(Kate's POV)

The morning after my date with Darry, I practically woke up with a smile on my face. Last night was even better than I expected.

Despite the nerves and anxiety that I felt before Darry had knocked on my door, I thought we had really hit it off on our first date. I got to spend time with him and learn more about him and his group of friends. As far as I could tell, it seemed like he enjoyed the date too. He was excited about a second date, so he must've had a good time, right?

I was buzzing with energy, so I decided to go to the diner for breakfast. Hopefully Rachel or Connie will be there so I can tell them everything.

By the time I arrived at the diner, the Sunday morning rush of people were already sitting at the tables, eating their breakfasts. I saw a few open stools at the end of the counter, so I sat in one of those and waited to see who be the one to wait on me.

"Kate!" Rachel shouted from the other end of the counter, her face shining with eagerness. She knew about my date the night before, so I knew she'd be as excited as anyone to hear the details, even if they would be considered boring by her standards. "I'll be right over there."

After taking an elderly couple's order, she quickly made her way over to me.

"Soooo… how did your date go?" Rachel asked, wiggling her eyebrows. "Wait! Are you going to get something to eat? I can get your order, and I'll take my break when it's ready so we can chat."

I grinned. "Perfect."

I only had to wait a few minutes before my food was ready. Apparently, our cook saw me come in and had started making chocolate chip pancakes for me right away. Once I had food in front of me, Rachel pulled up a stool across from me, put her elbows on the counter, and rested her chin in her hands. "Okay, spill."

I told her everything from the night before: Darry being handsome without trying, Dallas Winston showing up, Darry getting Dallas to leave, learning about Darry's friends, and lastly, how Darry was a perfect gentleman all night. I tried to eat while I talked, but I barely touched my pancakes on account of how excited I was to tell my best friend everything.

"Did anything else happen?" Rachel asked, obviously expecting more surprising details. I shook my head, which seemed to bum her out. "What? Not even a kiss or a hug?"

"No, Rach. It was our first date," I said simply.

"So?!" she exclaimed, not understanding what I meant by that.

I rolled my eyes a little, but I still smiled back at her. Rachel wasn't one to shy away from kissing on a first date, but it takes me longer to be comfortable with people than it takes Rachel, and that includes most forms of physical affection.

She opened her mouth like she wanted to say something more, but her eyes moved to look towards the door. "I think someone's looking for you."

I gave her a questioning look, then I turned in my seat, curious to see who she could be looking at. It only took a moment for my eyes to land on Two-Bit, who was looking around the diner like he was trying to find something or someone. A few seconds later, his eyes landed on mine. "Kate!"

"You sure are popular with those greasers," Rachel teased.

"Shut it," I muttered under my breath as I watched Two-Bit walk towards us.

Once the greaser reached us, he jumped up on the barstool next to me, then flashed Rachel a grin. "Hey pretty lady. Do I know you from somewhere?"

It looked like she was debating whether or not to answer him, but after a brief silence, Rachel responded. "I'm Rachel Mandry. I went to school with you guys." She was a bit terse, and I figured it bothered her that Two-Bit didn't immediately remember her like he remembered me.

Two-Bit laughed, which made Rachel's face contort into a puzzled expression. "Ah shoot, I knew that. I was just messin' with ya. You think I'd forget a sweet face like yours?"

That got Rachel to smile. For someone who tends to tread carefully around greasers, she seemed to warm up to Two-Bit pretty quickly. "Well you're pretty unforgettable yourself, Two-Bit."

Two-Bit, not unlike what Rachel did to me earlier, wiggled his eyebrows at her. "Oh yeah?"

"She didn't say it was a good thing," I muttered to Two-Bit.

He looked back at me and burst out laughing. "You two are a riot. I need to hang out with y'all more often."

"We won't have a choice if you keep showing up at our work," Rachel quipped, earning another laugh from Two-Bit.

"And don't expect a free chocolate shake every time you show up," I added with a smirk.

Two-Bit was clutching his stomach, which I assumed was hurting from all the laughing he was doing. Finally, when he settled down, he looked at me and spoke with a knowing smile on his face. "Trust me Kate, I know. You only handed out free shakes to get Darry's attention, right?"

I froze. Was it that obvious? To make matters worse, Rachel chimed in. "She didn't believe me when I told her Darry was interested in her, so that was her brilliant idea to figure it out."

"Is that so?" Two-Bit asked in a sing-song voice as he looked at Rachel, then back at me.

I felt myself blushing, and I had no way to hide it. They just don't understand how unlikely it felt that Darry would be interested in me.

Rachel suddenly stood up and turned before slowly walking away. "I should get back to work. Nice seeing you, Two-Bit." I glared at her back as she walked away. Of course she ditches me the moment I need her help to change the subject.

"Look, I ain't that bright, but I can usually tell when people have ulterior motives," Two-Bit said quieter. "I knew exactly what you were doin'."

I chanced a glance at him, and he was smirking at me. "It was pretty obvious, huh? The free shakes, I mean."

He shrugged. "To me maybe, but I'm not sure Darry quite got the hint, even though all of us were tellin' him you'd give him your number if he just asked. By the way, that was a nice move giving it to him on the receipt."

