**Two weeks later**
"Soda, c'mon! You never do anything with me anymore! Hell, I even went to the movies with Two-Bit because you were at home!" I followed him out of the garage of the DX. I knew Soda had been under stress with money and all, but he was just getting so boring lately! I mean, I know I'm coming off as a bitch, but you'd understand.
"I know, Molly, I know. And I'm so sorry. But you know how things've been at home. I'll go out with you tonight, as soon as I get off." He sighed, and looked so guilty. I swear that boy was turning into Darry day by day.
"Soda, don't stress." I hugged him, and he rested his chin on the top of my head. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't be mad at him.
"Baby, I'm gonna make it up to you. I'll pick you up at eight, and we'll go out to eat. Somewhere good, I promise."
"Don't be ridiculous! Sodapop Curtis, we could go to the dump for all I care, as long as I'll be with you." I smiled up at him, and he stared back.
"Fine, but I'm still surprising you with what we're doing!"
"Whatever lets you sleep at night, Curtis." I winked and jumped up onto the counter. Soda always had to work the counter because of his fan girls. Just as I thought it, a group of them skipped in.
"Hi, Soda!" They giggled.
"Hi, ladies. What can I get y'all?" He asked.
This was nauseating. I hadda leave. Before they could answer, "Bye, honey. I'll see you later." And I jumped over the counter, and met Soda halfway with a kiss. He knew what I was doing, and the girls bothered him just as much as me, so he smiled within the kiss and deepened it, and I listened to all the Socy girls scoff and snort their rich little noses.
"Bye, baby, see ya at eight." Soda winked. I laughed, and pushed through the group of girls, "Bye, Soda. Bye, girls."
As I approached my house, my mind was wrecked with what to wear. I mean, this was our first date actually going somewhere as a couple. I tore through my room, figuring out nothing was good enough.
"Jesus, Molly. What happened in here? Soda drop by, again?" A voice chuckled.
"Shut it, Dallas!" I warned.
He laughed. "No, but kid, really. What're ya doin, girl?"
"I have to find a fucking outfit for tonight, or I'm completely screwed!" I whined.
"For what?" He raised his eyebrows, crossing his arms.
He sat on my bed, "You really think Soda cares about what you wear? Mol, he's crazy for ya. It might even be worse than Sandy."
"Why do you think that?" I questioned.
"The look in his eyes when he's with you, Molly, it's unreal."
"Could it be? Can the infamous Dallas Winston feel? Someone call the newspaper!" I joked.
"Shut your trap, kid." He roughed up my hair, and I engulfed him in a hug. And to my extreme surprise, he returned it.
"Thank you, Dally!" I looked up at him.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Bye kiddo." He smiled at me and left. I honestly looked up to Dallas Winston. Of course I couldn't tell Josh, he'd freak.
I eventually decided on wearing a sort of frilly skirt that went to my mid-thigh, and a tight black t-shirt. I have to say, my chest was huge. That's why I usually stayed away from tight shirts, and v-necks. I guess tonight I was breaking all my rules. Kay always said that she'd die to have my chest, but it really is such a pain in the ass.
I put makeup on my face until I was satisfied enough to say I didn't look like myself. Soda always said that I looked beautiful without makeup, but I'm sure he was just saying that.
"Molly, Sodapop's here to pick you up, sweetheart!" My mom called. She loved getting the door for my dates. It was a thing of hers.
"You look great!" Soda told me as I walked down the stairs.
I laughed, "Oh, thanks."
"So be back before midnight, Molly Marie! Have fun, kids!" Mom shouted from the doorway.
"Bye, mom, love you."
"Bye, Mrs. Carr. And she'll be back by twelve, no problem!" Soda smiled. I noticed he was leading me to a truck.
"You got the truck?" I smiled. He hadn't stopped talking about getting' it with money he'd saved up for at least a week now.
"Just now, yes!" He laughed.
"So where are we going?"
