IMPORTANT MEMO! PLEASE READ!

I'm so sorry I haven't update in almost 3 months! First, the stupid people shut off my internet for a while because of some stupid reason. Second, I've ahad a major case of writer's block. Third, I had fina;s to worry about, along with multiple end-of-the-year projects, all due at the same time. But since, I'm on break now, I should have pleanty of time to write. I know I'll be updating a lot more, because I've only been out for about 4 days and I'm already bored out of my mind. So yeah. Oh, and to all that have reviewed -you know who you are- I'm sorry, but my computer won't let me access the reviews that I got over the past few months. All the other ones are fine, but it's just those select few. So thanks for reviewing, but I sadly don't know what you said. But I know it was good and encouraging. And now, I'm back, so you all have nothing to fear. And don't hesitate to review, because I'm going to get my computer working with fan fiction. Well, enough of my incessant rambling. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to chapter 21!

I woke up the next morning with a stiff back. Johnny was still unconscious on the couch, and Dally was fast asleep In Darry's chair. Two-Bit was on the floor, like me, but he seemed to be rather comfortable. Standing up, I stretched and made my way into the kitchen. I casually glanced at the clock as I opened the fridge door. 7:30 in the morning. Damn, it was too early to be up on break, but I knew I was never going to fall back asleep

again.

I sat down at the kitchen table with a piece of chocolate cake in hand, wondering what Soda had planned for today. I must have gotten lost in my thoughts, because the next thing I knew, Soda came bounding out of his room. Looking back at the clock, I realized it was almost 10:00. Damn.

"You almost ready to go Steve-o?"

"Soda, didn't your just get your ass out of bed?"

"Yeah, but by the looks of it, you've been up for hours."

"I have"

"What, couldn't wait for your future to be determined by me?"

"Soda, why don't you go take your shower .May it'll calm you down a bit." He saluted me before marching into the bathroom.

- the amount it takes to talk for a few hours and trying to convince Pony to stay with Johnny( not that he needed much convincing) later –

Me, Soda, and Jamie were walking down the sidewalk towards the drive-in. Soda was dancing all over the place, occasionally walking on his hands. I was getting to the point where I wanted to bash his head when we got to the back fence.

"After you Steve," Soda said, ushering me towards the hole. Quickly, I dropped to the ground and went through the hole. Jamie went next. As soon as she was all the way through, I offered to help her up. She took my hand and I pulled her up. Finally, Soda flew under the fence and we went and sat down. I didn't know what movie was supposed to be about, but I wasn't really surprised when Soda made Jamie sit in the middle.

"Hey y'all, I'll be right back. I think I just saw someone that I know," Soda said, wiggling his eyebrows. As he got and walked away, I watched him to see where he was going. I saw him approach Sandy and start making out with her. 'Great' I thought to myself. 'So this is his infamous plan; to leave me and Jamie alone by going and spending the rest of the night with Sandy.

Apparently realizing this too, Jamie gave a defeated sort-of sigh and slumped into her seat. After a few moments of silence, she spoke up.

"Why do you hate me Steve?"

The question caught me completely off guard. "What?"

"You heard me, why do you hate me so much?"

"Where'd you get that from Jamie? I never said that I hated you."

"Well it's kind of obvious when you glare at me every time I go anywhere near you and Soda. And don't pretend like you don't, because you know you do."

"Well, I hate to break it to you Princess, but you've got it all wrong."

"Oh, I do?" She said, turning to face me. "Would you care to explain? Because as far as I can see, I'm completely right." Damn, she fed me the bait and I took it. Damn!

"I don't have to explain it to you Jamie, because you're wrong. "

"Ugg! You're so dense! I can't believe you!" she cried out, standing up and walking towards the back fence.

"Jamie, wait up!" I called to her, chasing after her. By the time I reached her, she was already halfway under the fence. I reached out and grabbed her foot to try and stop her.

"Let me go Steve!"

"No, not until I know why you're so pissed off at me right now!" I said, my voice slightly raising, and not letting go of her foot.

"I'm pissed off at you because you're a complete idiot! You don't get anything unless someone spells it out for you!" Her words surprised me. What didn't I get?

"Jamie, is everything okay here?" a voice said as the figure came up behind her. I looked up and saw what looked to be a well-dressed middle-classer. He almost looked kind of socy.

"Yeah Shane," she said, pulling out of my grasp. "Everything's just peachy" Glaring down at me, she left with the Shane guy. I just lied there for a minute, processing what just happened. When I finally got me head back together, I raced under the fence and went after them, hoping to find out who he was and where they were going.

JAMIE'S POV

I had to say that I was shocked to see Shane again. I hadn't seen him since our little ordeal with Dally a while back.

