Okay, well, here’s a little something about me. My name is Jamie Jessica Randle. I don’t like my full name very much. Most of the time the gang calls me JJ because of my first and second name. Or they’ll call me Jame. I don’t mind that, but I like JJ better. Sometimes Two-Bit will call me Jamica. Only cause one time he was drunk and got my name mixed up. I’m Fourteen. I’ll be fifteen in eight weeks. I have shoulder length brown hair and hazel eyes, i'm also about 5'2”. My brother is Steve. He works at the DX to help support us. My dad is a drunk. He sometimes hits us, or throws us out of the house, so we go and stay at Soda’s house, Steve’s best friend. Soda had a brother named Darry who is older and is always bossing him and his younger sister Hope, around. Hope is my best friend. We’ve done so many things together.

Well, there you go.

Me and hope were walking to the DX. Steve, Soda and us two were all going to go to the Dingo for dinner. No one else wanted to go surprisingly. Normally it’s always the whole gang going, but I guess they have better things to do this Thursday. Hope and I were walking slowly, but stopped when we heard a voice.

“Well, well, well, look what we have here.” A slurred voice had drawled, before coming out from behind an alley. It was a Socs. With about two other friends. I hate Socs, they’re always jumping us greasers.

“You ain’t got nothing!” I snapped, pushing Hope behind me. It’s not that she’s not strong, but if someone got mad and lunged, I wouldn’t want her to get hurt for what I said. The Socs laughed.

“That’s what you think darling, now come over here and I’ll show you a good time.” He said walking towards me. I stood my ground. I couldn’t say I wasn’t scared, but this has happened so many times it’s just like a chore. A chore to open a can of whoop your butt!

“I don’t think you want to do that!” I warned him. He just sniggered along with his friends. He just kept walking. He reached out to grab my arm, but I was to quick for him. Plus I had the advantage because he was drunk. I punched him in the face before kneeing him down yonder. He bent over in pain. I swung my fist up and he fell backward. His friends bore down upon us. One Socs went for Hope. I knew she could handle herself. I was punching the Socs every spot I could get. He got me a couple times. Nothing too bad though. Finally I had him down, just as Hope got hers. We ran to the DX. We couldn’t do any permanent damage, so we wanted to get out before they got us. When we were running I didn’t look back. I had this weird thing about me, that when I was running I never looked back. But once we had gotten half a block from the DX we slowed. I looked at Hope. She had a shiner on her eye and a huge bruise next to a small bloody nose. I just had a bloody lip, and I probably have some bruises too.

“You okay?” I asked. She smiled at me.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” I laughed shakily. Even though it happened a lot, it still unnerved me. But like Darry says, there’s nothing we can do about it. There Socs and were Greasers.

“Do I look pretty bad?” she asked. I shook my head.

“What about me?’ she shoo her head too.

“Our brother’s are going to flip when they find out.” I told her. Our brothers hated it when we came home or something with bruises and bloody noses and lips from being jumped. She just pursed her lips and shrugged. Soda and Steve were both working on a red Corvette. A new car that had just come out. Soda was doing something under the hood, and Steve was under the car. Hope pressed a finger to her lip and tip-toed over to the car. She reached into the driver’s side and slammed on the horn. Soda and Steve both screamed. I could hear Soda hit his head on the hood and Steve dropped something metal.

“What the hell. . .happened to your faces?” Soda asked changing topic when he saw our faces. Steve had slid our from under the car and stood up.

“I don’t care what happened to there faces right now I’m more concerned about my ears!” he said massaging them. Me and Hope laughed.

“No really, what happened?” Soda asked again.

“The usual.” Hope shrugged casually.

“You get jumped?” Steve butted in. I nodded. He cursed under his breath.

“You know, I don’t see what the big deal is every time you find out. I mean, by now I’d think that you’d be used to seeing us like this.” I told him.

“The big deal is that it’s wrong!” he snapped at me. “Anyway, can’t a brother worry about his sister?” he said ruffling my hair.

‘Hey,” I said warningly. “Don’t touch my hair!” it’s not that I do anything special, I just don’t like people touching it. He just rolled his eyes at me.

