Hell here. I mean, *clears throat* Hello there :) (sorry if I'm a movie quoter xD) I'm aware that I am updating this often, but I am spending a lot of time on it. Besides, there's only gonna be a couple more chapters of this story anyways, so you can catch up when it's completely finished if you'd like. Yep. So without further ado, here's chapter 8!

CHAPTER 8

-TWO DAYS LATER/ DANI'S BIRTHDAY-

The DX was surprisingly quiet. Normally, there's a huge mob of girls lovestruck by Soda, to which I think, Jesus Christ, he's just a person. But I guess not today. I was still irate with Johnny for what he did. It's his fault Dally and I haven't talked to each other for the past two days! I hadn't seen Dally around town, either. I figured he took Sylvia's offer and ran away with her or some shit. Either way, the thought makes me sick.

I was just watching Soda and Steve fix the cars since I had such an interest in that stuff. Not. No, Soda promised that he'd take Pony and I to a movie, so I just stuck around since Ponyboy was busy with Gwen. I would've invited Johnny hadn't it have been for his stupid idea to separate Dal and I.

"So, Dani," Soda said as he peered around in the hood of the car he was working on, "I guess Dally's not gonna be here for your bir—well, today." He half frowned as he glanced over at me.

I rubbed the back of my neck, "Nope, I guess not." I scowled in disappointment and anger.

Steve rolled out from under a car, "Ah, don't look so down, doll! Things'll get better from now, alright?"

I chuckled as I notice the alliteration he used in his statement, "Nice one, Stevie boy."

Soda ran his hand through his wheat goldish hair as his mild laugh echoed through the small garage. He bit his lip before he made a slight pause. He then asked me, "Are you ready to go, kiddo?"

I smiled in excitement. I didn't have to say anything because he knew that look.

"Alrighty then," he wiped his hands off with a cloth and went to clock out.

Steve stood up as well, revealing his unbuttoned shirt filled by a bare chest. I couldn't help but stare. It resembled Dally's and it kinda made me miss him even more…

"Hey!" He snapped at me. I flinched in surprise. He grinned, "What're you looking at, punk?"

I squinted my eyes in annoyance, "Nothing, perve." I crossed my arms and turned away.

"Yeah, whatever." He flew after Soda into the building.

"Yeah, whatever." I mocked him with attitude. I waited a couple minutes for Soda to walk back out.

He casually packed his hands into his pockets as he asked, "You ready, kid?" I nodded. He pointed to a truck parked near the garage door, "Hop in, then."

I normally didn't question Soda about things like this but I felt compelled to. "Erm, Soda, who's truck is that?" I pointed to the truck.

"Oh, it's some girl's. Shocker?" He chuckled, "She let me barrow it."

I shrugged as I hopped in the front seat. Soda started the car up and peeled off down the street.

"Hey, Dani," he said glancing over at me, "I just wanted to say thanks."

My attention was fully on Soda as I asked, "For what?"

Soda cleared his throat, "For keeping my date with Gloria under wraps. It means a lot to me that you didn't rat me out. I mean, Steve would've. Or even Dally. Anyway, I'm just thankful." He patted my arm gently.

I shrugged, "Of course, Pepsi Cola. Anytime."

He smiled as he continued the quiet drive.

As we pulled up to the Dingo, Ponyboy was sitting with Gwen by the door. When he saw us, he smiled, gave Gwen a quick kiss, and walked over to the truck.

"C'mon, Pony." I opened the door from the inside for him.

He beamed brightly as he scooted in next to me. He looked really happy and I don't mean just regular happy like everyday. I mean really happy, like euphoria at the fullest.

"So, how are things with Gwen?" I asked with a smile.

I could tell he was trying to hide a grin as he replied, "Great." He shook his head in a way that let me know she was finally treating him right.

I put my arm around him like a hug type of thing, "That's great," I brought my head to his shoulder for a second. I pulled back and just relaxed the rest of the drive to the movie house.

We watched You Only Live Twice, a James Bond movie, that believe it or not, came out in theaters that day. It actually was pretty good. Of course, I'm one to say so since I'm a huge action movie freak!

