built for sin~ sodapop curtis

one

iris's pov

i stepped off the bus and felt the cool breeze brush against my skin. i took in the feeling of being back here as the bus drove away. i looked around me and everything was the same. the cars all along the street, the cops chasing after criminals, the rusted dx gas station sign. it felt so good to be back here.

i walked across the street and down to the dx to get a coke. when i got there i walked inside and was greeted by a beautiful smile. "how can i help ya? don't remember seeing you around here before," he said.

"oh thanks but i'm alright i used to live here," i replied and went to the back and grabbed the bottle of coke i'd been wanting since i left for the bus station this morning. i set the coke on the counter and grabbed one of the lighters.

"that'll be 10.75$," the boy said. i handed him a twenty and went to walk out. "i didn't catch your name!" he said. "i didn't throw it," i replied and walked out. as i was walking i saw someone working on a car and they looked extremely familiar. "steve?" i said and he turned around.

"well i'll be, iris ripley," he said and i ran and gave him a hug. "it's been so long my god!" i said.

"gee what's it been, 4-5 years?" he asked. "4 1/2 to be precise," i said. "always were the wise one," he said. "so he gets to know your name and not me?" the boy said walking out. "i've known him my whole life," i said rolling my eyes. steve started laughing and we both looked at him.

"what?" i asked. "you guys don't recognize each other!" steve said clutching his side from laughter. "soda you remember iris don't ya?"

"soda?" i asked. "great, i just flirted with my childhood nemesis," sodapop said. "that's what you call flirting?" i asked. "it wasn't very good," i muttered.

"i've gotta see my folks, mind if i stop by and see the others later?" i asked. "yes, i do mind," soda said. "nope, just show up we should be at soda's," steve said. "sounds good, it's really great seeing you again steve," i said and walked down the street humming.

i examined everything i walked by. i looked up at the trees and smiled as i noticed the hue of the leaves changing. i saw little kids playing on their lawns and it brought back so many amazing memories from when i was little. i used to be so connected to everything here, i hope that connection comes back and maybe i'll finally decide to stay somewhere.

i walked inside my parents house and they were in the kitchen waiting for me. they both ran to me and gave me hugs. i was honestly surprised my mom hugged me. "i can't explain how ecstatic i am you're back," dad said. "thanks dad," i smiled.

"where are your things dear?" he asked. "they're being flown over, wouldn't let it on the bus," i shrugged and sat on the couch. i breathed in the familiar scent of the house and felt at ease. "i might head over to the curtis place in a little while, see ponyboy," i said. "that's fine you can do what you want," mom replied.

"does johnny still live next door?" i asked. "sure does! when we told him you were comin' home he was so excited," dad said. "i missed old johnnycakes," i said.

"look iris, just know things aren't all the way they used to be," he said. "how so?" i asked. "johnny's parents, they're alcoholics now, they rough him up quite a bit," he said. "what else has changed?" i asked. "the curtis's parents, their funerals on saturday morning," he said.

"what?!" i asked. "why didn't you tell me?!" i asked and ran out of the house and down the street. when i got the curtis house i knocked. the door opened and a girl stood there.

"uh is ponyboy or sodapop here?" i asked. "what do you need them for?" she asked. "i just-," "iris?" ponyboy interrupted walking out. "hey pone," i said and he hugged me. "you're so tall what the hell kid," i said and he laughed. "i heard about your parents, i'm so sorry ponyboy," i said. "what can we do?" he shrugged and i gave a sad smile. "is soda around? i was a bitch earlier not realizing that...well,"

"he doesn't care, he told me he doesn't want pity and he was glad you didn't give him any," he said. "well i didn't know," i said. "well treat him the way you always have," he said and i nodded. he let me inside and i got hugged by the others. i missed this and i was so happy to be back.

"so are you gonna come to the funeral?" darry asked. "of course i am," i said. "it's good to have you back iris," two-bit said. "it's good to be back," i said. we talked the rest of the night. i figured out the girl who answered was sodapop's girlfriend? he was flirting with me, yet he has a girlfriend. another reason to hate him.

"don't you gotta get back to your parents? won't they be worrying about ya?" darry asked. "they don't really care anymore, i'm a free spirit they know they can't stop me," i said. "when i leave you can come with me," johnny said and i nodded. i looked out the window as a leaf fell off a tree and thunder started booming. the rain started to fall ever so slightly so i stood up and went outside.

"what are you doin man?" dally yelled. "going in the rain!" i yelled back and laid in the street as the rain fell on my face. chills ran down my body but i didn't care. they all looked at me like i was insane.

maybe i am, but that's never stopped me before.