Sodapop POV

I stood across the street from the thrift shop. I could see Jennifer behind the counter helping a customer through the window. I tried not to snap a flower stem as I waited for her to finish up. After what seemed like hours, the customer finally walked out with her purchases. I took that as my chance to walk across the street and walk into the store, hiding the flowers behind my back.

"Hey!" Jennifer said happily.

"Hi. Looks like a slow day." I observed as I made my way to the counter.

"Yeah, but it's all right, gives me time to think."

"I understand. Thanks again for dinner last night, it was really good." Jennifer blushed and giggled a little. Awww she's so cute when she does that.

"It's no problem, really. I'm glad you came." Jennifer looked at me curiously. "So what brings you here today?" All right, you can do this.

"Actually, I wanted to ask you something." I said as I brought the flowers from behind my back. "Will you go on a date with me?" Jennifer leaped off her stool and hugged me from behind the counter, nearly falling from not having her crutches.

"I think I'll take that as a yes." I laughed after she grabbed her crutches and came to the other side of the counter.

"That was definitely a yes." She said, smiling.

"So are you free tonight?" I asked her.

"Yes."

"Awesome! I'll pick you up at your place around eight." I pulled her into one more hug, noticing how perfectly her body fit with mine.

I walked back into the DX and unbuttoned my shirt a bit.

"What's up with you? Got yourself a hot date tonight?" Steve teased me, probably looking at some silly grin plastered on my face.

"Yes actually." I told him, leaning over one of the cars I was supposed to be working on.

"Who?"

"Jennifer." I said, letting her name roll off my tongue.

"Wait, that's the girl with the jacked up knee, right?"

"Yeah." Steve paused, not sure what to say.

"Good for you." He said finally, taking in my excited grin. We got back to work, but I couldn't keep my mind off of Jennifer and the date I was planning.

"What are you looking so excited about, little buddy?" Darry asked me over dinner.

"I have a date tonight." I replied.

"With Jennifer?" It was less of a question and more of a statement.

"Yes."

"Just be careful." Darry told me as we brought our plates to the sink.

"I will." I raced upstairs to get ready. I put on a clean pair of jeans and threw on a checkered button up over my undershirt. I grabbed my jacket on my way out of the house.

"Have fun and be safe!" Darry yelled through the door, sounding just like our mother when he went on dates.

"I will." I called back.

When I approached the house, my heart began beating double time. All right, Sodapop, you can do this. Just knock on the door and ask for Jennifer. They're all nice girls. There aren't any scary dads who want to kill you. I rapped at the door and Angelina opened it.

"Jennifer's just finishing getting ready. Why don't you come in and sit down for a couple minutes?" She said politely, reminding me of other girls' mothers. I entered the house and stood by the wall, I couldn't sit down, I was too nervous.

After what felt like eternity, but was probably just a few minutes in reality, I heard a door creak open, and the familiar clicking sound of Jennifer's crutches on the wood floor. Jennifer's eyes lit up when she saw me, and I wanted to run up and hug her the second I saw her, but I settled on walking up to her and putting my arm around her.

"Hello to you too." She laughed.

"Hi." I breathed, taking in how different she looked with curled hair and makeup.

"Be careful you two." Angelina said cautiously.

"I promise I'll bring her back in the same condition I took her out in." I tried to joke. Angelina glared at me, so I shut my mouth.

"So where exactly are we going?" Jennifer asked as we were walking down the sidewalk.

"I was thinking of going to see a movie at the Nightly Double."

"That sounds perfect." I looked down at Jennifer and smiled at her. Perfect, yeah. Tonight is going to be a good night.