May 20, 1978

"So, you're sure that I'll still make my plans tonight with Emmett?" Keilah asked a bit unsurely, "I mean, you know I love KJ and Sky, but I've really been looking forward to my date with Emmett."

I nodded. "Don't worry," I tried to reassure, "Just meet me and your brother at that address at six and you'll make it to meet Emmett at seven, I promise."

"Ok- but only cause Eric couldn't watch them and cause I love my niece and nephew so much."

"Ok, and not me. That's cool. Be that way, Keilah." My tone was teasing and she could thankfully tell.

I had been persistent with Keilah for the last five minutes to watch KJ and Sky for a specific reason. Since Emmett had gotten approval from us and his own own family to propose to Keilah, he decided that he was ready to do it. He'd recruited all of us- me, Keilah, Mrs. Mathews, Eric and his girlfriend Annabella, his mother, his two brothers and even his father- to help get everything ready. He'd invited everyone else- Candy, Soda, Darry, Marilyn, Steve, Evie, Cherry, Ponyboy and all the kids- to come to the engagement party as well. They all volunteered to do something to help out, which was great, considering we could use all the help that we could get.

One of my first tasks was to provide a distraction for Keilah throughout the day. Since we were all pressed for time, I figured that I'd just tell her that Keith had something he had to do at the garage and that I had something important to do for the radio station. That way, I'd have to ask her to watch KJ and Sky since they couldn't be with us for those things. I also told her that Eric couldn't watch them either, due to a "work emergency". She- thankfully- believed my stories, and agreed to watch the two of them for the day.

Emmett had planned a whole elaborate plan on how and where he was going to propose to Keilah. Since her birthday was coming up, they'd decided to celebrate on a Saturday night since neither of them could take off a day from work during the week. He told her they'd be going to a nice restaurant in the next town- when in reality, he had all of us helping him to plan a surprise party for her. He'd even invited some people from their past classes to the party, as to make her happy. Then at the end of the night, when they were cutting her birthday cake, he would propose to her then.

He was killing two birds with one stone.

"Thank you so much, Keilah," I smiled, "I gotta run." I quickly said goodbye to KJ and to Sky, kissing each of their foreheads, then ran out the door.

I quickly got into the car and drove off in the direction of where the party would be held. It was be held under a tent that Emmett had rented, in a park that was also a large field used for weddings and parties a lot. When I got there, the tenet and floor were already set out and people were setting up tables, chairs and other types of decorations. Everyone who was helping to set up was running around doing something, and everyone seemed to be in an absolute hurry, which was understandable.

I quickly tried to locate Emmett and ran over to him once I did. He jumped a bit when I approached him, but he calmed down when he saw it was just me. He gave an apologetic smile at me, and I gave a comforting smile, signifying that it was ok. He looked overwhelmed and completely nervous about the upcoming event of the night, which was understandable if you were one of the people who knew exactly what was going to happen.

"Where's Keilah?" Emmett asked for reference.

"In town with KJ and Sky," I answered surely, "She usually takes them to the park, they get something to eat, and then they usually go back to her place. Based off of what she's told me in the past."

"And you told her to bring them back here?"

"I gave her an address and told her that's where the radio station was havin' me do some stuff. She should be here by six tonight, six-thirty the latest."

"And she doesn't suspect a thing?"

"Not as far as I know," I shrugged.

Emmett let out a breath of relief. "Ok," he said, calming down, "That's good. Thank you, Rain. I do have one more favor to ask of you, though."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, seeing that you work as a DJ on the most people radio show in the state, I was hoping that you could pick up the music for the party?"

"Of course," I chuckled, "I'll even run the system tonight. It's not hard at all and I don't mind."

A little while after, after I checked to see if anyone else needed help, I drove down to the radio station. I asked my boss if there was any extra sound equipment that I could borrow for the party. When he confirmed that there was, he helped me carry it all to my car. I then drove off to the record store in town and bought records of musicians that I know Keilah loved- which included a lot of disco music- then drove my house for a few more records, then back to where the party would be. I then set up the equipment such as speaks and a small soundboard and a record player. By the time I'd finished everything, there was an hour and a half left before the party- and it was all already set up.

Keith and I both went home to get ready and to change for the party. I took a shower first, then Keith did. As he did, I dried and combed out my hair. I then went to the closet and pulled out a dress- I figured it was a good enough occasion to wear one for once. The dress had a floral design on its white fabric, and claimed to be a "kimono" style. It was a bit more loose and flowy, going along with the style of clothing of the decade. It reached a little above the floor, and the ends of the sleeves were wide and long.

Once we were ready to go, we left the house and went back to where the party was being held. Once we got there, it was already six o'clock and people had already started to arrive. I turned when I saw KJ, Sky and Mrs. Mathews coming toward us.

Before either me or Keith could speak, Mrs. Mathews did. "I got the two of them from Keilah so she could get ready and changed and then come here," she explained.

Not too much longer after that, Emmett came back with Keilah. When they arrived, we all yelled surprise, which made her scream in shock, then begin to laugh hysterically. She turned to hug hum, then called a grateful "thank you". Everyone then dispersed to their seats, and I joined the crowd after showing KJ and Sky how to turn on the music equipment and the records.

The night progressed on quite nicely. It seemed as if everyone in attendance was having a good time, so I just assume that it was going well. People enjoyed the music that had been playing, the food that had been ordered and catered, and just everything in general as a whole. I could tell that Emmett was both relieved and nervous about the whole thing- and I knew I was right, since his mother had confirmed this hypothesis with me.

Toward the end of the night, everyone had gathered together at the main table for Keilah to cut her birthday cake. There had been a stationary camera in place throughout the party, which was now aimed at her and the cake. As everyone sang "happy birthday", Emmett walked up behind Keilah. As she blew out her candles and everyone cheered, he opened the ring box and held it in front of her just as she turned around. Her hands instantly flew over her mouth in shock as he spoke, and she nodded in response to what he had said to her. He took the ring out and slid it onto her finger, then the two shared a quick kiss and a hug.

I looked over at Keith, who had a weary smile on his face, and I nudged his arm. "You ok there?" I asked.

Keith let out a heavy breath and ran his hands over his face. "Is this how it's gonna feel for Sky?" he asked, almost exasperatedly.

I ran my hand up and down his back in an attempt at comfort. "Yes it will. And I can predict that I'll probably be on her side then, too."

I'm lucky about the fact that I was actually able to update this. I'm in the process of moving, which is making me behind in some school work, also looking for a job, and studying for my driving test, as well as applying for colleges in the very near future. Not to mention that I've finished writing a story here on fanfiction. Net, but am starting another by the end of December. So yeah. Very stressful.

But on the bright side, where we're moving is much better than where we were, and now I'm seventeen instead of sixteen since my birthday passed this month.

Anyway, I'll probably update in another four weeks. I apologize. If I update in two weeks, it'll be a miracle. Peace from all the hippies of the world.