Disc: I do not own any of the original characters. I own myself and my dad though. That sounds funny, but I do.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I knew he wouldn't take no for an answer. Everyone huddled around the table. One, two, three, go! You could hear people yelling but you couldn't tell what they were saying. That's ok. It didn't really matter. Nothing mattered. Their arms swung from side to side but still no winner. Then the crowd started cheering and Sodapop Curtis stood up.

Yup, that's him. My boyfriend. Great looks, great hair, and a tendency to win arm-wrestling contests.

I smiled at him from the crowd. He smiled back. Just as he was coming towards me, something interrupted. Steve was now standing on a chair demanding a rematch. It may only be an arm-wrestling contest but at a greaser party it's pure entertainment. Everyone rehuddled, recounted and recheered, only this time Steve won.

"Lucky I got tired that time!" Soda yelled as he stood up. He left the table with a big grin and took my hand. We sat on the couch. I could see that Steve rewarded himself with a rather large piece of chocolate cake. I then turned to Soda. I love how his eyes can show affection, concern and the world's happiness all at once. He leaned closer.

"Having fun?" I nodded

"Tired yet?"

"Nope." Again he took my hand but this time to dance. I know I said I wasn't tired but I think we were both just a little too drunk to tell. We danced all night along with everyone else. We danced until my feet were killing me. Like this, I don't think I could make it home.

"Darry, can you take me home? I really don't feel like walking." He sighed and gave me a tired look.

"How 'bout you spend the night? That way we'll just take you home freshened up in the morning. You can take my room and I'll go sleep with Soda and Pony. Besides, most of our guests aren't gonna make it home anyway so it'll be no problem."

"That would work." I looked towards the door where it seemed like someone had been listening. Soda casually walked in.

"Or Pony can sleep with you and Mel can come with me." Darry cocked an eyebrow.

"Just a thought." Soda said raising his arms.

"You guys figure something out and let me know." Darry said and began to leave.

"Ok" said Soda "Mel's coming with me." Darry shook his head at Soda and laughed. Soda walked out of the kitchen and winked at me. I stood there for a while. I thought of how furious my dad was gonna be. Then again there was no way I was making it home like this.

The next morning I awoke to the smell of breakfast. Still half asleep I wandered into the kitchen. There were four plates set up.

"Pick one" said Pony getting out another carton of eggs.

"Hey Pony, why's the birthday boy cookin'?"

"It ain't my birthday no more and fifteen year olds cook too ya know." He half smiled and tossed the juice carton at me. Suddenly it was silent and I could hear the sizzling of eggs.

"So, uh, where's everyone else eating?" I finally asked.

"They're either in the living room or gone already." Until then I hadn't realized that morning was half gone. I tried not to think of my angry father and went back to eating. Just then Soda came out of the room.

"Mornin' ya'll." He grabbed a plate and stuffed his mouth. It took him a while to swallow.

"Ya sleep good last night?" I looked up from my bacon and eggs and smiled.

"Yup." After we had all finished and I had helped with the dishes it was time to go home. We hopped in Darry's truck and were on our way. I tried to focus on passing trees but images of my dad hitting me flashed into my head.

"Why so quiet, Mel?"

"I'm just not sure what my dad's gonna do to me."

"You want me to go in with you?"

"No, no - it's ok." If Soda did go with me I would have to worry about what my dad did to him too. I said nothing the rest of the way there. When I got out of the truck I could tell they all looked worried. I tried to smile and waved good bye.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I know I deleted my story again. It was for its own good though. I do have more chapters done but I'll be posting them weekly until I run out. Hopefully I won't.