"The park," he smiled, and I smiled, "unless you'd rather-"
"No, Soda. The park sounds great." I smiled.
"Okey dokey, then!" he was such a dork sometimes. I loved it.
I liked the truck. It was comforting. Maybe it was just his arm around me that made it so, but nonetheless, it was warm, inviting, and just nice. When we got to the park, Soda held the door open for me, "Malady?" I kissed him on the cheek, and he pulled a picnic basket out of the truck.
"Oh my. Soda have I ever told you how much I love you?" I smiled, and laughed.
"Don't recall it…" He winked.
"Oh shoot. Well, Sodapop Patrick Curtis, I love you," I held my arms out as far as they would reach, "this much, times ten!"
"Molly Marie Carr, I love you," He held his arms out, "this much. Times infinity!"
"You're so immature, Sodapop!"I laughed, and we found a spot to lay down our blanket, and we both laid down on it. I had my head on his chest, lookin' up at the stars. "They're so beautiful."
"They are, but they're nothin' with you right here in comparison." He rolled onto his side.
I blushed, and kissed him. I didn't know if it was humanly possible to be as gorgeous, sweet, and charming as Soda was. My fingers played with his still-perfect hair, and I felt his hands move down to my butt. I don't know why, but I didn't stop it. I figured Soda was never like that and needed to let loose. He started to move his hands up my shirt, and that's when I figured it'd gone too far. I pulled away, and sat up.
"Sorry," He mumbled, "Molly you know I wouldn't make you do anythin' you're not ready for, right?"
"I know Soda, I do. I mean, I'm ready, just not tonight. We haven't really gone out this way before, and I didn't want this to be the way that I remember it," I shrugged.
"I understand." He looked so embarrassed.
"Can we eat now? I'm starved." I laughed.
"Yeah, food's in the basket..." He sighed.
I leaned over to him and brushed some hair out of his eyes, "What's wrong?" I cooed.
"Nothin'." He moped.
"Sodapop Patrick Curtis, don't you 'nothin'" me. Tell me, how long have I known you?" I scolded.
"Forever…"
"And do I know you're lying to me?"
"Yes, mother." He rolled his eyes, and cracked a grin.
"Now tell me, what's wrong, babe?"
"I don't even know. Everythin's wrong in my life right now."
"I'm wrong? Your siblings are wrong? The gang is wrong? Your job is wrong? Soda, those are all things you love, and that love you back. Because Sodapop you can tell me right now if I was a mistake, and you'll never he-" And finally, his lips were interrupting mine. His lips were so soft against mine, and when finally we pulled apart, I saw he was crying. I wiped his cheeks with my thumb, kissed his cheek, and hugged him, just a hug. I'm not too sure how long it lasted, but it was the longest hug I'd ever given.
"I love you, Molly." He said, stroking my hair.
I smiled, "Ya better, Curtis. I'm hungry, let's eat!" I had a way with making him in a better mood.
We ate by the water, talking about absolutely everything, laughing at almost everything the other said. When we were finished eating, star spotting, and just laying there, we realized it was almost eleven thirty. Soda sat up, "Mol, I have to take you home now."
"Ugh, fine." I frowned. "Ya know my legs are reeeeaaaal tired, Sodie…" I sighed.
"Do you want me to carry you." He said it as more of a statement, he knew that's what I wanted.
"I'd be honored." I winked, and he picked me up bridal style.
"The things I do for you, Molly..." he thought aloud.
I giggled. When we reached his truck, he put me down and opened the door for me, I got in, and he shut the door. We drove most of the way home in silence. It was a nice silence, though. I looked at the ring that was now on a chain around my neck, held it close to my chest, and smiled. When we reached my house, he took my hand, walked me up the stairs, and turned me to face him in front of the door.
"Bye, Molly. I love you, beautiful." He smiled, and I stretched up to kiss him.
"I love you too, Soda. Goodnight." I walked in my door, leaned against it, and smiled.