"You cannot save everyone. Some people are going to destroy themselves no matter how much you try to help them."
{unknown}

//

"If it's one thing you learn while you're here, it's to NEVER drink alcohol. It never solves the problems you have in life. It just makes it worse." Dr. Shetland was talking to JJ and I.

I don't know why, but he really likes talking to JJ and me. He says we're the only kids who actually ask him questions when he tells us something instead of just staring off into space.

"But, I think alcohol would be amazing." JJ replied, a mischievous grin spread across his face.

Dr. Shetland shook his head. "JJ, you don't understand what alcohol can do to a person. It destroys them."

JJ shrugged. "I'm already damaged, what's it gonna hurt if I get damaged a little more?"

"JJ, if you ever drink alcohol, I'll never speak to you again." I spoke in a serious voice.

He sighed. "I can't make a promise on that."

//

WE PULLED INTO Buck's and entered inside. I clutched tightly to Two-Bit's arm, scared of all the men staring at me.

They all reminded me of my dad.

I spotted the back of JJ's hair and pointed over to where he was at. We walked over there and once JJ saw me, his smile instantly faded.

"Lexie, what are you doing in here?"

I shot him a glare. "Taking you home. Dr. Shetland-"

"Lexie, do you obviously think I care what that bastard says?! I DON'T! SO, STOP BRINGING HIM UP!" He shouted, making my jaw drop.

I stepped away from him, and he realized what he just did. "Lex,"

"No!" I slapped his hand away. "You may not care what Dr. Shetland said that day, but I know you remember what I said to you!"

He shook his head. "Lex, don't do this."

"I'm not speaking to you ever again." I snapped, walking out of the bar.

I sat outside and the gang soon came out after me, JJ hiding in the back.

I walked in between Pony and Johnny, them saying little jokes to try and make me feel better.

"Hey, Pony. What's a Soc?" Johnny asked, leaning his head towards Pony.
"White trash with Mustangs and Madras." He answered nonchalantly.

I immediately started giggling, Johnny and Pony giving each other a high-five because they made me laugh.

"What's Soda?" Pony questioned out loud.

"Lexie's boyfriend!" Steve and Two-Bit shouted, making my cheeks heat up.

It's cold outside, why do my cheeks keep heating up? I just don't understand it.

"Hey, Lexie. I have a question." Darry spoke, making all of us turn our heads towards him.

"Why haven't you told us about your life before the mental asylum? You haven't even told us what went on in the mental asylum."

I felt this drop in my stomach and started feeling sick. "I-it's just something I don't like to talk about." I stuttered, keeping my gaze towards the ground.

I thought back to what Dally said to me earlier, and took a deep breath. I'm going to tell the guys about everything once we get home.

//

ONCE WE GOT inside, I made them sit down and I told them everything. They all nodded and listened, frowned, got angry.

"Lexie, why didn't you tell us all this when we first met you?" Pony questioned, giving me a sympathetic look.

"Because I don't like talking about it." I whispered, glancing down at my shaking hands.

Two-Bit pulled me into a hug and looked at Darry. "Dar Bear, I think she needs some of your chocolate cake."

Darry nodded and stood up, walking to the kitchen to retrieve the cake.

Two looked back at me and whispered in my ear. "Believe it or not, that cake works wonders."

I laughed lightly as Darry handed me a plate with a piece of chocolate cake on it. "Thank you, Darry."

He waved his hand, dismissing it. "Don't tell me thank you. These boys eat this cake all the time without telling me thank you." He then shot a glare at the boys who shot him innocent smiles.

I took a bite and instantly grinned. "This tastes amazing, Darry! Why didn't you get a job as a chef instead?"

Darry laughed. "I should've now that you mentioned it."

"I want a piece of cake now." Steve whined.

"Go get it yourself, hot shot." Darry remarked, making Steve shoot him a glare.

He trudged towards the kitchen, his shoes making stomping noises all the way to the kitchen. We all started laughing until the front door opened.

Soda walked in for the first time without Sandy by his side. When he saw me, his eyes lit up. "Hey guys, can I talk to Lexie for a second?"

They immediately nodded and scrambled, Soda taking a seat beside me. "I've been wanting to tell you this ever since Sandy told me."

"I know, Soda. I know everything you don't have to explain yourself." I shot him a smile.

He pulled me into a hug, not letting go. "How about we go out under the stars?"

"You and Sandy did that." I shot him a glare.

He shook his head, laughing. "We didn't. She just said that because she's a.... what does JJ call her? Oh yeah, female dog."

Once he brought up JJ, I immediately shot my head down. He tilted my chin up, moving the hair out of my face. "Hey, what's wrong? You're always so happy."

"JJ and I are never speaking again." I told him, running my hands through my hair nervously.

He knitted his eyebrows in confusion. "Why? You two never fight."

"When I first met him, I told him only one thing could tear us apart."

"And what's that?" Soda questioned, curiosity in his blue eyes.

"Alcohol." I whispered.

Soda frowned, pulling me into his chest. "How about we go outside and look at the stars like we always do?"

I nodded and we walked outside on the porch, examining all of the stars in the night sky. It was beautiful.

"I'm glad you and Sandy didn't do this." I spoke, making Soda giggle.

"I like your giggle." I laughed, looking at Soda.

"Oh, really?" He questioned, cocking his head to the side.

I nodded. "I like your smile too. I've always wanted to tell you that ever since I first met you at the DX."

"You wanna know what I've always wanted to tell you?" Soda asked, inching closer to me.

"What?"

"I like you."

//

I hope you enjoyed this! besides the part where JJ and Lexie's friendship is ruined.... sorry about that.

you'll hear more about that next chapter.

love you guys!