I woke up early the next morning to get ready for when Dally got here. I had no idea why I was putting so much effort into looking good for him; he'd seen me at my worst. Hell, he saw me straight out of bed last night and it didn't even seem to phase him. I guess I was just so happy that he finally liked me back that I wanted to make a good impression... If that makes any sense at all.

I was all dolled up with my long, light brown hair curled and my best make-up on at 9:30 in the morning. I knew he wouldn't be over that early, but I couldn't help myself. At 4:45, I was lounging comfortably on my bed and reading a book I had gotten last week from the library when I heard the screen door open and snap back. All my senses were on high alert. I listened carefully to hear who it was.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here." Darry said and I knew it was Dally.

"What's up, brotha?" I could almost hear the sloppy grin that I was positive was plastered on his face.

"Don't 'what's up' me. Why don't you explain to me what you were doin here last night." Darry said sternly.

"Don't know what your talkin' 'bout."

"Come on. I caught her sneaking back in."

Dally sighed, "Well then you obviously already know what happened. Why do ya need me to say it?"

"I guess I don't. But you're in uncharted territory now. If you end up hurting her, I think you're gonna lose at least 3 of your buds."

"Don't worry, man. I ain't gonna hurt her."

"I know that you're gonna try not to hurt her. But what happens when you guys break up? Am I supposed to let you keep coming around here like this never happened? "

"Whoa! Quit gettin' your panties in a twist! We haven't even gone on a date! Stop talking about us breaking up! Contrary to your beliefs, I'm kinda hoping this one is for the long haul." He half-mumbled. I fell off my bed. I crawled over to the door and pressed my ear to it to be sure that was actually what he said.

I heard Darry sigh and I could picture him shaking his head and rubbing his eyes like he did when he was stressed, "Why her?" he asked.

"I don't know. I guess I kinda always liked her. It hit me a while ago when she went to one of those school dances with that idiot Soc and I got really jealous. Remember how torn up she was when he got beat up the night after the dance?" Dally asked.

"Yeah..." Darry replied suspiciously.

"I had my hand in that." Dally said proudly.

Darry let out a laugh, "Of course you did! No one could injure a kid that bad without a motive!" He took a deep breath, "If I let you guys do this, you have to promise me you'll take care of her." Dally must've made a suggestive joke out of that because Darry yelled, "Not like that! I'm serious!"

"I got it! I'll be careful! I'll always use protection, and never give her more than 3 beers."

I heard a thunk and Dally yell some profanity. "You deserved that one!" Darry yelled back at him.

Dally laughed, "Yeah, yeah. You're right. Can I take your sister out on a date now? I'm sure she's been ready in her room for hours!"

"Yeah, yeah. Go get her." Darry replied.

I didn't have time to register that Dally would be coming into my room in about 3 seconds before he actually did. He didn't knock and practically busted the door down, hitting my head in the process. I was in a very incriminating position from eavesdropping on their conversation. He looked down at me and grinned, "Whatcha doin'?"

I turned red, "Oh, not much. Just hanging out."

He laughed, knowing he caught me in a lie, and knowing exactly what I was doing on the ground, "Come on, Snoopy. I'm takin' ya out."

I cringed at the new nick-name, but happily accepted his outstretched hand and stood up. "Where are we going?" I asked, adjusting my black skirt and flowy blue blouse that was tucked into it.

He admired the amount of leg showing because of how short my skirt was. "Uhm. Uh, I- I was thinking that we could hang out at the Dingo for a while." He stammered.

I grinned at his inability to speak. "Sounds good." I crossed over to my closet and tried to bend down as lady-like as possible to pick up a pair of black flats. I heard Dally take a deep breath and hold it. I turned around, blushing again. "Sorry," I mumbled, pulling the hem of my skirt down a couple inches.

He rubbed the back of his neck, "No need to be sorry," he said, crossing the room to throw his arm around my shoulders. He waited for me to put on my shoes and asked, "Are you ready?"

I smiled widely, I couldn't believe I was actually going on a real date with Dallas Winston. "As ready as I'll ever be."