ONCE WE ALL left the Dingo and Jay's, we all walked home. Soda came inside with me, and Dally told me he wouldn't be home until later tonight, so that meant Soda and I had the house to ourselves.

I yawned and sat Bent down on the floor so he could roam around his new house that he'll be living at. Soda looked at me and grinned. "You look exhausted."

I chuckled. "Well, I haven't gotten any sleep for the past two days."

"Let's go to bed!" He shouted and picked me up over his shoulders, causing me to squeal. "Soda, put me down!"

He lowered me and kissed me on the lips. "This was the best day of my life."

I smirked. "Oh really? Because whenever you were with Sandy and y'all had y'all's first kiss you said the same thing."

His expression hardened at the mention of Sandy. "You're way better than her. Personality-wise, you're way more beautiful, and a bonus, you're a way better kisser." He laughed emphasizing the way.

Once I got changed, I just handed Soda a pair of Dally's pajamas. He climbed into bed and I instantly wanted to pass out. Has my bed always been this comfy?

I turned opposite of Soda and he wrapped his arm around my waist protectively. I grinned and sat up in bed. "What is it?" Soda's voice came out muffled in the pillow.

"I'm going to go get Bent." I spoke and ran downstairs to grab him. I brought him back up and laid him in bed right beside me. Soda put his arm around me again and Bent nuzzled up in my chest. I instantly fell asleep, thankful I was in my bed.

SKYLAR'S DREAM

May 14, 1983 (Skylar and Soda were 14)

I was sitting in the window of my room, looking out onto the neighborhood. I sighed and starting doodling in my notebook. I always drew when I was upset, I don't know why. Maybe because my mom did the same thing. I wasn't too bad at drawing, but I wasn't as great as my mother was.

The current piece that I was drawing was probably one of my best. It was exactly how I was feeling at the moment. Pure hatred and sadness.

Dad walked in and sat on my bed. "Whatcha drawing, Pumpkin?"

I quickly turned the page. I didn't need him seeing this. He would try to punch whoever I was drawing about.

Soda.

He grabbed my notebook and I sighed. "Do you ever give me privacy?"

"Nope." He smiled and turned back to my drawing. His face saddened and he looked at me. "You drew this?"

I hesitantly nodded and instantly gazed out the window, embarrassed. "You got your art skills exactly from your mom." He started sniffling and I thanked God he didn't ask who it was about.

He gave me back my drawing and walked out the door. I glanced down at my drawing and gulped. Soda and Sandy, dancing in the night.

It not only mentally- but physically- kills a person when they watch someone they love, love someone else. Pure hatred grows for the person.

I sighed and closed my notebook. Just then, Soda walked through my door and sat beside me on the window like he always does after his mom finishes supper. "You okay?" He furrowed his eyebrows, his eyes full of concern.

"I'm always fine." I used my famous line.

"No you're not. You never are." Soda answered. He looked away and he suddenly changed the topic into the worst thing ever. "You need to get a boyfriend." He smirked.

"No." I replied in a monotone voice.

"Yes! C'mon, Blue, all the guys want you at school- even the Soc's- and you turn them down."

Soda collapsed on my bed and raised his head to look up at me. "Why do you never hope for things, Blue?"

"I'm fine believing that nothing much is going to happen for me. Otherwise, I'm full of hope. You hope for things, you get disappointed." I spoke and looked down while fiddling with my fingers.

//

I WOKE UP to Bent licking my face repeatedly. I groaned while scrunching up my face. I sat up and saw a note in Soda's spot.

I went to my house to go get dressed. Be ready for date night at seven. I love you

I smiled and got up out of bed, grabbing Bent's leash. I decided leaving him out on the porch to use the bathroom isn't as healthy as walking him. So, that way we'll both get exercise.

I put my sunglasses on and once we started strolling down the street, Bent's tail started wagging up and down which made me giggle.

"You have a cute giggle, you know that?" Soda came up behind me and grabbed me by the waist.

I covered my hand over my mouth. "No, that wasn't me."

"Really? Because I think I heard the Skylar Winston giggle. The Winston's don't giggle." He teased and kissed me on the cheek.

"So, where are we going for date night?" I asked as I stopped so Bent could take a leak at someone's mail box.

"It's a surprise." A devilish smirk played on his face.

//

I CALLED SARAH to come over and help me, and honestly, I think she was more excited than me.

"What?! Of course I will! What kind of question is that?!" She screamed through the telephone. I cringed at her ear-splitting voice and hung the phone back on the wall.

Minutes later, Sarah came barging in like the FBI and dragged me upstairs. "You're wearing this, I'm doing your make-up, I'm doing your hair, and you're wearing heels, so get over it."

My eyes went huge and I laughed. "If you think you're going to make me wear heels you must be out of your mind."

Sarah turned and shot me a glare and I rolled my eyes. "Fine, Princess, we'll do whatever you want to do even though it's my date night."

Sarah did her pampering and once everything was finished, both of our jaws dropped. I didn't even recognize myself. "Hell, I did great." Sarah flipped her hair.

I heard guys laughing downstairs, and I furrowed my eyebrows. Sarah laughed nervously. "Soda wanted the whole gang to see you because I may have told him to do it."

I gave her a cold stare and she pushed me down the stairs. "Get ready for the new and improved, SKYLAR GRACE WINSTON!" Sarah announced, and I thumped her on the back of the head. "You really had to use my middle name, didn't you?"

When I got to the bottom of the stairs, everyone froze and their jaws dropped. Soda looked hypnotized as he stared at me. "Y-you look like a goddess."

I blushed and looked down. "The Queen S is here, bow down peasants!" I yelled and grabbed Soda while running- well trying to run- out the door, but my heels wouldn't allow that. I almost fell when we got outside and Soda caught me.

"You've never worn heels before, have you?" He chuckled.

"Nope." I popped the p and shook my head.

//

WE ARRIVED AT this restaurant named 80's Diner. Pretty original name. When we walked in, my mouth dropped. It was absolutely beautiful in here!

Once we sat at our seats and got situated, the waitress came over. "How may I help you?" Her voice sounded oddly familiar.

Soda and I immediately popped our heads up and I about lost it. "Long time no see, Soda and Skylar." She seethed.

Sandy.