Months pass,(It's kinda around May) Dally gets out of the hospital, Johnny finds out that he's a dad and soon before I know it it's time for the performance . . . it's not until the day of the musical when I really wrap my head around the fact that I'm playing Christine. Like my mom. And I can't fail them. It's up to me and my voice. Me and my voice.

We go from the beginning, in where the backdrop collapses on Claire, to my performing "Think of Me" then to my all time favorite scene. "Angel of Music".

Cole sings creepily, "Brava, brava, bravissima . . ." as I light a candle in some tomb-like, gray stage set. . .

Then Cherry enters in, dressed in a simple white dress and sings: "Christine, Christine . . . Where in the world have you been hiding? Really, you were perfect! I only wish I knew your secret! Who is your great tutor?"

I smile then say: "Meg, when your mother brought me here, whenever I'd come down here alone, to light a candle for my father . . . a voice, from above and in my dreams . . . he was always there. You see, when my father lay dying, he told me that I'd be protected by an angel . . . an Angel of Music." I end on a wistful note.

"Christine," Cherry sighs. "Do you believe?" she hesitates. "Do you think the spirit of your father is coaching you?"

"Who else, Meg?" I ask fiercely. "Who?" Then I begin singing: "Father once spoke of an angel, I used to dream he'd appear. Now as I sing, I can sense him. And I know he's here." I begin to get up, still singing. "Here in this room, he calls me inside hiding. Somehow I know he's always with me. He - the unseen genius."

Cherry take my hands. "Christine, you must have been dreaming, stories like this can't come true. Christine, you're talking in riddles, and it's not like you!"

She tries to lead me away from the candle-lit table and we break out into song and dance. My dancing isn't that complicated, it's just a combo of ballet and a bunch of other stuff. I'm supposed to look like I'm desperately searching or wandering . . .

"Angel of Music! Guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory!" I sing.

Cherry sings to herself, but loud enough for the crowd, "Who is this angel? This . . ."

Then we both sing: Angel of Music! Hide no longer! Secret and strange angel."

We pause and I sing, "He's with me, even now . . ." as Cherry examines my hands.

"Your hands are cold . . ." she sings.

"All around me . . ." I sing absent-mindedly.

Cherry grabs my chin: "Your face, Christine, it's white . . ."

"It frightens me . . ." I sing, trying to sound like I'm whimpering.

"Don't be frightened . . ." Cherry assures me and leads me off stage as the crowd applauds.


The rest of the musical goes on perfectly and as planned. At the end I'm ready to collapse. Cherry, Marcia and I have to fight through the crowd gently to get to the gang. Pony opens his arms to me and I practically collapse in them.

"That was one of the creepiest musicals I've ever seen." Soda comments. Chevy whispers something in his ear and he smiles.

I cock an eyebrow at them. "Are you two a thing?"

They ignore me and I shake my head.

"Cherry, I had no idea you could sing!" Dally comments.

"I can. I just don't use it." Cherry replies.

"So, I thought you'd have lost your voice by now?" Dally asks smartly.

"No," I protest. "If you had been doing the part of Christine, you'd have lost your voice in the beginning."

"Speaking of beginnings . . ." Emily says, grinning like a Chessy cat.

"The baby!" I cry happily, looking at Emily's swollen stomach. "She must be near due."

"Yeah," Emily says, smiling and patting her belly. "Around May,"

"What are you going to name her?" I ask.

"Piper or Amelia," Emily replies.

"Cherry," Dally says. "I need to ask you a very serious question,"

"What?" Cherry asks.

"I think it's high time we replaced this ring" - Dally takes Cherry's hand and slides off his high school ring - "with this one." he slides on a diamond ring onto Cherry's ring finger.

"Dallas, what are you-" Cherry asks, then her green eyes widen at the sight of the ring.

"Will you marry me, Cherry Valance?" Dally asks her.

Cherry screams. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" she says, jumping up and down. Then she kisses him and doesn't stop.

I sigh. "Finally!" I exclaim. "Finally! Finally! Finally!" This is how the Outsiders should have happened. Well in my world. And it did! It did! Cally's going to be real!

"What's going on here?" Mr. Syme asks.

"Dally just proposed to Cherry!" Chevy squeals.

"Good for them," he says.

Mr. Syme stares at the engaged kissing couple and walks off.

"You did great, you know?" Pony tells me.

"No, I didn't know," I say, kissing his cheek.

"Well, now you know." he replies, suddenly picking me up and spinning me around.

"Stop!" I squeal, but I can't help laughing. I spot Hamilton watching, but shrug it off. I'm too happy to care. He puts me down and looks at me.

"I love you." he whispers.

"I love you." I reply softly before he pulls me close and kisses me.

AN: I love to end on a happy note! I don't own the Outsiders, POTO, or Jemily. Reviews are welcome!