Another month has gone by and of course I was still living with the Curtises. I actually found a small apartment building that was very cheap, Johnny and I talked about moving into it, but the boys didn't want me to leave, and even though Dallas would never admit it, he didn't want Johnny to leave either.

It was a Saturday morning and I decided to get up and make pancakes for the boys.

"Good morning." I greeted Ponyboy while sliding two pancakes over to him. He thanked me and informed me he was going to be gone all day to work on a project with Randy. Even though Randy was a soc, he was alright. Randy and Cherry were the only Socs I could stand to be around. He ate his breakfast and was off quickly, not wasting anytime.

I slipped his dishes in the sink and heard Darry walk out. "You making breakfast, that's usually my job?"

"Thought you could enjoy your day off." I replied smiling.

"Actually I got to go to work today, I was gonna have the day off but a buddy of mine got hurt and they need help on this house." He said in the middle of taking big bites.

"Why can't they ask someone else to do it?" I asked frustrated. Darry worked too hard and too often. It wasn't fair.

"It's my job Ella, I'll see you later." He said ruffling my hair as he walked out the door.

"Hey Cinderella." Sodapop greeted.

"Morning." I mumbled.

"What's wrong?"

"I just hate how hard Darry works. I thought he was gonna have the day off but he had to go anyways." My voice was filled with disappointment.

"Well hey look on the bright side." He said grinning.

"What's that?"

"We can hang out today." His voice was preppy and cheerful as always.

"You don't have a date to go on?" I asked sarcastically and rudely while I slid a plate a pancakes in front of him.

"Geez Ella you're never like this. What's wrong?" He was starting to lose his happy go lucky grin and that hurt. I didn't want to be the reason the happiest kid in the world stopped smiling.

"Nothing Sodapop. I'm sorry, what did you have in mind?" I asked kindly which resulted in him smiling again.

"How about I take you on a date?"

I laughed and turned back toward the stove. When he didn't respond I turned around to see that he was serious, his face showed that he was hurt by my laugh and that really broke my heart.

"Wait, are you serious?" I asked.

"I was, yeah, but I mean if you don't want to-"

"No! I do! I just- I didn't think- like I didn't really think you'd want to- like go out with me." I stuttered and stumbled over my words pathetically.

"Why wouldn't I? We're friends. I like hanging out with you, so you want to go on a date with me Cinderella?"

"Yes." I said quickly making my pathetic self become slightly more pathetic. He grinned at my nervous behavior.

"Alright. Well since we live together, I guess I can go to Steve's place and pick you up later. What about 2:00?"

I nodded and he took a bite of his pancakes and winked at me. He slipped on his jacket and was out the door, leaving me with butterflies in my stomach and burning pancakes.