You.

Fighting.

-lunch-

"Dad?" I call into the house as I walk in the door. I decided to come home for lunch and tell dad about me and Pony, it's not against the rules of the school to go somewhere for lunch as long as you come back.

"Dad?" I call again into the quiet house. I hear something shatter and I rush toward the sound. I run into the kitchen and see a shattered beer bottle on the floor.

"Shit." He laughs and I stare at him.

"Dad. What.. Why are you drinking beer? It's two o'clock." I question and he just laughs as he picks up another beer.

"It's five o'clock somewhere." Is all he says.

"I think you should stop." I tell him as I reach for the bottle.

"No! You can't have any!" He shouts as he takes another sip.

"Please just give me the bottle." I plead and he throws the bottle at me. I manage to turn and the bottle shatters against my shoulder. I look at my dad and he just laughs.

I run out to my car and start driving back to the school. I wince as blood starts soaking my shirt. I walk down the hallway, determined to find Pony.

"Pony.." I say as I walk up to him while he unlocks his locker.

"Belle why are you bleeding?" He asks and I hug him.

"I went home to tell my dad about us and he was drinking.. He's starting to drink and he's gonna end up like my mom." Tears fill my eyes as I explain what happened and he kisses the top of my head.

"Grow up baby." I hear someone say as they walk past us. Before I can react Pony breaks the hug and punches the guy in the face. He continues to punch him as he falls to the ground and everyone gathers in a circle around us.

"Pony!" I yell over all the shouting as I pull him away from the fight.

"Ponyboy Curtis my office now!" We hear the principal yell and everyone scatters. I look up at Pony and he just sighs.

-3 hours later-

I sit on the kitchen counter in my tank top with my back to Pony as he wipes up the blood coming from my shoulder.

"I think there's still glass in your shoulder." He tells me and I sigh.

"Can you get it out?" I ask.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather go to the hospital?" He questions.

"No because then they would call my dad and I don't want to talk to him." I protest and he sighs.

"It's just three pieces and I can see them. I can try." He gives in and I nod.

"Let me get some tweezers." After a minute I feel the tweezers pressing into the cuts on my shoulder and I squeeze the side of the counter.

"I'm sorry." He says as I hear him throw away the piece of glass and I shake my head.

"Just get the rest out." I plead.

Once he gets the last two pieces of glass out I turn around to face him and he gives me an apologetic look.

"I'm so sorry this happened." He apologizes as he wraps his arms around my waist. I wrap my arms around his neck and sigh.

"It's not your fault.. I'm sorry you got suspended." I apologize too and he shrugs.

"I'm just glad I got to protect you." He says as he kisses me and I smile.

"Are you gonna be able to face your dad?" He questions.

"I don't know. He could still be drinking.." I explain and he nods.

"You can stay here if you want.." He suggests and I sigh.

"I know but I couldn't ask you to do that." I tell him.

"Baby, Darry won't mind and if your dad was drinking he'll be hungover and you can sneak back in the morning." He urges and I sigh as I bury my head in his shoulder.

"Pony I don't know." I groan and he pushes me off his shoulder.

"Belle I'm not asking you to have sex with me. I'm just offering you to sleep on the couch while you're going through a rough time." He pleads and I laugh a little as he stares at me.

"Please!" He shrieks and I laugh.

"Okay." I give in and he kisses me. He wraps my shoulder in bandage and then he has to explain to Darry why he got suspended.