Hi guys. Why aren't you guys reviewing? I have about two or three more chapters to do. I know I keep saying that, but I don't want to do a chapter with three thousand words. Little too much. So this is a year after the last. Love ya.

*Introduction* Last year, was the worst & best year of my life. My mother & best friend in New Jersey, died the same night. The rest of my family moved to Tulsa. There, I met my boyfriend & now six of my closest friends. I made some really good friends & one not really good one. My youngest friend killed a boy in self-defense. We had rumbles, a very brief camping trip. My brothers graduated high school. Parker got an academic scholarship to Harvard Medical, & Paxton got a full ride to Ohio State for basketball. Oh, & Two-Bit finally moved on to his senior year.

*Present*

"Can you believe it's only three weeks away until we graduate?" Two-Bit asked, putting a hand Steve's & mine's shoulder.

"I don't know Two-Bit. Are you sure it ain't gonna just be me & Tali up there?" Steve laughed. Two-Bit tackled him onto the ground. We were walking back from school. After Steve shoved Two-Bit off of him, we continued our walk. The socs had calmed down alot since Randy graduated last year. There's a new leader, Alex, but we've only rumbled with him once. We won.

"Tali! Hey Tali!" Steve's voice broke through my thoughts.

"What?" I asked.

"Where ya going on your date tonight?" Two-Bit chimed in. I shrugged.

"He said it was a surprise." I told them. We got to the Curtises house & went inside. Pony was at track, Johnny was watching him, Darry was at work, & Soda was already home because he had the day off. Dally got locked up again for getting caught trying to steal a pack of cigs. Two-Bit's reply was,

"I'm gonna have to give him more lessons." he laughed. Soda was sitting on the couch watching Mickey. Steve jumped on him & Two-Bit went into the kitchen to get beer & cake. We played a couple games of poker while we waited for everyone to get home.

"Are you cheating?" Soda accused me. I scoffed.

"I have never cheated before!" I exclaimed. The three boys looked at me with a weird expression.

"What time are we gonna be leaving?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Um, I was thinking as soon as Darry & Pony get back at five." he said casually. I looked at the clock. It read 4:15.

"Soda! I have to go get ready!" I squealed. He started laughing as I ran out the door. I ran up the stairs & Rain followed me. Since she's way bigger than last year, she had an easier time flying up the stairs. I went into my closet. How am I supposed to dress? He never even gave me a hint. I decided on jean shorts, a dark blue tank top, & a jean jacket vest. I put my hair into a ponytail braid. Somebody knocked on the front door. I rode the railing down & opened it. It was Paxton. I hugged him super tight. He was wearing his Ohio State letterman jacket.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. He let go of me.

"Nice to see you too." he said. I laughed.

"I'm serious." I said, still laughing.

"It's Summer Break. Park'll be here tomorrow." he explained. I nodded. Rain sauntered out & jumped up onto Paxton.

"Hi baby. You're getting fat!" he exclaimed. I started to laugh again. We went inside & sat on the couch. It was 4:45.

"So? On a more serious note. Any colleges say anything to my baby sister yet?" he asked. Someone knocked on the door.

" You expecting anyone?" he asked, jumping up & opening the door. I just realized that he was even taller. Probably about 6'4. He was taller than Darry. At the door was Soda. They did a guy hug.

"How's college treating ya" Soda asked. Pax nodded.

"It's been…it's had it's ups & downs." he spoke.

"Me & Soda are going out." I piped. He turned & looked at me. He smiled.

"Well, have fun. When's dad get home?" he smirked.

"Anytime. There's food in the fridge." I told him. He waved us off & we started towards Darry's truck.

"So where are we going?" I asked, hopeful he'd give off some sort of hint. He shook his head.

"I ain't gonna tell you." he objected. We stopped at Dairy Queen to get burgers, fries, & shakes.

"Don't eat anything yet." he instructed. I looked at him.

"But… Just a fry?" I asked. He sighed.

"Just one." he said. I laughed as I took two of them. Soda opened his mouth & I put the fry in. We laughed again.

"This weekend, I need to talk to everyone. Pax & Park are gonna be here. It'll be perfect." I told him. That made him shift in his seat. It made him nervous. We pulled into a parking lot & Soda got out of the car. He opened my door.

"Grab the food." he ordered. I grabbed the bags & we went back to the trunk. Je grabbed a big blanket & a picnic basket. We walked down about a dozen steps. It was a lake with a little sandy beach. He laid the blanket on sand & we sat down.

"Soda. This is beautiful." I exclaimed, as we started eating. He nodded.

"My mom used to bring me here when I was having a bad day. I've brung other girls here, but I never told any of em' that." he paused for a second.

"Now that I think about it… This is the last place I went with her." he confessed. I started to rub his back. He changed the subject. He reached into the picnic basket & brought out a chocolate cake & a little box.

"I know it's a little late for a birthday present, but… here." he babbled, handing me the box. I opened it. It was a necklace with a silver heart pendant & a matching ring.

"Soda! This must have cost a fortune!" I exclaimed. He started to laugh.

"No. It was my mom's. She left it to me in her will. Told me to give it to the girl who has my heart." he explained. I gave him a big hug.

"This is the best thing anybody's ever gotten me." I beamed. I wiped a couple tears from my eyes.

"Hey, don't cry. I didn't want you to cry." he whispered.

"Will you put it on?" I asked, giving him the necklace. I slipped the ring on my right ring finger. It fit perfectly. He put the necklace on & started to kiss the back of my neck.

"You look amazing." he spoke softly in my ear. He pulled me back & we laid down on the blanket. We laid there for what felt like forever. We looked at the stars in silence. Soda got up & took my hand.

"Let's go." he chortled. I got up & we went for a walk along the beach. I put my head on his shoulder & we held hands.

"I love you." he murmured suddenly. I leaned into him a little more.

"I love you too." I repeated. We started walking back to the truck & packed up our things.

"So, about the announcement I have. Just tell everyone to come to my house at two. Tell em' I'll have food too." I explained, once we got into the truck. Soda sighed.

"Can you tell me what it is?" he asked. I shook my head & laughed.

"No. I can't tell you. With your blabber mouth, you'll ruin it." I retorted. He took his eyes off of the road & looked at me eyes wide with horror.

"Are you pregnant?" he asked. I started laughing even more.

"How? I mean… I know how. We only did it…" I stopped him there.

"No. I'm not pregnant. I just can't tell you." I giggled. He let out a relieved sigh. We got back to my house & we kissed good night.

"I'll see you tomorrow." he said. I nodded.

"At two." I agreed. I got out of the car & he backed up to his house. I walked inside & talked the night away with my dad & second oldest brother.