RELAX @PenguinLover08 I'M UPDATING JUST NOT AS EARLY AS I EXPECTED!!!! AND I KNOW YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO NOT TALK TO ME THE WHOLE DAY!!!!

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Johnny and I had gone home after a little while. The gang was getting along great with Shaun, especially Ponyboy. That made me smile. I was lying in bed thinking about tomorrow. Presents, Christmas dinner, and family. Family.  I thought. I had never spent Christmas with a family. I had always spent it with rather Johnny or Shaun. Now I had my brother, best friend, boyfriend, and the rest of my “brothers.” I smiled at this and began to dream about tomorrow with my family.

Laughing, smiling everyone was just plain happy. I looked around and smiled. I was surrounded by people I love, people that love me. I went to touch Ponyboy’s shoulder but my hand went right through. I then tried to touch Johnny’s shoulder, but the same thing happened. “Guys, what’s going on?” I asked but no one even turned to look at me no one even listened. “Guys, this isn’t funny. Why are you not talking to me?” I asked and ran in between Johnny and Dal talking but it was like they could see right through me. What on earth is going on? I thought to myself. Then I was pulled away from them quickly and throw across the room. I looked around and saw that I was home. “You didn’t believe me did you?” He screamed at me. That voice. I looked up and saw him. My father. “I told you he didn’t care.” He said and kicked my ribs. The pain was unbearable but I didn’t cry, didn’t whimper, didn’t flinch. I gripped my torso with one arm and lifted myself up with the other. “That’s not true, Johnny does care. You’re just a lying basturd.” I said and my words spit at him like venom from a snake. I felt my cheek sting when he slapped it. “If he cared then why did he leave you here, alone, on Christmas?!” He screamed and that caused me to think. It was Christmas? And Johnny left me here with him? How could he? I felt tears in my eyes and my father began to laugh. Johnny leaving me behind hurt more than any pain he could force upon me. He advanced forward and I scurried back but hit the wall. My eyes widened as they caught sight of the bat in his hands. As he rose it while stepping forwards. I had nowhere to go to escape the pain. I lifted my arms to protect my head. He swung the bat and the last thing I felt was the bat caving in my head from the blow.

I sat straight up in bed, eyes wide, breathing heavily, heart pounding in my chest. I looked around. I was in my bed, at my house, and it was around one o’clock in the morning. I slowly crept out of bed and walked towards our parents’ room. I knew they were in jail, well at least the last I knew. What if my whole life since the end of November has been a dream? Ponyboy. I stopped in my tracks as he crossed my mind. I wouldn’t have ever met Ponyboy. We wouldn’t be friends, we wouldn’t be dating. I heard a door creak from down the hall. I whipped my head towards the noise to see a sleepy Johnny. “Jennie?” He asked after a yawn. “What are you doing up?” I sighed and walked towards him. “I just… it’s nothing go back to bed.” I said and turned away to walk down stairs. Johnny jogged to catch up to me. He turned me around to face him. “Jennie, it’s not nothing, you’re crying.” He said and wiped the tears off my cheek. I didn’t even know I was crying. I crossed my arms loosely and sighed looking down. “I just had a bad dream.” I said quietly. “About who?” He asked and lifted my chin so I met his eyes. They were so caring. “About you…. And Dad.” I said and whispered the last part. Johnny grabbed my shoulders. “About what?” He asked. I sighed, “You left me here alone on Christmas and Dad wasn’t in jail. He told me that you didn’t care and then beat me with a bat.” I said looking into his eyes the entire time as I felt tears fall down my cheeks. When I said that Dad had beaten me Johnny flinched. “Jennie, I would NEVER leave you here alone with him. Please tell me you don’t believe what Dad has told you.” Johnny said and I saw a tear fall from his eye as he said the last part. I sighed and turned away. I just didn’t know if I believe Dad or not. Was Johnny lying to me this whole time about caring about me? Or does he really care? “Jennie… please…” He said and there was a sadness to his voice. I turned to him and ran into his arms wrapping mine around his waist. I hugged him tight stuffing my face in his chest. “I’m sorry Johnny.” I cried into him. “Why are you sorry?” He asked stroking my hair. “For believing him. You’re the best and most caring brother ever.” I said and squeezed him tighter. “It’s okay Jennie. Come on let’s go to bed.” He said and picked me up. I guess he knew I didn’t want to be left alone right now so he carried me to his bed and put me down. “Try and get some sleep, Jen. If you need anything I’m right here.” He said and I smiled at him. “Good night big bro.” I said rolling over. “Good night little sis.” He said and I smiled then soon fell back to sleep.

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Chapter 39 and possible 40 will be up tomorrow. STAY GOLD!!!!!