Hi, Guys! I hope you're ready for another chapter, and to those of you that reviewed the last chapter, I really appreciate it, and I'm sorry I haven't told you so personally. I've been really busy lately, but I promise it'll be the next thing I do!

I think this chapter has been proof read, but I honestly can't remember, so if there's any mistakes, I'm really sorry! I'll fix it later. :)

I have to go to work soon, but I decided I should update before I leave, so here's the newest installment. You'll get to find out what happens to Eileen following the guilt she was feeling towards the end of the previous chapter. I hope you guys like it!

& Yes, I did change the summary for this story. :)


Mom's shrill voice pulls me from the safety of my bedroom, and I resist any urge to roll my eyes. In my own opinion, I thought I made it pretty obvious to my whole family that I want to be alone, and they're preventing me from worrying myself sick with these worst case scenarios that I've recently excelled at creating.

I'm not an expert with dating, but I don't think having a boyfriend should be this stressful.

My steps are lengthy, and it probably takes me a minute or so to reach my door. All I know is that when Mom calls me again, she doesn't sound too happy, and it appears she's growing a bit impatient with my antics.

I pick up the pace, and when I reach the kitchen, Mom doesn't look happy like I had predicted. "There's someone that wants to talk to you." She announces plainly. My eyes widen, and my heart begins to race.

Can it actually be Steve?

I grab the phone from her hands, forcing it to my ear at a rapid pace. "Hello, this is Eileen." I answer, waiting to see if my assumption is correct, but when the person starts talking, my face and mood fall.

It's only Evie.

"Hey, Eileen," she chirps. "Are ya doin' anythin' today?" I don't answer her immediately, but with the phone still pressed to my ear, I spin around, walking around the kitchen and searching for my mom as far as the telephone chord will allow.

"I'm not too sure. If I could find my mom, I would ask her," I mutter. I peel the phone off my ear; with my left hand, I cover the mouth piece so Evie can't hear me. "Mom, where did you go?" I yell, staring at the entryway from the front room.

"What do you want, Eileen?" She grumbles, stalking back into the kitchen. "Sweetie, you don't have to scream. I'm right here. I was right inside the front room." Mom stares at me expectantly, and before putting forward my inquiry, I pose an innocent smile.

She groans immediately, and half of me wonders if the neighbors heard her – she was that loud.

"Mommy, can I spend the night with Evie?" From the nasty look she's throwing me, I bet she wants to smack me. Her eyes are blazing with dissatisfaction, and she's giving me the impression that this is the last thing she wants to death with on a day like today.

Once she relaxes, Mom opens her mouth to speak, but it closes seconds later, and it's a sure sign that what she's about to say won't be good. When this occurs, it usually means: "I was going to tell you yes to whatever you asked, but then an outside factor is making me reconsider my answer."

And as I suspected, my accusation is correct.

"I'm not too sure, Eileen," Mom remarks. "Honey, you just got back from Steve's house not too long ago, and I think your dad wants to go out tonight." My minds races, thinking of different ways I can get her to change her mind, and within moments, the most childish idea ever pops into my head. I muster up the best puppy dog impression that I can, and as seconds pass, Mom appears more and more ready to cave.

Then, it happens.

I throw my act to the side once I get permission. Then, I tell her that I love her, and I proceed with a little cheer before getting back to Evie. When I'm done telling her the final verdict, I hang up and hurry off to pack; Mom watches me the whole time, and it looks as if she regrets letting me win.

XxXxXxX

Mom insists on driving me to Evie's place, but the whole idea of being alone excites me, and I foolishly decline. She doesn't look too sure of my decision, and I wait for her protests or complaints or something, but it never happens, and without a word, she lets me continue on my way.

Evie's place, here I come.

I cut through town for the idea of possibly running into a few dangerous hoods doesn't exactly appeal to me, but as I round the corner of an old clothing store, I find that, despite my best efforts, my plan of staying in the safe zone fail. A couple tough looking greasers are leaning against the side wall of the clothing store, smoking and not much else. My heart begins to thump, and I'm starting to believe that taking the back roads would've been safer; better yet, I should've gotten over myself and allowed Mom to drive me.

Either way, I'll remember to use my head next time.

Both of them eye me, and their wandering gaze is a good reason my effort to remain cool is dwindling to nothing. As much as I hate to admit it, it's dropping at an alarming rate, and I'm afraid to find out what will happen when I actually pass them.

