I do not own any of the Outside Characters

"Hey boys," I said walking in to the Curtis house wiping my new bloody lip. I might be hurtin' now but those boys had weeks of pain ahead of them.

"Well looks like princess here has turned down even more prince charmings!" Good Ol' Two-bit, he always knew how to bring up the mood.

Sodapop gave me a long look. He hated it when I fought. I gave him one of my famous sultry smirks and saddled over to sit in his lap.

"Baby," I said and then smirked as his face turned as red as a tomato. We weren't dating yet but I knew it would be only a matter of time before he asked me out. I had been crushin' on him since we were kids but he was still sore after that Sandy girl up and left him. Stupid broad…didn't even know that she had the best of guy practically drooling at her feet.

"Got any plans tonight, Lina?" Steve asked throwing down his playing cards and collecting his winnings. No doubt having cheated since Sodapop was clearly distracted.

"Just plannin' on headin' to Bucks and gettin' boozed up." This was true enough cuz there was no way in hell I was going home after my parent's latest fight. I'd be surprised if there was even a house when I got back!

"Sounds good," Dallas said walking in sporting a new black eye. I swear, between him and me we could kill half of Tulsa with our tempers. Oh yeah, my temper, another thing I was famous for.

"Want to some company?" Two-bit asked raising an eyebrow and looking at me suggestively.

"What if I said no? Even if I left for Buck's before you I'd still find your ass at the bar before me with half the beer already gone."

"True enough," he said slinking back into the couch and not even with the decency to look ashamed.

"I mean after all," I said standing up and turning to the rest of guys, "I have a reputation to keep up," and with that I gave my best model's strut across the living room. I burst out laughing as the guys hooted and hollered at me. I told you before I was no whore but between the guys it was just a little innocent fun.

"Hey Angel can I talk to you?" Sodapop asked shuffling his feet and looking real nervous. That nickname always confused me because it couldn't have been farther from the truth.

"Sure," I replied confused as to why he would wanna talk.

I followed him out the door and we crossed the street to the lot. He abruptly stopped and turned to face me. I was so caught off guard that I almost tripped. He caught me effortlessly and held on tight to me.

"Just listen," he said seriously but how could I. He was so handsome in the moonlight with his dark blond hair and lively brown eyes. Much more handsome than any other boy on the south and north sides and more than most on the east. All I could feel were his strong muscles which were wrapped tightly around my small waist and his toned abs through his plaid shirt. I had been with my share of guys, including Tim Shepard. Let's just say that didn't turn out to well with me catching him cheating and all. Mi abuela always said "Never trust a man after he cheats, mija, because if he did it once he'll do it again."

I turned back my attention to Soda's rambling. "I know you probably think of me only as a friend and all but I got to get this off my chest, I guess what I'm trying to say is, will you be my girl?"

I stared at him in shock. After so many years I had only dreamed about this moment. He mistook my silence for rejection and turned his head from me. Faster than I knew I could, I surprised both of us by grabbing his face and smashing my lips to his.

So many years of desire and passion poured out into that one kiss and when his tongue slipped into my mouth, for the first time in my life, I felt like I was in heaven.