When the movie was over, the boys and I walked outside and Pony and I lit weeds for ourselves since Soda isn't much of a smoker like the rest of us.

"Dani," Pony said taking a drag on his stick, "I guess I forgot to tell you happy birthday."

I shrugged, "Meh, it's alright. It's not like I woke up this morning to see a gorgeously crafted cake or anything sitting on my table. So really, you're fine." I force a smile. Again, my parents didn't care when my birthday was. And in fact, I don't think they even know how old I turned today.

Soda sighed in condolence, "I'm sorry, kiddo." He wrapped me in a hug, "Happy birthday, Princess."

I chuckled, "Oh, so now both of you are calling me 'Princess'. I see how it is. I see." They both laughed before Ponyboy came and gave me a hug, too.

All of a sudden, a car pulled up with a bunch of socs in it. They started throwing things at us and yelling "Look at this greaseball family!" and "Greasy blood!"

Soda grimaced as they drove off. He swore under his breath as he glared at their car all the way down the street.

"Why are they comin' over to the east side?! Why can't they just stay in their pretty, perfect, posing side of town and we keep in ours?!" I screamed loud enough for the surrounding pedestrians to hear. I was sure sick of the socs picking on us like we were way less than they were…

Pony put his arm around me, then glanced over to Soda, still cursing under his breath.

"We should get home, huh Sodapop?" He nudged him.

Soda broke away from his thoughts of hatred and nodded, "Yeah, prolly be best."

Ponyboy gently urged me into the truck as Soda followed. When we were all in, Soda started the truck and headed back to the Curtis house.

I was still infuriated about how those socs treated us the whole ride there. Ponyboy just sat next to me and held me, trying to calm me down. It worked for a while.

When we got back to the house, Steve's car was parked in front, as per usual. But there were also a couple of other cars parked outside, too.

It made me curious as to who could possibly be over at that time other than the Soda opened the door, I noticed all the lights were out. What the hell? I rushed into the kitchen to turn on the light. As I did, I tripped over something, causing me to fall flat on the floor. All I could say was "Ow," and not even in a painful way.

That's when Ponyboy jumped out of nowhere and lent me a hand. He helped me up and we laughed for a second before he turned on the light.

"Surprise!"

I was taken aback by the small group of people screaming at me. I smiled so big it actually hurt my face! I immediately recognized Gwen, Johnny, Steve, Darry, Margot, and Carla.

I spun around to Pony, "Did you plan this…all for me?"

"No," he said sarcastically, "I planned it for some other girl who happens to be my best friend and happens to be Johnny's sister and happens to be turning 15." He nodded slowly. I laughed as I gave him a huge bear hug.

Johnny walked up to me with an unsure expression on his face, "Dani," he looked up at me, "I'm really sorry about you and Dally the other night. It was really uncool of me to have said those things the way I did."

I smiled at him, "It's okay, Johnny. And speaking of Dally," I scanned past his head and around the room, "where is he?" I guess I couldn't avoid him anymore, huh?

Johnny looked confused, "Gee, I really don't know, Dani. I haven't seen him since Friday."

I stepped up to everyone else, "Has anyone seen Dallas?" Everyone looked at each other in wonder.

Gwen, who I was surprisingly happy to have there, stepped up and responded, "The last time I saw him, he was on his way down to the tracks late on Saturday night, early Sunday morning."

I lowered my head in discontent as I realized what had happened. I believe I have no need and no desire to recollect what he did, but either way I was still heartbroken.

The whole party I tried to fake a smile, when in reality I felt like I was gonna explode off the face of the Earth.

Two Bit came rolling in the door midway through the party, drunk as a sailor. His arms, completely packed with booze.

"Who wants some?!" He yelled confidently. Everyone came rushing at him, all except for Pony and I, at least.

Pony must've noticed how I felt wasn't in the mood, because he asked me to join him outside for a smoke. I accepted and followed him out to the front porch.