One of the goons, one with greased back red-hair, opens his mouth. "Ain't that Randle's girl?" He asks his friend quietly, sucking on his cigarette, and I feel like I wasn't suppose to hear him, but I did. From the corner of my eye, I can see his friend nod his head, and the fact that these two boys know me – granted, they don't know my name – makes me really uncomfortable.

Without even realizing it, my pace picks up speed, and I can't get to Evie's fast enough.

XxXxXxX

Right as I arrive, the front door swings open, and Evie comes running out of her house. "I'm so glad you're finally here!" She squeals, wrapping me up in a fast hug. "No one is home, and I was starting to get lonely." I can't help myself as I start to smile. I really want to get another girl's thoughts on what happened between Steve and me; plus, Evie once dated him, so I can trust whatever she has to say about him.

Evie invites me into her house; it's exactly how I remember it except Sandy isn't here, but honestly, I'm glad we're alone. I don't think Sandy would know what to tell me – considering this has to deal with Steve – and if I'm being honest with myself, I don't really think I want her to know.

She guides me into her bedroom, and instantly, Evie notices that my mind is somewhere else. Albeit no one is home, she closes the door behind us. "You okay, Eileen?" I bite my lips in answer to her question. "Wanna take a seat and tell me what's on your mind?" Evie sinks to the floor slowly, coaxing me to follow her.

"I need your advice on something," I admit, sitting on my feet. I intertwine my fingers together and place them on top of my thighs. "It's about Steve, and it's been bothering me all day."

"I'm listenin'."

"Well, I went to his house earlier, and he tried to get in my pants," my face grows hot at the thought, and I can't believe I'm telling her about something personal – really personal. I sigh quietly before proceeding. "I stopped him from going any farther, and he got mad. He didn't say a word to me on the way back to my place. I'm freaking out, Evie."

Her eyes stare into mine blankly, and her lack of answer is fueling my nerves.

Then, of all things possible, she grins.

"Sweetie, you ain't never had a boyfriend before, have you?" I shake my head slowly, refusing to make eye contact with her. My cheeks are incredibly red with embarrassment; it makes me want to die because of how obvious it, apparently, is that I've never had a boyfriend before.

I feel stupid because of my actions.

"Honey, I won't lie to you," Evie commences. "You stopped a horny bull in his tracks. I'm sure he was fuckin' pissed. It'd be unlike him not to be. I mean, we are talkin' 'bout Steve after all. Anyway, you killed the mood, and that's a 'nuff to make any teenage boy pissed, but Eileen, I think you're overreactin'. I'll bet anything that he's over it now, and it's most likely long forgotten by now. So you can calm down and stop worryin' yourself gray." It sinks in that she's probably right, and as I start to calm down, a slight smile graces my face.

"Thanks, Evie." She smiles but waves it off.

"It was nothin'," she assures. Evie sets her right hand on top of her left, setting them on her stomach. "But let's go to The Dingo. I don't know 'bout you, but I'm starvin'." Thinking about it, I can definitely go for food right now. I spent all day worrying for no reason that food and eating were the last things on my mind.

I climb to my feet behind Evie, and after grabbing money, we set off for The Dingo.

XxXxXxX

We skim over the menus given to us, occasionally voicing out thoughts on what sounds good and what sounds absolutely awful.

In the end, Evie settles on a strawberry shake, I get a chocolate malt and we split a large basket of fries.

A waitress runs off with our order after tucking a pen behind her ear and announcing that our food will be done shortly, and after she's gone, I turn towards Evie. "What?" She questions, flipping her menu over.

I start to smirk while wiggling my eyebrows and the simple action successfully ignites more confusion within Evie. I laugh in response. "Now that you know how Steve and I are doing, it's my turn to ask you. How are you and Brian doing?" I poke my tongue into my left cheek, waiting patiently for her response. Evie rolls her eyes and sets her menu down on the table.

"Brian's bein' a real pain in the ass," she answers. I open my mouth to prod, but she continues before I can say a word. "He thinks he can tell me who I can and can't hang out with." She groans, rolling her eyes again. "Somehow he found out that Steve and I sit at the same lunch table, and he told me he don't like that. He told me that he wants me to go sit at 'nother table. I told him Steve is seein' you, but Brian wasn't listenin'. He's getting' to be too damn controllin'." Evie stops a second to catch her breath; once she's done, she continues with her rant. "He wants me to tell him where I'm goin'. He acts like my fuckin' babysitter, and I'm gettin' real tired of it. I'm 16 for Christ's sake. I don't need no one down my throat every minute of every damn day." Evie's eyes meet mine, and in a second, she turns bright red. "I'm real sorry 'bout that." She mutters shyly.