I felt my face heat up again, and I felt embarrassed at how easy it was to make me blush. "I don't know what came over me. I just really wanted him to have it and call me. If there was even a chance that he'd want to go on a date, I had to take the risk."

Thankfully, instead of laughing or making fun of me, Two-Bit gave me a small smile. "Well, I think all of us are glad you took that risk."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Really?"

His smile turned into another smirk. "Yeah, really. I think Darry's always had a thing for you. And glory, when he was talking about the date y'all went on last night, he was smiling the whole time. Well, except when he was yellin' at Dally-"

"Wait, what?" I interrupted.

He nodded. "Yeah, all of us were hanging out at the Curtis house last night, and as soon as Darry got back, he laid into Dally about buggin' you," Two-Bit said. Then he took a breath and crossed his arms over his chest and leaned his back against the counter. "Man, I haven't seen him like that in a long time… probably since anyone messed with either his brothers. He was real angry, and he about ripped Dally a new one."

"But… they're friends," I started, not quite understanding why Darry would yell at his friend over me. They had known each other for years, and even though Darry and I knew about each other for a while too, we weren't as close as any of their gang; we were just former classmates. "It was our first date, and Dallas didn't do much anyway. He just tried to convince me to leave with him, and it didn't work. That shouldn't be a reason for friends to get into an argument."

"Sure, they're friends and all, but Darry doesn't take too kindly to anyone bothering girls, especially not one that he's been pining for since high school," Two-Bit explained casually. Then, after seen my apprehension, he waved his hand dismissively at me. "Don't worry about it, Kate. Everything's fine between them. They have an understanding. We don't tend to hold grudges against members of our own gang."

I nodded, but I found myself nervously biting my lip. I was uncomfortable that I caused Darry to yell at one of his friends, but the sentiment behind it was commendable.

Apparently sensing my agitation, Two-Bit lowered his voice and spoke seriously. "Look, don't tell Darry I said anything, but I think he's worried that you'd be scared off by Dal. And Darry really likes you, so that's why he was so mad about it. If Dally messed up any chance that he had to spend more time with you, he would beat the tar outta ol' Dally."

"Why would he think that Dallas scared me off?" I asked. Sure, Dallas was a greaser and a hood, but I didn't see him as scary or as a threat. Especially not if Darry is around.

"Well, Dal's our buddy and all, but he ain't exactly the kind of guy anyone would want their girl or sister to be around without supervision," he said cryptically, like he was trying to say something without really saying it. "Hell, it took a while before Darry let his brothers hang out with him alone."

I grinned, knowing what Two-Bit was trying to get at. It was nice to think that Darry, or even potentially Two-Bit, would be concerned about me, but I didn't need the protection. "It's alright. I can handle Dallas Winston."

Two-Bit's eyebrows skyrocketed. "Damn Kate. Dal told us you were tough, but I didn't realize how tough you really were."

I shrugged, temporarily ignoring the fact that Dallas had called me tough. "He's not the first guy like that I've had to deal with."

Two-Bit gave me an analytical look, then it was quickly wiped away and replaced with a wild grin. "Yeah? You got loads of guys buggin' you because you're so pretty?"

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, something like that," I said sarcastically.

Sure, there were some guys that told me I was pretty, and they never liked it when I didn't return the sentiment or instantly fall for them. Some of them would even say pretty nasty things about me, but I could deal with those guys without much problem. However, there were other men that did other things that I had bigger problems with.

"Well, if anyone else gives you trouble, you can tell any of us and we'll deal with 'em," Two-Bit said earnestly.

"Who does 'us' include?" I asked, skepticism thick in my voice.

"The gang!" Two-Bit exclaimed, acting like it should have been obvious. "If you're spending time with Darry, that means we all have your back. Obviously Darry will be the one to pummel anyone that messes with you, he's real protective like that, but we'll be there to help him out."

My eyebrows shot up at my surprise. "Really?" Sure, I had a few close friends, and both Rachel and Connie were always there for me when I needed them, but I never had a group of people that would be so willing to deal with my problems, especially not with their fists.

"Of course," he said simply, like it was a normal thing. "And now that Dally knows you're going out with Darry, he won't bother you. In fact, he's actually a good guy to have on your side if you're ever in a scrape."

I grinned and nodded my head. I knew there was a good side to Dallas Winston that most people didn't see until the article in the newspaper talked about how he helped save the kids in the burning church, and it sounded like both bravery and loyalty were parts of that good side.

"That's good to know." Then, I smirked and tried to lighten the mood. "You know, Darry and I have only gone on one date, so you might be getting ahead of yourself by offering up your gang to beat up people on my behalf."

"If you weren't scared by bein' around Dally, then I think you have a pretty good shot at sticking around for a while," Two-Bit said casually, like he didn't just say he expected Darry and me to date for an extended period of time. "Well, as long as Darry doesn't mess anything up."

"Like he could do that," I said with an eye roll. "He's a perfect gentleman. There's a better chance that I'll do or say something that makes him run for the hills."

Two-Bit chuckled. "Well, I guess the guys and I will have to make a bet then."

