***THIS IS GONNA BE A SHORT CHAPTER***

"Are you okay Lacey?" Jilly asks me for the millionth time.

I stare at the mirror as I place my locket in my clutch so I know he's with me. I look at her reflection in the mirror and smile a weak small sad smile, "lets go Jillian."

She walks behind me as we walk up to the church, "just take a deep breathe."

As we get to the church I see Sodapop with a Virginia on his arm. Her face is covered with a lace vial and she's wearing a clearly expensive very flattering, lace dress with black wedges. My blood boils as I walk over to Sodapop, "thank you for coming Sodapop, it means a lot to Two-bit and I. I'm just going around saying thank you to our guests."

I look over at Virginia giving her a look that could kill with a pleased smirk on my face than back at Sodapop.

He hugs me, "of course I'm here Lace. I'm sorry for you loss."

I walk away from him and into the church where I find my mom standing in front of his casket staring down at him. "Mommy?" I ask confused.

She turns around and smiles, "hey baby, are you okay?"

"Not at all," I say a I hold back tears. "It hurts mom and I don't know what to do or how to deal with it or when to cry."

"Right now's a good time," she says as she pulls me into a hug. I feel the silent tears make their way down my face. "You're father was a good man despite walking out on us, he was a good man. He loved you very much Lace."

"I know," I mutter. "When does the service begin?"

"In ten minutes," she whispers.

I quickly wipe away the tears, "gee thanks for letting me cry ma."
***
As the service is ending I walk over to Sodapop and hug him, "I think I'm going home soon because, my mom is here. I just wanted to let you now that even though we're not still dating and that we've had a lot of road bumps. I just had to say I love you, one last time."

I can see the tears behind his eyes as he speaks the lingering pain of our relationship is audible in his voice as he speaks "Lacey."

I shake my head, "don't talk. I have to tell you something first. When I started using again it wasn't because, we were't official it was because I was afraid I might of lost you for good. That I would of never been able to see you or tell you I lo-"

"Sodapop it's time to get home," Darry interrupts. "Feel better Lace and know that you're welcome at my house anytime." 

"I gotta g-" Soda starts to say as he goes to walk away.

I grab his hand pulling him back as I cut him off swiftly, "I thought I was gonna loose you forever. You were...no you are one of the most important people to me. You were just so hurt and it hurt me. I had to numb the pain Sodapop. So Sodapop, do you love me?"

He nods his head as silent tears make a way down his cheeks, "I love you."

"Then stay with me. I mean go break up with Virginia and stay with me. Everything is fixed and we can be in love again," I sniffle slightly.

"You have to go home and so do I," he sighs as he shakes his head.

"I've never lov-" I start, but get off by Darry.

"Sodapop lets go!" He shouts.

"...Loved a guy before you. I mean sure there was Tucker, but that was puppy love," I speak softly. "So please just be with me. I'll do anything."

He shakes his head as he continues to cry silently, "we are gonna be in two different states living two different lives....This is it."

"It can't be," I beg. "Just be my boyfriend again." 

"I can't," at this point he is sobbing loudly.

My heart sinks and I can feel the tears behind my eyes ready to fall, but I blink them back, "why not?"

He looks away from me, "I don't want a long distance relationship."

"But you love me," I sigh.

He nods his head, "I do, but we both have to go home and I don't want a long distance relationship. I'm tired of fighting Lacey. This shouldn't be this hard if we love each other. We shouldn't have to fight this hard, but we do and I'm tired. I just wanna be happy with a girlfriend I can see everyday."

I shake my head not wanting to believe him or this, "what about us?"

"There is no us," he whispers.

"Sodapop come on it's late and Ponyboy is tired! It's time to go home!" Darry screams.

He pecks my lips and I can taste his salty tears on his lips. As we pull away he looks deeply into my eyes, "goodbye Lacey."

"I love you," I whisper to myself as he walks away.

My mom walks over to me, "let's go home Lace, it's been a long day."

I shake my head, "where is home?"

So, this is it. Sodapop and Lacey are broken up for good this time. This is the last chapter. This book was two books in the making and I've been writing it forever. I know this is a sad ending because, well they broke up. I hope you guys enjoyed the books. What do you think of the way it ended? This is it the Sodapop and Lacey love story is over. Just kidding! This is not the end and it's not the last chapter! I mean it's coming to end there's like five or six chapters left then an epilogue. Although, it's not over. Stay gold. Do it for Johnny!

-Beth