Ponyboy and I have biology right before lunch. We usually talk while doing our work. It makes the time go by quiker and it allows us to ignore the socs. Not many greasers get into the smart classes. So, it's not unusual for me or Pony to be alone in a class full of socs. At least in biology, Pony and I can stick up for each other.

"Are we going to the local grocery store during lunch?" Ponyboy asked me as he turned to glare at the soc who kept throwing paper at us.

"I don't know." I replied. "Two-Bit said something about going to the DX station earlier."

Ponyboy looked at me. "Two-Bit's here?"

I nodded. "Yeah, he showed up after first period. I ran into him on my way to english class. Said he needs gas for the car."

We were silent for a few minutes. Then, Pony sighed, "You know, Steve is going to yell at Two-Bit for not stopping there before he came here. It's not like a few extra minutes would have hurt him. He was already late."

I laughed quietly. "True. But, we get to see Soda. And who knows? Maybe we can make plans to do something later tonight. It's Friday and Darry usually lets you go do stuff on weekends."

At that moment, the bell rang and we both left the class room. We walked down the hall and outside to the parking lot where Steve and Two-Bit stood waiting by Two-Bit's car.

"Two-Bit, why didn't you stop by the station before you came to school?" Steve was asking. He nodded slightly when he saw me and Pony approaching.

"It's no big deal Steve. I just didn't feel like stopping then." Two-Bit said. Pony and I exchanged a knowing smile.

"Okay, we'll go to the DX station. But if she runs out of gas before we get there, you're pushing her by yourself." Steve told Two-Bit as we all got into the car.

We managed to make it to the DX station okay. Two-Bit sang the song to the Mickey Mouse Club the entire way there. Which isn't very far, but when you have to hear Two-Bit sing that song over and over again, it seems like an eternity. Anyway, when we pulled into the gas station, Soda came out and met us.

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Soda asked, wiping his hands on a towel.

"Smarty here forgot to put gas in his car this morning." Steve replied, pointing at Two-Bit. Two-Bit just grinned and shrugged.

"Is that all? Or did you come to get something to eat, too?" Soda teased as he filled the gas tank.

I looked around before asking, "Does anyone have plans for tonight?"

"Yeah, Chris wants to go do something." Pony added for me.

"I have to come here and work for a few hours, but I'll meet up with you guys after I get off." Steve replied. I knew he would. Steve rarely goes home on weekends.

"I guess I'll do something with ya'll. What are we doing?" Two-Bit cocked an eyebrow and tilted his head to one side.

Soda looked at me too. "So, Chris, what are we doing? Anything to do with the whole searching thing?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I just thought it would be nice to go to Jays or something. Maybe go to the Nightly Double."

"Why don't you kids come to youth group tonight at my church?" A friendly voice behind me asked. We all looked to see a youg looking man standing behind us. "It starts at seven and we're doing a drama presentation tonight."

Pony and I both looked at each other. I had heard about the little incident with Steve dropping the hymn book and Two-Bit waving at the congregation. And I knew Pony was remembering that by the way he was looking at me.

"Sure. We'll be there." Soda said with his famous grin.

The man handed Soda a flier with directions to the church and left with his bottle of Pepsi in hand.

"Soda, are you crazy?" Pony asked. "Why did you do that?"

Soda shrugged. "I don't know why. But I feel like we should check this thing out. Besides, it's not like we had any official plans or anything. Besides, he's been bugging me to check out the youth group for weeks. His name is Brian. Well, to be more formal, it's Pastor Brian. He's the youth pastor."

"But what about Steve?" I asked . "He won't be off till around eight."

"I'll still meet up with you guys." Steve said. "The church isn't too far from here."

"Well, what about you Two-Bit? Do you want to check out this youth group thing?" Pony asked.

Two-Bit though for a minute. I knew he'd rather go out and drink. But he grinned and said, "Yeah, I'll check it out."

Soda put an arm around my shoulders, "Chris, I think we have our plans for tonight. We are going to watch a play at church."

I just nodded and once again exchanged a look with Ponyboy. That evening would either be a good thing ar it would be an embarrassing disaster. It never occurred to me that there could be more to going to a church than for just a play. Like Pony, I was hoping to make it through the evening with limited embarrassing moments.