((Ponyboy's POV))
"I'm sorry I just don't see why you have to practice with him." Soda said for about the 3rd time.
"Because he's the person I have the most scenes with, for the 3rd time." Kristina said rolling her eyes.
"I did not ask 3 times!" Soda said now throwing his arms in the air.
"You're right it was 4 times." Kristina said smirking.
"Oh you're just so clever let me tell you! I bet Scott loves that about you. How many times do you practice the kissing scenes?" Soda said close to yelling.
"Oh that's all we practice. We just make out allll daayyy loongggg!" she said exclaiming the last part.
I just sat on the couch quite amused by this. They've been fighting on and off about this for months. Soda once told me the making up was well worth the fight. Could've lived without that tidbit.
"Really? Is he a better kisser than I am?" Soda said grinning and raising his eyebrow.
Kristina pretended to think about it. "I think that's impossible." She finally said.
"Right answer." Soda said and leaned in for a kiss, like he did after every fight they had. I don't think Soda really does let on to Kristina just how much Scott does bother him because sometimes after she leaves he's right back in the bad mood again. But it didn't matter much anymore because tonight was our dress rehearsal then tomorrow the real thing. And I would never admit it to anyone, except maybe Kristina, but I did enjoy working on the play. I always thought people in the plays were kind of weird and wore all black, but they weren't and I made some pretty good friends.
"Pony call up Liv and let her know we're coming in 10 minutes." Kristina said after pulling away from Soda.
Well speaking of friends I'll guess I'll tell you all about Olivia or as everyone calls her, Liv. I've known Liv most of my life but never really talked to her until the play; she plays my girlfriend in it, Rizzo. We became close friends through the play and Kristina and Soda swear we love eachother. But we're just friends, and I'm pretty sure she feels the same way. It actually get embarrassing at times because Soda and Kristina will always invite us out with them swearing it's not a date, but it always turns into that when the other two people are making out or holding hands.
I picked up the phone and dialed Liv's number.
"Hey Liv?" I asked.
"Yeah, hey Pony." She responded.
"Kristina said we'll pick you up in 10 minutes."
"Okay see ya!" she said and I hung up. I wondered why I didn't like Liv. She was cute with medium length brown hair and brown eyes to match. She was about my height and she had a couple freckles on her nose. Oh yeah I know why you don't like her, because you love your brother's girlfriend! I thought rolling my eyes at my own self.
Johnny thinks I only like her to beat Soda at something, but I don't think so. It seems like more than that. But let me tell you it's hard to compete with a couple that have been saying I love you from the beginning.
"Ready, Pony?" Kristina asked snapping me from my daydreaming.
"Yep." I replied standing up.
"Break a leg tonight, or can you break Scott's for me? I'd appreciate it." Soda said to me, and Kristina rolled her eyes.
"Sure thing Soda." I replied.
"You're okay, kid." He said ruffling my hair.
I grinned at him and Kristina gave him a quick peck on the lips and we left for Liv's house.
"So, how's Liv?" Kristina asked winking at me.
"I don't know why don't you ask her when we get her." I said with a mock smirk and she just smiled.
"I really think she likes you Pony." She said matter-of-factly.
"I think you're crazy, but it's okay, we like you anyway." I replied.
She gave me a smile and honked the horn once we reached Liv's. Liv lived in greaser territory like me. We were the same age, but since I skipped a grade she was a year under me.
"Hey Liv!" Kristina said as Liv got in the car.
"Hey Kris, hey Pony." She said.
"Okay so who's pumped for tomorrow night?" Kristina asked speeding down the road as usual.
"You know what I'm pumped about?" I said.
"What?" she asked.
"Living to see tomorrow night." I answered and Liv giggled in the backseat.
She stuck her tongue out at me. "I told you I had a problem in the beginning. You think you'd be used to it by now, wimp." She said playfully hitting my head.
"I'll never get used to going 55 down Madison Ave. I'm sorry I just won't." I said sort of joking.
"You and you're brother are two of a kind." She said rolling her eyes but smiling.
Too bad he got the looks. I thought stubbornly.
"Never date a Curtis, Livvy." Kristina said to Liv and Liv just grinned and looked down.
"And we're here!" Kristina said stopping suddenly in front of the school and giving me whip lash.
I turned around and saw Liv clutching her head the same as me and we both laughed as Kristina just hopped out of the car perfectly fine.
"One more day, Lambo!" Kristina said to Mr. Lamb. Don't ask me why she started calling him Lambo, I do not know.
"One more day is right and I have big news for you." Mr. Lamb said.
"Really what is it?" she asked interested.
"Well my friend works at Swenson, you know the music school in New York." Mr. Lamb started.
"And…" Kristina said.
"And, I told him about you and I told him I think you have some real talent."
"Aw thanks Lambo." Kristina interrupting.
"That's not all, he's coming here tomorrow night to see if you got what it takes to go to Swenson. And I personally think it's a sure thing. You would be perfect for there, I always knew you had the star quality and well if you go there you have the best chance of getting out there in the world." Mr. Lamb said and Kristina just stood there expressionless for a minute.
Then she started jumping up and down. "You're the best Lambo!" she said now hugging him.
"I've always wanted to go there! I just never told anyone because I figured that would never ever happen! And now it can! I don't believe it!" she exclaimed.
"You deserve it." Mr. Lamb said.
I wish I hadn't have heard it. I wish Kristina were never at the gas station that day. I wish I never joined this play.
