It's been a while since I've updating so I'm sorry for the delay. Here's chapter 13. I really hope you like it!

Chapter 13

Okay, well I officially hate Bob. I knew I had to do something but what that something was, I wasn't sure yet. I sat in my room and tried to sleep but I couldn't, so I started planning. This is what I came up with:

I was going to go to school tomorrow, and in first period, I was going to tell Sodapop everything that was going on. I was sure he'd understand. He needed to know and I'm sure he'll agree that this is the best thing to happen.

I just hopped my plan would work. After I assured myself that my plan would work, I finally got some sleep.

The next morning I woke up and I felt sick to my stomach. I slowly got changed not wanting to upset my stomach even more and then cautiously went down the stairs. I decided it would be smarter if I didn't eat breakfast so I just sipped a glass of water to try to smooth my gut. I impatiently waited for Bob to come. And when I finally heard a knock at the door, I said quick goodbyes and then bolted to the door. I practically ran to the side of the car, not wanting to talk to Bob. I hoped he got his face smacked into a big steel thing. Although it probably wouldn't do much damage. A face that ugly couldn't get any uglier.

We picked up Randy as usual but this time we took longer to get to school. I think Bob knew I was anxious so he wanted to torment me. I looked at his speed and it was the slowest I've ever seen him go. When I looked over at him to bug him, I noticed he was looking at me.

"What?" I demanded.

"Annoyed?" He smirked.

"Ugh, you are such an ass."

"Hey, watch it, or I'll—" Bob was cut off by me.

"Or you'll what? Go tell my mom that I said ass? Ooh, I'm shivering with fear." I was not in the mood for his antics.

"Hey, if you don't watch your mouth your little friends are gonna get themselves into a lot of trouble." Bob threatened.

I shut my mouth after that. He played dirty and he knew he was winning. Well let's just see who wins when I tell the guys what's going on and then they kick your face in.

I went to my locker quickly because since Mr. I-want-to-piss-off-Laurie decided to go so slow, we only had like five minutes before the first bell rang. I was just closing my locker when the warning bell rang. I hurried up to my class and sat in my chair. I was waiting anxiously for Sodapop to come in. The only problem, he never did.

I swear, I could have cried. Was he so mad at me that he couldn't come to school because he couldn't stand to see the sight of my face? What was I going to do if he didn't come to school? How was I going to explain to him what's going on if he didn't even come to school? Come down, I thought. He'll probably come for the second half of the day. Just relax.

The rest of the day I kept looking around and over my shoulder to see if he was there at all. At lunch I didn't see him with his group of friends. I told Karen about everything and she told me I had to figure out a way to talk to him somehow.

I wanted him to be in class in last period. I begged in my head. But as last period came around, no Sodapop at all. That was when I decided it was time to make a deal with myself.

If Sodapop is not at school tomorrow, I will personally go over to his house and talk to him myself. He deserves to know the truth. Let's just hope he doesn't hate me for it, that is, assuming he doesn't already hate me.

Bob drove me home and thankfully he didn't come in this time. I went to my room immediately and did my homework. I only came down for dinner and then I went back to my room and tried to prepare myself for another day.

* * *

This is it. This is the day Soda finds out about the truth. Whether I had to force it upon him or not. Today at least I didn't have the nauseous feeling.

I took a shower and got dressed and finished my normal routine. Today I decided I should have breakfast, but I didn't want to eat too much just incase the nausea came back. So I just grabbed a banana. I washed it down with some orange juice just in time for Bob to come knocking at the door.

I was so prepared for today. I knew exactly what I was going to say. And if he wasn't here (which I hoped he would be) I knew exactly what I was going to do. I was in the caf with Karen and I told her my plan. She thought it was a good idea and she said she'd make sure that I would follow through just incase Soda didn't show up. In other words, if Soda wasn't at school, she was coming with me.

The bell rang and I made my way up slowly. I was scared to see if he was going to be in class. Something was telling me he wasn't going to be there. Sure enough when I walked in, he wasn't there. Give him time. He's been late before. Of course he wasn't late, unless you consider not going to class late. It hit me then, that this meant I would have to go to the Curtis' house tonight. Along with Karen. That will be one awkward conversation.

Lunch came around and I told Karen she had better cancel all plans for tonight because she had to come with me. Then I found Bob and I told him I didn't need a ride home because I was going to friend's house to work on a project. He looked skeptical but he left my excuse alone.

I was hoping Soda would be there in fifth period, but like his other classes, he didn't' come. Maybe he's sick…I thought. But then I thought it was too much of a coincidence.

I was on my way to Karen's car when I ran into Two-Bit.

"Hey Laurie." Two-Bit said coming towards me.

