The next night I dressed nervously in one of Darry's clean white shirts and one of my own newer flannel shirts that I had gotten for my birthday. This one was a dark blue color that Darry got me, remembering that it was Mom's favorite color on me. I combed my hair, but I did so in a way that I didn't need to use any grease. I knew that they were only middle class but I didn't know how her father would react to wearing grease in my hair.

I checked my hair again in the mirror before finally deciding that it looked fine; that I looked acceptable. With Sandy none of this mattered because her father was once a greaser yet he hated me. Part of me hoped to God that Aurora's family liked me, and part of me knew that if they were anything like Rora then they would judge me based on my character rather than the amount of money my family had in our account.

"Bye Dar! I'll see you after!" I said, grabbing the truck keys. Since Darry was in the shower Pony nodded at me, not looking up from his book. Since Johnny and Dally died, he's done nothing since read and write. I left and drove to her house, driving up her street slowly, looking for the different numbers that sat on the mailboxes. Pulling into her driveway I noticed that her house was all white, a bright white too as if it had been cleaned recently, and a garden that was so colorful it took me a few different looks to figure out how many different colors there were as they blended into one another. Her house looked beautiful, and I smiled when I saw the porch swing on her small porch and I got out, wiping my hands on my pants nervously when I saw Rory's mother sitting on the porch swing. Beside her, I assumed Rory's father had his arm around her shoulders and they looked to just be watching the park across their street.

Her mother smiled warmly at me and waved at me and I walked over slowly, standing tall. Her father stood up before her mother and he sized me up as I walked up the stairs. Smiling at him nervously I put out my hand to shake his, shaking it firmly once he returned the favor.

"It's good to see you again Sodapop." He said, and I grinned relieved when I realized that he remembered me from Ponyboy's case only a short time ago.

"You too Mr. Carter. Is Rory home?" I asked and he nodded,

"Yes, I believe she is in the study or in the sunroom at the back of the house. She seems to be coming down with something and I suggested she stay inside. Please, head in and make yourself at home," He said before sitting back down with her mother. Walking into her house I was amazed at how big it seemed on the inside. It sure as hell didn't look this big from the outside. So I took my shoes off and placed them neatly at the front, before walking through her house to see if I could find Rora. I didn't see her in the office so I decided to check the sunroom at the back of the house and smiled when I saw her curled up on the couch with a small novel in her hand.

"Hello beautiful," I said and her head turned to look over at me and she grinned when she saw me.

"Hey Sodapop!" She said, moving her legs off of the couch and tucking her blanket into one of the drawers. Once she patted the seat next to me I sat beside her and kissed her head,

"How is your day so far beautiful?" She pulled her legs up so she was cross legged and facing me, her back resting on the arm of the chair. Rora shrugged and smiled lightly,

"It's been alright. I think I'm getting sick again though," She said, and almost to prove her point she sniffled. I could tell she was cold, she was squeezing her hands together and it looked like she was shivering lightly. I nodded and she smiled,

"I hope you like roast beef and potatoes, and I think my mom also is making asparagus." I only replied with,

"I like anything edible." She laughed and I loved the way her eyes crinkled at the sides. We talked about little things for the time being until her mother called us into the kitchen for supper. We sat at her small table, and they let me take the spot beside Aurora, across from her brother.

They extended their hands and we all joined hands and started to say grace, something that my family used to do every night; back then we attended church every Sunday as well. Once dinner had been dished out, we ate in silence and made small talk with each other. It wasn't until my second round of roast beef and potatoes that the questions started,

"So Sodapop how is the DX?" Her father asked. At first the question seemed like any normal question (since I have fixed his car numerous times), but then I started to wonder if this question had a separate meaning behind it now that I was going to be dating his daughter.

"Well sir, it's going pretty good. The boss actually gave me a raise not too long ago, so it helps out with the bills more. And it lets Darry take some time off so he doesn't have to earn as much." I said, after swallowing a rather large mouthful of potatoes.

"That's wonderful! Did you get a promotion?" Her mother asked and I nodded,

"Yes, I was promoted to manager, since I work full time anyway."

"Well congratulations," Her father said, taking a sip of his coffee. We chatted a little more about my job before realizing I was finished so I grabbed my plate, Rory's, her mothers and her fathers before standing up and taking them to the kitchen. My mother always said to be polite and help out, and I planned to keep my good impressions on them.

"Oh Sodapop you don't have to do that!" Her mother said, and I shook my head.

"Nonsense, you cooked the meal, I'll do the dishes." I said and she smiled, before sitting back down. Rory grabbed the rest of the dishes and walked into the kitchen,

"Do you want to wash and I'll try dishes since I know where they go?" She said and I agreed, starting the water and adding a little soap to the water and started to wash the dishes. Once I had finished rinsing it off she would take it and dry it, putting it away. Once she came close enough I whispered.

"Do they like me?" She grinned and nodded before kissing my cheek. Feeling slightly relieved I followed her out once we were done the dishes. Her father nodded at me and I nodded in return before he stood up,

"The mustang has been acting up again Sodapop, would you mind taking a look?" I shook my head,

"Not at all sir." I said before I followed him out to the detached garage. The door was already unlocked so we went in and the Mustang's hood was up.

"What's been the problem sir?" I asked curiously, walking over to take a look.

"Honestly, there is nothing wrong with it. But I needed a reason to come out here and have a few words with you." Swallowing nervously I nodded, and he grabbed a coke from the fridge, tossing me one.

"I know that you're interested in dating my daughter, and to be frank I'm glad that it's you she brought home and not some irresponsible moron. But, I want to know where you see yourself going with my daughter; if you see this as a long term or a short term relationship."

"Sir, I don't know at the moment. I suggested that she and I take it slow, so that we know that we can work together as a couple. I was in a serious relationship not too long ago and I think I rushed into it and it ended badly. I don't regret that relationship but I want my relationship with Aurora to last so that I can spend the rest of my life with her, as long as she'll have me." Her dad smiled and I grinned. He clapped my shoulder and grinned,

"Well then Sodapop, I'll be glad to see you around our house more often. But I ask you take it slow with Aurora and respect her. I don't want to hear about you pressuring her into having intercourse with you, alright?"

"Of course sir. Thanks."


Thanks to Greasegirlie for her review!