Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own it.

Well, it's official. I'm absolutely in love with all of you. I mean it. Thank you so much for the reviews!!!

Sorry this is short... the next one's long I promise.

I was still keyed up when we headed home a few minutes later and I was dancing circles around Soda, Steve, and Johnny as they walked.

"Glory girl, you're givin' me a headache. Cut it out" Steve griped.

"Can't, Stevie, I'm all shook up" I quoted Elvis leavin' out the part about being in love. "Man I'm starved" I stopped dancing long enough to be aware of how close to dinner it was. Then I reached for the cigarette from Johnny's hand and took a drag. I don't smoke too often, it's just something to do sometimes. I get bored real easy, just like Two-Bit. Next I returned the cigarette and resumed dancing.

"You goin' home, Amie?" Soda inquired fixin' to walk by my place first if I was. None of the boys like me walking alone when it can be helped. Too much can happen.

"Yep. Gotta see my mom before she heads to work" I nodded and Soda lead our group toward Two-Bit and my house. "See y'all later" I called from my front porch.

"Come over to my place tonight" Soda yelled over his shoulder.

"Only if you're lucky" I returned then entered my kitchen.

There were dishes that needed to be done and come to mention it, the floors and counters could have used a good scrubbing. Our house has been like that ever since I can remember, or in other words since my sorry old man took off and mom had to get a night job. I clean up a little every once in awhile, but it just seems to dirty up again right away, and I'll die the day I see Two-Bit lift a finger to pitch in and clean. So, it just stays dirty, but at the same time, it's real happy.

"Hi, Momma" I greeted.

"Hey, darlin'" she smiled from the stove where she was cooking spaghetti. "How was your day?"

"Oh you know, hung out at the DX, the usual."

"Sounds fine. Was Johnny there?"

"For a little" I grinned in spite of myself. I said earlier I couldn't take too many people knowing about my thing for Johnny, but my mom's always known. She always manages to know everything. Sometimes because I tell her, and sometimes because she just does. The same way all moms know more than they should. "How was work last night?"

"Oh you know, served drinks, the usual."

"Sounds fine."

"Where's your brother?"

"Who knows. He told me today I don't have to answer to him when I asked if I could go to the DX, an' he sure doesn't answer to me. You know Two-Bit. I'll bet he's raisin' Hell somewhere."

"I swear, that boy's going to drive me insane" she shook her head but her eyes glowed. I told ya, it's impossible to angry with him and it really is. "You tell Two-Bit I want to see tomorrow night when you see him."

Guessin' why even my mom calls my brother Two-Bit? My dad's name is Keith and the minute he left us broke and scared, Two-Bit went from a nickname the guys called him sometimes to his new name. Simple as that. Two-Bit wouldn't stand for being called a name that reminded us of that guy.

She finished the pasta and piled heaping portions onto the plates I retrieved for us topping it off with her homemade sauce that I love. It's times like these that I catch glimpses of what our life could be like and I try real hard not to long for it. My mom's a great cook and given the time she could be a real good homemaker. She just doesn't have the time with work. I don't dare say this out loud. Ever. It'd tear her up. She wishes she could be around for us at normal hours but she just can't and that's life. I learned not to be selfish a long time ago.

"This is tuff, Momma"

"Well thanks."

"Can I go over to the Curtis' tonight?"

"Of course, darlin'" she smiled. She wouldn't be around to stop me anyway, but I always like to ask. It makes her feel more involved in my life. She kissed me on the cheek and went to go get ready for work next. I ventured out into the night at brisk pace spookin' myself with every shadow and car, hating myself for being scared.