Chapter 6 The Date

" FIRE!" Is what I was awakened to the next morning. I shot out of bed and ran into the hallway just as Ponyboy came running out of his room with a waste bin that was currently up in flames. He threw it into the tub and turned on the water.

" Jesus Christ Ponyboy! How the hell did that start?" Darry shouted as he watched Pony trying to extinguish the flames.

" I was smokin' and the bud fell into the bin." Pony answered quietly. He knew Darry would lay into him for smoking in his was always on all the boys about going out onto the porch to smoke.

" How many times do I have to tell you! No smokin' in the house! You could've set the whole damn house on fire Ponyboy! When do you ever use that head of yours!" The vein on the right side of Darry's head was popping out and his race was beet red.

" Oh c'mon Darry. The house is fine leave him alone." Soda was once again sticking up for Pony.

" This time. Don't let me see you smokin in here again Ponyboy." Darry grumbled as he stalked off to the kitchen. " Come eat before it gets cold."

We sat in silence for a while. After the chaos this morning, we all knew Darry wouldn't be in a good mood. So we just gave him his space.

" So Two-bit tells me you were having fun last night." Darry broke the silence. I wasn't quite sure what to say.

" Yea, I had a good time."

" Oh really? Even with Jesse sucking your face off?" Soda nudged my arm.

" Shut up Sodapop." I scowled. I don't know why I was so embarrassed. But I was one step away from heading into my room.

" Awe look at her! She's beet red." Pony decided to join in the torture.

" Stop guys!" I said. " He asked me out for tonight. He wants to go to the nightly double." I starred down at my eggs. They were all starring at me in shock.

" I don't know about that Katie. Your a little young for dating." Darry said.

" Oh c'mon Darry! You and Soda were both twelve when you went on your first dates. Im FOURTEEN for crying out loud!" I argued.

" Well.." Darry knew I was right so he couldn't think of anything to say." Ok, fine. But you can only go with a chaperone."

" Darry..." I whined.

" No arguing. You go with a chaperone or you don't go at all." He said with his 'I mean business' voice.

" Ugh fine. But who has to come with us?"

" Soda, you think you could get that Sandy girl to go to the nightly double tonight?"

" We were going there anyway." Soda said.

" You better not embarrass me Soda." I warned him.

" Me? Embarrassing?" Soda asked incredulously. " Your talking about me Katie. Im the cool brother."

It was true. Soda was the ' coolest' out of all my brothers. But he was still my brother and I knew he would be watching me like a hawk, waiting for every opportunity to interrupt me date. Guess that's just how big brothers are huh?

I better go call him!" I said as I got up and went to get his number from my room. He had given it to me when we got our first assignment in Biology.

The Phone rang twice before it was picked up/ " Hello?" Jesse answered.

" Hi Jesse, it's Katie. I said. " I asked my brother about tonight and he said it was ok as long as my other brother Soda and his girl comes with us. Is that ok?"

" I'm cool with it." Jesse said.

" Tell him to come to the house. I want to meet him." Darry called from the kitchen. I rolled my eyes.

" Darry wants you to come by the house."

" Ok, I'll be there at seven."

" Sounds good. I'll see you tonight."

" I can't wait." He said. I loved how he wasn't afraid to show his soft side. There wasn't many guys in my neighborhood that would let go of their tough persona. They had too much pride.

When I turned around, I found all three brothers standing in the kitchen doorway. All three had the same 'tuff' look on their face.

" He said he'll be here by seven." I informed them.

Picking out an outfit proved to be even more difficult then it was for the dance. I wanted to look perfect but my wardrobe did not coincide with that. I finally found another one of my old skirts. This one was navy blue. I also found a tan pullover sweater that belonged to my mother. It must have been from before she had Pony and I because it was small enough to fit me.

After my outfit was picked out I checked the clock. It was only five so I sat down on my bed for a while. Boy was I missing my mamma. She was supposed to be here helping me through this. This was once again another first I would have to get through on my own. Before the tears could fall. There was a soft knock on my door.

" Come in." I called. Darry's head popped in a few seconds later.

"Hey." he said. " You ok?"

" Yea, I'm fine." I said. " I'm just a little nervous."

" Yea first dates will do that to you." He smiled sympathetically.

"I just... I..." I couldn't get it out.

" What baby?" He came over and sat beside me on my bed.

