Okay. I'm going out of town and won't be back until Monday. So expect an update on Monday or Tuesday. Catch y'all later.

Chapter 12: Happiness

"I know a way you guys can meet. I remember her saying that she was going to the movies today. Just find her and start a conversation," said Ponyboy as we walked to the movie theater.

"Start a conversation?" I asked. "What do I talk about?"

"She digs sunsets. Kind of like me."

"You mean poems, books and stuff like that?"

"Yeah. You read a lot of books."

"I've read a couple."

We walked up to the movie theater and Ponyboy was about to walk off. Then he stopped and called my name.

"Yeah," I called back.

"Just to let you know, Soda's birthday is this Friday."

"Okay."

Soda's birthday. What could I get him? I guess I'll just have to get some idea from Ponyboy. I walked through the movies and found Cherry. Good. She was sitting alone. How would I play this? I could sit down, and hopes she notices me. And if she doesn't, then I pretend to notice her, like I always do.

I followed my plan and sat a couple of seats away from her. After about thirty seconds, she glanced over towards me.

"Hey," she whispered.

"Hm," I pretended to act surprised.

"You look kind of familiar. What's your name?"

"Dean. Dean Johnson."

"Oh. You're Ponyboy's friend aren't you? I …also heard what had happened to you."

"You mean my mom?" I said quietly.

"Yeah. Are you okay?"

"I'm still a little depressed. But I'm doing fine."

"I kind of know how it feels. Well, I don't really know how it feels."

"You mean what happened to Bob?"

"Yes."

"Yeah. It is kind of sad when it's unexpected."

"I know what you mean."

We continued to talk. This wasn't exactly the conversation I expected, but it was getting somewhere. We talked so much, we didn't even realize the movie was over.

"Sorry," I apologized. "I didn't mean to take you away from the movie."

"Oh that's fine. It was really just something to do."

We walked out of the movie theater and I offered to walk her home.

"No that's okay. My dad is going to pick me up pretty soon."

"Oh. Okay."

I was a little saddened. But I figured I would be able to do that at some point. I then noticed her giving me a sheet of paper.

"You can call me though."

My eyebrows rose.

"Really?"

"Sure. I like you. You're a pretty cool guy."

"Um. Okay. I'll call you today."

"Alright. See you later."

"Bye."

I walked off with a smile on my face. I got her number. This was the happiest moment of my entire life. I wanted to run home and call her, but I didn't want to seem desperate. What could I do to pass the time by?

Ponyboy said he was heading home. I could run by there and ask what Soda would want for his birthday. I walked into the house to see Ponyboy walking around.

"What you doing," I asked closing the door.

"Looking for a book to read."

I looked around and saw one on the floor. I picked it up and showed it to him.

"How about this one?"

Ponyboy looked at it and shook his head.

"No. That's Darry's book. The Carpetbaggers. I've already read it. I don't think I'm old enough to read it again. How did it go with Cherry?"

"I got her number," I said pulling out a sheet of paper.

"That was quick."

"I know. Is Soda home?"

"He isn't off work yet."

"Good. I need to ask you a couple of questions about him. I want to know what to get him for his birthday."

We sat down on the couch and Ponyboy started to talk about Soda.

"He's a wild person. He likes fights and a lot of stuff. He likes horses, especially this one he called Mickey Mouse. It got sold though. He likes to play around a lot. He smokes, but doesn't drink."

"He doesn't drink?"

"Uh-uh. Why?"

"Well. I had one drank once. Before that, I thought that I was the only one that didn't drink."

"Well, he doesn't do that. He doesn't need to. He get wild off of air."

After I left the house, I still didn't know what to get him. I wanted to get him something real good. I mean, he saved my life when I tried to commit suicide. It was the least I could do.

"So do you want to hang out tomorrow?" asked Cherry.

I called her immediately when I got home. I couldn't wait to talk to her.

"Only in the afternoon. My aunt and I have to go to church."

"You go to church?" she asked. She sounded surprised.

"Uh-huh."

"That's good. It's so rare to find someone in this town that goes to church. I know Ponyboy used to, before his friends embarrassed him."

"Oh."

"Hey, Dean. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon. My mom needs to use the telephone."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

When I hung up the phone, I saw Les' leaned against the doorway smiling.

"You have a little girlfriend?"

"She's not my girlfriend….yet."

"Yet!"

I smiled and Les' continued.

"You should go on ahead to bed. We've got church tomorrow."

"Okay. G'night."

I cut off the lights and went to sleep. I lied there looking at the ceiling. I went to sleep very happy that night.