Everyone was coming over for New Year's Eve around eight. It would give everyone time to spend time with their families before their friends. We were all gonna watch the ball drop in Times Square in New York City on the television. It kinda became a tradition for me to watch it with the guys, but this year, like I've said before- and I don't care if I sound repetitive- it would be different.

Before the "party" started, Mrs. Mathews had asked me to stop by their house. I obviously said yes, and for a couple reasons. One: she was my boyfriend's mom- there's a good reason right there. Two: she was one of the nicest people I had ever met. Three: I had nothing prohibiting me form seeing her. Four: I really did enjoy my visits with her.

This time of year, you could walk around town and not really have to be too nervous. I've noticed over the years, that most Soc families went outta town to warmer places for vacation, so I would always take the opportunity to walk alone. I mean, we all lived pretty deep in the East side, deep enough that no Soc- no matter how desperate to beat on a Greaser- would come this far in. I won't lie, it felt good to walk alone without having to worry about some tuff-looking, expensive car driving up behind you. I'd never successfully had that feeling a day in my life, and I don't think it would happen too many other times either, so I savored the time I was in right now.

I reached the house and knocked on the door. I guess I knocked quicker and louder than I intended, considering Mrs. Mathews rushed to the door. "Raina, come in here before you freeze to death," Mrs. Mathews said, pulling me into the house and closing the door.

I took off my jacket, hung it on the coat rack, and rubbed my hands together a bit to warm them, "You wanted to see me?" She smiled, "More Keilah than me." I chuckled as she led to me to Keilah's room. She was sitting on her bed, reading a book. Mrs. Mathews knocked on the doorway and Keilah looked up and smiled. She waved me over and Mrs. Mathews left the room. "Whatcha readin' there?" I asked and sat on the edge of the bed.

Keilah held up the book that on the cover said Pride and Prejudice. "It's for school," she said and rolled her eyes.

"Can I see it?" She nodded and handed it to me. I flipped through the pages a bit. "I had to read this for school when I was your age."

"Did you like it?"

Honestly, I didn't read the book. When it was assigned, I didn't wanna read it so I didn't. I knew it was a major part of my final grade that year, but I was being rebellious or something that year, I don't know, but I didn't do it. It's the major reason that I was held back that year in school. "It's not a book I particularly liked, but I don't even remember anything that happened now," I shrugged. I was not going to be a bad example for her, even if it meant telling a lie in this case.

She chuckled and I handed her the book back. "My teacher assigned it before break and she wants it done by the time school starts again," she huffed. She shrugged and set the book down to the side. "Can I ask you something, Raina?"

I held my hand up. "Just call me Rain," I smiled, "And sure, what's your question?"

"Rain… do you love my brother?"

I gave a teasing look. "Did him and your mom tell you to ask me that?"

She laughed and shook her head. "No, just me."

I looked out the window and shrugged a bit. "I don't know… maybe."

"Then why are you two dating?"

"Ohhh… I understand now… ok, people date each other cause they like each other, but like each other more than friends."

"Well if liking someone is why people date, then why do some people say love?"

"Well, this is how I see it… when two people love each other, that means they wanna spend the rest of their lives together. That they don't wanna date anyone else ever and those two people wanna stay together. That's why most people get married… but unfortunately, some people don't understand the full concept of that and it can hurt lots of people," I explained and she nodded in understanding.

I sat talking with Keilah till it was 7:30. We talked about what we liked- which included a half hour conversation about Elvis Presley. She showed me the records she had of his, a few pictures she had gotten from magazines and newspapers that her mother let her have. She even planned on trying to write him a letter and asking him for an autographed picture.

I liked Keilah. The first time I came over, we didn't really get a chance to talk. The other couple times I had been over in the last few months, I was either with Two-Bit or their mom. But now that I had actually gotten the chance to talk to her and get to know her, I really liked her and she kinda felt like a little sister in a way.