" I want my mom." I let the dam break and the tears free fall down my cheeks. I leaned against Darry's strong chest as his arms encircled my body and held me close. Between the nerves and the pain, I was on step shy of a complete breakdown.

" She would be so proud of you Katie." Darry said." But she wouldn't want you crying on your first date."

" It's just hard." I calmed down.

" I know it is baby girl."

"Darry please be nice to Jesse. I'm already nervous enough." I pleaded.

" I'll be nice to him. I promise." I wasn't sure if I believed him but I left it alone.

" Look Katie. I know you'd rather be having this conversation with mom. But she's not here and ..." He took a moment to think about what he was going to say. " Wow this is harder then I thought it would be."

" It's ok Darry. Mamma and I already had the whole sex talk before school started." I told him. Mamma and I has went shopping in August and we passed a couple getting pretty friendly in an alleyway. I started asking questions and mamma just told me all about what boys and girls do when they reach a certain period of their lives. I was glad she had been so open with me. As much as I loved Darry, this was one conversation I did not want to have with him.

" Oh." He said in pure relief. " Just don't let Jesse do anything your not comfortable with."

" I won't Darry." He just starred at me like Soda did before the dance.

" I can't believe this day is here already." He kneaded at his forehead. " I guess I can't stop you from growing up now can I?"

" No, you can't" I laughed. My brothers had always gotten too sentimental when it came to me. Though Darry couldn't stop me from growing up. I knew it didn't mean he wouldn't try. He would always see me as the little girl who followed him around like a lost puppy trying to copy everything he did. I always wanted to be just like Darry. I even tried to convince my mom to let be go to my first day of kindergarten in a pair of blue jeans and a flannel shirt just like my big brother. She didn't let me though.

" Well I'll let you get ready." He said as he got up and left the room.

As I looked in the mirror. I felt a certain pride in the reflection that starred back at me. My light brown hair hung in it's usual curls. My clothes hugged me in just the right places, showing off my new found curves. I looked just like my mamma. People had always said it. But as I matured, it was becoming more and more noticeable. I was practically a carbon copy of her. Just as Darry was to my dad. My parents always used to joke about how if they ever separated, they could just spit us kids in half based on looks. Darry and Pony looked like my daddy. And Soda and I looked like mamma.

" Katie, Jesses here." I heard Pony call from the hallway. I quickly got my small purse, well mamma's purse, and ran out into the living room. Jesse was standing there in his blue jeans and his black leather jacket. His blue eyes sparkled when he spotted me in the doorway.

" Hey." I smiled as I walked over to him. Darry stepped out of the kitchen. " This is my brother Darry."

" Hello sir. I'm Jesse." I almost laughed. It was pretty funny how a tough guy like Jesse was intimidated by my oversized big brother.

" Where are you taking my sister tonight Jesse?" He asked even though he already knew where we were going.

" The drive-in." Jesse replied.

" Well I expect her back home by 11:30. And Sodapop here will be going with you." Darry's jaw was tense along with the rest of his body. I went over and gave him a hug.

"I'll be fine Darry. I'll see you later." I said as I joined Soda and Jesse at the door.

The streets were surprisingly quiet as we made our way to Sandy's house. Soda couldn't get anyone to loan us their car so we had to walk. About half way there Jesse threw his arm over my shoulders. I saw Soda look at us out of the corner of his eye. But he didn't say anything.

Sandy's house was in an even worse neighborhood then ours. He shingles were practically falling off of her house and the gate was hanging on by only one hinge.

Soda swaggered up to the front door and knocked on the wooden door a few times before sticking his hands in his pockets. A few seconds later the door opened to reveal the very same blonde Soda was with at the dance the night before. She was real pretty. Blonde hair, blue eyes and a perfect hour glass figure. She wore a respectable amount of make-up but not nearly as much as I seen on other girls. She smiled big , showing off her perfect teeth when she saw my brother.

" Hey Soda!" She hugged him. They kissed a little but before coming down to join Jesse and I.

"Sandy, this is my little sister Katie and her friend Jesse." Soda introduced us.

" Oh Soda! She's even more adorable than you said. She looks just like you." Sandy smiled. " It's so nice to finally meet you daisy. Soda's told me so much about you." I was surprised that my brother was talking about me to his girlfriend. ButI let it go as we began to walk towards the dive-in.