“Who’s ready to go to the Dingo?” Soda asked before anyone could say anything else.

“I am!” me and Hope said at the same time. Soda cocked an eyebrow.

“Yeah let’s go.” Steve said. He and Soda went in to clock out. When we started walking, I noticed a blob of grease on Soda’s shirt. I stepped in front of him.

“Hang on a sec.” I said. I carefully wiped the blob onto my finger, then, I smeared it on his face. It took him a second to realize what I had done. But I had already started running.

“I’m gonna get you JJ!” he yelled running after me. I ran as fast as I could, but I still wasn’t as fast. He tackled me to the ground and started tickling me. Steve and Hope had followed him.

“Soda stop!” I cried. “Hope help!” I managed to get it out. She shook her head,

“I’m not being any part of this!”

“Yes you are!” Steve yelled. He grabbed her from behind and began spinning her around and round, then he let go and she went flying onto the ground. He started tickling her too. Hope was very ticklish. Like, she would throw up from being tickled to long.

“Steve stop! I’m going to hurl!” she gasped. He stopped instantly. Once he didn’t believe her, and ended up being covered in who knows what. Soda got up to.

“Get it off!” he whined stamping his foot like a little kid. I laughed and he pretended to pout. But he couldn’t hold that face for long and he was soon laughing. I went over and wiped it off.

“Hang on,” I told him. I stuck my finger in my mouth before rubbing the spot where there was still a faint stain of grease. He pushed me away, but I had already finished.

“Eww! Gross!” he yelled. Steve laughed and Hope rolled her eyes. I just shrugged.

“You wanted me to get it off.”

“Yeah yeah, what ever, let’s go.” He said leading the way. Me and Hope followed him and Steve. When we got to the Dingo, we found our way to a booth. Me and Hope sat together and Steve and Soda sat on the other side. Pretty soon Steve and Soda were talking about girls and cars. I leaned over to Hope and whispered,

“So have you said anything to your brothers about that party tomorrow, or do they already know?” so only she could hear.

“No, I haven’t told and they don’t even know about it.” I smiled.

“Good, so are you gonna go?”

“What are you two whispering about?” Soda asked.

“That’s none of your Damn business!” I said cheerfully. Steve gave me a look. He and Soda and Darry didn’t really allow us to swear. Just cause were the youngest and girls is what I suspect.

“Oops. . .my bad?” I said.

“Yeah, your bad.” He said, giving me a ‘don’t say that again’ look. I don’t see what the problem with saying damn, is. I mean really, it’s not that bad. They went back to talking. I was about to ask Hope what her answer was, when Curly had come over. I really hate Curly. I just don’t like him at all.

“So, JJ, you wanna go to Todd's party with me tomorrow?” he asked. Crap! Was this boy trying to ruin my life.

“What party?” Soda snapped. Curly raised his eye brows.

“Oh, they don’t know?” he asked me. “Oh, never mind.” He said walking away. Just like that! He walked away, he couldn’t have said, kidding! Or anything! Men do not think! I swear.

“What Party?” Soda asked again. I looked at Hope. I knew Soda was going to ask her, and she would tell. She couldn’t lie to Soda. He looked at her, just like I knew he would. “Hope! What, Party?”

“Todd’s.” she mumbled not looking at him.

“Where you thinking of going?’ Steve asked us. She nodded. I wanted to scream at her but I knew it wasn’t her fault. She normally always told the truth if she got caught. She couldn’t help it.

“You’re not going.” He said flatly.

“What?” I cried. “It’s a party! Why can’t we go? He invited us!” Steve glared at me.

“First off, if you were going to sneak off to a party, that’s one count against ya, and second, if you still think we’re going to let you two go to a party hosted by Todd Adams, then your wrong! His party’s are bad. Things happen there. Things I don’t want to happen to you two!” he snapped. I glared back at him.

“So what! If I want to go I can go. Anyway, I can control what I do there, it’s not like I’m going to get in bed with anyone!” Steve just laughed.

“It’s not what you wouldn’t do, it’s what other people would do! You’re too young to be going to one of those parties anyway!” I was about to retort when Soda cut in.

“JJ that’s enough. I don’t want to hear any more about it from either of you. We both said no! So that’s it! You’re not going.” I glared at him now.

