guarding my angel || "guardian angel" sequel

36

**Soda's POV**

The rest of the gang arrives soon after Kayla and Grayson do, and we lightly socialize with everyone. I try to act as normal as I can, but it's hard when her engagement ring is sitting in my left pocket.

Finally, Ponyboy and Jessica come home, hand in hand. We all cheer as they walk through the door together, surprised by the enthusiasm they're greeted with.

"What's all this?" Ponyboy asks, looking around at all of us. The room had been filled with balloons, posters, pictures, you name it. Darry really wanted to go all out for them to show how proud he was.

"You only graduate high school once, if you're lucky," I say, laughing at the joke I made about myself. "We wanted you both to know how proud we all were of y'all."

"Thank you guys, this is so sweet," Jessica says happily.

We continue the celebration until Lauren announces it's time for dinner. I excuse myself to go to the bathroom, and on my way down the hallway, I catch a side-eyed glance from Kayla.

I close the door and lock it behind me, pressing my back against the wood. I look at myself in the mirror, and notice the terrified expression showcased clearly on my face. Anyone with half a brain cell could tell something was up.

"She isn't going to say no," I whisper quietly to myself. "It's been three years. We live together. We have a kid together. She isn't going to say no."

I splash a bit of cold water on my face and give myself one last reassuring smile before going back out to the dinner table.

When I get there, I notice that Kayla sat herself between Victoria and Grayson. I take the empty seat across the table between Jess and Lauren, and keep to myself for most of dinner.

Just when I decide that dinner couldn't take any longer, I hear my name from a few seats down.

"Hey Soda, would you come outside with me for a minute? I need some car help," Johnny asks me. I look to Kayla so she knows where I'm going, but she's completely lost in a conversation with Bailey.

"Sure man," I say, following him out the door and down the road a bit. "What's up?"

"Okay, I don't actually need help with my car. I just needed regular help, guy help," he says, almost nervous. "Ever since Dally left I haven't really had anyone to look out for me and give me advice when I need it. Someone older, I mean. I was hoping you could give me some, just this once."

"Johnny, you can come to me whenever you need to," I say, lightly shoving him in a friendly way.

"Okay, perfect," he says, taking in a deep breath. "I'm going to propose to Victoria tonight."

"Tonight!?" I say with a smile. "No way dude! I'm gonna propose to Kayla tonight!"

"That's awesome!" Johnny says. "Does anyone know?'

"Just Lauren," I say. "And, well, now you."

"Yeah, I told Dally over the phone this morning, but I figured that secret was pretty safe," he says with a laugh. "It's just, we've been through so much over the last few years, especially recently, and I just want it to be perfect."

"Johnny, everyone can see how much she loves you," I say with a smile. "You could ask her in the bathroom and I think she would still say yes."

"The same goes for Kayla," Johnny replies, making me smile. 

"We're pretty lucky guys, huh?" I say, and Johnny nods.

"I was thinking about taking her to that field, where we buried Steve and her brother," Johnny says. "It was where we had our first real date, and I feel like it would mean so much to her if Bryce got to meet his uncle."