Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.

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Sara's POV.

The next week went by quickly and Soda's birthday was just around the corner considering it was today. I talked it over with Mr. Barnes and I was getting off of work early to go to Soda's house and help Ponyboy get ready for the surprise party. As far as Soda knew I had a dentist appointment and I was getting off early. Little did he know, it was all for him.

*Flashback*

Earlier that day.

"Happy birthday!" I yelled as I ran towards Soda. I embraced him in a hug and kissed him on the lips.

"Thanks," Soda said with me still in his arms. We started to walk towards the DX. The weather was nice today so we decided to walk. Soda still kept his arm around me and we trudged to work on the sidewalk.

"Did you get anything yet?" I asked. I knew he didn't get any gifts yet, Ponyboy and Darry decided to wait until his party. I had to pretend like I didn't know anything about it.

"Nope. Not yet. But I think Ponyboy and Darry are up to something."

"You sure about that?" I asked, enjoying it. By now we had reached the DX.

"Well, I guess so," he responded. I knew he wasn't 100% sure, Ponyboy and Darry would never forget his birthday. "Are you coming over after work?"

"I don't know. I have a dentist appointment. I'll try though," I explained. I was positive I seen some let down in his eyes.

"You'll try anything," Soda said while picking me up the way a groom would pick up his new wife. He kissed me on the lips and softly sat me back down. "Thats why I love you."

I smiled and blushed. "I love you too, Soda. Happy Birthday, once again," I repeated.

"Thanks, again."

"I better get to work before Mr. Barnes starts yelling at me for being here and not working. Talk you to you later, okay?" I suggested.

"Absolutely," Soda said while kissing me on my cheek and letting go of me.

*End of Flashback*

The clock struck 4 and it was time to pretend I was going to the dentist. I met Soda on the way out and he grabbed me by the waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. "Hey, I'm just on my way to my appointment."

"Good luck. I hate the dentist." Soda had a strange look on his face and took his chin off of my shoulder.

"Me too. But we all gotta do things we don't want to do. Well, I'm gonna be late. I'll try to be at your house tonight. Bye." I leaned forward and gave him a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you more." Soda smiled and waved to me. "Good luck!" he yelled as I walked down on the sidewalk.

When I couldn't see Soda anymore I started to run to his house. I made it just on time to start getting ready. Soda would be coming home at 5, and that meant we only had less than an hour to get ready. Luckily, Ponyboy had already attempting in baking a cake. When I opened the door I could smell the vanilla frosting.

"Cake smells good," I mentioned as I walked through the house. I seen a package of balloons on the kitchen table so I picked them up and blowed them up.

"Did Soda say anything about his birthday?" Ponyboy asked. I put the last balloon down and answered his question.

"Well he said he thought you guys had something planned. But I didn't tell him," I explained while looking for some tape.

"Good."

When I looked at the clock is was 4:55. Soda would be here at any moment. Darry got back from work around 4:30 and cleaned up a little bit. Two-Bit and Steve also showed up around the same time. Two-Bit was in the party mood and brought his 12-pack of beer, his favorite.

"He's coming!" Ponyboy shouted as he peeked through the curtain of the window.

"Get ready," I said while moving away from the couch. Seconds passed and then the door finally slid open.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Two-Bit shouted as he sprayed a can of beer in his face.

"God, Two-Bit. Do you have to be such an idoit?" Soda laughed as he walked through the door.

"Its my specialty." Two-Bit replied while sounding proud. Soda rolled his eyes and walked over towards us.

"This is great, thanks everyone," Soda said. He came over by me and put his arm around my waist. "So you didn't have to go to the dentist?"

"Nope." I smiled.

The evening consisted of eating cake, opening presents, and then Two-Bit got drunk and passed out on the couch. "He's out," Steve warned.

"That'll be a while then," Soda replied. Steve chuckled and Soda came over and sat down next to me. "Do you wanna go somewhere else?" he asked.

"Alright, lets get out of here," I jumped up and grabbed my jacket. "Bye, guys." They all said their goodbyes and me and Soda walked to the park. The place where we both really connected. We even got in the same spot and position.

"How was your party?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Perfect. Couldn't of been better," Soda said while laying me in his lap. "You made it even better," he pointed out.

"Sure."

"No you really did. I love you so much and its great to spend it with someone I care about a lot." I felt my heart beat faster but I kept listening. "Thats why I want to spend all of my life with you."

"What do you mean exactly?" I questioned.

"I want to be with you forever. What would you say if.. if I asked you to marry me?" he asked. My heart stopped. Marriage. Marriage was a topic that I was scared of.

"But Soda, I don't know if I can. I mean, I love you, a lot. But weddings cost a lot and my dad and I don't know if he w-" Soda put his finger to my lips.

"I don't mean now. I meant when we get older, and things change."

"Well, do you know what I have to say about that?"

"What?" Soda looked nervous but he never lost my eyes.

"I think thats perfect." I pushed my lips to his and lid down against his warm chest.