"What are you doing here Shane?" I asked him.

"What do you mean what am I doing here? Am I not allowed to see you or something?"

"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that I haven't seen you for a while. Kind of like 'where have you been'."

Well, I tried to keep my distance in school and stuff, just in case you had your own personal body guards or something. And other than that, I really haven't seen you around for awhile."

"Yeah, well I've had a lot going on."

"I could see that." he chuckled, no doubt referring back to the drive-in.

"Well, it's a funny story."

"I have no doubt about it. Care to explain?"

"It's kind of a long story, but I'll give you the short version."

"I'd appreciate it," he said, sitting next to me on a nearby picnic table.

"Ha ha ha, very funny," I said sarcastically. "But seriously, it started a while ago, when I was sitting in my room. My friend Soda came in and asked what I thought about the guy that you saw at the movies, Steve. He said it was because there was this regular customer who came to the DX, where they both work, and she had taken a liking to Steve. He said that he told her that he would get a girl's opinion about him. You know, just to know what she was getting herself into."

"What did you tell him?"

"Well, I told him that he wasn't too bad looking (just for the sake of not calling his best friend ugly and trying to get the girl to like him more), and that he was protective and good with cars. I think that's about it. Anyway, tonight Soda asked me and Ponyboy, Soda's younger brother, if we wanted to go to the movies. Pony wanted to stay with our one friend, who just got beat up by a bunch of Socs. I figured that since I haven't been out of the house for a while, I'd go. Well, we got to the drive-in, when Soda spotted his girlfriend. He left me and Steve to go over and make out with her. Then we got to arguing, and I tried storming away, when I had my pleasant encounter with you. And here we are."

"That was the short version?"

"You know, the longer version probably would have taken up a couple of hours."

"Never mind," he said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I laid my head on his shoulder and put one of my arms around his waist. We stayed that way for a while before Shane broke the silence. "So, if you don't mind me asking, what were you and that guy Steve fighting about?"

"Well, I'm not exactly sure, but I'm pretty sure that it had something to do with us."

"With us?"

"Yeah. I mean, I'm a greaser, you're a soc. And after they found out about us through my brother, I don't think they've ever really accepted that fact that I sill have feelings for you."

"You do now, do you?" he said, smirking down at me. I laughed and playfully hit him on the back of his head.

"Now, don't you go getting any ideas," I said, sitting up, only being mock angry. And to let him know that, I smiled.

"It's kind of hard not to when you have the most beautiful girl in the world sitting right next to you and knowing that she's yours."

"That's so sweet," I sighed, putting a hand over my heart. I think you deserve something for your excellent way with words."

"Oh, and what would that be?"

"Just close your eyes and you'll find out." He did as I said. I gave him a quick, but hard, shove and he went right over the edge of the picnic table. Laughing, I made a break for it.

It wasn't long before Shane was back on his feet and chasing after me. He tackled me to the ground and sent both of us rolling. He ended up on top of me.

"Now do I get my real prize?" Smiling, I nodded, and leaned by as he came down. Our lips met in the middle. As we were making out, he pushed me back down, so I was lying on my back. After a few minutes, I felt his hands start to push my shirt up.

"Shane, stop." I said, trying to push him off of me. His body didn't budge, and he suddenly pinned my arms down with his hands.

"Oh, come on now Jamie, you know you want this." he said, bring his lips down on my neck.

"Shane, get the hell off me!" I yelled, fighting back with everything I had. Without warning, I felt his hand come in contact with my face, leaving me cheek stinging.

"How dare you speak to me like that!" he fumed, applying even more pressure on my wrists. As I was trying to escape, I heard footsteps coming towards us.

"Jamie?" I heard a voice call out. I almost immediately recognized it as Steve's. As I took a breath, planning to yell out his name, Shane's lips crashed down on mine. I could hear Steve coming closer to us. When he reached us, I heard him grunt in disgust.

"That's really great Jamie, just fucking great." he spat. Then I head his footsteps start to retreat.

IMPORTANT MEMO HERE TOO! NOT AS IMPORTANT AT THE FIRST BUT STILL IMPORTANT!

HAHAHA - I'm so evil, leaving you with a cliff hanger after not updating in almost 3 months. insert evil laughter here Yeah, sorry about that, but I could resist? But good ending, no? Haha...well, review review review! And because I have so much time on my hands, I should have the next chapter up by Wednesday - Thursday at the latest. Oh, and try to have a good day. : ) P.S. - remember that you all 3 me, so try your best not to kill me. If anything, this is a pretty mellow ending. Wait until you see the end of chap. 23-ish. I have a greatly evil cliffhanger planned. Again, insert evil laughter here