"Pony you okay?" Liv asked me. I just nodded.
((Liv's POV))
I watched as Pony got a look of rage on his face when Mr. Lamb told Kristina she could be going to NY very soon.
I wouldn't admit this if you had a gun to my head, but I had a huge crush on Pony ever since the 6th grade when one time Bob Sheldon had stolen my new bracelet and Pony called him an ape and kicked him in the shin and got it back and gave it to me with a smile and walked away. But now it was obvious to everyone to everyone except Kristina that Pony felt the same way about her as I did about him. It didn't help she was one of the nicest people I ever met. At first she intimidated me because she was so pretty that you wouldn't think she would be nice. I hate being wrong.
"Pony you okay?" I asked.
"What? Oh yeah I'm fine." He said like he just snapped out of a trance.
"Maybe she won't get in." I said trying to cheer him up.
He looked kind of shocked that I knew what he was thinking about but then he just sighed. "No she'll get in. I want her to get in. I do. I'm just worried about Soda."
"Why?" I asked.
"Well, eh, it's a long story." He said and I just nodded.
((Ponyboy's POV))
Dress rehearsal went pretty good. Everyone did everything perfectly. I know this is selfish of me but I'm kind of hoping the old saying 'if you have a bad dress rehearsal you'll have a good opening night' is true, only opposite.
"Liv want to come in?" Kristina asked as we pulled up to my house.
Liv looked at me for what seemed like approval, so I nodded.
"Okay, sure." She said and we got out and went inside.
"Soda! Guess what!" Kristina said bouncing through the doors.
Oh Lord here it comes. Big fight in 5-4-3-2…
"Mr.Lamb said his friend can get me into Swenson in New York City!" she exclaimed.
"one." I whispered to myself.
"Soda, are you okay?" she asked once his face turned somewhat pale.
"What? Oh yeah I'm okay I just have a migraine that's all." He said rubbing his temples.
I said it once I'll say it again. Soda's the worst liar in the world.
"Are you sure you're okay? You look sick." She said feeling his head.
"I'll be fine." He gulped. "So Swenson huh?" he said forcing a smile.
"Yeah I was kind of thinking we could celebrate but you look like you could use some sleep, sweetheart." She said biting her lip worriedly.
"Yeah I guess so." He said shrugging.
"You'll be there tomorrow right?" she asked.
"Wouldn't miss it." He replied.
"Okay well I'm going to go, Liv are you staying or do you want a ride?" she asked.
"Um, I'll go I guess if we're not going out." She said standing up.
Kristina gave Soda a kiss and I saw her whisper 'I love you' in his ear and he just nodded, and they left.
Soda just ran his hand through his hair and went to bed. When I went in to go to sleep he was already asleep. He didn't look very peaceful though.
OPENING NIGHT((Kristina's POV))
I scanned the crowd nervously before they raised the curtain and saw Soda, Darry and Johnny there. Two-Bit said he'd come later and I don't think Dally would be caught dead and a play and well Steve, Steve said he'd come if "Evie wasn't giving it up tonight" and I quote.
I was really looking for the guy from Swenson but Mr. Lamb said I probably wouldn't be able to pick him out in the crowd.
"Damn." I said quietly to myself and turned around and saw Scott.
"Nervous?" he asked.
"Sort of." I said shrugging.
"Don't be. You'll be great." He said patting my back.
I smiled at him. "You will too." Soda really had nothing to worry about with Scott. One time Scott did try to kiss me but I pushed him off and threatened him with Dally if he ever tried again. I always wanted to tell Soda that but I knew he would go right after Scott. I hate fights.
"And we proudly present the play "Grease!" Mr. Lamb yelled and the curtains rose.
"Here it goes." Scott said and squeezed my hand.
-------After the play-------
"Kristina come here I have someone I want you to meet." Mr. Lamb said and grabbed my hand. I took a deep breath.
"Kristina, this is Mr. O'Donnell, Mr. O'Donnell, Kristina." He said introducing us.
"Nice to meet you." I said shaking his hand.
"Very nice to meet you, and I just have one thing to say." He said.
"Okay…" I said nervously.
"Welcome to Swenson!" he said and reached out for another handshake but out of excitement I ended up hugging him instead.
"Oh wow I'm sorry!" I said letting go of him but he just laughed and told me it was okay.
I turned around to find Soda but he was already there looking pissed off.
My excitement was gone because it finally hit me why he was mad. He was never sick..
"Soda.." I started.
"So what you're just going to go?" he yelled.
"I.. I don't know." I said softly.
He threw his arms in the air angrily.
"Soda this is huge for me!" I said.
"So what? You didn't even give us a single thought! I can't believe you can just drop me like it's fucking nothing!"
"Soda you know it was not like that!" I said now yelling.
"Screw it, you're all the same." He said turning around.
"Soda! Come on, please stop." I said grabbing his arm and starting to cry for maybe the 5th time in my life.
He turned around and looked me dead in the eye.
"Are you going to go?" he asked me his voice cold.
I was dead set on going just 12 hours ago. Nothing could stop me, I was going to be famous and that was that. I can't believe I was so stupid. Then again, this was my dream.
"Just give me some time, Soda. Okay?" I asked looking away as I said it because I couldn't look him in the eye.
"Fine." He said and threw my hand down and ran outside.
I looked up and saw Pony,Johnny, Darry and Steve all looking at me. And then Darry bolted after Soda.