When I walked out of Keilah's room, Two-Bit was putting on his jacket. He looked a bit shocked when I appeared in the room. "Hey, I didn't know you were here," he smiled and walked over to me, "I was just about to head over to the house for New Year's." I smiled back, "Then we'll walk together."

"So why were you over? My mom ain't home and I wasn't around when you got there," he said. We walked out the house and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

I wrapped my arms around his torso, "Keilah wanted to talk to me."

He gave a confused look. "Keilah?"

"You know, your sister," I teased.

He rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I know who Keilah is… but why'd she wanna talk to you?"

I shrugged. "She felt like it, I guess."

"What'd you two talk about?"

"Girl stuff…"

He rolled his eyes and we got to the house. When we went inside, the only people there were Marilyn and Darry. "Pony went to get Suzie, Soda went to get Candy and Steve and Evie are on their way," Darry said before we could ask where everyone was. "Ok then," I said and nodded.

…..11:45pm, 15 minutes until January 1, 1967…

Everyone else got there around ten after eight. The night was filled with us just talking, playing games and watching tv. Now we got ready to ring in the New Year. "This year has been crazy," Sodapop said. We all knew some of the things that he was referring to.

Darry nodded, "Tell me about it."

"But there have been good things along with the crazy," I said, "Hasn't there?" My voice was hopeful and I looked around the room. I heard a few 'yeah's' go around the room. "I think we should name a few, good way to end the year."

"I'll go first," Marilyn said, we all nodded and she sat up, "Well, I met back with Darry and in the process, I got a group of great new friends."

Darry sat up a bit, "I got Marilyn, and I got closer with my brothers."

"I got new friends, and became somewhat of a better person," Evie laughed, "And I already had Steve, so."

Steve mocked fake hurt, "Well, don't I feel special." She laughed and quickly pulled his face to hers and kissed him. She pulled back and smiled. "Now I feel better," he smiled at her.

We all continued going through everything, which took nearly ten minutes. That meant only five minutes till 1966 was over. I'm not even sure though if I was happy or not that the year was ending. I mean, Darry and Sodapop were right. 1966 was crazy for all of us, more so than others of course, but still crazy. A lot of us had been through a lot. Been through some sort of heartbreak, or pain of some sort.

But like I said, there were good things that had happened that made all the crazy a little more bearable.

"The ball's about to drop! They're starting the countdown!" Suzie called. We each all grabbed a noise maker off the table. I went back to the living room and watched the screen as the crowd in Times Square got ready to see the glass ball fall to the ground. Two-Bit grabbed my hand and headed to the door. "Two-Bit, what're you-"

"Just c'mon," he smiled and dragged me out the door to the porch.

"It's so cold out though. And the New Year's Eve ball is about to fall," I said and crossed my arms tight to keep warm." He nodded, "I know, I know... just be patient." I heard everyone inside start the countdown.

"10... 9... 8..."

"Can we please-" I started. "Wait, wait , wait," he said and looked inside the house through the window.

"7... 6... 5... 4... 3..."

"C'mon, can't we-"

"2...1!"

Two-Bit cupped my chin and his lips pressed against mine. I finally realized what he was doing. I kissed back and wrapped my arms around his neck and my hands on the back of his neck. He pulled back and smiled at me, "I love you, Raina Johnson."

I knew I was smiling, big at that. I pulled his head down and kissed him again. I finally knew the answer to both Mrs. Mathews' and Keilah's questions if I loved him or not.

I pulled back and tried to bite back my huge smile, "I love you too, Keith Mathews."

That was cute, admit it, you know it was cute how I did that for New Year's :) I at least hope you thought it was cute, I mean, that's what I was going for so yeah… people on watt pad liked it so yeah, maybe watt pad people and fanfiction. Net aren't so different, considering I'm one of those people who can't have just one and I have both so yeah… that was weird- anyway, hope you liked the chapter! =^-^=