WE WERE ALL four walking towards the drive-in, getting ready for this date? I still don't really know what this is.

"Actually....." Steve paused looking towards us. "Let's go to the Dingo and Jay's instead."

"Fine with me. I get to eat food." I shrugged.

We all four walked inside the Dingo and Jay's and Mikey, the restaurant owner, greeted us like he usually does when Soda, Steve, and I come here before work.

We sat at a booth, Sarah and Steve on one side, and Soda and me on the other.

Mikey came over and handed us menus. "I see y'all have a little double-date going on."

We all chuckled. "Just a friendly get together, Mike."

"Mhm. I always knew Soda and Skylar would get together sooner or later." Mikey smirked.

I could feel my cheeks getting red and Soda's was also red. Thank God my best friend saves me always.

"Actually, Steve and I are on a date. We just asked them to come with us since Skylar and I are graduating Wednesday."

"Oh, my little Skye is graduating Wednesday." Mikey put his hand over his heart.

I rolled my eyes. "You have to let your little Skye go, Mikey."

"Never!" He gasped dramatically, which all caused us to laugh.

Thank goodness the awkwardness between Soda and me was over.

Once we all ordered, we all started talking. "So, I guess from what I just told Mikey y'all now know that Steve and I are dating." Sarah spoke.

Soda and I quickly glanced at each other. "Yep, we definitely know now." I chuckled.

Mikey brought over our food and we all dug in. "So, tell us what you're going to say for your valedictorian speech." Sarah said with her mouth full of mashed potatoes.

Soda and Steve looked at me, wide-eyed. "You get to give a speech?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm not too excited about it either."

"Why not, Blue? I'd be jumping up and down if I was valedictorian. Shoot, Darry wouldn't believe it." Soda laughed while taking a sip of Dr.Pepper.

"It's just you have to write about your journey through school and you all know what that involves." I sighed, twirling my fork around the spaghetti on my plate.

Soda put his hand on my shoulder. "Well, tell the whole town how strong you are. Tell them that after all you went through, you're still here giving a valedictorian speech. A Greaser giving a valedictorian speech. They'll never believe it."

I smiled. "Thanks, Soda."

"Soda, why don't you tell us what happened between you and Sandy?" Steve said Sandy's name with pure disgust which made me bust out into laughter.

Soda had a sad look in his eyes like he lost the world. I rolled my eyes. "Wait, let me guess, she cheated on you with the same Soc."

Soda nodded and I laughed. "See, Soda? You never listen to me. I really meant it when I said choose her or me. You either got to choose someone who cheated on you with a Soc or someone who's been there for you literally your whole life! I didn't think it would be that hard, but you chose her and look what she did to you. Now look at me. After all you did, guess what? I'm STILL here for you. That's the kind of person I am and I hate it because I let people treat me like trash and after all they did to me, I'm still there for them."

"I lost my appetite. I'm going home to start writing my speech." I stood up and started walking out the door.

"Wait for me!" Sarah called and raced after me.

We walked side-by-side towards our houses. "You okay?" She asked.

I scoffed. "I don't really know anymore. Sorry I ruined your date night."

She gave me a warm smile. "It's fine, Skye. Steve and I have been on plenty of dates before this one. It's not like you ruined our first date."

"I'm just so pissed right now. I need some air." I started running and Sarah did too.

"You know, you should probably go back to the Dingo and Jay's. Your house is a little farther than mine." I breathed.

"Are you sure?" Sarah questioned. "Yes, I'm sure." I spoke between breaths.

Sarah ran back to the Dingo and Jay's and I didn't run to my house. I ran to the Curtis's.

When I walked in, Darry immediately stood up. "Are there Soc's chasing after you again?"

"No." I laughed, "but thanks for worrying."

"Where's Soda, Steve, and his girlfriend?" He asked, sitting back down on the chair and continuing to read his newspaper.

"I kind of lost my temper on Soda. Again." I replied while going into the kitchen to fetch a bottle of water.

"You're Dally's sister. You always lose your temper." He chuckled.

I walked back into the living room and glared at him. I sat on the couch and sighed. "I told him how he never listens to me and if he did, this wouldn't have happened. Again."

"I'd do that too. You had every right to lose your temper." Darry put his newspaper down to get a sip of his coffee.

"You know, Darry. I always go to you, Pony, or Steve for advice about Soda. I go to Soda for everything else besides when I need help about him." I chuckled while taking another swig of my water.

Darry laughed. "And you always go to Two-Bit when you're stressed out."

I giggled. "Two-Bit always knows how to make me laugh. He makes me not think about stress. I should probably go to him tomorrow because I'm so stressed about this speech I have to write."

Darry grinned. "You know, I would've been valedictorian of my class, but I got one B. ONE. I was so pissed off."

I started laughing and Darry was too when the door swung open. Soda stood there soaking wet.

I stood up and rushed over to him. "Soda, you need to get warm. You're freezing."

"Why would you care?" He snapped and walked pass me.

I closed the door and sighed. "I deserved that one."

I sat on the couch in silence and looked up at Darry. "Hey, where's my little Sucker at?"

"Oh, he and Johnny are over at your house with Dal." He replied.

I chuckled. "They're probably out getting into trouble."

"If Pony ever got in trouble, I'd beat his hind-end." Darry yawned and stretched. "I'm gonna go to bed, Little Winston. See you tomorrow."

"See ya, Muscles." I laid on the couch and waited for Soda to come out of the shower.

I heard the shower turn off and I sat up. Soda walked out with just underwear on. Every time I'm here he always walks out of the shower with about nothing on.

I quickly turned my head the other way and looked at the floor. "You know, Blue." He started, "I care about you a lot. I was just too in love with Sandy to really pay attention."

"Yeah," I scoffed, "you were really stuck up her a-"

"Okay, okay." He laughed.

He finally had pants - and a shirt - on. He sat beside me on the couch and looked at me. "I'm sorry, Blue."

"It's fine, Pepsi-Cola." I laid my head on his chest.

Soda stood up and went over to the radio. He turned it up and a beautiful song was on. It was called, Night Changes.

[okay, let's pretend this song was in the 1980's and not in the 21st century]

https://youtu.be/8zVLwsIsQuk

Soda put his hand in front of mine. "May I have this dance?"

I gave him my hand and stood up with him. "You may."

We danced all around the house to the song.

Everything she's never had, she's showing off.

We're only getting older, baby. And I've been thinking about it lately. Does it ever drive you crazy? Just how fast the night changes. It will never change me and you.

Once the song was over, I yawned. "I better get home."

Soda put his hands through his hair. "Yeah, I guess you should."

I walked towards the door and opened it. "Hey, Blue."

I turned around at Soda. "Yes?"

"Thank you."