"Why are y'all being so kind to me? Especially after all I did to you." I turned to face Steve who just smiled but it looked forced. "Us greasers got to stick together." The stranger- oh you know what I am sick of calling him a stranger.

"So what's your name?" I ask turning towards the tall handsome stranger...3 words that almost made me gag.

"Two-Bit Mathews." "Two-Bit?" "Yeah he always has to get his two-bits in." Steve chuckles and punches his friend in the arm. They start messing around laughing and yelling which echoed through the streets. It was nice to see such happiness mostly because I was sued to dull and depressing environments.

The neighbourhood we entered was run down and looked like a typical greaser neighbourhood. Kids ran around out the front of houses throwing footballs and playing tag. Girls who wore to much make up and skimpy clothing hung out in groups giggling and eyeing down any guy that walked past. Guys wore leather jackets, smoked weeds and strutted down the street like they owned the place.

The area felt like a community and I couldn't explain why but it made me feel safe.

"You act as if you've never seen a greaser neighbourhood before." Two-Bit nudged me "Not one this nice." He raised an eyebrow at me. "Nice? This isn't nice...this is crap." I nod and decide just to go with it. He'd obviously never been outside of Tulsa.

We arrived at the Curtis house and I found it charming. Sure it was run down and tiny but that just added to its charm.

I followed the boys up the stairs and into the home. "I know it ain't much but it's home to us." Sodapop mumbled and shoved his fists in his pockets. "No I love it...its so homely." I gasped before I could stop myself.

It wasn't much...agreed but it was a home and that was something I had always wanted.

"So your parents won't mind?" "Oh um...no it's just my older brother Darry and my younger brother Ponyboy here our parent sided a few years ago. Darry looks after us and yeah he won't mind at all." I didn't bother to apologise because I'm sure Soda was tired of the fake apologies he constantly got so I just nodded and turned around.

I saw two boys on the ground they couldn't be any older than 14. "Hi I'm Ponyboy." He stood up and held out his hand I shook it and smiled "So you're Sodapop's brother...you guys have great names." "Thanks." He beams my attention then turned to the other boy. He had black real greasy hair, dark eyes and darkish skin. "I'm Johnny Cade." "Hi...I'm Emma Sanston."

After greeting everyone I found out that Steve and Sodapop are best friends, so are Pony and Johnny. We all sat down to watch TV; mickey mouse was playing and I had never seen it before.

Three of the guys got up to play poker at the table and I decided to join them. They were pretty good but I was better. I had earned money in the past playing poker so I had got real good. "Wow missy you sure know how to win." Steve sighed throwing his cards down in front of him while I scooped in the chocolate we were playing with.

"Who's this?" I looked behind me to see a real tall muscly guy that looked somewhat similar to Ponyboy and Sodapop. I gathered he must be Darry their brother.

"Um hey...I'm Emma Sanston." I stood up and outstretched my hand he smiled and shook it. "Oh hey I'm Darry soda's-" "and Ponyboy's brother. Yeah I know." I chuckled he nodded and put down his bag. "So what can I do for you?" he asked grabbing a glass of water. "She needs a place too crash for the night Dar." "Oh ok cool." "Actually to be clear Sodapop I was quite happy to hop on a train you wouldn't let me and forced me to come here." He shrugged and grabbed some chocolate from my pile. "You say patato I say potato." I just snicker and shake my head.

"Well how does spaghetti Bolognese sound to everyone?" Darry shouted out it was followed by numerous yells of approvement. "Would you like any help?" he looked at me surprised "No...it's okay. You can just relax you're our guest after all." "No I insist on helping." I said firmly standing my ground he gave in.

The boys gave up playing poker and returned to watching cartoons.

"So Emma tell me about yourself." I looked up at Darry unsure of what to really tell him. "Um not much to tell really...I've been on the run all my life. Never staying in one place for too long I've been to every state in America. Here taste this." I held up the wooden spoon to his mouth for him to taste the sauce. "Wow that's good...maybe more oregano." I nod in agreement and get some from the pantry. "So what are you on the run from? And seriously all 50 states?"

"Okay well maybe not all 50 I haven't been to Hawaii or Alaska but I have been to 48. And I'm not a criminal or anything...I was in the foster system but after numerous abusive homes I decided I had to get out and I've been on the run ever since."

"Oh wow...well you know you can stay here for as long as you like." "Thanks but I don't stay anywhere too long...otherwise I get attached and with my life I can't afford that." He didn't reply and for a bit I thought he just had no response for it. "But why can't you get attached?" I purse my lips and cross my arms. "I'm sorry Darry but I really don't know you that well." "You're right...I'm sorry." I shake my head "Don't worry about it."

"Dinner's ready!" I yelled out after Darry and I had finished serving it up. A stampede of boys came barging through towards the food and I jumped out of the way not wanting to get barrelled over. After they had all got theirs they headed to the living room to resume watching cartoons.

I grabbed my serve and went out to the living rooms as well but there was no room I went to go and sit at the dining table. "Hey blondie come here." I turned around to see Steve pat the arm of the couch next to him I shrugged and went over.

After dinner was finished Sodapop and Ponyboy took the dishes away to wash them. Apparently there was a rule that when one cooks the other two wash up.

I was sitting next to Steve now and we were real close. "I forgive you ya know." "For what?" I turned to face him scrunching my eyebrows together in confusion. "For stealing my jacket." "Oh sure."

"You're real beautiful." I sigh and shake my head in annoyance. I stand up and walk out to the front porch Steve follows after me. "Look Emma...I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you." I sigh and slam the column. "You don't need to apologise...you...it's just no guy has ever complimented me without wanting...well you know...distasteful things. So when you said that I just immediately thought you were wanting to." I felt his hand grab mine I looked up into his eyes and his stared into mine. "I would never do that...what I said...Emma I meant." For a moment I was caught up in the romance of it all. I pull my hand way though when reality sinks back in. "I'm sorry Steve but this can't ever happen." "Why not?" he stepped closer so that I would look at him. "Because I'm a runner. In the morning I'll be gone...so please don't waste your time." I say in a defeated tone and go back inside before he can say something that may stop me from leaving.

The truth was for some unfathomable reason I liked Steve Randle and wanted to get to know him more.