"I love you." I whispered softly against Steve's chest.

"I hate you too kid." Steve replied softly. I knew he was joking. It was just his thing, I honestly didn't really mind it though, it was better than nothing.

I heard a car pull up alongside the vacant lot and quickly noticed a few Socs getting out. Steve and I shot up and stood to face them. They had these cocky grins plastered on their face as they approached. There were six of them and two of us.

"Get behind me, Ponyboy." Steve snarled under his breath at me. I did as told and got behind Steve. The socs had us surrounded and they kept tugging at my shirt sleeve, trying to pull me off balance.

"Leave him alone." Steve snarled softly.

They laughed as one of them shoved Steve back into me, knocking us both to the ground. He quickly shot back up and threw his fist into the first guy's jaw as the fight broke out. All the socs went after Steve and beat him.Once they were done with Steve, they went for me. I was terrified; I had only been jumped one time before, and I didn't carry a weapon on me. Steve lay on the ground doubled over, coughing up blood a few feet from me and the Socs. As they cornered me I lunged like a dog and punched the closet guy in the faceface. Another one grabbed me from behind the first one hit me repeatedly in the chest and stomach. Suddenly the man punching me was pulled away and I saw Steve. He beat the shit out of the Soc he had his hands on as the others took off running. Steve threw the man off to the side when he was done and snarled at him. He quickly got up and took off running after his friends. Once he was out of sight Steve dropped to his knees again and let out a soft weeze.

"Steve!" I shouted. He held a hand up to me to stop me from coming closer to him before he slowly stood up and walked over to me.

"D-did those assholes hurt y-you to bad?" He coughed weakly. I had a few cuts and bruises; I didn't think there was anything else, but when his face went white I knew there was something wrong.

"Ponyboy... Your bleeding. Fuck!" His voice was barely above a whisper as he hissed. He grabbed my arm and started to shout loudly for Sodapop or anyone for that matter. We could hear people running down the sidewalk. I knew he had heard him. Steve was holding me by my shoulders Sodapop and Darry ran up.

"What happened, Steve?" Soda asked instantly.

"We..." He coughed, "we got jumped." It was very obvious he was in a lot of pain. Darry picked me up as Sodapop helped Steve to his feet the best he could. I looked over at him and as he stood and leaned on Soda I knew he was badly hurt.

"No stop," I shouted at Darry as he tried to walk away from Steve and Soda. He stopped and looked down at me. I was looking over at Steve as he gave me his normal grin and waved two fingers at me. Without warning he dropped to his knees again. Soda helped him up and slowly followed Darry back to the house.

Later that night after everyone went to sleep, I walked out into the living room to see Steve.

"Ponyboy?" He whispered softly. I nodded though he couldn't see me in the darkness. I walked up closer to him slowly.

"S-Steve..." I could feel myself starting to cry. He pulled me closer to his body slowly and carefully. Soon I felt myself begin to sob hard into his shoulder.

"This is all my fault Steve..." I sobbed against his shoulder.

"No it ain't, kid." He whispered sternly. "Don't talk like that."