Chapter 11:

10:35 A.M. The last week of August.

Cherry's P.O.V.:

"Sherri, time to get up for work."

My eyes sprung open. And I layed there in bed moaning not wanting to get up. Before she called again, annoying me once more I yelled, "I am coming, mom."

I wiped my eyes and got up. Suddenly, everything started tilting and I started to feel dizzy. I held the bedpost as the room spun, fighting the wave of nausea that suddenly hit. I closed my eyes, forcing it away. It passed, I stood and headed down to eat.

"You okay honey? You look a little sick."

"I'm fine mom. Probably some cold going around. I was hanging out with some friends anyways."

"Okay, well here's your breakfast and after you are done eating, take a shower."

"Yeah, okay." I got the plate of stacked up pancakes. Ugh I did not feel like eating this morning. I almost felt like I was going to puke again any mintute.

After I was done eating dinner, I quickly took a shower and my mom told me to do some chores so I decided to do so instead of fighting with her. I got dressed and got my way out of the house.

Before opening the door, my mom gave me the list of things and told me to be safe.

"Bye. I will see you soon." I headed out of the door.

"Bye, honey! Be safe!" My mom yelled.

I got out and I was on my way to the convience store. It was a hot August day. The sun shining bright. I hated mornings like this. I hated when the sun went into your eyes. I had to squint them.

I was already into town. My house isn't that far from it.

"Hey cutie! You need a ride?"

I looked at the guys. There were five of them in there.

The first thing I did was ignore them. But then they kept on calling me. I griped my bad ignoring them once again until they drove up to the same speed as me. They kept on telling and asking me to get in the car. I kept on refusing.

This was getting annoying. I shouted, "I said I don't need a ride!"

I ran but I couldn't run so good because I had on flatts. But as long as I could get out of their sight, I am good.

I looked around for some stores to go into. The grocerie store was right there. I ran into the shop and they passed me.

I looked back and I sighed. I didn't want to get snatched away. It was scary. My heart was racing for a second, but then my heart was at a normal pace.

I looked once more. No sign. So I grabbed a cart and began going to the dairy products. I got some eggs. Checked to see if none of them were cracked. He always liked my eggs. I was happy. But he was always telling me to make him some chocolate cake. I wasn't good a baking things but I can try. His birthday was is in two months. Ocotober 8th so I will just get a box and I will make it for him on his birthday.

I pushed my cart and started going into the beverage section. I heard some voices. They were the same as the ones from the car.

I looked back and said, "Hey cutie, I don't know if you ignored us on purpose or by accident but thats very rude to-"

I interrupted them and said, "Leave me alone!" One of them grabbed my wrist and said, "You don't talk to us that way!"

They were yanking me the whole time. I was trying to get loose. I tried until I realized that I couldnt match these five guys.

Someone stood behind us and said, "You leave her alone!"

We all turned around the man that was holding me made me turn too. It was Pony!

"Pony! Help!" I tried prying loose but they grabbed me tighter and tighter each time!

"We don't listen to trash, Greaser! Now go away and find someone else to start a fight with!"

Several other guys that I did not know of were behind Pony. I guess those were his friends? I don't know but I wanted to get out of here.

Pony's P.O.V.:

What were they doing here? No one hurts my girl! I gotta save her! I don't want anything happening to her!

So I took the guy by surprise and slammed my fist into his jaw. He stumbled away from Cherry. I kicked one of them in their groin and he stumbled over. I grabbed the other one's shoulders and shoved my knee into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. I grabbed Cherry before any of them could react and held her close for a moment, but before anyone said anything, I grabbed Cherry's wrist and ran to out of the store before they would gang up on her again.

Cherry's P.O.V.:

We finally got out, in a hurry, but we made it.

"Cherry! Is that you?" He asked huffing.

"Yeah it is. Pony... I am so sorry. I was just so sick and I couldnt have no other way to contact-"

I dropped my groceries when he kissed me. It was nice to see him again.

"Pony I missed you. I am sorry."

"It's fine. As long as I got to see you again." He looked at his watched then backed up and stood there for a second, "I am sorry but I have to go. Darry wants me to be home now. But I can give you a ride home."

I was picking up my grocerie bag. Thank god none of the supplies came out. "I can walk home. I am fine. Thanks."

I kissed him goodbye and he got in his car and drove off.

And by then, I started my long walk home.

I arrived at the DX. I was sure Soda was there. I had to talk to him.

I opened the door, and I saw some man.

I got up to the counter and asked for Soda.

The man told me to wait a minute and that he was fixing a car.

A minute has passed and the man at the counter told him that some girl named Sherri was wanting to see him.

He arrived sweaty and had dirty fingers once again. "Hey, sweetie!" He smiled.

"Oh, Soda. I am so glad to see you." I hugged him. I really was. Those guys scared me so much, I thought that was the last time I would ever see Soda again.