A waitress delivers our orders, saving Evie from embarrassing herself anymore than she already has. I thank her quietly while my friend digs right in.

I take a fry gingerly, and as a way to cool it down, I dip it in my malt. Neither of us say a word nor do we want to. I think she's still recovering from her rant, and I think she's thinking over her situation, but I don't care. I'm more than happy to not be talking.

It's what shy people are born with – content with silence.

"Hello, Ladies," an all too familiar voice shatters the silence, and I swear, for a second or two, my heart stops.

Evie jumps a little and looks up at the mystery male, but I don't. I can't even believe this is happening outside of school – outside of Spanish.

I finally find the strength to actually glance up at him, and like I assumed, James, and one of his friends, is standing in front of our table. His eyes meet mine when I look up, and my cheeks burn when it sinks in that he was already staring at me. Quickly, I regain myself, and my mood shifts. I'm irate – irate that he won't leave me alone. "What the hell are you doing here?" I demand. Evie looks at me, ready to ask who these boys are.

James merely smirks, forcing his way into my seat; his friend claims the spot beside Evie. "Ooh, sounds like you have a mouth. I bet you sound real hot in bed." He throws his arm around me. I throw him a nasty glare, but he ignores it. "Say, Eileen, I got a cool new car the other day. It's right out front, want to come see the backseat with me?" His friend starts to laugh while James sits there with a self-satisfied smirk still on his face.

Evie's eyes widen as though she can't be too sure if she heard him correctly. As for me, I feel ashamed – ashamed that there's nothing I can do to get him to stop talking to me like this. He makes me feel like the only thing I'm useful for is sex.

"Seriously, James, leave me alone."

"I will," it surprises me that he complies with my request, but he finishes his thought. "But only because I'm hungry. I'll see you bright and early Monday morning, Sugar." James winks, but before he goes, he reaches his hand a bit up my skirt and squeezed my thigh. I let out a yelp in response, and he laughs, walking off and leaving us in peace.

Once he's gone, my head flings around towards Evie. "Please don't tell Steve!" I plead. Her mouth falls, and she looks astonished.

"Eileen, you can't keep this from him. This isn't the first time it's happened, is it?" I shake my head, letting my eyes fall to the table. "Eileen, you have to tell him! How long has it been going on?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know, Evie. I guess since around the time Soda's parents passed." I force myself to meet her gaze, and when I do, she looks far from pleased. "Evie, please, I can't tell him. He has enough of his own problems to deal with. He doesn't need mine too." Evie shoots me another displeased look.

"Eileen, you're his girlfriend," she reasons. "His main goal is go make sure you're okay, and with that kid botherin' you, you're not okay. It's going to get worse, and who knows what that creep will try to do? Besides, Steve is gonna be mighty pissed if he finds out."

"Well, he's not!"

"Eileen, listen to me. Whether you want him to or not, Steve is probably gonna find out. It ain't gonna take long before kids start noticin' that somethin' is goin' on between you two, and everyone knows you're goin' with Steve. Someone is gonna tell him, and either way, your lone problem will become his too, but think about it! Steve has a way better change of stopping him than you do. Please, Eileen, tell him."

I consider everything she just said, and she perks up, thinking she convinced me, but after dwelling on the thought for a moment or so, I shake my head. Evie's face falls.

"Nope, I'm not telling him."

XxXxXxX

After learning that I have to babysit the Sanders children, I coax Jacquelyn into coming with me. It's no secret that she loves kids, and I'm a little relieved that she had agreed to come with me.

Ms Sanders is a single mother of two girls and a little boy. I've babysat her twelve-year-old, Margaret, and six-year-old, Cynthia, before, but this is my first time with her baby, Timothy. I'm pretty sure he's ten-months-old, but I'm not positive. Still, the idea of watching him unnerves me.

Ms Sanders looks relieved when we arrive, and like I had predicted, she doesn't appear to care that I brought Jackie along. "Hi, Girls, thank you so much for coming," she greets breathlessly. "Cynthia is all wound up, and Margaret is getting tired of it. I trust you to be careful with Timothy, Eileen, so if you two want to take them to the park, go ahead. If you need anything, my work number is on the fridge." She finishes with telling us that she hates to rush off, but if she doesn't, she'll be late.

And like that, Jacquelyn and I are alone with three younger kids. Inside the house, Margaret is spread out of the couch, and it sounds like she's listening to The Beatles on their radio set, and on the floor, Cynthia is playing with a teddy bear. The preteen's jaw clenches as Cynthia's volume increases, and after exchanging a quick glance with Jacquelyn, we both agree we need to intervene – and fast.

