Laying in her bed and going through her yearbook, Karen Mathews couldn't believe that it was now all officially over. Just a couple of hours ago she had walked across the stage and received her diploma. She felt a whole host of emotions throughout the day but as she continued to turn the pages and see the photos at the kids she had known and become friends with, now Karen couldn't help but feel a little sad. On her very last day at Will Rogers High School, Karen walked through the entire building, making sure to hit all the rooms that she had classes in over the past three years. She said goodbye to the teachers that she really liked and finally met up with different friends and classmates. They all promised to keep in touch, and they meant it...some of them, but the truth was Karen would never see most of them again. They would just become a memory.

Then without even thinking about it, Karen began to sing to herself as she continued looking through the yearbook;

"We filled the boxes with picture books of memories of fun and happy and not so in-between. Do you remember the time that we had never laughed so hard, close at hand that's where you will be. You my friend that's true, You my friend here's to, you my friend here's to, you my friend here's to those days. We miss so much that day in second grade where we made snow-angels, making angels, you always had bigger wings-"

"You should record that," said a voice that made her jump. "It could be a big hit."

Karen sat up to see her older brother standing in the doorway, a big smile on his stupid face.

"What do you want?" Karen snapped.

"Mom is taking us all to dinner, dummy," Two-Bit responded, a little bemused that his sister had seemingly forgotten.

"Oh yeah," Karen muttered as she got to her feet. Their mom was taking them out to celebrate Karen's graduation. Ponyboy and Two-Bit's girlfriend Kathy were also coming. Margaret Mathews drove the small group to Villa Ravenna Fine Dining, a well known Italian restaurant. Since it was a much nicer place than any of them usually went to they all had to dress much fancier, which Two-Bit hated but because this was a special day for his little sister he didn't complain. After placing their orders, the five of them began making small talk amongst themselves.

"So, do you know what you're going to do now?" Kathy asked Karen.

"Honestly, I have no idea," the younger girl admitted.

Two-Bit snorted.

"Well, I wonder if Mom is going to get on your case as bad as she got on mine."

Margaret narrowed her eyes at her son.

"That was entirely different Keith, and you know it. You flat out refused to get a job," Margaret then turned her attention to her daughter. "Don't worry, sweetie. You have a lot of time to figure it out."

"It's just so weird knowing that I never have to go to school again," Karen sighed. "It's been part of my routine for the last twelve years."

"Now you have work to look forward to," Two-Bit muttered as he took a drink of Coke.

"I'm still surprised you haven't managed to burn the Dingo down...yet," Ponyboy said to his friend before deciding to reveal something. "You know, I've had dreams about school all the time since I've graduated...and it's always the same one."

Kathy smiled at him.

"Really? So have I."

Ponyboy looked across the table at her and smiled back, oddly feeling more comfortable now knowing that he wasn't the only one. He then continued on;

"I don't remember everything about it, but basically, it involves this test that I have to pass and if I don't I'm going to fail for the year."

"Mine is that I've missed too many days of school, and if I miss just one more I'll be held back a grade," Kathy responded.

Two-Bit chuckled a little.

"Believe it or not, I actually dream about school a lot too." That peaked the interest of the table as they wondered what it was that he would dream about. Two-Bit laughed again as he then said; "In the dream I've always forgotten to wear pants to school and I'm walking around the hallways with a one-inch penis."

At this, Ponyboy began choking on the water he had just taken a drink of as Two-Bit laughed and pointed at him.

"You see! Ponyboy knows what I'm talking about! Every guy has had the no pants, little penis dream!"

By this point the waiter had arrived with their food and apparently heard what Two-Bit had said because he was giving him a strange look. Karen was lightly slapping Ponyboy on the back, trying to help him get his wind back. Margaret was pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index fingers, as if she had a headache before looking up at the waiter.

"Thank you," she said through clenched teeth.

He nodded.

"Enjoy your meal."

Margaret then slapped Two-Bit on the arm.

"Ow!"

"That is not appropriate language at the dinner table. Eat!"

