Hey guys, here's another chapter for you. I don't own the Outsiders. I only own Dani. xForza Italia 06 Krissyx owns Serena. Cate Tiernan (author of the sweep series) owns Hunter Niall. I made up his personality myself though. Please R&R

Chapter 20

Dani's POV

I woke up one Monday morning in Tim's bed. I looked at the clock on the bedside table, and it said six o'clock. Time to get up. I turned in bed, and Tim was still asleep. I kissed his bare shoulder, climbed out of bed, and walked into the bathroom to start my daily routine.

I wasn't exactly living with Tim, just yet. I mostly just spent some nights and most afternoons after school at his house. I also had clothes and bathroom supplies here. I guess you could say we were pretty close to living together.

I walked out of the bathroom, showered, and went to the bedroom to get dressed. Tim was still sleeping. I opened the drawer, as quietly as possible, so as not to wake him. He wasn't really a morning person. I took out a pair of tight, form-fitting tan jeans and a brown long-sleeved shirt. I did my hair and makeup, and then went downstairs to cook breakfast.

I took out the bread, eggs, milk, and cinnamon. I was going to make French toast, one of the many foods I know how to make. I cracked the eggs in a bowl and mixed them with milk. Then I added lots of cinnamon. Tim doesn't like a lot of it, but I'm making breakfast so it's my choice. Then I dipped the bread in the mixture, put it on the pan, and waited for it to cook.

When they were done, I got two plates and put slices of French toast on each, and I poured on some syrup. Then I topped it off with whipped cream and some strawberries. I placed both plates on the table and sat down to eat mine.

A few minutes later, I felt Tim's mouth on my neck, and I smiled. "Mmm, French toast," he said and sat down at the table.

"Mhmm," I said, "My specialty."

He took a bite. "This is really good. You should be a chef."

I laughed. "I'll have to think about that one."

We finished our breakfast, and he went upstairs to finish getting ready, since he had to drive me to school. While I waited, I cleaned up and did the dishes. After that, Tim came down and was ready to go. I grabbed my books, and we went out to his car.

He pulled up to the school, and I said, "Oh joy, another long, boring day of school ahead of me. Thank god this is the last week before Christmas vacation."

"Yeah, and then you get to spend your days with me," he said.

"Oh great," I said, sarcastically and then grinned. "Only joking."

"I know. I won't be able to pick ya up after school. Got gang business to take care of."

"Okay. I'll just walk home. I'll meet you at your house later."

"Okay. Now go learn something," he said, giving me a kiss.

"Yeah, right. Learn something. You're really funny in the morning."

"Good bye Dani."

"Bye. Love you."

"Love you too." I gave him one last kiss and got out of the car. I had about five minutes until the bell rang, so I went to my locker to put my coat away and grab the needed books for morning classes.

Morning classes passed by slowly and I was grateful when the lunch bell rang. I walked to my locker to put my books away and to grab my jacket.

"Hey Elle." I turned away from my locker and saw Hunter coming towards me. He's a friend from school, and is also one of the chosen few who can call me anything besides Dani.

"Hey Hunter. What's up?"

"Nothin' really."

Let's see. How can I describe Hunter Niall? He has pale gold hair, fine, pale skin, with some freckles on his cheeks and nose. He's got wide, clear, green eyes. He's tall, strong, and absolutely gorgeous. If I weren't so madly in love with Tim, I'd definitely date him. He's in almost all of my classes, so we've become good friends, and he's a senior. He's quarterback of the varsity football team and captain of the basketball and baseball teams. He's also president of the senior class. He's a great guy. Oh yeah, and did I forget to mention that he's a Soc!

"What're you doin' after school today?" Hunter asked.

"Umm…goin' home, doin' homework, and then goin' Christmas shopping."

"You're not done with your Christmas shopping yet?"

"I actually haven't even started."

He grinned. "Christmas is less than two weeks away."

"I know, but I've been putting it off 'til the last minute. I don't really like shopping."

"I can help you if you want. We could do homework together and then hit the stores."

"That'd be great. Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I got nothin' better to do. I'll meet you back here after school."

"Okay, thanks Hunter. You're the best. See ya later," I said and walked out to the parking lot to meet the gang for lunch.

When lunch was over, I went to my locker to put my coat away and to grab my books for my afternoon classes. When I got to the math room, Serena was already there. I went and sat down next to her. "Hey Rini."

"Hey Dani. What're you doin' after school today?" she whispered since class had already begun.

"Goin' to your house, doin' homework, and goin' Christmas shopping with Hunter."

"Hunter Niall?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't know you were friends with him."

"Yeah, I am. He's in like all my classes, and we've become pretty good friends."

"That's tuff. Just don't let Dal and Tim find out you're friends with Mr. SuperSoc.

"Why? He ain't like all those other dumbass Socs. Even Greasers like Hunter."

"Yeah I know. But Tim and Dal are thick headed. They see things in black and white. Greasers good, Socs bad."

