Chapter 18

Halley's POV

The next morning, Soda came with me to the store to get a pregnancy test. We brought it back to my house. I went directly into the bathroom.

I came out sometime later and Soda was sitting on the couch. "I'm pregnant," I said quietly. Soda came over and hugged me. "So it's a definite thing then?" I nodded. "Oh Halley. It'll be alright."

"How am I gonna tell Dallas?" I said, resting my head on Soda's shoulder.

"I don't know. But you have to tell him….soon."

"I will. Once I get over the fact that he cheated on me. Soda, is this how you felt when I cheated on you?"

"Yeah, I felt pretty horrible, but I did eventually forgive you and Dallas."

"Yeah, I know. But I also wasn't pregnant when I cheated on you."

"Yeah, so I guess this kinda makes things difficult."

"Just a little. But I will tell him. Next time I see him."

"Promise?"

"Promise. And you gotta promise not to tell anyone. You and Emily are the only one's who know."

"Well I think they're gonna figure it out once you start to show," he said jokingly and gave me his movie star grin.

"Come on Sodapop. I'm trying to be serious," I said, but I couldn't help but smile.

"I promise. Now let's go find the rest of the gang."

We left my house and checked all the usual hang out places. Well, all of them except Buck's. I didn't want to go back there after last night.

We ended up finding Emily, Two-Bit, and Steve at the Dingo, sitting at a booth in the back.

"Hey Halley gally. What were you doin' with my friend Soda over here?" Two-Bit said as we walked over to the booth.

"Just talkin'. And what have you been doin' with my best friend Emily?"

"Stuff."

"Oh yeah. And I bet I know what kind of stuff too," I said smiling, "since Emily does tell me everything."

"Sure."

"Fine, don't believe me. Emily, can I talk to you for a sec. Alone."

"Yeah," she said, climbing over Two-Bit to get out of the booth. We went outside to talk.

"Emily, I'm pregnant."

"You know for sure?"

"Yeah, I took the test this morning and it was positive."

"Oh," she paused, "Have you told Dally yet?"

"No, I don't really want to see him after what happened last night. So I promised Soda I'd tell him next time I see him, which hopefully won't be for awhile and by then he'll figure it out just by looking at me."

"Wait a minute. Let's go back a few steps. What happened last night?"

"I didn't tell you?" She shook her head. "Well after I danced with Soda, I went to look for Dallas and found him in his room with that Soc, Cherry Valance."

"Oh my god! He cheated on you!" I nodded. "I can't believe it! That fucking idiot!"

"Calm down Emily. I'm upset enough as it is."

Oh, right. Sorry."

"It's okay. But I still gotta figure out how to tell Dallas. I mean, it is his."

"Yeah, I guess you should." We stood there in silence for a moment.

"Let's go back inside with the guys," I said, "And please don't tell anyone."

"I won't. I promise," Emily said and we walked back to the booth and sat down. Emily sat next to Two-Bit, and I sat on the other side, between Steve and Soda.

About fifteen minutes later, Dallas walked in with some guys. I saw this and tried to hide behind Soda but it was too late. He saw us and walked over to our table.

"Hey Dallas. What're you doin' here?" Two-Bit asked.

"Just hangin' with some people," he replied and looked at me.

"Halley, tell him," Soda whispered in my ear.

"I'm sorry Soda. I can't." I climbed over Soda and hastily walked outside.

"Halley," a voice that I recognized as Dallas's, called from behind me. "Halley wait!"

"No, I don't want to talk to you."

"You don't have to talk, just listen. Halley, I'm so sorry. It's just that I met Cherry and I kinda lost control and—."

"Yeah I see that. The guys were right about you! They told me to be careful with you because you'd just disappoint me and guess what! You did!" I was yelling by now, and I could see that he was getting angry.

"Well you cheated on Soda. It's not like it's any different then what you and me did," he yelled back.

"Yes it is!"

"Yeah, how?"

"I'm pregnant, Dallas! That's how it's different!"

"You're what?" he said, somewhat shocked by the words that had just come out of my mouth.

"I'm pregnant," I repeated in a quieter tone.

"How could—How did this happen?"

"Well, that's a pretty stupid question Dallas," I said, still upset with him.

"I know how it happened!" he snapped back at me. He was pacing and running his hands through his hair.

By now the gang had come outside and had heard my news. Two-Bit and Steve looked just as shocked as Dallas did.

Dallas looked at me one more time and then walked away, without saying another word to me.

"Come on Halley." Soda and Emily were trying to get me back to my house. I'm pretty sure they could see that I was on the verge of tears.

They finally got me home and sat with me on the couch while I cried on Soda's shoulder and Emily patted my back.

Dally's POV

After that argument with Halley, I had to get away. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. How could she be pregnant? We only had sex once!

When I left the Dingo, I didn't really know where I was heading. I eventually ended up at Tim's house. I could talk to him about this situation.

I knocked on the door. "Hey Shepard, it's me Dallas."

The door opened. "Hey Dal. What're you doin' here? I thought you were gonna straighten things out with your girl."

"Yeah, I tried but we got into an argument instead," I told him," Can I come in? I need some advice."

"Yeah, sure," he said, stepping aside so I could walk in. I went and sat on the couch. Tim sat in a chair across from me.

"So Dal, what's wrong?"

"Halley's pregnant."

"She's what?"

"She's pregnant."

"Oh, well, what're ya gonna do about it?"

"I don't know. That's kinda why I came here. I need your advice."

"Well, I haven't really been in your situation, Dal. But you should probably try and make things right between the two of you and help her out before and after the baby comes. Then, it's up to her to decide if she wants you back."

"Yeah, so that means I should probably get a job, huh?"

"Yup, since you're gonna need money now."

"Okay, but she won't even look at me now. How am I supposed to get her to work things out with me?"

"I don't know, man. You'll figure something out."

"I guess." I sat there on his couch for a long time thinking about the situation and how I was supposed to make things right. Soda would know what to do, he's the romantic one, but he won't help me because he's on Halley's side. Darry's not really romantic so he wouldn't be able to help me. Ponyboy wouldn't know what to do because he's not really into the whole romance thing yet. Soda was my only hope.