i never said i liked you (book 2)

wedding

{stephanie}

saturday july 25th, 1966
4:30 pm

An hour and 30 minutes prior to now, I officially married Steve Randle, and now we were having our first dance at the reception. He looked me right in the eyes and softly smiled, "I'm going to give you the best life you could ever have Stephanie," "I already have the best life, and it's because I'm with you," "God, I love you so much," "I love you more." Soon the song ended, signaling the first dance was over. I split apart from Steve and made my way to Kylee, who was in conversation with Dally. She smiled, "So!!! How was the first dance?" "Pretty damn great, I bet you can't wait for y'all's." Kylee and Dally got engaged a few months back, I think around Easter. She eyed Dally up and smiled, "I don't know if ole Dally here will participate in any dancing on our wedding day," he smirked, "Of course I will, but that's the only time I will ever participate in dancing." I smiled and let them be, I found Cherry at a table talking with Bryce. She smiled as soon as she saw me, "Steph!! How was the first dance?!?" "Pretty good, I think Steve might've been practicing though...because he knew exactly what he was doing." She laughed, "I'm so happy for you Stephanie," "I'm happy for you Cherry, your valedictorian of your class!!" "Oh...it's nothing," "Are you kidding?!? It's amazing, and I'm so proud of you." She wrapped her arms around me and softly spoke, "I'm so happy we became friends Steph," "Me too Cherry!."

{sodapop}

6:30 pm

Everyone was partying and enjoying the reception, I was trying my best to. It's been months since Nancy, but it still hurts, I guess what hurts is that almost every girl I've been in love with has played me. I was sitting by myself when Nancy appeared in the entrance of the building, she immediately made eye contact with me. I made my way over to her, "Nancy...it's been awhile," "Yeah...it really has," "What brings you by?" "I just wanted to bring something for Stephanie, it is her wedding day after all." She handed me a wrapped present and went to turn away, I quickly spoke, "Wait! You're leaving, just like that?" "Why would you want me to stay and chat? You hate me Sodapop," "I do not hate you," "You should, what I did was fucked up...and I'm sorry I hurt you. I was going through something and I made stupid decisions and if I could go back and change it all I would, any girl would be lucky to have you Sodapop." I looked at her sincerely, "Nancy, I really cared about you," "I know and I'm sorry about what I did...it was so stupid and I will never forgive myself for hurting you, I had the most perfect boy and I ruined it," "You didn't ruin it," "What? Yes I did!! You hate me-." I cut her off when I pressed my lips against hers, after a few seconds I slowly pulled away. She breathlessly looked at me confused, I spoke, "Nance, I still care about you...I have all this time, I still want you," "Soda, I hurt you and your sister, and Steve....and my brother," "We can work all that out, because I want you Nancy...I've had all of these months to think about it. And I've heard all about how you've been going to therapy," "You know about that?" "Yes! Bryce told me that you're doing great, and that you're working through everything." She thought, "If I'm with you, won't that make your sister mad?" "No, she wants me happy...and you made me happy," "Soda.." "We can start over, me and you can just start over." She paused for a minute and then softly sighed, "I promise I won't hurt you this time." I smiled and softly kissed her, she pulled away and quietly spoke, "Thank you for giving me another chance," "Everyone deserves a 2nd chance."
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{steve}

A lot of people believe that love isn't real, but trust me...it is. I love Stephanie Judith Randle, and I've loved her since I was 8 years old. Of course we've had a few hiccups along the way, but...it will never change how much I love her.

{stephanie}

After Steve and I got married, we just couldn't bear to be away from each other. So, he came to California with me and rented an apartment near my college campus. As for my brothers, Ponyboy graduated high school at the top of his class, Darry found out he was gonna be a dad and Sodapop...Sodapop went back to Nancy Walker. I don't love the decision he made, but he gave her another chance and I guess everyone deserves a second chance. Besides, if it wasn't for Nancy, I never would've gotten close with Cherry...and I wouldn't change that for the world.

I will never want my story to be told any other way, because the way I tell it is the only way. I fell in love with Steve Randle, and I never wanna be away from him again.

the end
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~k