He held out a pack of cigarettes and I just assumed he wanted me to grab one. I reached for one and he pulled his arm away, "Wait a minute, now. You shouldn't be smoking, should ya?" He chuckled as I pouted.

"Hey! Give me one, you little…" I tried to grab them from him.

He just kept laughing as I repetitively attempted to snatch them from him. At one point, I knocked him over trying to get one.

Eventually I gave up. I just sat there as he lit the cancer stick with a lighter. I didn't really give up, ya see, though…

I plucked the cigarette from his mouth and jumped up in front of his face, "And you're gonna get cut from track if you continue to smoke, you dork!"

"Hey!" He tried to seize it from me, "Give me that back, you little twerp!" He jumped up and started to chase me around the yard, both of us laughing too hard to run straight.

Eventually he caught up to me. He grabbed me by the waist and threw me over his shoulder. I don't know how he did it, but he did.

"Well, love, you shouldn't play with matches." He grabbed the lit cigarette out of my hand.

When he set me down, I punched his arm, but not as gently as I normally did.

"I really wish I hated you, you little shit." I crossed my arms as I stood in front of him.

He chuckled as he flicked the ashes, "Yeah, I bet you wish you do, Princess. Anyway, what's been bothering you? And don't tell me 'nothing' because I can see it in your eyes that your full of shit."

I sat next to him, "Can I at least have one?" I pointed to the pack of cigarettes sitting on the porch next to him.

He shrugged, "Hell, I ain't gonna stop ya." He passed me one.

I left it dangling in my mouth as I asked, "So you wanna know what's bothering me?" He nodded. I sighed before rambling on about how I missed Dally and how he probably ran off with Sylvia.

Pony shrugged, "How do you know about all of this stuff, anyway?"

I swallowed as I stared at the ground, feeling a bit guilty, "I found a letter that Sylvia wrote him. She wanted him back…" I whined, "Never have I wanted to scream and cry so bad in my life when I read it!" I began to sob.

Pony pulled me closer to him and started to rock me back and forth in his arms, "It's okay, Dani. Everything is gonna be alright." He explained to me as my tears slowed. I'd be lying if I said I didn't love Ponyboy. He was the one person in my life that listened to me.

Even if he was my worst heartbreak, I still felt just as close to him as I ever did.

-CRAZY ASS TIME SKIP TO FEBRUARY 13, 1969- (NONE OF THE BOOK'S EVENTS OCCUR IN THIS FANFIC ;))

The last bell of the day rang and Ponyboy was already out the door by the time I packed up all of my things to take home with me. Mr. Keem, my now language arts teacher, was sitting at his desk in the front of the classroom—the same desk that Dally and I had visited in year's past. I still couldn't believe that he was gone. Just like that. Poof and like that, it's like he's disappeared out of existence.

"Hey, Mr. Keem," I walked over to him, straightening out my skirt. "How's your week been going?"

In all honesty, he looked worn out, but I knew that since tomorrow was Valentine's day, he wouldn't mind being extra nice.

He grinned, "My week has been fine, Miss Cade. Thanks for asking." He took a sip of his coffee.

I smiled back politely as I asked him if he needed any extra help, but he declined.

"Okay, thanks anyway, Mr. Keem. You have a great day," I waved back at him before opening the door to leave.

He abruptly stood up, "Uh, Miss Cade," he called after me. I turned back around. He continued, "I just want to say, you have been a fantastic student this year. I remember how you used to come in here wearing ripped jeans and hanging around with that hoodlum of a boy. You sure have grown up, haven't you, dear?"

I faked my smile as I began to think about Dallas again, "Yes, sir." I sighed as I walked out of the classroom.

As I walked down the halls I felt the need to look in a mirror. Something about the way Mr. Keem had said it made me feel like I was betraying my own kind—the greasers. I shot into the bathroom without thinking twice. The good news, they had full length mirrors; the bad news, I hated what I saw in those mirrors.

Look at me, I thought, what makes me a greaser anymore? My style doesn't. My attitude doesn't. My friends, maybe? I finally noticed how much I'd changed over the course of two years without Dally being here. I felt so disgusted by myself!

