They Are There For Me (book 3 of Running Towards Home series)

CHAPTER 9

SODA'S POV:

It's been a week since the game where I hugged Kira. I can't get her off my mind. She's so beautiful. When she comes for work at the DX, I take breaks as often as I can to go and talk to her. We have a lot in common. We both like cars, we both don't do super well in school, and we both hate fighting. I've been trying to get the courage to ask her out. I'm going to do it today.

I'm just getting off my shift at the DX, and it's late. I offer to walk her back to Buck's, even though it's in the opposite direction of my house. We're walking together and chatting. I want so badly to kiss her. Every part of me aches to be with her. "Why are you staring at me like that?" Kira chuckles. I blush. "No reason." I say.

"Soda, I was wondering. Do you want to go with me to the Dingo on Friday?" Kira blurts out. My eyes go wide. "Like, on a date?" I ask. She nods. "You don't have to, I shouldn't have asked-" She says, but I interrupt her by saying "Yes, I would love that." My smile filling up my whole face. She smiles too, and she grabs my hand.

We walk the rest of the way home in silence, happy to be in each other's company. When we get to Buck's, I walk her to the door. "I'll see you on Friday." I say, and she nods. She walks inside, and I watch her go. I can't wait for our date.

KIRA'S POV:

I can't believe I asked Soda out on a date. The girl doesn't usually ask the guy out, but I like to do things differently. I walk into the bar, and the music is loud. People are dancing, and they are very, very drunk. I'm making my way to the stairs when a guy grabs my arm, pulling me towards him. I can smell the alcohol on his breath. "Hey, why don't ya dance with me?" he slurs.

"No thanks." I tell him, trying to pull my arm away, but he just holds tighter. "Feisty. I like that." He says. He starts to pull me towards him when a fist punches him in the face. He falls to the ground groaning. It's Dally, and he's pulling me away from the guy. "Keep your hands off of her, asshole." He says. He leads me to the stairs. "Stupid kid." He hisses under his breath, shooting a glare at the guy. "Thanks." I tell him. "No problem." He says.

I get upstairs, and say goodnight to Dally. I head to my room, and change for bed. I take off my makeup and brush my teeth. I climb into bed, and close my eyes. I can't sleep. All I can think about is my date with Soda on Friday.

PONY'S POV:

Soda is laying in bed next to me. He's grinning like a mad man. "Why are you smiling like that?" I whisper to him. He turns to me. "I've got a date on Friday." He tells me. "With who?" I ask, curious. "With Kira." he says, his eyes getting all dreamy. My eyes go wide. "You can't go out with her!" I tell him. He glares at me.

"Why not?" he asks. "Because! Dally will kill you!" I hiss at him. He frowns a bit, thinking, but smiles again. "Kira's worth it." He sighs. Oh boy. Soda has a crush on Kira, a big one. This is not going to end well. I can only hope Dally doesn't find out.