“You’re not my brother!” I turned to Steve, “And you’re not my dad!”

“I’m as close of one as you’ll get!” he yelled at me. I was a little taken aback by this. He got up out of the booth. “Get up, were going home.”

And I did. I got up and followed him. There’s something about Steve, that’s just so scary when he gets mad like that. It makes me follow or do things I would normally argue about. We were almost halfway home, and no one had said anything yet. I looked down at the ground as I walked. I knew I was a little out of line yelling at him and Soda. They were just doing ‘what’s best for us’. But do they always need to tell us what to do. Couldn’t they let us learn it on our own. They did.

“Steve, I’m sorry.” I said finally. H just looked at me, and stopped walking. I stopped too.

“You know JJ, sometimes I just don’t get you. One minute you’re fine doing what I say if it’s not that big of a deal then the next you’re yelling at me because of something that’s a big deal. What’s the point in that?” he asked. I don’t know. That doesn’t really make sense to me. I just shrugged, trying to look as sorry as possible. “JJ, I’m trying to be a good brother, but it’s not easy when I have to play dad either.” I guess he’s right. But then. . .

“Steve I never asked you to be my father.” I told him.

“I know. But you need me. Trust me, if I wasn’t here, you’d be miserable.” He said putting his arm around me.

“Yeah, maybe.” i though about this for a little. “Steve, why won't you let me figure out anything on my own?' i asked. He just looked at me.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“Well, you and Soda and the rest of the gang have all gone to parties, and figured out what happens there on your own, you've also drank and smoked, and figured it out, why won't you let me figure out on my own?” i asked, starting to get a little indignant without meaning to. He gave an exasperated sigh.

“Cause JJ, i don't want you to get into any trouble, or do something that I've already done that's stupid, cause i can tell you, once you do something stupid you can't get rid of it. Once you have sex, or smoke, it's gonna be with you for the rest of your life.” he told me in an 'end of discussion' tone. I looked back down at the ground.

When we got home, we heard the TV going. I guess my dad was home. Although he has been home for about two weeks straight whenever we get home. He's also been sober. Me and Steve have been suspicious to why. But one night i heard him talking to this girl on the phone saying, “I've almost got the papers. Soon enough we won't have to worry about them any more,” i didn't tell Steve though. I don't know why, i just didn't. Steve opened the door slowly and peeked in. i guess it was okay to go in cause then he opened it all the way and walked in. i followed him. We went up to his room. Dad didn't say anything to us, didn't even look at us.

Me and Steve slept in the same room ever sense mom left us four years ago. I pulled off my pants and put on a pair of shorts. Steve just put on a pair of boxers.

“hey Steve?” i asked once we were in bed.

“hmm?”

“Why do you think dad's been sober for this long?” i asked.

“I dunno, why?”

“Just wondering.” i said rolling over. “G'night.”

“night.” I woke up in the middle of the night. I was thirsty, so i went down into the kitchen to get some water. I was in the kitchen when i saw some papers on the counter. I looked at them. They looked like some sorta form. I skimmed through just until i could figure out what they were for. I gasped when i realized. Adoption Papers! I grabbed them and walked into the living room. My dad was still awake and watching TV.

“Um, dad?' i asked tentatively.

“You found the papers?” he asked without looking at me.

“y-Yeah.”

“Good, have Steve sign them.” he told me.

“w-what for?”

“God, you're dim. So he can be your guardian now!” he snapped, still not looking at me.

“S-Steve's gonna be my new d-dad?” i asked non believing. He finally looked at me.

“Yes! Know go! And i don't ever want to see you two in my house after tonight! Understood!” he yelled. I nodded. I couldn't believe it. That's why he had been sober, so he could get adoption papers from the state. I walked up stairs. Steve? My new dad? Oh great. I got up to the room and turned on the light. Steve rolled over and mumbled something in his sleep. I read through the papers. Steve would sign as the parent/guardian. Dad had already signed to allow it. It seems weird, like unreal weird. I couldn't believe it.

“This is great, just great.” i said. Steve rolled over and looked at me. He wasn't a very heavy sleeper.

