What's up? Here again. I just wanted to tell you guys I'm working on some of my own stories. They're not long enough to be a novel, so I'm going to put them all into one book. My first one is B4L and I'm working on my second one Writing My Thoughts. Okay. Next chapter!

Chapter 13: Almost There

After church I met Cherry at the movies again. It was really the only place we could hang out at without someone knowing about a soc and greaser being close friends. They left Ponyboy alone I think, but he didn't see Cherry on a daily basis.

"So what's it like on the North side?" she asked me.

"I'm not quite sure. I usually just hang out with Ponyboy and his friends."

"You don't know anyone else?"

I shook my head. Then I remembered that guy, Tim Shepard. He seemed like one mad guy. I don't think he trusts me at all.

Cherry and I really got to know each other really well. We both went our separate ways after the movies. She said she might call me today. When I got home, Les' was putting her shoes on.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

She looked up.

"I have to meet someone. A little bit out of town. In the country."

"The country?"

"Yup. Ever been there?"

"Nope."

"I'll take you there Thursday. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, bye."

Some days passed. It was Wednesday. I had done the usual. Just hung out with the gang. The only problem was that I still didn't have a present for Soda. I had no idea what to get him. He always looked so happy. How could I make him even happier? I was pondering that thought on the way home from school. Then a stingray pulled up next to me. You know it was a soc car. I was about to run, but I noticed Cherry was driving it. I sighed.

"Did I have you scared?" asked Cherry while smiling. I liked her smile.

"Me? Nah," I said tugging my shirt down. She laughed and asked,

"Do you want a ride?"

I looked around. I wanted to make sure nobody was here to witness a soc and greaser hanging out together.

"Sure. Why not?"

I climbed into her car and we drove off. It felt good riding in a soc car again.

"What's your address?" she asked.

"Oh. I'm not going home. I'm meeting Two-Bit at the Dingo later on. I was just heading there."

"Okay. I'll drop you off there."

We started talking. After one conversation ended, she seemed a little quiet. I wondered what was up.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She was quiet for a minute, and then she let it out.

"Dean. I like you, a lot. You're a real good person and we have a lot in common, but…"

I was getting nervous. Did she want to be my girlfriend or not? I could tell this was hard for her. She continued.

"I don't feel right because of what happened to Bob."

"We don't have to rush."

I could have kicked myself then. It made me seem like any other desperate guy that wanted her. I couldn't believe what had come out of my mouth. She didn't seem to notice though.

"I mean, if you need time. Then its how you feel."

She smiled. Then she said something,

"You're a very good person Dean. Most boys would have tried to make a play for me. But you have been more than a friend. I guess we could go out a little bit. I mean, not much, you know, with the Bob, soc and greaser thing."

"Really!"

"Yeah. I like hanging out with you."

I was excited then, we weren't exactly boyfriend and girlfriend, but we were inches away. When she pulled up to the Dingo, I got out. No one was outside.

"Thanks for the ride," I said taking off the seat belt.

She then reached over and kissed me on the cheek. I froze, literally. She just kissed me. Cherry Valance just kissed me. I looked at her. She was blushing. She looked like an actual cherry. I smiled and she smiled.

"Bye Dean."

"Bye Cherry."

She started up the car and drove off when I got out. I was smiling. Two-Bit showed up a little while later. He was late though.

"I was about to go home," I said jokingly as I walked over to his car.

Two-Bit smiled and he got out the car.

"What'd you want?" he asked.

"I wanted to know if you would know what to get Soda for his birthday."

"Oh man. I forgot about that," he said smiling.

"What would you get him?" I asked.

"Whatever I could find. I don't know. I forgot what I got him last year."

Two-Bit got into his car and drove off later on after that. What could I get Soda? His birthday was in two days. Maybe Les' would know. I turned in the direction of my house and saw a mustang ride past the Dingo. A bunch of socs stuck their heads out of the window and yelled,

"Grease!"

To think. I used to act like that.