..Before I knew it, I had sprinted all the way to my house. I felt pain shooting through my body, begging for me to stop running, making everything ache. 

When I reached my front door, I pushed it open without a thought of hesitation. I instantly stepped in through the doorway, and then fell over. 

My feet couldn't take the pain anymore. 

I let out a whimper, before I started to sob. 

"Guys! Guys!" I screamed hoarsely, needing attention from the gang. No one was in the living room. 

"Guys!" I screeched, a little louder this time. 

Suddenly, the gang piled in. 

"Ponyboy? What the hell is happening, man?" asked Dally. A cigarette was dangling from his mouth.

I tried to hold back a moan of pain, but I couldn't. Everything hurt too much.

"Where's Steve?" I asked, looking around for him. He was no where to be seen. Everybody's eyebrows shot up. 

"Steve went out looking for you down at the Dingo. Just tell us what's wrong, baby," whispered Soda. He was now kneeling down by me. He reached out to touch my hand, but I immediately pulled it away. 

"No! N- no! I need Steve! G- get me Steve!" I shouted. I began to shake. 

"I'll call Steve," started Darry, concerned. "Two Bit, take Ponyboy upstairs and help hi out. You too, Soda."

Two Bit rushed to my side, and assisted me onto my feet. 

"It's gonna be okay, kid," he whispered in my ear. 

I wanted to tell him how wrong he was. 

-

I was laying in my bed, Two Bit and Sodapop taking care of my cuts. Dally was standing in the doorway, looking down at his feet. Nobody knew what to say. 

Sodapop suddenly put a damp washcloth on one of the cuts on my stomach. 

"Ah!" I hissed, the stinging bothering me. Two Bit gave me a sympathetic look. 

"It's gonna be fine, Ponyboy. Stop squirmin' like a worm, and it won't hurt as much," stated Two Bit. His grey eyes looked worried, yet knowing at the same time. 

Sometimes I forgot that Two Bit got himself into trouble often. 

"It still hurts though," I mumbled, closing my eyes. Dallas huffed. 

"You dildos are cleaning him up wrong! You gotta disinfect the cut!" exclaimed Dal. We all gave him a weird look. 

"Jesus Dally, you needa calm your white ass down!" shouted Two Bit. He was clearly getting frustrated.

For a second, I got a glimpse of his hands. My blood was covering his pale skin. 

I couldn't help but shudder. 

"Ah, can it. Come down stairs and help me find a few things to fix Ponyboy up," stated Dally cooly. Two Bit rolled his eyes, but followed directions. 

I was now left alone with Sodapop starring down at me. 

"What?" I asked him quietly. I saw a few tears roll down his cheeks.

"How come you won't tell me who did this to you, or why? W- why are you telling Steve instead of me?" he started with a stutter. "I thought you told me e- everything."

I got a good look at Soda's face, and suddenly I realized how much I had neglected him recently. 

I used to tell Soda everything, every detail of my life. Now, his eyes looked worried and dull, like he was overworked. His skin was pale, and his hair wasn't greased back like usual. His lips were practically white, too.

For once, he didn't look like a movie star. He just looked overworked and like he was suffering.

"Well?" he asked again, breaking the silence. He was clearly desperate for an answer. 

"It's too embarrassing," I fibbed. Sodapop shook his head. 

"You know I'd always be there for you, Pony," he said, trying to reassure me. I felt my body slightly cringe. He grabbed me by the hand. 

"I know, Soda. But it's personal. I- it's bad. I'll tell you as soon as I can though...I promise," I whispered. Soda sighed, but nodded. He gave me a sad smile. 

Suddenly, Dally and Two Bit walked back into the room, holding some towels, surgical wrap, scissors, and something else that they were hiding behind their backs. 

"What are you hiding?" I asked immediately. Dally gave me a slight grin, almost like he was grimacing. 

"It's alcohol, Ponyboy," he stated. I gave him a weird look.

"Why? Are you gonna make me drink it?" I questioned with a shiver. Dally bit his lip, and passed the bottle to Two Bit. He walked towards the edge of the bed, and pulled the covers back so my whole body was exposed. 

"I'm sorry, Ponyboy," he stated. I didn't get the chance to reply, because what came next was horrific. 

He poured the contents of the bottle onto my wounds, the alcohol mixing with my blood. 

"What the fuck!" I screamed, the pain terrorizing me. I felt like I was on fire. 

"Are you guys nuts? It looks like you're killing him!" shrieked Soda, standing up hastily. Dally rolled his eyes, and mumbled an insult under his breathe.

"Gee, I'm sorry Ponyboy! It's the only way to disinfect all the cuts!" exclaimed Two Bit. He took a towel, and started dabbing all the blood away. 

"J- jesus! It's fine, it just hurts!" I moaned. Dallas and Sodapop exchanged a look of concern. 

"It's gonna be alright," whispered Dally in my ear. 

From then on, I knew that he cared about me.

-

I was starring at the ceiling, thinking about Johnny. I was worried about what was going to happen to him. If what I got was bad, what was he going to do to his own son?

Truthfully, I never gave much thought about Johnny's parents. I had never seen them, but I knew that they existed. I was content with never meeting them. 

Clearly, Johnny's dad was the spawn of Satan. 

Suddenly, I heard the door open and close. I turned my head to see who it was. 

It was Steve. 

"Steve!" I exclaimed, happy to see him. I tried to reach out to him, but he hushed me. 

"Hey, I'm here. Lay down, and tell me what happened," he started slowly. I nodded my head, and did as he said. 

"I was at Johnny's house, and we were kissing on his bed. Suddenly, his dad came in, and he started screaming and yelling," I started, choking up on my words. Steve gasped. 

"Then what happened?" asked Steve. I cringed from the memory. 

"H- he told me that Johnny was engaged!" I yelled. Steve had to hush me. 

"Engaged? Is he still engaged?" he questioned. I shook my head. 

"No, I don't think so. Johnny left Gina back in Italy," I said dully. Steve put his face in his hands. 

"Then what happened?" he demanded. I sighed. 

"Then he.. Well, then Mr Cade started beating the shit out of me, and threw me out of the house. Then I came here," I replied. Steve balled his fists. 

"I'm so sorry, Ponyboy," he whispered. I began to shake. He put his arm around me. 

"I just wish it never happened," I stated. Steve nodded his head, but then stopped to think. 

"Well, tomorrow you need to tell the gang about you and Johnny," he said firmly. I gasped.

"I can't do that!" I exclaimed. He shook his head. 

"You have to, before they start jumping innocent Socs, and start another gang fight. Besides, we need to protect Johnny too," he stated. I shook, but nodded my head in hesitation. 

"Fine, but I want to do it tomorrow," I whispered. Steve nodded his head, accepting this answer. 

"Good. Now, get some rest. You don't want to be sleep deprived," he mumbled in my ear. I nodded, and sunk deeper into the covers. 

Steve stood up, and kissed me on the forehead before walking out of the room.

I closed my eyes, and tried to sleep.

..If only I knew what was going to happen tomorrow. It was going to change my life...