“What's goin' on?” he asked. Should i show him, or should i wait. Anyway, he would wonder what's going on when i tell him we weren't allowed back in the house tomorrow.

“uh-Uh. I-i.” i tried to get it out but it wouldn't come out. I looked down at the papers. Maybe i should show him. I handed it over to him. He read it, then looked at me.

“He's putting you up for adoption!” he whisper yelled. I nodded. “But! But! Do you know who, who you're going to live with?” he asked looking worried. I nodded. I couldn't talk. My mouth was to dry. But wouldn't i be happy to be living with Steve instead of my dad? I just felt weird, and this whole thing was weird, and unexpected. Who ever thought my dad would do that. “who?” he demanded. I swallowed, the pointed at him. His eyes widened. “What?!” i opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I tried again, willing myself to do it.

“d-dad, wants you to sign as my n-new, parent. Then he told me that we were n-never allowed in his h-house again.” i stammered. He looked weird. An expression i couldn't quite figure out. We sat there for a while. I was getting tired. I wanted to go back to sleep, but Steve was still awake, and i wanted to wait to see what he would do. Finally he said.

“Give me a pen.” i reached over numbly and grabbed a pen off the desk. I handed it to him, and watched, as he signed Steve Randle. He gave the Paper back to me. I brought it down stairs and handed it to dad.

“Good! Now i never want to see you two again after tonight!” he repeated. I just nodded and went back upstairs. Steve was sitting in bed waiting for me. I turned off the light and sat next to him.

“You okay?” he asked. “Yeah, just shocked is all.” i told him.

“yeah, me too.” i wanted to ask him a question, but wasn't sure how he'd take it. Well, i guess I'll ask him anyway.

“um, Steve. Do i have to call you dad now?” i asked. He gave a small laugh.

“No. Just call me Steve.” i smiled. “Good. I like that better.”

“Me too. Now go to bed. You have school tomorrow.” i smiled before laying down. I guess that's the good thing about having a brother four and a half years older. He loves you, protects you, and can adopt you. The next morning Steve woke me by shaking me. I knew he was waking me up for school, but i thought I'd waste time.

“What?” i asked.

“Come on JJ you have to get up for school.” he told me.

“What's school?” i asked.

“Haha very funny, now get up.” he said pulling the covers off.

“Aw! Steve!” i whined. He just laughed.

“Come on, we have to go and get outta here or dad will flip. He's already pissed were still here.” he told me. I jumped out of bed and pulled on a pair of new jeans and a tee.

“What about our clothes?” i asked.

“Don't worry, i already put them in the car. I called Soda and told him what happened, he said we can stay at his house until we figure out what to do.” i smiled at the idea of staying with Hope. I could sleep in her room, and we could talk all night! We were out of the house in a matter of five minutes. Steve dropped me off at school before going to the DX.

“Bye Steve!” i said waving as he drove away. He waved back. I smiled. I walked into the school. The hallway was packed with people. It normally always is. My first class was English. I loved my English teacher. She was nice to everyone, even us greasers. Hope wasn't in my class though. She wouldn't be in any of my classed until after lunch. Mrs. Delt had us take out our notebooks, and write a short composition on what ever we wanted. I chose to write about this book i once read. It was a nice book called, Our Only May Amelia. I don't like reading much, but i thought the book was good. I had to read it in 5th grade. Second block was Math. I didn't like my teacher much. She didn't like me. She thought i was a no good hood. She didn't mind hope, or Pony, but she just didn't like me. I guess cause she had Steve.

Finally it was lunch. I made my way to Hope, who was sitting at our usual table. It was a small table, and only two other kids sat at it, but we didn't talk to them and they didn't talk to us.

“So did Soda tell Darry about that party?” i asked. She shook her head.

“no. But hey, i heard Steve's your new guardian! That's pretty cool. Were gonna get to live together!” she exclaimed. I smiled.

“I know, that's so cool!” we giggled, talking about what we could do together, when Todd had come over.

“hey JJ. So, i was just wondering, are y'all coming to my party tonight. There's gonna be a lot people.” he told me. I couldn't say no, and i couldn't say yes! Help!

“um...” was all i said.

