The Power of Love

March 30, 1972

"I really don't think it's a good idea for me to go back right now," Two-Bit said unsurely.

I rolled my eyes, "It's just two months, then you'll be back here."

"But what if somethin' happens while I'm gone."

"Nothing's gonna happen. And if anything did happen, both Keilah and your mom'll be at the house... just make sure you write to us as soon as you get there."

"That goes for you too," I heard Candy say to Soda.

Two-Bit gave a slight look that was unsure. "You sure you'll be ok?"

I nodded and gave a small smile. "I'll be fine, now stop worrying."

"Fine," he showed a fake pout, "So is he gonna do it?"

"I think so," I shrugged.

After about five minutes, the two got their first call to go. Two-Bit leaned down to kiss me then turned and pat Soda on the shoulder, then the two turned and started toward the train. The rest of us started to move back a bit. Soda turned back around toward us and quickly ran back to Candy. "I forgot I had something to ask ya," he said to her.

She gave a slightly confused look, "What's up?"

He took a deep breath then got down on one knee. He let out a nervous chuckle. "Ok... Candy, it's no secret how much I love you. I know I have to go and that my draft ain't over for another two years, but when those two years are up- I wanna know that you'll be there with me." He took a ring out form his pocket and held it up to her. "Candice Ramos... will you marry me?"

"Oh my gosh," she whispered with a slight chuckle and then bit her lip, then nodded, "yes."

He smiled. "Yes?"

She nodded again and chuckle. "Yes, Soda. I'll marry you."

He took her left hand and started to slide the ring on her finger. "I know it's not fancy or nothin' but-"

"I love it."

He smiled again then stood up. He cupped her chin and kissed her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Another call went out throughout the place. He pulled away, smiled at her and then left with Two-Bit, who now waved at me from the distance. We watched as the two disappeared from sight. Candy turned to us all with the biggest smile I'd ever seen on her face ever since I met her. "We told you so," Evie teased her.

We all left after that. Darry and Marilyn went home along with Danny and Sandy. Steve and Evie decided to go out. Cherry had to go home to work on some her classwork. Candy came over to where I lived, which is also where Mrs. Matthews and Keilah would be staying for a few months. "Do I have the right to say I told you so?" I asked Candy when we got to the house.

She chuckled and shook her head, "Let's see what happens with Evie and Cherry first."

"You're no fun." I stuck my tongue out at her but ended up laughing.

"How long have you and Soda been together?" Mrs. Mathews asked her.

She had basically become like the mother figure to all of us- even Darry and Marilyn. As we all got older, she started to help out with things. When Marilyn had stayed home to take care of Mariah, she filled in for her at the book store in what was her usual shift. Marilyn and Darry had also been talking to Mrs. Mathews a long before Mariah was born, and eventually just Darry about raising a young girl- not including me when was a teenager.

Sure, Candy and Evie and Cherry had their own moms. But lately it seemed that they had gone to Mrs. Mathews more often. She had insisted of us calling her Lisa- and to me, even Mom- cause she thought "Mrs. Mathews" was too formal. She was even joking around with me once saying that it was weird sometimes now that there were two Mrs. Mathews.

"Since I was a sophomore in high school," Candy answered, "Every girl in town wanted to go out with him."

"But thanks to Evie, being the girlfriend of pretty-boy's best friend has its perks," I teased and laughed.

Candy stuck her tongue out at me then laughed. "When did you two first meet?" Keilah asked.

Candy turned to Keilah. "Well we met officially on our first date. But before that, I would see him walkin' around town or somethin', but that was when he still had his old girlfriend."

"Nearly every girl in town liked him." I gave a slight shrug.

"You didn't?"

I shook my head. "Only like a brother."

"Cause you like my brother, right?" Keilah smirked.

That sent all of us ito a fit of laughter. Yes it was true, you didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know that- but I don't think I actually ever heard someone say it out loud. I wasn't offended or nothing, but I did feel my cheeks get pink.

Candy eventually left to go back to where she lived with Cherry and Evie. Her and Cherry- if I'm right- were working on something for their college classes. Mrs. Mathews- since her and Keilah were staying with me- had gone back to their house to get a few more things that they needed from the house, so Keilah was with me at the house.

"Hey Rain?" Keilah said getting my attention.

I turned to her, "Yeah, Keilah?"

"Um... can I talk to you about somethin'?"

"Of course." We walked to the kitchen table and sat down. "What's goin' on?"

She played with her fingers for a moment. "Ok, um... there's this guy..."

"Do you like someone?" I smiled. The pink that started in her cheeks answered my question. "What's his name?"

"Daniel... he's got dark hair and blue eyes."

"Have you talked to him before?"

She nodded. "He's actually one of my best friends."

"Oh, one of those crushes," I nodded and chuckled, "I know how those go."

I spent an hour sitting there with Keilah, telling her what it's like when you got out with someone who's one of your best friends. I explained that it does make some things easier to some extent, considering you already knew the majority of their personality along with whatever else you knew about them. But also the fear that if you break up, there's the fear you two won't be friends anymore.

To help her, I even told her about how it was when her brother and I were going out. I also explained that not every relationship from teenage years ended up in marriage like mine and Two-Bit's, but that there was always that possibility. Also how relationships can be hard, even when people break up, but that every relationship someone went through, it would help them with the next until they got married.

I randomly let out a chuckle, "I can't believe it."

Keilah gave a questioning look, "Can't believe what?"

"Nearly five years ago, I was explaining love to you when you asked if I loved your brother. You remember that?" She smiled and nodded. "And now we're here, and I'm possibly helping you with your first relationship."

I'm not happy with this fully but I don't know why. It seems like something's missing but I'm not sure what, but whatever.

Anyway, hope you guys liked this chapter! Peace from all the hippies of the world! =^-^=