"how do we fall in love? harder than a bullet could hit ya?"

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I pulled up to the school and ran inside, looking everywhere to try and find Cherry. I immediately spotted the red head talking to Marcia. I sprinted over towards them and shot a smile at Marcia.

"Hey, Marc, could you give us just a second?" I asked politely.

She nodded and walked away, leaving just Cherry and I at the lockers. She shot me a glare and I sighed. "I'm sorry for how I acted towards you yesterday, Cherry. You're my best friend and you do so much for me. I was out of line."

Her facial expression changed and she shot me a forgiving smile, pulling me into a hug. "I love you, Kota. You know that, but I really think you should give those Greasers a chance. Just see what they're like."

I rolled my eyes, thinking of the encounter I just had this morning. "Yeah, well keep dreaming on that. I just went to the DX this morning and those two Greasers just about drove me crazy."

"Sodapop and Steve?" Cherry questioned, knitting her eyebrows in confusion. "They're one of the nicest Greasers I've met. I'm sure you were just being mean to them, so they did it back."

I chuckled. "That Sodapop guy kept teasing me just because he knew it pissed me off."

Cherry started giggling. "I'm sure you two would make great friends."

I rolled my eyes. "Tell Bob that."

We started walking towards history class together, but a pair of hands grabbed my wrist, pulling me back. I met face-to-face with Bob. He gave me a small peck on the lips. "Have a good day, love you."

I laughed and pulled away from him. "Love you too."

All of his friends started making kissy faces at us, causing me to flip them off before walking into class. I sat down in my seat and felt a tap on my shoulder. I quickly glanced behind me and saw Steve.

My eyes went wide and I started groaning. "I thought you were at the DX."

He shook his head, an amused grin on his face. "Nope. I was just helping out Soda for the morning. I left right after you."

I rolled my eyes while huffing, turning back to pay attention to the teacher. Cherry was watching us, trying to stifle a laugh. She knows I'm irritated. Steve got close to my ear. "We're going to be best friends, Miss Prissy."

"No, we're not, hood." I snapped, causing the teacher to yell at the both of us.

Steve started giggling behind me, making me grit my teeth. This is now my least favorite class. As soon as the bell rung, I hopped out of my seat, racing towards the door. I went towards science class and thanked God that Steve wasn't in this one.

I sat down in my seat beside a kid named Keith. He's a Greaser, so I don't talk to him unless I have to, but Lord does he love talking to me. He's not even supposed to be in school, but he's gotten held back so much, he's still in this hell hole.

He came in with his usual Mickey Mouse shirt on and shot me a smirk, causing me to furrow my eyebrows. He sat in his usual seat beside me and started giggling. "I see you've met my best buddies this morning."

I banged my head against the table and groaned. "Not you too!"

He started laughing, getting a kick out of the whole thing. "Man, you're probably about the only broad I know that doesn't want Soda. Even if you are a Soc. Every girl is head over heels for ole Soda."

I scoffed. "Yeah, well ole Soda gives me a headache and so do you and Steve! Leave me the hell alone!"

He shook his head, a huge grin plastered on his face. "If you know me, I don't leave people alone. I annoy them even more, so get used to it, Sweet-cheeks."

I clenched my jaw and kept looking forward, avoiding any contact with him. I swear if I have my next class with another one of them, I will lose my mind. After surviving through a whole class period of Two-Bit cracking terrible jokes, I walked to my locker.

I grabbed the stuff I needed for my next three classes and braced myself for the rest of the day. I never thought I would hate school so much.

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As soon as the three o'clock bell rang, everyone ran out of the school as usual, hopping in their best friend's car to go hang out. I waited for Cherry at her locker, leaning my head against the cold metal.

"Well, isn't it, Miss None of your business!" I heard the familiar voice from this morning ring through my ears and I snapped my head around, muttering a cuss word under my breath.

"Well, isn't it, Mr. Cheerios." I fired back, rolling my eyes.

He started chuckling and leaned against the lockers, staring straight at me. "You really hate me, don't you?"

"Why are you even here?" I asked, ignoring his question. "Aren't you supposed to be a drop-out?"

He pretended like he was hurt, making me roll my eyes. "I'm here because I have to pick up my little brother, Ponyboy."

I raised my eyebrows. "Ponyboy's your brother? Well, he sure didn't get his brain from you."

Soda giggled. "And I'm sure you got your looks from your dog, but that's none of my business, right?"

I shot him a glare and started walking away, not even bothering to wait for Cherry. "Nice to see you again, None of your business!" He shouted from behind me.

I huffed and turned my head around. "Dakota!"

As soon as I walked outside, the cold wind slapped across my face. It was that time in the school year where summer was transitioning to fall and football Friday's were religiously practiced. My favorite time of the year.

Bob and Randy were leaning against the Mustang, and I ran over to Bob, running into his arms as he swung me around. "Ready for the football game tonight?" He asked me, kissing me on the forehead.

I nodded. "You know it. You're going to do great."

He smiled. "Well, I have you. Why wouldn't I be great?"

I giggled and glanced forward to catch a glimpse of Soda and his brother walking towards the East side as Steve and Two-Bit followed. Bob snapped me out of my gaze. "C'mon, let's go. Randy and I have to be at the football field in five minutes."

I nodded and hopped in the passenger seat, making Randy get in the back. I laughed and stuck my tongue out at him, making him stick his tongue back out at me. Bob pulled in the parking lot and I ran towards the bleachers, trying to find Marcia.

Cherry wasn't here yet, maybe Marcia is.

I started walking from bleacher to bleacher, but no one was here. It was completely empty because there was more than an hour left till the game. I chose my usual seat close to the field and sat down, wrapping my blanket over me.

"Hey, doll."

I shot my head around to find Dallas Winston. I scoffed. "Get lost."

"Dal, this is mine. Go find some other girl to annoy." I heard Soda joke.

Dally mumbled something under his breath and moved away from me, Soda plopping down right beside me. "What's my lovely Soc doing here sitting by herself?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "First of all, I'm not yours. Second, I'm waiting for Cherry. Now go away."

He inhaled the cold air, making a dramatic sigh. "Sorry, no can do. I'm not going to leave you alone until you learn how to act decent towards my friends."

I laughed sarcastically. "I'll just get Bob then."

Soda scoffed. "And you think I'm scared, how?"

I shook my head, not saying a word. "Look, just leave me alone! I came here to enjoy a game. Not to hear you babble all day in my eardrum."

"Yeah, and I'll keep babbling until you say one nice thing to me." He shot back, making me curl my fists into a ball.

"Please, get the hell away from me." I spoke through gritted teeth.

He shot me a huge grin, his pearly white teeth flashing me. "It's a start." He got up and walked away, making me let out a huge breath of relief.

Thank God.

"Oh, but I'll see you tomorrow, Dakota." Soda emphasized my name, flipping off the seat and landing on the ground, shouting random things in the air.

I shook my head, chuckling. Of course I'll see him tomorrow.

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this was a super duper long chapter, dude.

HOPE YOU LIKED IT.

ship names?

I was thinking, #KOTAPOP

but, tell me your ideas!