"Two-Bit, I can't talk to you here." I tried to explain. He looked at me confused. "Look, just go home with Ponyboy; I'm going to his house right now. I'll explain everything there." I told him that and walked away.

Karen was already at her car when I got there. I told her what happened. She told me that I needed to get this mess sorted out now.

I gave her directions to their house and when we reached there, she cut the engine. "I'll stay here." Karen told me.

"You sure you don't wanna come in?" I offered.

"Laurie, you need to do this on your own." She said.

"Fine." I muttered and got out of the car.

Before I walked through the gate, I took a deep breath and then began. I marched up the front door and knocked. And doesn't Sodapop open the door.

"Laurie," He said dully. Yeah, he hates me. I thought.

"Hi, Soda," I said. He just looked at me as if he was waiting to know the purpose of my being there on his front porch. "I need to talk to you."

"Right, now you wanna talk to me." He sounded angry.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"Two days ago you were ignorin' me like I wasn't there, and now you wanna talk?"

"Soda, it's not like I didn't want to talk to you. Would you just let me explain?"

"Fine." Soda came out onto the porch.

I took a deep breath. "Okay, you know the whole Soc vs. Greaser thing?" I began.

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm kinda in the middle of that." I told Soda as he just stared blankly at me. "I know, it's confusing. My cousin happens to be Bob Sheldon, I don't know if you know him or not but–" I was cut off.

"Let me guess he doesn't want you talking to me and you listened to him." Soda suggested.

"Kinda, but—"

"I thought you said you were different. You said no matter what you wouldn't stop talking to me. Especially because of what I am." Soda sounded hurt now.

"Would you let me speak?" I demanded. He looked taken back because of my sudden outburst. "I know I said that. But if you honestly think that just because he said I can't talk to you, I would listen, then you don't know me at all. You said it yourself, I'm different. You wanna know the real reason I didn't talk to you?" He said nothing. "Because he told me that if I talked to you, you would get hurt. Do you think I wanted that?" My eyes were tearing up. "So I'm sorry if I offended you, but I just couldn't let you get hurt." I apologized sincerely. I took a moment to breathe as he just looked at me. "Kay, I need you to tell the guys what happened because I don't think I can say it again." He nodded. "I think I'll go now." I began walking away.

"Laurie wait." Soda said.

"What?" I turned back around to him.

He came down to my level and looked into my tear-filled eyes. One tear snuck past and trickled down my cheek. He gently brushed it away with his thumb. "You don't need to worry 'bout me gettin' hurt." He told me. I was about to say something but he kept talking. "I feel stupid now. I shoulda known that you wouldn't do somethin' like that."

This time I made sure I was able to say what I wanted. "Soda, don't blame yourself. I should've told you. I'm sorry." I faced my head towards the ground. More tears were going to come out, I could feel it.

Just as I was about to walk away, Soda put his hand under my chin and gently lifted my head so that my eyes met his. "I forgive you if you forgive me." Soda suggested and I nodded. His face slowly came closer to mine and when we were close enough, he kissed me softly.

When he lifted he lips off mine he smiled a very cute smile that I couldn't help but smile back to.

The rest of the guys were coming down the street now and they as they approached they just kind of looked at us because Soda and I were just looking at each other. We then snapped out of our trance and so the guys felt it safe to come over and join us.

"So, are you gonna tell me what's goin' on?" Two-Bit asked.

"Uh, actually Soda's gonna do the honors 'cause I need to go." I explained.

"You're not stayin'?" Soda asked in confusion.

"Wish I could, but Karen's here and I kinda need to get home." I told them all. I said goodbye to the guys but pulled Soda along with me.

"What are we gonna do about the whole Bob thing?" I asked when we were out of earshot.

"We'll think of something." He told me.

"But Soda, I mean, what if he decides to have some gang fight thing? Then what are we gonna do?" I was panicking.

"Laurie, we know how to fight and as long as there's no weapons, it'll be fine." Soda was trying to calm me but it wasn't working.

"Weapons?!" I panicked even more.

"Relax." He smiled. "Nothin's gonna happen." He reassured me.

"Okay." I agreed reluctantly. He kissed me quickly and then I left to go back to the car.

When I sat down I had the hugest smile on my face.

"What?" Karen pressed for information.

"You are coming over and I am going to tell you everything." I told her.

I gave directions as she drove to my house. My lips felt tingly and I brought my hand to them as if I could still feel his lips on mine. He kissed me! I can't believe he KISSED me!

So that was my chapter 13. I really hope you liked it. I also hope it was a good length, because I think this was one of my longer chapters. Please Review! All reviews have been much appriciated (I think i spelt that wrong but don't hold it agaisnt me, it's 2:00 in the morning) =P =D