"Yeah, you're right, but they'll just have to deal with it. Me and him are friends, and that ain't gonna change because my idiot brother and jealous boyfriend." I paused. "Okay, so maybe that ain't true, but me and Hunter are stayin' friends. He's the first Soc who hasn't insulted me."

"Yeah, that's always a good thing."

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, so I got up and went to history. It was even more boring than usual, if that's even possible. So I did what I always do—draw.

When the final bell rang, I went to my locker and found Hunter waiting by it. "Hey," I said.

"Hey Elle. You ready to go?" he said.

"I just gotta grab my books and coat." He moved aside so I could get into my locker. I grabbed my coat and put it on, and then I grabbed my books. I closed my locker and said, "All set."

"Okay, let's go."

We walked out to the parking lot and climbed into his cherry red mustang. "Maybe we should go to your house instead. I don't think other greasers would be to happy seein' this car on our territory, even if it is you," I said.

"Okay. My house it is." He pulled out of the parking lot and drove to the Soc side of town. He drove up a long driveway to a huge house that looked like one of those castles in France that I saw in my history book. See, sometimes I do pay attention. His parents were definitely big time Socs. I wonder how they'll feel having a Greaser in their house.

We climbed out of his car and walked inside. It was just as amazing as the outside. "Will your parents mind that I'm here, ya know, me being a Greaser and all?"

"Nah, and even if they did, they ain't here." I looked at him. "My dad's at work and my mom's probably shopping."

I mouthed an 'oh' and followed him into the living room. I sat down on the couch, and he said, "Do you want something to drink?"

"Sure. What do you got?"

"Milk, water, iced tea, juice,"

"Iced tea sounds good." He left the room to go get the drinks. He came back five minutes later. He handed me my glass and sat down. "Thanks. Now let's get started." We did all our homework, helping each other along the way.

When we were done, I gathered my books, and we went out to his car. Hunter started the car and headed in the direction of the stores. "So you goin' to Angela Shepard's Christmas party?" he asked.

"Yeah, are you?"

"Yeah." Of course he is. Angel has a crush on him. "I was wondering if you wanted to be my date."

"Oh Hunter, I'm sorry. I already have one."

"It's okay. No problem. Who's your date?"

"My boyfriend."

"You have a boyfriend? Do I know him?"

"Yeah, probably. Tim Shepard."

"Yeah, I know him. Anyways what store do you wanna hit first?"

"Doesn't matter as long as it ain't expensive." He found a parking space, and we walked into the store. We walked around for two hours, getting all the gifts I needed for the gang. Now it's time to get Tim's gift. "I'll meet you in the car. I have one more gift to get."

"Okay. Don't take too long," he said, grinning. He took some of my bags and went out to his car. I headed to one section of the store to get something special for Tim's present. He was going to love it. I paid for it and headed to the parking lot.

I walked to the car and got in. "Okay, I'm done."

"All your Christmas shopping done in a day. Wow."

I laughed. "Yeah, I'm just amazing like that."

He grinned. "So where am I talking you now?"

"Umm…the Shepard's."

"Okay." He pulled out of the parking lot and drove to the east side of town. He pulled up in front of Tim's house and parked the car. "Do you need help with all this?"

"Yeah actually. That'd be great." He killed the engine. We got out of the car, and he grabbed some of my bags. I grabbed my school books and the rest of my bags and walked into the house. Hunter followed. "You can put them on the table."

I looked around, and the house was empty. I looked at the clock. It was almost eight o'clock. Tim should've been home by now, unless he's got a lot of 'gang business' to take care of. Oh well. It'll give me time to wrap the presents. "Well thanks for all your help. It would've been a boring afternoon if I had to do it all by myself."

"It's no problem. I was happy to help. I'll see ya at school."

"Okay, bye Hunter."

"Bye Elle," he said and walked out of the house. I heard him pull away.

Shortly after, I heard another car pull up. Must be Tim"Dani? You here?" Yup, it's Tim

"Kitchen," I yelled.

He quickly walked in. "Are you okay? I saw some Soc pulling away from the house," he said.

"I'm fine. That Soc is a friend from school."

"You're friends with a Soc?" he asked with some anger in his voice.

"Yeah, his name's Hunter. He ain't like the other Socs."

"He's still a Soc, Dani."

"Yeah, but he's a great guy. He's nice to me and doesn't insult me. He defends me."

"I defend you!"

"Not all the time! You can't when I'm at school! So he does!"

He was silent for a minute. Then he said in a quieter voice, "What was he doin' here?"

"We went Christmas shopping, so he helped me bring in the gifts."

He nodded. "So what'd ya buy me?" he said, his tone and volume returning to normal.

"You're gonna have to wait 'til Christmas to find out."

"Aww, c'mon Dani. Can't you just give me a hint?" he said, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Nope, it's a surprise." He started kissing my neck. "I'm not telling you, so you can stop trying."

"Fine," he said and let go of me. "I'll be watchin' TV."

"Okay, and I'll be upstairs wrapping presents and then I'm goin' to bed. Good night."

"Good night. I love you."

"I love you too." I gave him a kiss and went upstairs.