I then hastened out of the girls bathroom and outside. I looked around for Carla or Ponyboy or Gwen (who I'd finally made amends with) but couldn't find them anywhere. Forget it, I thought as I charged down the street back to my house.

When I got there, nobody was home so I decided I could make as much noise as I wanted. I tore through my closet in search of a pair of ripped denims. When I got to the very last few hangers, I found them. My jean jacket was hanging neatly on the hanger next to it, along with my Monkees t-shirt I treasured so much. I began to throw my other stuff to the ground as I pulled the three items out and spewed them across the bed. I stared at them for a minute before I began to cry… I know it may sound silly and all, but I couldn't help it. What was happening to me?!

Suddenly I heard a knock at the door. I quickly wiped the tears away as I scampered to the front door. I opened it and like always, I greeted whoever it was with a smile and a "Good afternoon."

My heart sank to my stomach as I recognized the man standing in front of me. I gasped in complete and utter shock as he looked up at me. His eyes were blue in a cold, dark way. His hair was dark blonde almost like Sodapop's, only deeper in color. He had a brown leather jacket on him.

"Hey there. Is Danielle Cade home?" He had his hands in his jean pockets.

I stayed silent for a second before responding abruptly, "No." I frowned as I slammed the door in his face. Only the door didn't click shut. There was an arm preventing that from happening.

He creaked the door open slowly. I stepped back in alarm as he backed me into the corner of the front room.

"Dani?" He asked with those same cold, desperate eyes from years before, "Is that you?"

I started to tremble in his presence as I stared at him with wide eyes.

"Get away from me," I told him, "I'm-I'm not afraid to hurt you."

He looked at me with a hurt expression, "Dani, it's me. Don't you remember me?" He kept inching closer to me.

I stuttered as I spoke, "I-I'm not af-fraid to call the pol-l-lice!" I explained, "Just get away from me, alright?!"

He gently pushed me back against the wall, "Now why would you want to do that, sweetheart?"

God, I wanted to kiss him! I didn't care how much I wanted to hate him, I just simply couldn't.

"B-because you are a criminal!" I screamed at him.

He snickered, "I thought you liked that about me… That, and the way I kissed you." He began to lean in, and I didn't stop him. I just relaxed myself, knowing how much I wanted this.

The minute his lips made contact with mine, I felt free again. I felt like I really was a greaser again, and not some cheap cut-up version. His tongue started to wander around my mouth like a snake, taking me a bit by surprise. But I didn't care… Let that snake bite me and kill me if it wants to!

I pushed him away and stared at him for a moment. His eyes were still gorgeous as always and of course, I was lost in them.

When he looked away—that was when I snapped back into reality.

He turned back to face me, only to find my hand clouting him once across. "Dallas Tucker Winston, where the hell have you been for the past two years while I've waited every day for you to show your face in this town, huh?!" I screamed in his face till I was out of breath.

He stepped back and sighed, "Look, I know that you're a little angry and I can see why," he explained, "but hear me out."

My mouth dropped open in shock, "Really, man? That's all you have to say? Hear me out?!" I pushed him out of the way as I walked into the kitchen to grab a Pepsi.

He opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, but then stopped. He looked downhearted as he tried to clarify, "You wanna know the truth?" He asked sorrowfully. "Fine, I'll tell ya. After we got into that fight about Johnny not wanting us to be together, I thought it would be too hard for me to leave you alone. So I ran. End of story, alright?" He stared at me as I sipped on my pop.

"Oh, and I don't suppose Sylvia had anything to do with it?!" I half yelled as I leaned back against the counter.

Dally looked at me like I was crazy, "God, no. Why would she?"

I rolled my eyes, "Uhm, the letter?" I crossed my arms in wonder of what his excuse was about that.

"The letter, what are you talking ab—The letter?! You read the letter she sent me?!" He stomped up to me in anger.

I stood up straight in fright of what he might have done. I flinched, "I did it to make sure everything was alright," I began to bawl, "I was afraid to lose you! But I guess it's too late for that now, 'cause I did lose you!"