“Well, i was wondering if you came, if you'd like to hang out?” he asked. OMG! Todd Adams just asked me to hang out with him!

“yes, we'd love to come.” i said excitedly. Hope gave me a 'what the hell are you thinking' look. I just gave one back. “What time is it?” i asked.

“it starts at two, and ends whenever everyone decides to go home.” he told me.

“Cool.” i said smiling. “we'll be there.” he smiled, the walked away. Hope attacked me at once.

“What the hell? You know were not allowed to go! We'll gt in sooo much trouble!” she hissed. I just gave her a 'lighten up' look.

“Come on. Soda and Steve don't get home until five. Darry doesn't get home until six. And Pony, we could just tell him that we'll meet up with him at home, after all, he doesn't eve know about the party!” i pleaded. She thought about it for a while. I sat there patently looking at her.

“I don't know.” she said finally. “If we go, our brothers would skin us alive, all three of them! If we go, this will be the last time we see daylight for months!” she had a point.

“But Hope! Come on! Live on the edge. This party will be worth it. Anyway, they'll get sick of us being home for that long and let us off after a little.” i told her. Which was right. Once we got in trouble, and they grounded us for two weeks, but after about a week, they were sick of us so they were like, don't let it happen again, and let us off the hook. “Anyway, it's not like we're going to do anything stupid or dangerous while were there.”

“I guess your right.” she said slowly. “And we could stay for about an hour or so, then go home before five so they won't even know were there.” she said. I smiled.

“Hope is back!” i yelled. The people sitting next to us looked at us. “Umm, sorry, she was abducted by aliens, but she's back!” i told them. They just looked away. Me and Hope laughed. Just then the bell rang. We gathered our books then headed to our class. “so, just tell Pony something like, you're staying for help, or something to get him to go. Then we'll go to the party, and leave at four, that'll give us an hour and a half.” i told her. She nodded.

“Just one thing, you promise to stick with me at the party?” i looked at her.

“only if you promise.”

“I promise.”

“I promise too.” the rest of the day seemed to go on for ever. The clock, at one point had stopped, literally. But then the janitor had come to fix it. Finally the bell rang. I jumped up and ran to the back of the building where me and Hope agreed to wait. Hope was going to go and tell Pony to go home without us. I sat on the ground waiting. Soon i heard foot-steps, and looked up to see Hope running to me. “what did you tell him?” i asked standing up.

“I told him you were staying after to study for a test and i was going to stay too. He believed it and went home.” she said smiling.

“good, let's go.” we began walking to Todd's house. It was about five blocks from the school, so it was thirteen blocks from our house. (mine and hopes, cause I'm living with her now).

“Are you excited?” i asked her as we walked.

“A little, i'm sorta nervous too.” she admitted.

“yeah, same here. But we can always leave if we don't like it.” i told her pointedly. She nodded.

“yeah i guess. Just promise me we won't do anything stupid.”

“I promise i won't do anything stupid and i won't let you do anything stupid either.” We walked silently the rest of the way. My stomach felt weird, but not like i was going to throw up, just weird.

“Hope?' i asked.

“yeah?”

“Why do you always tell the truth?” i asked. It sounded weird, but that's what i wanted to know.

“Well, cause i suppose it's easier than lying and digging a deeper hole.” she told me.

“but if your diggin why stop. Do you always do what your brother tell you?' i asked,

“No i do not!” she said indignantly. I smiled. Maybe if i could get her mad, she would try to show me she was not always a goody goody.

“Yes you do. You always tell the truth. You also always do what they tell you. You're a Goody Goody” i argued.

“Jamie Jessica Randle you take that back!” she snapped. “I am not a goody goody, and I'll prove it to you!” i smiled.

“oh yeah, and how are you going to do that?” i asked.

“From now on, i will not be a goody goody!”

“so you admit your a goody goody?” i taunted. “No i don't! I will just stop acting like one!”

“Oh so it was an act?” i inquired. “Yes, and i can stop whenever i want so there!” she snapped. Good, i got her.

“Okay, how about tonight then. Don't admit to anything, or anything i wouldn't admit to anyway.” she stuck her hand out.

