nothing here.

After a while I came across a shoe store full of customers and I smiled at my luck today. It was so busy nobody would notice me after all I blend into a crowd real easy with my pale skin, dirty blonde hair and slim figure. The only noticeable thing about me was my bright green eyes so I normally just look at the ground.

I walk in and scan the shelves for a while until I find a pair of plain black high tops that look really tuff.

I scan my surroundings to ensure nobody was watching me. Everybody appeared to busy in their children or their feet to notice me. I swiped them from the shelf and quickly put them on discarded my old ones. I looked around again but still nobody had noticed me or gave me a second glance.

I casually strolled out of the store and sighed from comfort. They sure were a lot more comfortable then my old dodgy ones.

I went across the road to a clothing store and swiped a bag and some new clothes that were more practical for the upcoming weather. I wanted to get changed into them immediately so I could get out of these filthy ones.

I found a DX station down the road and thought that would be a good place to get changed. I went straight past the cashier who had his back turned to me and continued straight into the toilet.

I put on a white long sleeved top and blue denim jeans I brushed the tangles out of my hair and brushed it back into a high ponytail. I put the jacket I stole from Steve back on gave myself one last quick look to make sure I looked okay. I nodded in approval and unclicked the door to go outside.

I swiped some candy bars and other necessary items for the road. I tiptoed towards the front door when I heard a familiar voice. "Can I help you?" it sounded like Sodapop and I hoped to god it wasn't I hadn't been caught in almost 4 years now the last time I was 12.

I didn't turn around I just kept my body and face towards the door so he wouldn't recognise me. "No...just passing through." I felt a hand on my shoulder and I flinched away I stupidly turned around to see who it was and sure enough it was Sodapop Curtis.

"Emma." I frowned and tried to think of a way out. "No...not me." I sounded so unconvincing I mentally kicked myself. "Yes you are...because that's Steve's jacket and I'll tell ya something he ain't to happy about you running off with it."

"I'm sorry Soda you seem like a real nice guy but I want this jacket." He looked at me confused for a brief second before pain was his only apparent emotion. I kicked him where it hurts and bolted out the door. "Hey Emma get back here! I want my jacket back." I look back over my shoulder to see the two boys gaining on me Steve more than Sodapop.

"Can't do that." I yell back smiling and keep running until I run into someone which knocked me to the ground. He was handsome to, he was wearing a mickey mouse top and had blondish hair with long side burns.

"Crap!" I exclaim and go to get up but I am pushed over. I feel a huge force pinning me to the ground I open my eyes to see Steve on top of me.

"Argh get off!" I yell and thrash around trying to throw him off. "Steve man what the hell are you doing? Why is she wearing you jacket?" the stranger question looking down at us very confused. "She stole it! Not to mention ran off this morning leaving us to pay for her meal." "Oh ok...this should be interesting." He smirked I gave him a scowl in return but he just chuckled shaking his head.

"What do you want?" I spat he had pinned my arms down over my head I was very close to my face. "I want my jacket back! And the money that we had to spend on you this morning."

I laughed "I don't have it." He looked at me as if I was stupid "you are wearing it...you do realise I'm not blind right?"

"The money dipshit...I don't have the money. Now can you get off me because I'm struggling to breathe here." He smirked making me realise he was real cute! "No way. How can I trust you won't run off again?" "Look I cross my heart and hope to die, scouts honour and all that that I won't run away but I do need to breathe." He was hesitant for a bit but eventually got off me. He held a hand out to help me up but I ignored it.

"Now give me back my jacket!" he reached out for it but I shrugged back. "No...I don't think so." "Yeah well I wasn't asking...no give it back ya dig?" he was almost shouting now. "Why do you want it so much? You have a job you could just buy another one." He didn't answer or make eye contact with me and even the other two looked real uncomfortable. "Well...why? You give a good reason and I will consider giving it back to you." "Because it's the last thing my mother gave me before she died alright!" his voice pierced through the air making me jump a little.

I knew what it was like to lose a mother, I held the locket around my neck that was hers. I dropped my bag and took off the jacket and held it out to him. He snatched it out of my hands "thanks." He mumbled and put it on.

"Yeah well...I ain't giving it to ya because of that sappy story it just ain't practical for cold weather. Ya dig?" Which was partly true it having no sleeves and all.

He nods "Yeah whatever." I pick up my bag "Hey...um thanks for breakfast this morning. I know it wasn't fair of me just to do that to ya but when you're 16 and on the run you don't often have any money to pay for anything let alone a meal from a diner."

He smiled "I'll catch ya sometime."

I walked away starting to think of where I could go next. "Hey! Emma." I turned around and saw them all jogging up to me. "You need a place to sleep tonight?" Sodapop asked. "nah...it's alright man I'll probably catch the next train out of town and be on my way." "you sure? Look I'm sure my older brother won't mind. You can just rest up for the night...have a hot meal and then be on your way tomorrow."

"No really it's okay it's time I really get going anyway." "It wasn't a suggestion. We will carry you all the way there if we have to." The other guy snickered and raised an eyebrow.

I cross my arms and stare them down while I think about it. My stomach rumbled at the thought of a hot home cooked meal. "Fine but only for one night." "I will personally kick you out if you'd like tomorrow morning." I laugh at Soda's joke and walk towards them.