Quick update!! I'll try to update more often. Love all of my readers. Thanks for reading. I don't own The Outsiders or characters.

This chapter is dedicated to @jmolina28686 for all the feedback and support.

Shelby's POV

It's been a few weeks since we decided Steve couldn't come with me. We act like everything is normal, but we are both dreading it. We now try to enjoy every moment we have together. Since Soda is making more money Darry is less stressed and might get to quit one of his jobs. Steve is looking for his own place but he says it has to have a lot of bedrooms so the gang can stay over whenever they want.

*working in the garage at the DX*

Steve was under a car and I was handing him the tools he needed.

"I haven't asked you yet....when do you have to leave?" Steve asked gloomily.

"July 5." I sighed.

"In a week?!?!" He raised up bumping his head. "Ow!!"

"Yeah.." I whispered.

"That's not long enough." He rolled out from under the car.

"I know." I whispered. He stood up.

"Don't worry though. We'll be fine." He tried to smile. I hugged him. He squeezed me so tight I could barely breath. But I didn't say anything. I'm gonna miss this. I start to tear up. I sniffled.

"Oh baby please don't cry. Please don't cry. Then I'll cry."

"I'm sorry. I'm gonna miss you like crazy." I said trying to fight the tears.

"I'm gonna miss you to." He sniffled. He's crying?! I've never seen him cry and never thought I would. That broke me. I sobbed into his chest. He started half way crying to.

"I'll visit you as much as I can." He whispered in my ear, kissing my cheek.

"I'm taking double classes so I can visit more often....but still not very much."

"I understand. I'm sure Soda won't mind to work without me sometimes."

"Yeah and Leah can help him." I smirked.

"You dirty minded girl." Steve laughed

"You corrupted me."

"I find that hard to believe."

"You're right. I've always had a dirty mind." I said. We were still hugging. He loosened his grip and started swaying us back and forth.

"What am I gonna do without ya?"

"Take care of my horse, make money, take care of things, don't flirt with other girls, and think of me." I said.

"Do you really think I'd flirt with other girls? Cause if you do I've done a terrible job of showing you how much I love you."

"I know you wouldn't. Oh and you better be nice to Pony." I said sternly. He laughed.

"That's no fun. Maybe I should remind you how much I love you." He kissed me slowly and passionately. We moved in perfect sync.

"I'm right under this car ya know." Soda chuckled.

"Oh shit. I forgot you were here." Steve said.

Thanks buddy. I'm feelin the love." Soda joked.

"Come here Soda and let me love you." I said. He rolled out from under the car and got up. I gave him a hug.

"I love you!!" I squealed.

"I love you to!!" He mocked me. Steve groaned. "I think someone's jealous." Soda pretending to whisper but said it where Steve could hear.

"I think so to." I mocked him.

"I ain't jealous! You two are just crazy." Steve defended hisself. Me and Soda broke our hug.

"Come here Stevie." I said hugging him. He hugged me back.

"Is that better?" I asked.

"Very."

"Good cause you need to finish this car cause it's almost closin time." I broke the hug.

"Already finished it." Soda said grabbing his stuff.

"Then why were you under the car?" Steve asked him.

"I was workin on it but I finished and I didn't want to interrupt y'all's talk." Soda smirked.

"Bullshit nosy." Steve said.

"Steve Randle I'd never ease drop." Soda joked.

"Sure." Steve said.

"Quit y'all's bickerin and let's go home." I told them.

"Yeah Steve..quit bickerin." Soda said.

"Me! You started it!" Steve said. I rolled my eyes.

"I didn't start it! You did!" Soda yelled. They went on and on.

"First one to the car gets to drive!!" I yelled. They instantly stopped and ran to the car. I laughed and locked up.

"I was here first!!" Soda yelled.

"No, I was!!" Steve argued.

"And I got the keys." I smirked hopping in the car.

"Hey! No fair." Soda whined.

"Life's not fair." I said.

"Ya got that right." Steve grumbled.

"Stevie what's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothin."

Steve's POV

"Life's not fair." Shelby said. It's not. Nothing's fair about the love of my life leaving me for who knows how long! She's so pretty guys will try to get in her pants everyday! And I'll be here, having my own pity party. Oh well, there are good things, Shelby will have a better future and this might strengthen us.

"Ya got that right." I tried to whisper.

"Stevie what's wrong?" Shelby asked concerned. Guess I didn't whisper.

"Nothin."

"Nice try. What's wrong?" I just can't lie to that girl.

"It's just that....well..you're leavin and all....I'm just really really gonna miss ya alright."

"I'm gonna miss ya to..so much..but we have one more week so let's not think about it and enjoy it."

"I know. Let's go partyin every night or somethin." I smirked.

"I agree. We should. We are!!" She exclaimed. Soda let out a fake puppy whimper.

"I'll miss you to Soda and you can come party with us." Shelby said.

"Aww. I'll miss you to. I could just kiss ya!" Soda said. He leaned over the backseat and kissed Shelby's cheek.

"Woah now buddy. Take it easy with my girl." I told Soda. I was mad but it was Soda and I know he didn't mean it so I kept my cool.

"Chill buddy. I'm just playin." He smiled his usual smile that always makes the girls go crazy. I still don't get why Shelby said yes to me instead of him or some soc. I ain't complaining though.

We pulled into the Curtis house. Everyone was there, including Darry.

"Hey Darry how come you're home so early?" Soda asked.

"We finally have enough money kiddo. I quit my second job." He smiled.

"Really?!?? That's great!!" Soda yelled.

"Ya know, ever since yall showed up, things have gotten better." Darry said talking about our girls.

"Duh. We're good luck charms. That's why there's 7 of us. The boys are just spares." Shelby said.

"I guess yall are." Darry smiled.

"What do wanna do for the 4th?" Darry asked. The 4th. The day before Shelby leaves. I usually like the 4th. Parties, girls, and beer. What more could a guy want? But this year..I'm dreading it.

"Let's go to lake Tenkiller in Talequah! It's only a hour drive!" Shelby suggested. (A/N lake Tenkiller is a real place in Oklahoma. I live in that area.)

"Sounds good to me. How bout you guys?" Darry asked. They all answered with "sure's" and "why not's".

We sat around till dark then everyone went home. I told Shelby goodnight and that I love her. I don't want to sleep though....because then the 5th will come faster.

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