"I want in on that bet!" I heard Rachel say from a few tables away.

Later that night, after I cleaned my apartment and settled down on the couch to watch some tv, my phone rang. I instantly reached for it, successfully answering it before the second ring finished.

"Hello?" I said expectedly. I knew who it would be, or at least who I wanted it to be.

"Hi Kate," Darry's soothing voice said, instantly making me smile.

"Hi Darry, how are you?" I asked. Then I felt like smacking my palm to my forehead. Really, Kate? That's the best you could come up with?

"I'm good. How are you?" he responded politely.

"I'm good," I said automatically. I couldn't wipe the smile from my face even if I tried. "I had a lot of fun last night."

"I did too," he said. "What were you up to today?"

"I went to the diner for breakfast. Rachel was working, so I hung out with her for a bit. Oh, and I ran into a familiar face while I was there," I said, trying to see if Darry knew about Two-Bit showing up to talk to me.

"Really?" Darry asked, intrigued. "Who?"

I guess he didn't know.

"Oh, uh…" Should I tell him? After a moment of thinking, I decided I had to. I'm the one that brought it up, and I couldn't just pretend I didn't. "It was Two-Bit. He hung out for a little bit."

He let out a short chuckle. "So that's where he went." After a pause, he must've realized I had no idea what he was talking about, because he explained. "The guys were at the house this morning, and we were going to play football in the lot, but he suddenly said he had somewhere to be."

I rolled my eyes, but I was still grinning. Two-Bit tries to be sneaky, I'll give him that.

"He didn't cause any trouble, did he?" Darry asked, suddenly sounding a little worried. "What did he want?"

Should I tell him? If I tell him, then I'd be betraying Two-Bit's trust, but I also don't want to lie to Darry. I decided for something in the middle. "He wanted to talk about last night. Gossip a little, I guess."

There was a short bout of silence, and I was worried that Darry would be mad at Two-Bit, or maybe even at me if he knew I was omitting something. While I waited for him to speak again, I stared at the tv intently to try to keep my anxiety at bay. They were saying something about the weather.

"Let me guess… he told you about me yelling at Dally after our date?" Darry figured.

Omitting things was one thing, but I wasn't going to outright lie to Darry. "Yeah, he did. And look, Darry… I don't want to come between you and your friends-"

"No Kate, it's not like that," Darry interrupted. "Dally and I are fine. Well, we will be fine as long as he doesn't bug you like that again." I could picture him smirking, but with a serious look in his eyes as he spoke, and I was instantly grinning again. "It's just… shoot, how do I say it?"

I waited to hear what Darry had to say, but he was struggling to come up with words on his own. I decided to try to help him out. "Darry, are you worried that Dallas would scare me away?" I offered, wearing a smirk of my own. "Do you think I was uncomfortable?"

"I- I guess. Yeah," he admitted.

Damn, Two-Bit was right.

"In case you didn't notice Darry, I stayed. It would take a lot more to scare me away than one greaser hitting on me. Even if it was a guy like Dallas Winston," I said confidently. "Your friends don't scare me; I don't think they could if they tried. If you're friends with them, then I'm sure they're great."

Darry let out a sigh of what I hoped was relief. "Glory, you don't know how happy I am to hear you say that. I was worried that you'd want nothing to do with me after last night." Then I heard him let out a short laugh. "And by the way, I hope guys hitting on you doesn't happen frequently on our dates. I might have to throw a few punches."

As I laughed at that, I felt my heart warmed by the thought that Darry had assumed that we were going to go on multiple dates as long as I wasn't upset about Dallas. Not only that, but he already felt protective over me, which was something I didn't think I'd ever enjoy, but I was wrong.

With a new wave of confidence, I dared to bring up a related topic. "Darry, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure," Darry replied, his voice giving away his curiosity.

I took a breath before saying what was on my mind. "When Dallas was leaving the drive-in last night, he asked for my name, and when I told him, he said 'thought so' and acted like he knew who I was, but I'd never met him before. Do you know what that's about?"

There was a long pause, and I was worried that I managed to cross a line or bring up something I wasn't supposed to, but before I could back-track, he answered. "Please don't take this the wrong way, but during high school, I kind of talked about you with the gang. Nothing bad, I swear. It's just… they've all heard about you." He sounded genuine and almost shy, like he wasn't sure if he should tell me all of those things or not.

"You talked about me?" I asked, not really comprehending why he would've done that. Sure, Two-Bit mentioned that Darry may have liked me in high school, but I didn't think it was to the point that he had told his closest friends about me.

"I'm sorry, that probably sounds kind of creepy," he said quickly, probably overthinking what he had said to me. "I told them I thought you were cool and really pretty. They kept telling me to ask you out, but I obviously chickened out."

"You actually liked me back then?" I asked, still not really believing it. He was the star football player and Boy of the Year. He dated other, prettier and more Socy girls. Why would he like me?

"Yeah, I did," he said immediately. "Still do, in case I haven't made that clear."

I giggled at that, sounding exactly like a teenage girl when her crush tells her he likes her. "What a coincidence, I like you too."

"Enough for a second date?" Darry asked.

"Absolutely," I said. "But remember, I'm paying this time."