(The Next Day)

Soda started tickling me awake. I started laughing, and I accidentally fell on the floor. I hit my head but not too hard.

I said, "Ow, that kind of hurt." He said, "Oh my gosh, are you ok?" I started giggling than smiled and said, "Yea, I'll get ready."

He said, "Ok, Princess. I'll be waiting." I went to my closet and found my uniform. I quickly changed into it. I went into the living room and said, "Soda, do you mind if I have breakfast before we go?"

He said, "Not at all, Princess." I went in the kitchen, and Ponyboy was the only one in there. I sat down at my regular spot and said, "Hey, Pony." He said, "Hey, Sweetheart."

I grabbed a plate and sat back down. Breakfast was really good.
I went to throw my leftovers away, and saw a piece of paper that had been thrown away in the trash can.

I grabbed it and unwrapped it. I couldn't believe my eyes. Darry threw away my picture of us. A single tear went down my cheek, and Ponyboy noticed.

He asked, "What's wrong, Sweetheart?" I said, "Darry threw away my picture." He got down on his knees and took the picture away from me and looked at it.

Than, he went into the living room with me following closely behind. He said, "Look at this Darry, why would you do this?" He looked at it and said, "That's not mine, kid." I hanged on to Pony's leg tighter.

Pony said, "This is the picture Scar gave to you." I looked at Darry, and he looked at me. I looked at the ground while a few more tears fell. By now, everyone had their attention toward us.

Darry said, "Oh, I'm sorry I must have gotten this confused with some other letters I meant to throw away." That didn't help. He didn't even bother to look at it before he threw it away.

I ran outside to the truck. Soda was behind me, and he said,
"Hey Princess, listen..." I cut him off by slamming the car door, and I saw him walk in the house with his head held low.

That's when all the tears fell. He later came out with Darry and Steve. They're ready for work, and I'm just ready to get to the DX.

The whole way there not a single word was spoken. We pulled up to the DX, and I was the first one out. I lifted my chin up high, and walked straight in.

I got behind the register and waited for Steve and Soda to come in. Soda said, "Look Princess, do you want to talk about this?"

I said, "No, I want to work." He said, "Ok, do you want to help me today?" I smiled and nodded my head. He smiled and said, "That's great, and guess what?" I always loved his guessing games.

I thought for a minute and said, "What?" He said, "There's a karaoke contest downtown this weekend maybe you should enter, you could win one million dollars."

My mouth dropped, and I said, "One million dollars? I could buy everything!" He laughed and said, "Do you want to enter?" I smiled and said, "Yes!" He said, "Ok, we'll sign you up after work today."

I said, "Ok." Oh boy! A signing contest, and I get to be in it. I've always liked to sing, it's been my passion. Now, I get to do it in front of everyone! I'm a little nervous but mostly excited!

A couple of hours went by and the most people we have had today would have to be the crowd of girls who usually come to watch Soda work. Today he decided to take his shirt off, which made them go crazy. They all gasped, and awed.

Now, it's been hours. Finally, the bell rings to let you know someone's here. Clayton and his mother were at the very front. I jumped off the counter and said, "Hey Clayton!" He said, "Hi Scar."

I said, "Guess what?" He said, "What?" I said, "I am going to be singing at a karaoke contest at a place downtown, and I would love it if you would come and watch."

His mother said, "We would love to! When is it?" Soda said, "This Saturday at 7:00." She said, "Well, we would love to come." I smiled and Clayton said, "I think you'll do great!" I smiled again and said, "Yeah, I hope so."

Thanks for Reading! So, karaoke competition what do you think about that? Do you think she's gonna win or will something come up? We will see! I'll update more tomorrow hopefully, because I have a sleepover with my bestie tomorrow! Hope you love this book so far!
-Stay Gold