i never said i liked you (book 2)

goodbye

{cherry}

sunday november 28th,1965
5:30 am

I was waiting at the train station with Bryce, it was an early train...the only train that was going to New York today. It was silent between us, I didn't even have words. He softly spoke, "So...you got everything?" "I think so," "Well, if you get there and find that you're missing something...I'll mail it to you," "Thanks Bryce." Then it was silent, once again. He spoke up again, "Cherry, I'm sorry for what my sister did," "It's not your fault," "I just want you to know that I'm nothing like her," "Oh trust me, I know. Your perfect Bryce," "Your perfect." He went to kiss me, but the whistle from my train pulling up interrupted us. I turned to him sadly, "Well, I guess this is it," "I guess so." I kissed his cheek and grabbed my bags and started heading for the train, I just couldn't bear to be here any longer knowing that I was leaving him. I was close to the train when I turned around and looked at him as he stared at me with his hands in his pockets, I set my stuff down and ran up to him and passionately pressed my lisps against his. He gripped my waist and kissed me back, after a couple seconds we pulled away and rested our foreheads against one another's. I softly spoke, "Goodbye Bryce," "Goodbye Cherry." I pulled away from him and walked away, not turning back.

{stephanie}

6:00 am

I've been awake since 4, it was impossible to sleep knowing I was leaving for California in such a short amount of time. Steve was asleep on my bed as I quietly packed my bags, I reached for a shirt on my desk when a Polaroid plopped down onto the floor. I picked it up and almost broke down into tears, it was a picture of Steve and I from when we were little. I shoved it into my bag before I could reminisce on it, just in time too. Steve slowly sat up, "Goodmorning Steph, you're up early," "Not really, my train leaves at 7:30," "Oh. You got everything packed?" "Just about." I went to leave the room but he quickly stopped me, "Hey, are you okay?" "I just...I hate saying goodbye Steve, especially to you and my brothers," "Awe Steph, I know it's going to be hard...but everything is going to be okay, I promise." He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head, soothing me from all of my dark worries.

7:15 am

I sat in the passenger seat of Steve's truck as he drove to the train station, my brothers and the other greasers followed in other vehicles. It was a quiet ride, I think it was actually coming to realization for Steve that I was leaving. He sighed, "Did I tell you that I am starting my trade school in spring?" "No!! That's great Steve," "Yeah, figured it'd be good to go, so I can get more experience and get a good job," "I'm proud of you." He half smiled as we pulled up to the train station, only 10 minutes before my train departs. We all met in the same spot we did last time I left, the boys were all mopey, and so was Kylee...she had tagged along. I came closer to her and sighed, "Promise you'll call me every week," "I promise I'll call you everyday Steph." I wrapped my arms around her, after a few long seconds we pulled away from one another. I said goodbye to all the greasers and moved onto my brother Ponyboy, I laughed, "Quit growing Ponyboy, you're getting way too tall," "How about you start growing Steph?." We shared a laugh as I hugged him tightly, I pulled away and looked at Darry. He could barely look at me, "God Steph, I'm really going to miss you," "I'm gonna miss you too Darry, keep cooking all of those awesome meals," "I will." He kissed the top of my head, letting me move to Sodapop. I wrapped my arms around his waist, "I'm sorry about Nancy," "Hey, you've got nothing to be sorry for. She's just not the one for me," "You'll find the right girl, I promise." He hugged me tightly and let me go, allowing me to get to Steve. Everyone backed up a little and gave Steve and I some space, I sadly looked at him, "So...I guess this is it," "Yeah...I guess so." We both just kinda stared at each other, before I soon realized tears trying to slip out of Steve's eyes. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and gently wiped the tears off his face. He softly spoke, "God damn, I really was trying to hold it in," "It's okay baby, it's okay." I tightly held onto him and savored these last few moments together, but soon enough my train arrived signaling, it was time for me to go. I looked at Steve, "I love you so much, please be safe," "I love you more, and I'll only be safe if you promise to be safe," "Deal." I pressed my lips to his cheek, "I can't wait to be your wife," "I can't wait to be your husband," "I'll call you when I get there, I love you...goodbye Steve." I grabbed my bags and went to walk away when he grabbed my wrist, "Not again Steph, you tired to do this last time," "Do what?" "Not kiss me," "Well we don't need a whole crowd-." He pulled me close to him and passionately kissed me, the most passionate kiss I'd ever had with him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me deeper and harder, causing Two-Bit to whistle. After a few more seconds we broke apart, I said goodbye once more and boarded my train.

{steve}

7:27 am

We all watched as Stephanie boarded her train, it was heart breaking to watch, but I knew I had to kiss her just one last time, for good luck. I looked at the boys, "Follow me," Sodapop wrinkled his brow, "What?" "Just follow me!." I led them to the side of the train and to the window of the seat Steph was in, she turned her head and opened the window, "Steve! What are you doing?" "Steph, I need you just one last time." Dally, Two-Bit, Sodapop, Ponyboy, Johnny, and Darry all hoisted me up to the window. Steph looked at me shocked, "Your crazy Steve Randle," "Crazy in love with you." She smiled and stuck her head out of the window and attached her lips to mine, after a few seconds the train whistle went off warning that it was leaving. She pulled away and softly spoke, "I love you Steve Randle," "I love you more Stephanie Curtis." The boys let me down, and the train slowly started to pull away, she sadly smiled as it moved farther and farther away...until it was gone. I tried my best to not let my sadness wash over me, but it was impossible. Tears slid down my face as we all watched the train move further and further, Sodapop and the rest of the boys put their hands on my shoulders...letting me know they were there.
__________________________________
~k