Alright, everybody, it's a brand new chapter of "The Boy in the Next Row"! Let's see...oh yeah, reviewers!!!

Hey, guess what I love everyone!

Ponyboys-girl3: Am I really good at fluffiness? Why, thank you! It's truly an honor to be complimented by you since I'm such a big fan of "Don't Say It Out Loud"

ponyisgoldxxx: Another honor! I'm glad you like my story as much as I love yours!

And to my other reviewers which I appreciate just as much (Jorjor, AngryPrincess13–your wish is my command in this chapter–some of the others that I am so ashamed that I can't think of right now!!!), thank you for all of your helpful comments. They really help me out with ideas and stuff like that. By the way, if you do have any ideas, I will gladly try to incorporate them into the story!

Chapter 9: Talks and Walks

Angelina's POV

I was a little embarrassed that I'd cried right in front of Johnny. I guess that was only because I wasn't known as a generally emotional girl. I donl't like crying in front of people anyway.

Suddenly, I got this humongous wave of...something. It felt so weird sitting next Johnny in the back seat of Two-Bit's car. It was like I was an alien or something and I had just realized that I was in another world. Things had by awfully fast in the past two weeks or so.

I just never would have dreamed that Johnny Cade would ever actually be my...boyfriend.

Then, just as sudden as my recent realization had come, I wondered if Johnny really thought of me as his girlfriend. Well...we'd kissed–three times–and he treated me like I was more than just a friend... 'I think too much,' I thought, finally coming out of my reverie.

As we drove along the street that cut through the city to get to my house, Two-Bit decided to stop at a place called Sonny's to pick up some food. I was glad as hell, too–crying makes me hungry.

Before our order had even been brought to the car, Two-Bit was already out, after some tall blonde that had walked by, leaving Johnny and I alone.

Despite my previous embarrassment, I strangely was comfortable just sitting there silently. Usually, I have this nagging feeling that I need to entertain people, or at least pretend that I'm entertained, but this time I just felt content. When people say "love is in the air", they're not kidding! It literally felt like I was intoxicated or something, at ease with everything even though my heart was probably pounding a thousand times a minute. It's , but not really the frustrating type of confusing, the type of confusing that's just...well, it is frustrating, but it even feels good to be frustrated, but...whatever, I won't try to explain it. I was just happy to finally not have so much drama going on at once.

Well, since I evidently can't get a little peace in my life, Mr. Dallas Winston had to just stick his little greasy head out of its hole. Just as I had slipped my hand into Johnny's, I noticed the figure of Dally jogging towards us.

Apparently, Johnny had noticed also, because he suddenly sat up straight and draped his arm over the seat behind my head.

"Hey, Dal," he said, unusually forceful.

"Johnny."

Dally nodded towards him, meeting his gaze.

The tension was so thick, you could probably reach out and touch it. I guess neither had recovered from their morning states: Johnny, very uncharacteristically angry with the one he admired most, and Dally, trying to keep his hand at his side. Being between those two was like being crushed in one of those huge, iron, crusher thingies in some big furnace with the heat turned all the way up and–well, I think you get the picture.

"I'm gonna go...to..." I stammered at the pressure of both of their expecting eyes on me, "the bathroom."

I hopped over the door with the help of Dally's strong shoulder and rushed off to find our missing-in-action waitress.

Dally's POV

I climbed into Two-Bit's car beside Johnny. I still didn't get what the hell he was so mad at me about, it wasn't like I'd done anything.

'It's not my fault that I need to...protect him. I just can't help it'

"Dal, I'm sorry I yelled atcha..." Johnny's voice trailed off ashamedly as he looked away, off into the distance.

I didn't say anything in response. I guess I already knew he would say that, but it just didn't seem like I should forgive him after acting like he did. I mean, sure I know I can't stay mad at Johnny forever, but he's not some innocent little kid that everybody has to take care of so much.

Even though, I was so mad, I could still feel that guilt welling up in me, just thinking of Johnny like that. I guess he is innocent, but then again he's not...I don't know.

I couldn't tell whether I'd hurt Johnny or not by not saying anything after he had already said sorry because his face was turned away from me.

For the first time in a long while, I really had no clue what to say, and I was actually trying to think of something. I couldn't just let Johnny sit there and think I hate him or something–like his old man...

It was all just too confusing, so I muttered a mere "see ya around" and left.

As I was walking–to where, I'm not sure–I spotted Angelina sitting at a small, round table reading a book like nothing was going on. (She always seemed to just pulled books out of nowhere.)

Well, whatever she was reading, it must have been pretty damn good, because everyone once in a while, this crazy grin would appear on her face.