" So how long have you two been going out?" Sandy asked

" It's our first date." I answered.

" That's so sweet." She said." First dates are always the best," I was really liking Sandy. She was real nice. I could tell Soda cared about her too.

We walked around to the side of the drive-in where there was a hole in the fence. That was the greaser way to get in, Even if you had the cash. Soda went through first, followed by Sandy and then Jesse who helped me through. Hand-in-hand, we went over to the seats to catch the movie. It was one of those beach movies they'd been putting out a whole lot of. Soda and Sandy didn't waist any time before they began making out. Jesse threw his arm around me but he didn't go any further.

" So, your brother's a pretty big guy huh?" He said, half kidding.

" Yea he used to be a football player back in high school." I said casually.

" They let greasers on the team?" He asked.

" Well Darry's a great player. They couldn't deny that."

" Yea... I don't think he likes me." He said seriously.

I laughed." Don't take it personal. It's just that he's not used to me being interested in guys and he's having a hard time with it. He'll get used to it."

" I hope so. I almost peed my pants back there." We both laughed.

He was too cute.

" You want some popcorn?" He asked.

" Yea." I went in m pocket to get out a few bucks but he stopped me.

"You're my date." he leaned over and kissed my lips softly before getting up. " I got it."

" Where's he going?" Soda finally came up for air.

" He went to get me some popcorn."

" He's really cute Katie." Sandy smiled at me.

" Yea, I know." I beamed." He's really nice too."

" Hey! What about me?" Soda joked.

" Oh your cute too sweetie." Sandy cooed and kissed his cheek.

" Well don't forget. I'm watching you.' Soda warned. I had to laugh. He was too busy sucking face with Sandy to be aware of anything else.

"Yea Yea." I laughed. Jesse returned with the popcorn.

In the middle of the movie, Jesse got a little more brave. I looked up at him as he leaned down and slowly touched my lips with his own. We spent the rest of the movie in an intense makeout session. I loved kissing Jesse. I could escape to a perfect world for just a few moments.

" Wanna go for a walk?" Jesse asked when he pulled away.

" Sure." I sad as we got up and walked out of the seating area. It was cold and I began to shiver in my thin sweater.

" Are you cold?" He asked as he took off his leather jacket and draped it around my shoulders. It was warm and it smelled like Jesse's aftershave.

" Soda's girl seems nice." Jesse commented.

" Yea, Soda really likes her." I said. " I'm sorry my brother had to come with us. We haven't had much time alone."

" Well we're alone now." Jesse stopped and turned toward me.

" Yes we are." I smiled and took a step towards him. He brought up a hand to brush against the side of my face. I could feel a slight blush rise in my cheeks.

" Your so beautiful." He sighed. I gently pushed him towards the wall of the concession stand. I crashed my lips down on his. We stayed like that for a while. until we heard someone clear their throat behind us. We turned around to find Sandy.

" You two are so lucky I found you and not your brother." She smiled at me. Boy was she right." " You guys ready to go? It's almost 10:30." I didn't want to leave. But I knew Darry would skin me if I was late.

We found Soda at the hole in the fence. After climbing through, we started our walk home.

" I had a really good time tonight," I said as we got closer to Sandy's house.

" Me too." Jesse smiled. That smile that seem to melt my heart into chicken soup.

" Hey, we got trouble." Soda said as a baby blue Mustang pulled up beside us. It was full of Socs.

Jesse pushed me behind him as the Socs began to climb out of the car.

" This ain't your territory." Soda warned. The rich boys didn't seem to care. They continued to walk towards us.

" All territory is ours greaser." The cocky Soc replied. You could tell by his slurred speech and unbalanced swagger that he was drunk as a skunk.

" Stay behind me. When I tell you to run, I want you to run home." Jesse instructed me. My hands were shaking as I gripped onto his with t-shirt. The Socs had us outnumbered and they knew it.

" I think it's time to teach these greasers a lesson. Don'cha think boys?" The tall blonde guy sneered.

The boy to his left sent a had blow to Soda's face but my brother quickly ducked out of the way before lunging at the soc. Against the odds, Soda and Jesse managed t get the upper hand. Eventually the Socs had enough and got into there car and took off. The boys seemed to be unscathed.

" Oh my god! Are you ok?" I asked as I went over to Jesse.

" I'm fine. Are you ok? They didn't hurt you did they?" He looked me over.

