*Characters and past storylines belong to S.E. Hinton.*

Chapter 3- Anticipation

Two-bit came up to my locker again, after classes finally finished. I was trying to decide what I needed to do for homework that night. Not that I would be able to concentrate on it very well, with the much-anticipated visitor tonight. I hated to admit it, but I've been looking forward to the visit all day. Maybe we would have a moment to talk, like that one night at the Nightly Double.

"Hey, guess what!" Two-bit shouted.

"What?"

"I passed all of my classes this semester." He grinned.

"I told you that you could do it. Does that mean you have a chance of graduating this spring?" I inquired.

"You got it." He replied.

"Tuff!" I exclaimed. He was beaming with pride.

"Did you pick up your report card yet?" He asked.

"Yep." I pulled the report out from my back pocket and handed it to him.

"Congratulations, Ponyboy.all A's again. Darry and Soda are going to be real proud."

My brothers and I have been getting along better than ever. We made a pact last year to stick together, and we have. I've been working extra hard with my schoolwork, since my brothers gave up so much so I would have and opportunity to go to college and get out of this neighborhood. I made a pact with myself that I would work extra hard and get my brothers out of this neighborhood too. They deserve the best, just as much as I do. I smiled at Two-bit's comment. "Come on let's go."

"Shoot kid, you don't have to tell me twice."

Usually Two-bit comes to my place after school, but he had to go home today to show his mom his report card. That was an unusual occurrence for Two- bit Mathews. Usually on report card day, he hangs at our place until he absolutely has to go home. I smiled at the thought of his mom finding out that her son is finally going to graduate. She may not be strict enough, but she was a nice lady.

As soon as I entered my house, I plopped onto the couch. I was too exhausted to take my afternoon jog. After awhile, I decided to get up and clean a little. I didn't want Cherry to think we were a bunch of slobs.

I had just finished putting the last dish in the cupboard when I heard the sound of the Ford pull up in front of our house. Shortly after Darry and Soda entered the house.

"Whoa, did some cleanin' hey Pon'." Darry commented. Soda smiled at me knowingly.

"Yep." I started to cough. 'Not now!' I thought. Thankfully, I was able suppress the cough for the most part.

"I see you still have that nagging cough." Darry remarked.

"Just a little." I quickly changed the subject. "Two-bit passed all of his classes! He will be able to graduate in the spring!"

"Tuff!" Soda shouted and Darry smiled.

"How did your report turn out?" Darry asked me. I handed him the report from my back pocket. He took and it, and smiled with pride when he saw the marks. I couldn't help but smile back.

"Maybe we should invite Two-bit over for chocolate cake. It looks like we have a reason to celebrate." He grinned, while messing up my hair. Soda playfully punched Darry's arm, and Darry immediately directed his attention towards Soda.

"You better watch it little buddy!" He laughed. He soon had Soda pinned to the ground. "Say uncle." He cried. Soda merely laughed. "Never!" He responded. After what seemed like ten minutes Soda finally shouted, "Okay, Okay! Uncle!" Darry laughed.

"Is it okay if we had the celebration tomorrow night?" I interrupted.

"How come?" Darry questioned.

"I kinda have a visitor coming tonight." I said quietly.

"Who might that be?" He asked. I could feel my ears turn bright red. I tried to answer his question, but I couldn't get the name out.

"Cherry Valance" Soda piped in for me.

Darry's mouth just about dropped to the floor. He was no longer laughing, but tense instead. His blue-green glared at me, and I felt like he was using some sort of x-ray vision and could see right through me. I started chewing on my fingernails.

"What does she want?" He asked coldly.

"I uh, don't know, she wants to um, talk to me." I stuttered. I stuffed my hand into my pockets and looked at me feet, I was all of a sudden fascinated with my shoes.

"She's not a bad Soc." Soda helped out. "She was very helpful for us before." He continued.

Soda's comment seemed to help Darry relax a little. He knew what Soda said was true. "Randy is dropping her off and picking her up." I added.

"I don't like this one bit, Pony" Darry sighed. "But I trust you."

Darry never said that out loud to me before. Now, I was really nervous about tonight. I didn't want to lose Darry's trust. That is very important to me.

"What time is she coming?"

"6:30"

**Author's note: Criticism is welcome. **