After dinner was over and the drive back to the Mathews house, Two-Bit and Kathy hopped into his car and drove off to do something. Margaret said goodnight to Karen and Ponyboy before heading to her bedroom. Soon after, Ponyboy followed Karen up the stairs and into her own room and he had something on his mind.

"So, you're really never going to school again?" Karen didn't look like she understood so he clarified. "I mean, you're not going to college?"

"I really don't know. I don't think I will."

"You know I'm going to be going to Oklahoma State in the fall." Karen nodded, of course she knew. Ponyboy had put it off for a year so he could be around for Karen's senior year. "Yeah, I guess we won't be seeing a lot of each other after I go. We're going to have to make the summer count."

"I guess so." Karen then moved closer to Ponyboy and wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him deeply. She suddenly pushed him backwards onto the bed and jumped on top of him, but instead of more kissing like Pony expected, Karen began tickling him.

"Karen!" Pony managed between laughs, "Karen, your Mom is two doors down."

"Don't worry," Karen said, momentarily stopping her sudden attack, "She took a sleeping pill. She's out like a light."

"Oh, if that's the case-"

Ponyboy then flipped Karen off of him and got to his feet, on top of the bed pulling her up with him. He then picked her up and then in a comical, slow-motion, body slam, Ponyboy gently tossed Karen on the bed. Even so he held onto her ankle so she could not get away from him. Karen put up a struggle, twisting and turning, trying to get her foot free and reach one of the pillows she thought were so carefully placed, sadly now out of reach.

Ponyboy smiled a rueful smile and, with the ankle he held, began tickling Karen's foot. At the same time saying, "You asked for this."

"Nooo, stop," she begged.

"I don't think so," he responded as he pulled her towards him, then the torture continued. Ponyboy began tickling under Karen's arms before going back to her ribs, her laughter was growing harder. Now, being that he was sitting on her, Karen had no hope of getting to a pillow or of getting away. She gave up and let the laughter and giggles take over, unable to control them at all. Ponyboy seemed to be enjoying himself immensely as he then targeted the backs of Karen's knees before running his fingers up and down her feet again.

After a minute Ponyboy stopped and began to plant kisses on her legs and trailed them up to her midsection. A shiver went down Karen spine when he heard his girlfriend softly moan, he then kissed along her waistline and trailed more up to her chest. Once he reached her neck, Ponyboy began kissing the right side of Karen's neck before pressing his lips on hers.

"Is this what you want?" He asked quietly.

"Yes." Karen smiled.

Smiling back, Ponyboy got up to get himself ready but then quickly realized;

"Wait. I don't have any-"

"Two-Bit has some. In the top drawer of his dresser, underneath all his boxers."

'Eh, I have to go through Two-Bit's boxers,' Ponyboy thought. He quickly went to his friend's room and opened the drawer. After finding the box, it was just his luck that Two-Bit only had one left. Oh well...

XXXXXXXXXXXX

The following morning, Ponyboy woke up bright and early. Karen was sleeping right next to him. She was wearing a extra large t-shirt and a pair of panties while he was in nothing but a pair of boxers. The experience was everything Sodapop had said it would be. Ponyboy knew he needed to get home and decided not to wake Karen. He quietly got up and pulled his shirt and jeans back on before slipping on his shoes. After making his way out of the house he stopped when he saw Two-Bit's car.

'Geez, I wonder what time he came home,' Ponyboy thought. Well, he was still alive so his friend must have not known anything. Ponyboy then began walking the short distance that was between the Mathews and Curtis houses and saw that his parents must have been at work already as their were no cars in the driveway.

After unlocking the door, Ponyboy headed upstairs to his room. Once he got there he took a seat on his bed and toed off his shoes as he wanted to take a shower.

'BANG!'

The bedroom door suddenly slammed shut. Ponyboy jumped and to his shock Two-Bit had been standing behind the door. He had a murderous look in his eyes but said nothing, he only held up the box of condoms which were now completely empty.

"Karen..." Ponyboy sputtered, "It was Karen's idea!"