i never said i liked you (book 2)

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{stephanie}

sunday november 21st, 1965
1:00 pm

As my train made its way to Tulsa, exhilarating thoughts just kept popping into my head. I was so excited to see my brothers and the other boys, I couldn't wait to see Kylee...but I could barely contain myself as I thought about Steve. Being separated from him has been an extreme challenge, but I've made it this far.

1:30 pm

I had finally made it to Tulsa, I grabbed all of my stuff and rushed off the train. I looked around and realized Tulsa was still the same, nothing had changed and I was okay with that. I looked around and didn't see my brothers anywheres, I had told them that my train would be arriving at 1:30. I looked down to make sure I had all of my stuff when I heard his voice, "Hey gorgeous, can I help you with your bags?." I looked up and was starstruck when I met eyes with Steve Randle, my Steve Randle. "Steve!!." I wrapped my arms around him as he did the same, he happily spoke, "God, I missed you so much Stephanie." He pulled me close to him and immediately attached his lips to mine, after a few seconds we pulled away from another. I smiled, "So, where are my brothers?" "They're on their way," "Wait, you drove here separately?" "Yeah, I had to be the first one to see you before your brothers stole you away from me." Suddenly I heard a voice, "There she is!!." I turned and saw my 3 brothers, Ponyboy ran up to me and wrapped his arms around me, "Steph!!! I missed you," "I missed you too Ponyboy, look at how tall you've gotten." Sodapop and Darry walked up, Sodapop smiled brightly, "Stephanie Judith, oh how I've missed you." He pulled me closer to him and I wrapped my arms around him, Darry pulled me away from Sodapop and tightly hugged me, "Steph, I am so glad you're back, how is California?" "It's a lot to take in, but I've gotten used to it." Ponyboy excitedly spoke, "Save the chit chat for later, we gotta get you back to the boys...they won't admit it but they've definitely missed you." I smiled and grabbed one of my bags following the others to the parking lot.

{sodapop}

1:40 pm

Steph road with Steve on the way home, leaving me and my two brothers. Darry was driving when he spoke, "So, it's good to have her back," Ponyboy stared out the window, "You've got that right." Darry sighed, "So uhm Soda, are you excited to tell her about Nancy?" "I guess, I'm just afraid they won't get along...Nancy and Steph are so different from each other," "Yeah, but that's okay! I'm sure everything will be just fine."

We pulled up to the house right after Steve did, we helped carry Stephanie'a belongings inside...like good brothers. Steph opened the door and was astonished as she saw the banner that read, "Welcome Home Stephanie!" hanging in the living room. She squealed, "Awe, you guys did this for me!?!." Two-Bit spoke up, "Of course we did!!." Johnny, Dally, and Two-Bit all came in from the kitchen, smiling as they were met with Stephanie. She hugged Johnny and Two-Bit before she made her way over to Dally, "I know you wanna hug me Winston, admit it...you've missed me," he smirked, "Yeah yeah, sure...I've missed you." She hugged him tightly before turning back towards the rest of us, she smiled, "Thanks guys, for the warm welcome home...it really means a lot," I smiled, "Steph, without you here...it's just been so different, but you being home for the next week is just going to raise everyone's happiness..we really missed you."

{stephanie}

6:30 pm

Being able to visit with the boys and hear about what they've been doing for the past 4 months made me happy, hearing that they were doing good and thriving. I was listening to Two-Bit tell a story when Dally interrupted, "I hate to intrude your terrible story, Two Bit, but I have an announcement for Steph. Kylee just got here." I jumped up and went out the front door and was met with Kylee walking up the porch steps, I squealed, "Kylee!!!!" "Steph!!!!." We engulfed each other into a giant hug, she happily spoke, "I am so happy your home!!" "I'm happy I'm home too." We both pulled away and looked at one another, she sighed, "So...we've got a lot to catch up on," "Oh? It sounds serious," "It is...trust me it is...", she trailed off as her eyes averted to the sidewalk. A girl, a blonde pretty girl walked up the porch steps. She flipped her hair and smugly smiled at Kylee, "Kylee...hey," Kylee fake smiled, "Hey Nancy...I didn't know you were coming over," "Well, Sodapop wanted to introduce me to his sister." This Nancy girl looked me up and down, "And who may you be?" "Sodapop's sister." She quickly plastered a fake smile across her face, "Oh my goodness!! You're Sodapop's sister?!?" "Alive and in the flesh," "My name's Nancy, Nancy Walker," "I'm Stephanie," "I'm so happy to have finally met you, I've heard so much about you!" "Well, to be honest...I've heard nothing about you." Her smile slightly disappeared, "You mean Sodapop hasn't told you anything about me? Not even on the phone?" "Nope," "Oh, well...I'm his girlfriend." I didn't think I had heard her correctly, "Girlfriend?" "Yup! Me and him have been dating since July," "Oh," "I can't believe he hasn't told you about me," "Me neither."

Suddenly, the screen door opened and Sodapop came outside. He shockingly spoke, "Nancy! I wasn't expecting you for another 30 minutes," "Oh, well I wanted to come early...I hope that's okay," "Of course it is." He wrapped his arm around Nancy's waist and smiled, "So Steph, I see you've met Nancy," "Indeed I did, I didn't know you have had a girlfriend since July...how come you never told me when we talked on the phone?" "Oh uhm...must've slipped my mind," "Mhm." He quickly changed the subject, "Well, dinner will be ready shortly." He and Nancy walked inside leaving me with Kylee, she sighed, "There is so much I need to tell you," "I'm assuming that it's about blondie?" "Am I that transparent?." We both shared a laugh before heading inside for dinner.
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~k