" They didn't touch me." I assured him. Jess's hands were red and his knuckles were all banged up.

" Were those the same guys that got you?" Soda asked while holding a shaken Sandy.

" No, they were different guys." I said.

" They just don't stop!" Sandy cried as she clung onto Soda's arm.

" C'mon lets get home." Soda suggested.

The streets were quiet and dark as we made our way to Sandy's house. Jesse kept his arm wrapped protectively around me. The lights were off in Sandy's house when we walked up to it. Her and Soda shared a long kiss before Sandy walked up the steps and into her house.

" We'll walk you home Jesse. You shouldn't be walking alone." Soda said. Jesse's house was on the way to ours anyway.

" I had a good time." H said as we stood on his front porch. His hands were placed on my hips as mine slowly caressed his shoulders.

" I did too." He leaned down and joined our lips in a soft kiss. He pulled my head in closer to deepen the kiss. The world never seemed more perfect then when my lips were touching Jesse's.

" Alright you two knock it off." Soda laughed from his spot on the sidewalk.

" I'll see you Monday." Jesse said before kissing me quick and going into his house. I couldn't stop smiling as I walked out of his yard.

" You look happy." Soda said.

" I had alot of fun Soda. Thanks for coming with us."

" Dating is fun.. when it's with the right person."

" I think Jesse is."

" Yea I feel the same way with Sandy. Looks like we got lucky huh?" Soda nudged me.

" Soda do you love Sandy?" I asked.

" Yea... Yea I think I do." He smiled.

" How did you know you loved her?"

" I don't know. I just felt this strange feeling. I always wanted to be with her and when she wasn't around ... I just wasn't happy." He said. " Why? You in love with someone?" The truth was that I didn't know if I was in love. All I knew was that I had feelings for Jesse. Ones I had never felt for anyone else.

" I don't know... i might." was what I said.

" Katie you haven't known Jesse that long." Soda said skeptically.

" I know that. But there's something special about him."

" Don't fall too fast baby. That's how you get hurt." He warned me.

" I'm not Soda. I just never felt this way before."

"That's the thing about love. Sometimes it seems like you feel it. But it's not always love. Sometimes it's just a crush."

' I don't think I love Jesse yet. But I think I could..."

" Don't rush into anything Katie. Your only fourteen. Jesse's the first guy you've ever even liked."

" I won't Soda."

The rest of the walk was pretty quiet. Soda found it funny to pretend to throw me in the fountain as we walked through the park. From there, we only had about a block to go.

When we arrived at our front door it was 11:25. The living room lights were still on and I knew Darry would be waiting to get the scoop on my date.

" Hey Dar." Soda said, nonchalantly plopping down on the couch.

" How'd it go?" He asked me.

" It went real good. I had a great time." I couldn't stop smiling.

" And ole' Jesse minded his manners." Soda added.

" I wish Soda would have." I laughed as Darry sent Soda a disapproving look.

" C'mon Darry... i'm a guy." Soda laughed. Even Darry cracked a smile.

" I'm gunna go to bed." I announced.

I headed down the hall to my bedroom to get ready for bed. Ponyboy was already in my room, laying back on my bed with his hand behind his head.

" Hey Pony. What's goin on?" I asked casually as I pulled out one of Darr's old football shirts and a pair of shorts.

" Nothin'. How was your date?"

" Oh my God Pony I had such a great time! Definitely the best movie I've ever been to." I exclaimed as i plopped down on the bed beside him.

" I'm glad you had a good time." He I could tell something was wrong.

" Everything ok Pony?" I asked.

" Yea it's just... Do you think it's weird that I'm fourteen and i haven't been on a date yet?" I could tell he was uncomfortable.

" No Pony it's not weird. It's smart. You're waiting until your ready." I assured him.

" It just feels weird that my little sister went on a date before i did."

" Oh Please! Your five minutes older Ponyboy!" I lightly punched his shoulder.

" It's still older." He laughed.

" Shut up!" I laughed as I got under the covers.

" Well I'll let you go to sleep." He said as he got off my bed.

" Hey Pony?" I called before he left.

" Yea?"

" Don't rush to date someone. Find the right person first. Your too great of a guy to settle." I smiled at him.

" Thank's Katie. Goodnight." He said as he walked through the doorway.

" Sweet dreams Pony."