A/N: My first actual chapter of this story, and I know it's a bit short, but don't worry about that for now.

Songs for this chapter: "Things I'll Never Say" by Avril Lavigne

It was a typical Wednesday afternoon, walking home from school with Caitlyn by my side as the crisp autumn air hit my face. It was perfect, but there was one thing… Caitlyn. She'd been acting strange lately, and I was concerned that something was wrong; we'd been perfectly happy after that last rumble, but now, she seemed to be acting… not like herself. So, that day, I decided that I'd ask her. It took a long time, at least half the way home, to ask her.

"Caitlyn?" I suddenly asked.

"Yeah?" she responded casually, not aware of my seriousness.

"I need to ask you something…" my voice trailed off.

"What?" she piped up. This was strange… usually when I said something like this, she would go all serious and ask me what was wrong, but this was the opposite of that.

"What's wrong?"

"Huh?" she was confused, obviously.

"Well-" I started, but stopped. How can you tell somebody that they've been acting strange lately when you don't even know if they realise it? I didn't want to lose Caitlyn by telling her she was weird and break her heart. But, I knew I had to ask her, just in case…

" 'Well' what?" she questioned, as I wasn't aware that I'd been quiet for probably more than a minute.

"Well… you've been acting all, how do I put it… weird lately."

"Weird how?"

"Like now; usually you'd be all serious by now, but you're excited. And you're serious when you should be excited and piped up and everything." I paused as I thought of something to add. "I'm worried."

Now she was acting normal; she wore a look of concern on her face as she thought of what to say, her blue eyes deep in thought. Then, she finally said: "Yes, I guess I have been acting a bit strange lately… but Pony, you really should've told me you were worried…"

"But what I want to know is why you're acting so different." I told her.

"Uh… I haven't exactly told you because I'm…" she stopped on her tracks.

"You're what?" I asked her, urging her on. "Come on, I already told you about my feelings, now it's your turn."

She smiled her beautiful smile and said: "It's because I want some one-on-one time with you, you know?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly confused. "We're together all the time."

"Sure…" she agreed, "in school, and with the gang. But Pony, we haven't had any real one-on-one time together, like a special date…"

"A special date?"

"Yeah. You know…" she thought for a minute before continuing, "like taking me out for dinner at some place other than The Dingo and taking me to a movie that isn't always about swing dancing or girls in bikinis… a real movie, one that has a real story behind it and not just beaches."

"Oh, you mean that kind of date…" I replied. I thought about it for a minute. I'd always wanted to take her to that kind of date; she deserved it, I loved her. I just never really thought she'd dig that sort of thing or that I could even afford it, but if she wanted it, she should have it. "Then, if that's what's been bothering you and if that's what you want, then maybe we should go on one."

She looked surprised. "Really? Are... are you sure you can even afford it?" she asked.

"Sure I can, I'll just ask Darry for some money and maybe even do some extra work around the house…"

"That's what I'm worried about," she told me. "I don't want you to have to ask Darry for money or do extra work for me."

"Come on, Caitlyn. I agree; I want some more one-on-one time, too, and I want it soon."

"How soon?" she asked me.

"Maybe… this Friday?"

"Friday? But, Ponyboy, that's only two days away…"

"I can make it, alright?" I suddenly placed both my hands on her shoulders. "You do trust me, don't you?"

She didn't talk for a few minutes, then said "Yes, I do." Then, the smiled and we continued walking. I put my arm around her and she put her head on my shoulder, and all I could think was I hope I'm right...

A/N: Okay, short chapter, I know, but they'll get longer, don't worry. Just remember to keep updated fairly often because I'm on summer vacation, so I'll be updating quickly! :D

Please remember to R&R! ;)