"What's the matter?" He asked cocking an eyebrow.

I told him what went on at the grocerie store.

"What? Tell me, did they hurt you?"

"No. I am fine. Really, I am. Pony helped me."

"Well thats good. You could have called me here to go with you."

"But then he would have saw you with me and how could your boss let you go?."

"That doesn't matter. I could always work it out with them. I don't want to lose you." He said pulling me into a hug. "I am just glad you are okay."

"Same here." We withdrew from our quick hug and said picking up the bag, "I only got a few things but I know you really wanted this." I took out the box of chocolate cake.

His eyes glowed. I knew it. He loved that stuff. "Wow honey, thanks." He pulled me into another kiss.

"I was thinking about you. So I got that." I said smiling.

"Well thanks honey." He put the box back into the bag. I figured that I could give it to him later.

"When I am done with work, you can come by and give me the box and I will bring it home with me. Just come by here, okay?" He asked.

"Sure no problem." I kissed him and told him goodbye.

"Bye!" After that, he went back to work.

Soda's P.O.V.:

Whew! I was finished for the day and it was dark out.

"Hey, can I get a ride again? My car isn't fixed yet." Steve said.

"Yeah, sure." I said smiling. I guess me and him have stopped fighting.

"Sherri has to see me real fast, just hold on." I said.

Steve rolled his eyes and sat down on the chairs to wait.

Five minutes have passed and Cherry came by in her sting ray.

"Hey, Soda. Here's the box of cake. I will see you tomorrow, right?"

"Thanks, sweetie and yeah tomorrow sounds good. Come by around one, okay?Thats my break."

"Okay then." She smiled and kissed me. After that, she drove off.

Steve sitting out in the parking lot asked, "Okay, so can we go now?"

"Yeah." I got to the car and we both got in and started driving home.

I parked my car in the drive way. Making crunching sound from the gravel. They all knew I was home by now. I got up the porch and opened the door, "Hey Pony! Hey Darry."

"I need a word with you, Soda." Darry said motioning me to the kitchen.

Uh-oh. What was going on? I hated these talks with Darry. Especially the kitchen talk ones. I hope this has nothing to do with Cherry but then how would they find out anyhow?

"Where are you half of the time?" Darry asked. He was mad.

"I-Uh..." I tried to think of something to say but I couldn't lie to him .He'd kill me.

"C'mon, say it, Sodapop." He said with arms folded. His eyes narrowing at me.

"My friend is sick and I need to take care of her. You told me that you were fine with it!" I said.

"I was but I didn't know you would be going at your friends every once a day. I mean if she were your friend, you wouldnt be here trying to leave the house now would'ja? I mean damn it, Sodapop. Just tell us the truth. You have a girlfriend, right?"

I sighed. I had to tell them. "Yeah..."

"Simple. Thats all you had to tell me. Well I am glad you are here tonight because tomorrow Pony leaves for college and I want you to be here. But from now on, you need to lay off with your girlfriend some, okay?"

"Okay. Thats why I came, Dar." I said walking out of the kitchen. I went upstairs, tired as usual. I just wanted to sleep.

I went to my room and opened the door. Pony was laying on the bed reading a book.

He looked up and said, "Hey Soda!" He smiled.

"Hey, Pone." I said. Its weird seeing him now. I have a different emotion while I see him. I am kind of upset.

"Glad to see you. Excited about college?" I sat next to him on the bed.

"A little. I am just scared."

"Scared about what?" I had a sudden feeling itwas going to be about Cherry.

"I am just scared that me and Cherry will lose contact. She hasn't been contacting me for days. I am getting worried. The last time I spoke to her was today at the grocerie store." He felt really sad.

I put an arm around him and said, "Hey, I will tell her to write you, okay? I promise." I smiled.

"Really? Thanks, Soda." He smiled.

We were silent for awhile. I had to tell Cherry to write him. I don't want him getting upset. I promised him. But it sure would hurt me seeing the letters he writes back to her. To be honest, I was a little jealous. I had her with me, I could hug, kiss her or do anything to her (in a nice way.), but I just want to be the only one. Not him. I can't believe I am saying these things.

My thoughts were interrupted until Pony asked, "So when are you going to 'Nam?"

"Late november." I said.

"Are you scared?" He asked closing his book.

"Yeah. I am. I am scared of leaving you and my girlfriend. You guys mean a lot to me." I continued, "I can't stand to be without her. I can't face leaving her. She is sick and she can't make it alone." I said looking ashamed, "You know sometimes I think its my fault when it really isn't. I didn't choose to go to war. They forced me." I almost started to cry. I just wanted Cherry here with me.

He took a couple deep breaths and said putting an arm around me, "Everything will be okay. Lets go to bed, okay?"

"Yeah. Alright." I said smiling.

We changed and got into bed. Both of us slowly drifted to sleep.

-I hope you guys liked my chapter! :D Please keep on reading and reviewing. :D