“Deal!” we shook hands. We heard the party before we saw it. The music was loud and we could hear people talking, but couldn't make out what they were saying. I was getting excited. I could see people through the window, some were dancing, some were standing, and some were making out. We walked up the steps and stood in front of the door.

“Ready to say good bye to our lives?' Hope asked.

“Yeah, you?”

“Yeah, come on let's go.” i knocked on the door. It took a minute before someone opened it. The roar that escaped made me fall back. Hope pushed me forward. I grabbed hold of her hand.

“hi.” it was Todd. I smiled.

“hi.”

“Wanna come in?” he asked. I nodded, bringing Hope with me. Once we were in, he shut the door. We stood there for a while, looking around, before he said.

“Wanna drink?” i nodded, and Hope did to. He brought us into the kitchen, and gave us both a coke. I held it in my hand, feeling a little self conscious.

“So, how are you?” he asked, breaking the silence, or well, our silence.

“Good. You?' i asked back.

“Same. . .Uh, wanna go upstairs where it's quieter?” he asked.

“Can Hope come?” i asked, clenching her hand in mine. He looked at her hesitantly before nodding. We followed him upstairs. There were a lot of people making out. This one girl was dancing on a coffee table, swinging her bra around above her head. I looked at Hope, who looked back at me. Most of the people here were older than us. We heard the door downstairs close. I looked back, and to my horror, saw Dally.

“Shit! Dally's here!” i whispered to Hope. She looked back.

“we have to get up stairs. Don't look back.” she said, pushing me up the stairs. It was hard because there were so many people on it. We shoved through, following Todd. Once we got upstairs, he led us to a room. No one was in it. He closed the door behind us. We motioned for us to sit, so we sat on the bed. He pulled up a chair and sat across from us.

“So, this your house?' i asked. He nodded.

“it's nice.” he was a middle class, that acted like a greaser. His parents left a lot for work on weekends, so he threw parties. I can't imagine how his folks don't find out, or don't care.

“yeah. It okay.” he said. “So, I've been noticing you a lot around school lately.” he told me. I blushed a little.

“really?” i asked.

“yeah.” there was an awkward silence, only between me though, cause Todd looked right at home. Hope sat there. I could tell she was uncomfortable being the third wheel. Sudden;y the door flew open, i jumped thinking it was Dally, but it was only some boy and girl.

“oh, oops!” the girl giggled, before closing the door.

“Do you know all these people?” i asked suddenly.

“Nah. I invite most of the people, then the other half are invited by the people i invite.” i smiled. “what are yo smiling about?” he asked.

“Nothing. I was just, thinking. Thanks for inviting me.” he smiled.

“my pleasure.” i blushed some more. Todd was SO hott! His dirty blond hair, and blue gray eyes. “you sure do blush a lot.” he said, making me blush more.

“Sorry.” i said.

“Ain't no reason to be sorry. I think its cute.” he added. OMG, Todd thinks i'm cute! Well, not me, but my blushing! I wanted to scream. Hope gave an impatient sigh. Todd looked at her.

“You know, i know someone who i think you'd like a lot.” Hope looked surprised. Todd got up and went out of the room. Soon he came back with a boy about Hopes age. He had dark hair and Green eyes. “This is Dan. I think you two will get along just fine.” Todd said pushing dan towards Hope.

“Um hi.” he said.

“hi” Hope said quietly.

“You, a, wanna get a drink?' he asked. Hope nodded. She had already finished hers. She loved coke. She looked at me.

“You coming?' she asked.

“No, but be careful, don't let Dally see you.” i warned her. She made an 'o' with her lips.

“okay, meet me outside at four.” she told me. I nodded. She and Dan left. Todd looked at me.

“why you leaving at four?' he asked.

“Cause our brother's don't know we're here. And they get home at five.” i told him.

“oh, well, in that case,” he came over and sat next to me. “we best start talking.” i smiled. I talked to him for a long time. I was having a lot of fun, when what seemed like minutes, Hope came in. she was looking flustered.

“we have to go, it's already four thirty!” she told me. I opened my mouth. It would take at least ½ an hour to get home. I slapped my hand to my head.

“Aw Shit!” i practically yelled. Todd looked a little surprised at what i said. I guess he thought i wasn't the swearing type.