He gasped in a way that I could only describe as in self-disappointment. "Please, Dani," he wrapped his arms around me, "don't cry. You're too beautiful to be crying like this."

I brought my head up and stared up at him in admiration, "Dally," I paused.

He exchanged the same glance, "Yes, Dani?"

I trembled as I stared deeply into his eyes, "I-I love you."

Dally's frown slowly transitioned to a grin as he stared at me. "I love you too, kid." He leaned in and kissed me.

Oh God, I thought, please don't ever have to end!

Sadly that request wasn't fulfilled as he told me, "Go get dressed in something nice and we'll head over to Buck's."

I turned to Dally as I walked to my room, "I should wait until Johnny gets back later tonight before I do anything…" I explained.

Dally rolled his eyes, "Don't you trust me?" That made me smile. He snickered, "Yeah, that's what I thought. Now get your cute ass in there and get ready."

I chuckled as I began to slip on the outfit that lie on the bed. Right as I pulled my jeans on, I hear a creak at the door. I look in the mirror directly in front of the door to see Dally peeking in on me with a smirk on his face.

"Oh, you perve." I cross my arms as I turn around.

He opened the door all the way before protesting, "What? Now I'm not allowed to look at a sexy girl's body? Is there some type of rule against that?" He asked charmingly.

"There should be." I teased.

He slightly grinned, "Whatever, sweetheart." He glanced around the room.

I chuckled, "Yeah, whatever. Let's go now before Johnny gets back and sees you here. He'll be too shocked for words." We then walked out of the door in silence.

Dally surprised me a bit as he was driving a car other than Buck's convertible. Then again, two years could've changed a lot about him, right?

"So I'm just wondering," he said, "you haven't been seeing any other guys over the past couple of years, have you?" He continued to drive down the road to Buck's. Not much has changed about his driving, though. Still reckless and out of control.

I rolled me eyes, "Dal," I turned to look at him, "I think we both know the answer to that. And what about you, Mr. Winston. I'm sure that the ladies have been drooling over you wherever you went?"

He shrugged, "Depends, my dear. Are there any guys that I should know about?" He glanced over at me.

"Watch the road, you dippy!" I pointed in alarm.

He snickered, "I know, I know. I just wanna know, okay?"

I propped my head up against the window with my arm as I spoke, "No, Dal. There hasn't been another boy in my life since you left two years ago. You happy?"

He smiled in satisfaction of this. He focused back on the road, "How come? I thought you'd be beating the boys away with a bat to get them away from you…"

I got a tad flustered as he remarked, "You're so cute, really."

I sighed and shyly replied, "Because," I swallowed, "I waited for you to come back for me." I didn't want to sound like that one girl who believes in happily ever after and that shit, but that's how I felt just then.

He smirked, "And what if I never came back for you, huh? What would you do then? Just stay single for the rest of your life?" He rolled his head back as he laughed.

I took a deep breath, "I knew you'd come back for me."

It was silent for a minute. He finally grinned at me, "Ya know, I'm really tempted to kiss you right now. But I can't now, can I?"

I shot him a smirk before leaning in close to him. I whispered in his ear, "The sooner we get to Buck's, the sooner you can." And with that, he floored it. I laughed my ass off as he picked up the speed, flying down the street.

When we pulled up to Buck's, he stopped the car and ripped the keys out of the ignition. I then leaned into him, passionately kissing him. I slipped my tongue into his mouth, as he did to mine. His lips still, after 2 years, have that bittersweet cola and smoke flavor that I craved so much. He then swiftly moved down from my mouth to my neck, causing me to let out a small moan of pleasure. I clutched at his jacket, pinching at the leather as he continued to please me.

He sat up and removed his jacket from his body, then threw it to the backseat before lowering the front seats. He leaned back, lightly panting. I climbed on top of him, pressing my body against his. I may have only been 16-going-on-17, but I was deeply in love with him. If anyone, I wanted him to take my innocence away.

I began to slip off his shirt when I heard a heavy tapping on the window. I turned to the window and to my complete shock…