She stumbled out onto the softly packed dirt. She was wandering by the vacant lot, a local hangout for the greasers. She limped as far as she could and fell to the brown earth.

She let out a big moan of pain. She'd never hurt this bad in her entire life.

Di wondered what she would do, where she would go. She had no living family around here, no friends; she just might as well go find one of the greaser's homes to stay in! (Which really isn't saying much…)

She let out another sigh. This time more out of frustration than pain.

There was a soft breeze, silent as death. Di's nerves were growing higher and higher by the second. They were only made worse when she heard two voices a little ways behind her.

Di immediately was as still as a statue, not even daring to breathe.

She listened intently.

She could make out something like, "Remember if you're cold or something just head on over to…"

Now it was footsteps. Whoever the person was, they sure walked fast and quiet. They panted too.

Probably cause it's so damn cold. Diane thought.

She couldn't hear the footsteps anymore, and she stupidly let out a loud sigh.

She rested her head against a bench.

"Who's there?"

It was one of the voices!

Di's stomach flipped and her heart was beating so fast, she could hear it. Heck, you could probably see it through her chest.

She stayed quiet, not having enough courage to turn around and answer.

"I said who's there?" He called again.

Suddenly it came to Diane. It was one of the boys who had walked behind her a couple of hours ago! One of the one's who looked out of place. A greaser.

She inhaled sharply and called out into the darkness, "It's Di. Diane Johnston."

Diane waited for him to respond, but nothing came.

Instead, the boy had come around the bench. Diane closed her eyes, not sure what do or to think.

He had a blade raised; Di could see when she opened her eyes. She gasped, loud enough to where it was nearly a scream.

He quickly closed it and kneeled down, putting his hand on her mouth.

"Shush!"

Diane winced He had hit her where her father had.

"Gloria! You're bleeding!"

Di slapped his hand, "You hush!"

He looked around to make sure no one had seen this. He looked back at her with worried green eyes. "What happened to you, are you gonna be alright?"

Di nodded fervently, "Yes, yes. I'm fine."

Pony figured she was lying, but if he was two more seconds late, Darry'd be on his tail, like Tom would be on Jerry.

"Well, if you say so. I- I, do you need somewhere to stay?"

Darry would have to wait.

Di nodded, but the nod turned quickly into no.

Pony sighed, but he couldn't just leave her out here to freeze!

"I'll introduce you to Johnny, and you can stay with him."

Di looked horrified at the thought of sleeping by a boy. And the Greaser must of known that since he replied, "No, Johnny aint that kind of boy!"

Di was far from assured, but said she would go. Anywhere warmer…

The Greaser helped her up, and they walked as fast as Di's legs could go, and he spoke.
"By the way, I'm Ponyboy. Ponyboy Curtis."

He stuck out his hand and she nodded, since it hurt too much to move.

If Di wasn't in such pain she would've said something about such an unusual name, but right now, that kind of thing couldn't be on her mind.

"Diane Johnston. Call me Di."

Within a couple of seconds, they had reached the destination.

It was crowded by trees, which made it well hidden. There was a little fire lit, and some junk was spread across the ground.

They stood there awkwardly for a moment, while Di observed the stranger.

He was the boy that had walked with Ponyboy, the other dark haired one. His eyes were closed, and his skin was tanned.

Ponyboy bent down carefully and quietly and whispered, "Hey Johnny. Wake up."

He shook him gently, and the boy's eyes opened.

He looked at Ponyboy, then noticing Di, his gaze averted upwards.

Di quickly spoke, "I'm Di, Diane Johnston. Just Di though."

He nodded while he propped himself against a piece of wood.
"I'm Johnny Cade."

Di thought that he looked so rough, but then she knew she probably didn't look like some movie star. (She'd just been beat up!)

"Well, if I'm a second later, Darry's gonna kill me. I'm gonna go."

Well that's reassuring. Di thought.

He sprinted off into the distance.

"Here, sit down." Johnny told her, scooting over.

Di did as Johnny had said, though a bit reluctant.

She kept a fair bit of space between him, and crossed her arms over her chest.

There was an uncomfortable silence, and neither of them appreciated it too much.

Di ached all over, and she wanted to cry so bad she could hardly stand it!
Di closed her eyes, trying to believe that doing so would make the pain away.

Johnny turned his head and observed Di.

He had noticed that she was all bloody and bruised up, but he didn't say anything.

He hated when Ponyboy, Dally, and all the other Greasers would ask him what had happened, and hated it. He knew they all cared, but he was a greaser! He had to be tuff.

You know that feeling when you can tell someone's watching you? Well about after thirty seconds, Di's eyes flew open and rolled over to Johnny.

She stared at him for a couple of seconds, and then simultaneously, they said, " What happened to you?"

"You first." Johnny said quickly.

Di turned her head carefully, and rubbed it gently with her palm. She felt some liquid and knew it was blood. She gulped, making her throat feel dry.

"My father."

Johnny nodded, he knew what she meant. "Me too. Both my parents get drunk all time, and, you know."

Di didn't say anything, she didn't have to. Her eyes said it all.
She was one of those people, who, no matter how hard they tried, could be read as easily as the dry pages of a book. The young woman's eyes told everything.

"Was this your first time?"

Di's mind told screamed her not to tell, but her heart screamed otherwise. "Yes."

He felt sympathy for her; he had gone through this his whole life.

"Boy, it sure is cold."

Di laughed, only to regret the pain that followed.

"There isn't no cover is there?" Di asked.

"Ah-uh." (A/n- like saying no. The wordless way of saying no.)

Di sighed, trying to relax her sore muscles.

Before long, the pain was enough to make her fall into an unpeaceful slumber.

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A/N – Over 200 hits, and only 6 reviews? Ah! PLEASE review! Constructive criticism is appreciated! Also, if anyone is interested I need a beta reader! If you've got any ideas, tell me and I might could use them.
(By the way, thank you to my 6 reviewers: ) )
Oh, this ISN'T in the same timeline as the book. This is before the book starts.
Sorry to bore you with a long author's note!

Please review!