Jackie steps forward, but before she can talk, I speak. "Hi, Ladies," I greet lamely. Cynthia looks towards us with a big smile on her face, but her attention catches on Jacquelyn; as for Margaret, I think she couldn't care less, and secretly, I wish I didn't have to deal with her.

I hate the way preteen girls act, and I hope I wasn't the same way as them.

I introduce my friend to Cynthia before asking if they want leave. Margaret's ears perk up at the idea, and the younger one nearly bursts a seam with excitement. "Can I bring Bella?" She inquires, holding up her bear. I shrug my shoulders.

"If you really want to." Jackie says. I leave my friend with the girls while heading off down the hall to retrieve the youngest Sanders child. In his room, he's sleeping peacefully, and I feel guilty for waking him up.

When he's in my arms, I reposition him, so he can lay his head against my shoulder, and like I imagined, the little boy falls right asleep. With one hand, I throw some supplies into his diaper bag, and once the task is complete, I head off to join the girls and Jacquelyn.

Cynthia hops across each crack in the sidewalk while Margaret wanders ahead of our group. She leaps over another crack before halting and turning towards Jackie and me. "Where are we goin' again?" Jackie bites her lip, and right as I open my mouth to remind her, Jackie starts talking.

"I think Eileen said something about going to the DX and grabbing something to drink before heading to the park." She answers. Cynthia seems more than excited with the idea, and she runs to Jackie's side, grabbing onto her hand. My eyes pass over the youngest girl onto the oldest. Her speed has increased, and in response, I groan.

"Margaret, slow down," I call. "We're not going to the park yet." She stops abruptly and turns to face us; she looks absolutely pissed. "We're going to the DX."

Inside the DX, Sodapop is standing behind the counter, talking to Ponyboy and Johnny. Above us, a small bell rings, causing all three boys to turn around. "Hello, Miss Eileen," Soda greet. "Who ya got with ya?" I step towards the counter with everyone following behind me. I introduce the group, and Soda starts to smile when he sees the little guy in my arms.

"This is Timothy," I share, glancing down at the sleeping boy. "I'm watching him and his sisters with the help of Jacquelyn today. We stopped by to grab some drinks before we head over to the park." Once the words drop from my mouth, Jackie, Margaret and Cynthia scurry off to grab something. Sodapop starts to chuckle at them and tells his brother and Johnny a quick good-bye as they slip out the door. "So, how're you holding up, Soda?" His face falls a little.

"It hurts like hell," he whispers, casting his eyes downward. "I thought it'd get a little easier once they were buried. Ya know, knowin' they're in a better place and whatnot, but it didn't help none. I really can't believe they're actually gone." Soda quits talking and hesitates. His mouth hands open slightly, and although it appears to me that he wants to say something, nothing comes from his mouth. He looks unsure of himself, and before he has a chance to continue, the three girls return, pushing me out of the way. "You wanna see Steve 'fore you leave? He's right in back." He starts to ring up their drinks, and before I can think twice, I nod my head.

I need reassurance.

Sodapop winks and tells me that he's right inside the garage. I pass Timothy over to Jackie before going to find my boyfriend, and I hope with everything in me that Evie is right with what she said.

"Steve, where are you?" I call out, entering the garage. He slides out from underneath a Corvette with a look of confusion evident on his face.

"Eileen, what're you doin' here? You with Sandy or somethin'?" I shake my head, stepping closer to him. He pushes himself to his feet, wiping his hands on his jeans.

"I stopped by with Jacquelyn and these kids we're watching," I answer. "But you're not mad at me, are you?" I find myself getting shy, and as much as I want to, I can't meet his eyes.

"Mad at you?" He sounds confused, leading me to believe Evie is right. "Why would I be mad at ya? Somethin' been goin' on that I should know 'bout?" Steve teases. He pulls my face up towards his before leaning down and planting a kiss to my lips.

My heart starts to beat against my chest, and this is it. I should tell him now. He's not mad at me over the stopping before it got too far thing, but he's so happy. I like happy Steve, and I'm not too excited to ruin his mood, and that means one thing.

He's not going to find out about James.


So, she refuses to tell Steve. Surely this isn't going to end well.

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and it would mean SO much to me if you guys reviewed! Your feedback means the world to me, and it makes my day when you guys leave reviews. Please review! :)

One last note... I'm having a bit of trouble writing the next chapter, and I'm hoping it'll pass, but with that being said, it might be a week or so before the next chapter is posted. Sorry for that.