SEVEN

The next couple of days passed by faster than ever. Soda got his job back at the DX and worked there while everyone went to school. His next date with Roma was planned tonight at the horse races. The rest of the gang was coming along too. Dallas was bringing Liz, Steve was bringing Evie, Ponyboy was bringing Ash, Johnny was bringing Cora Lee, and Darry and Two-Bit were just coming. After school, the gang walked over and picked up Roma, Cora Lee, Ash and Aaron, who also had decided to tag along.

"Did it hurt, getting those stitches in, Dal?" Two-Bit questioned Dally on their way to the racetrack.

"Naahh," he replied. He walked with his arm around Liz, who, yet again, was chewing gum and blowing bubbles obnoxiously loudly. She had let her blonde hair open today, and boy was it long. Her bangs were carefully arranged to cover one of her eyes partially. She would look really pretty if she took off some of the pounds of eyeliner she had on that supposedly made her look 'tuff.' Her skirt was shorter than most girls wore theirs. But she was just like Dallas; maybe that's why they were so attracted to each other. She was loud, outspoken, and defiant. She'd run in with the law almost as much as Dally had. Most of the gang had bets on how long it would take for them to either end up killing or beating the crap out of each other.

Roma had told Soda, on one of their endless phone conversations, that Liz was bad news. She was almost fired from the Dingo already, and had just started working there. She was no longer allowed to wear make-up to work either, because she couldn't use it in moderation.

The gang continued having their separate little conversations until they reached the racetrack. The found seats near the top of the bleachers and sat down. Somehow, Roma had ended up next to Liz. "Switch seats with me," Roma whispered to Soda.

"Why," he answered.

"Please!" she was practically begging.

"Okay."

They got up and switched seats so Liz and Roma were no longer side-by-side, but Soda and Liz were. Liz looked over, and winked at Soda starting to move closer to him.

"Uh, no. That's going too far," Roma got up again and switched seats with Soda. "Who do you think you are?"

Soda started to pull Roma away. He knew Liz was tougher and he wasn't going to let this get too far. Liz got a really mean look in her eyes, and opened her mouth to say something. Fortunately, Dally noticed, and grabbed her before she could do any damage. He switched seats with her, and whispered to Roma, "Hey doll, you don't want to tangle with her. Trust me."

Roma rolled her eyes, and put her head on Soda's shoulder.

Liz leaned over across the seat, and swore at Roma. Liz looked mad and was about to get up. In attempts to distract her, Dally turned around and started making out with her. By this time, Roma was pretty mad too, and following Dally's lead, he started making out with her. This worked perfectly, and both girls completely forgot until the race started.

They cheered and cheered and cheered the entire time. Each of the couples (Darry and Two-Bit and Aaron not grouped as couples) was cheering for a different horse, and every time their horse won, they would kiss. This was an old greaser tradition. Of course Dally and Liz never stopped making out long enough to realize what was going on, so they weren't included.

At the end of the day, Ash and Ponyboy ended up kissing the most times, meaning their horse won the most times.

"Winners buy everyone drinks!" Steve screamed while leaving the racetrack.

"I'm broke," Ponyboy replied. "How bout Two-Bit pays this time, since he never does."

"I got dough, but I'm not stupid enough to spend it on drinks," Two-Bit hollered back.

"Why? It's not like you need it. You shoplift everything you want," Dallas muttered.

"Alright, alright, I'll pay," Darry finally suggested. "Or better yet, since it's almost midnight, let's go home, and I'll buy drinks tomorrow."

"What! It's midnight?" Aaron exclaimed.

"Yup, 11.58 pm, kid," Darry answered.

"SHOOT, we've been at the track for hours!" Evie exclaimed. "My old man's gonna be pissed! Steve, take me home now."

"Alright, bye guys," Steve yelled walking away."

"Bye."

Shortly after, Dallas walked Liz home. The rest of the gang walked towards their street, followed by another hour of good night kisses.