A/N: The story will soon begin to follow the events of the movie. Just give it time and they should come together. Also, Sandy- Soda's girlfriend- isn't a BIG known character in my story. Also, the chapter songs don't always go with the chapter. Just a reminder :P Chapter 3 with Uptight, by Stevie Wonder. Thanks for reading!

Without Chief at home, Cassidy often found herself moping around their new house with nothing to do. She hadn't seen Dally for over a week, although Darry, Sodapop and Ponyboy came by once or twice to chat. Cassidy hoped Dally would show up with them as a sort of surprise, but he never did. The furniture arrived, too, and the living room actually started to look inviting for a change. Cassidy was lying on the coach one morning when she heard a knock at the door. Since Ryder was at work, she pondered if she should even answer it at all, but decided it would be better to in the long run. Standing on the porch was Sodapop in his DX uniform and Two-bit in his orange Mickey Mouse shirt.

"Hey, guys," Cassidy said, backing away so they could walk inside. Two-bit definitely seemed at home as soon as he stepped through the door. He plopped onto the couch and fiddled with his switchblade, "What are you two doing here?"

Cassidy walked into the kitchen to make chocolate milk for them; something she'd learned was probably one of their favorite beverages. Other than beer, that is, but that normally only applied for Two-bit. Soda wasn't much of a drinker; Darry would kill him if he ever came home as drunk as Two-bit.

"Dally got in trouble with the fuzz," Soda replied casually and sat on one of the barstools under the kitchen island, "I just thought we should tell you. I know you like him, Cassie."

"I do not!" Cassidy exclaimed, her voice rising a few unnecessary octaves. Two-bit laughed heartily and so did Soda, but she just ignored them with a shake of their head.

"He likes you too, though," Two-bit said, gulping down the last of his chocolate milk before Soda could even take a sip, "I can tell. He's only done one ornery thing this week, and he keeps talking about seeing you and shit like that. It's annoying, if you ask me."

"Oh, hush it, Two-bit." Soda grumbled. Two-bit leaped up and playfully tackled Sodapop onto the ground. They roughly wrestled for a few minutes before Cassidy forcefully plied them apart by grabbing onto the soft spot of their ears.

"You're going to break everything in here if you two don't stop." Cassidy chuckled. Soda rubbed his ear and Two-bit just grinned jeeringly.

"Anyways," Soda began, "I was thinking you and your brother could stop by the house tonight. We're having a little… party, I guess. The whole gang'll be there."

I bet Dally wont, Cassidy thought, but I'm game.

"Sure, why not?" Cassidy said, and Soda suddenly hugged her tightly. She tilted her head curiously and glanced at Two-bit over Soda's shoulder. Two-bit smirked and shrugged, but she knew he was keeping something from her. When she pulled away from Sodapop, a faint blush had settled across his cheeks and he was still smiling sheepishly.

"Yeah, uh, we'll see you then," Soda stammered. He turned to Two-bit, and they both said bye before disappearing out the door.

Cassidy was a bit shocked. Why had Soda acted that way? He couldn't like her as well… could he? She sighed deeply and called Ryder to tell him about the party.

The Curtis home was completely packed that night. Everyone was there; Ponyboy, Soda, Darry, Steve, Two-bit, Johnny and Cassidy and Ryder. Dally was nowhere to be seen, though. Cassidy found herself sitting on the couch, in the middle of Sodapop and Steve. Steve seemed uninterested in her, although they were quietly talking about Dally's situation with the fuzz. Sodapop, on the other hand, was being a bit close; closer than he'd ever acted before.

They all ate an enormous amount of food and returned to their earlier positions. By that time, the chatter had quieted down because of their full bellies. Cassidy leaned her head back against the couch and Soda did as well.

"I feel sick." She muttered jokingly. Soda chuckled, his voice deep.

"Me too," He murmured, "I don't think I can even move."

"Do you think Dally will be okay?" Cassidy asked after a short pause. Soda hesitated as well and muttered something quick under his breath. Was he mad?

"Just, don't worry about him. This kind of stuff happens all the time. You'd be stupid to even care what happens to him." He retorted, his voice a short snap. His tone almost caused her to flinch. Soda's mouth gaped at his words, and he fondled his DX hat nervously.

"Wait, I didn't mean-"

"No, I know what you meant," Cassidy interrupted, feeling heat creep to her face. She was mad; angrier than she'd been in a long time. She stood up and motioned to Ryder, who was beginning to leave anyways, "Bye, everyone."

They all answered with "Bye Cassie Cakes," or "See'ya Cass,"; except for Soda, who was speechless. Cassidy tried to calm her nerves, but all she really wanted to do was go home and sleep. She trudged into her room and curled into a ball on her bed.

She was just about to fall asleep when there was a crack at her window. Startled, Cassidy nearly fell off of her bed. What was that? She crept toward her window and pushed the curtain away to see the gruesome shadow of a boy standing in her backyard.

A/N: Sorry it was so short! REVIEW!