A wave of anger washed over me as I thought of that same girl being hurt by the lowest goddam people on the earth–Socs. I knew they hated us and all, but that ain't no reason to go mess around with an unknowing kid like Angie. I wanted to just...just...get my hands on those guys.

From where I stood, I could see the light purplish color of the bruise that had not yet left her cheek. As my eyes fell upon it, I grimaced at the sight of such a delicate thing being hurt like that.

She waved at me and I waved back, making my way over to where she sat.

"How's it goin', Angie?"

She shrugged with that same smile on her face.

"Okay...you and Johnny getting along?"

I shook my head and she sighed like she was thinking real hard about something. She kind of reminded me of Pony.

"You know, I don't think he's exactly," her big, blue eyes seemed to be searching for the right words, "mad at you. I think it was just...timing."

I shrugged and ran a hand through by white-blond hair.

"...Are you mad at him?" Her voice seemed a little...scared of what I would say.

I shook my head against my will, a small voice in the back of my head screaming 'what do you mean "no"! He made you look like a fool in front of the whole damned world'

I felt her hand on my shoulder lightly and turned my head to look at her. She looked slightly unsure of what she was doing, but she still had a certain air of confidence in those eyes. I think maybe that was the first time I really understood why Johnny liked her so much and why he'd gotten so angry when I had doubted his care for her. Of course he cared about her, I mean, even I do!

After that, I kind gained some sort of respect for her. Not only because she was kind of like one of the gang because she was Johnny's girl, but also because she didn't let the Socs get her down. I think it was the fact that so many people had done so much wrong to Johnny before...I just didn't want him to go through a whole relationship and just get hurt again by some girl who didn't even care about him.

Sure, when I first met her, I wanted her and Johnny to be together, but then, it was just kind of a joke or something, or at least, I didn't take it all that seriously. Now, I guess I just had to.

Angelina's POV

It had taken a lot of courage to place that hand on Dallas's shoulder, but I just did it anyway, no matter what my mind was telling me to do or not to do. I don't even really know why I did it, but it just seemed like the right thing to do. I hadn't known him for any more than a couple of days, but even I knew that no one did that to Dally, but I guess would just have to be different!

When I got back to the car, (Dally had already left), I came to find Two-Bit goofing off again with the waitress while chowing down on my sandwich. But that wasn't what I cared about at that exact moment.

"Hey, Two-Bit," I said, motioning for Johnny to come with me, "Johnny and I decided to go ahead and walk home."

"Yeah, sure," he said, waving us away.

As soon as we were out of earshot of the Mickey Mouse fiend, I wrapped my arms around Johnny's neck and brought my lips to his momentarily.

I could tell he was awfully surprised at my forwardness, but hey, if you were me could you resist????

"Johnny, Dally's not mad at you!" I said, grinning from ear to ear, my arms still about his slim figure.

"What," he managed, still baffled at my bubbliness.

"Dally, he just told me," I announced, almost so the whole world could hear and rejoice with me, "he's not mad at you for anything!"

Johnny, seeming to have finally gathered what I had said, gave me a gentle hug, smiling all the while–a rare thing that I just about did back flips after seeing.

"And, what, did you talk him into this," he began as we continued walking.

I shook my head triumphantly and gazed up into his night-colored eyes.

"Even if I did, how could somebody possibly stay mad at you for any amount of time?"

He smiled again (big sigh) and put an arm around my waist.

"Well, what about your friend...Natasha I think?"

Oh God, Natasha, I thought, remembering what she had said at lunch that day.

"Well...she...umm..." Then, suddenly, the craziest, but best idea that I think I've ever had came to my mind at that very moment.

"A double date!"

"What?" Once again, Johnny was absolutely bewildered at my actions.

"You and me and Natasha and..."

"Two-Bit," he suggested after a moment of thought.

"Perfect!"

By now, all sorts of great plans for dates were running through my head at an alarming rate. What things could the four of us possibly do together??

As Johnny and I reached my doorstep, we said our goodbyes and I leaned down to press my lips to his. When we pulled away from each other, his eyes immediately flew to the ground beneath his shoes as a his tanned cheeks began just red enough to become visible (so, so adorable!!!).

"Bye, Angelina. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Johnny," I said watching him begin a path down the street towards the direction of his house.

But I couldn't just stand there all day, gazing after him (though I would have loved to do so). I had some planning to do!!!!

Oh my dear God. I'm too confused!!! AHHHH, somebody help! runs around the room screaming and running into walls, waiting for her beloved reviewers to help There's just so many ideas in this head of mine! –how 'bout some input, huh! Please review!!!