built for sin~ sodapop curtis

twenty-five

tw: mature themes towards the end of the chapter!!

sodapop's pov

iris was perfect. perfetta, in italian. i might've picked up a few things. she was asleep next to me in the tent and she looked so peaceful when she slept. i wish i could make her feel better, losing a parent is the worst feeling in the world, and in her case it was her only good one.

i saw her eyes twitch a little bit and they fluttered opened, making me smile. "buon giorno," i said. (good morning) "good morning to you too," she smiled. i ran my thumb across her cheek and she put her hand on top of mine. "we have to go home today," she sighed. "i know," i said, wrapping my arms around her.

"thank you for coming with me," she whispered. "i'd do anything as long as you're there," i replied and she laughed. "what?" i asked. "this time last year, we would've died before we did anything with one another," she said. "i know," i laughed. "i can't believe i ever hated you, you're perfect," i said kissing her nose. "far from it, but you on the other hand," she said, kissing me as the tent door opened.

"stop making out we gotta take this tent down," darry said and we both groaned and got up. "i know i know sorry i'm such a cock blocker but nobody wants to hear that," he said making us both laugh.

"who's blocking what cock?" steve yelled. "none of your business!" i yelled. iris just shook her head and started closing the door so she could change. "oo i get to stay for the show," i said and she scoffed. "it's not a show, it's a girl changing sodapop," she snapped. "i'm sorry i didn't mean to offend you," i said scratching my neck.

"no i didn't mean to get mad i'm sorry," she sighed. "is something wrong?" i asked. "i'm fine," she smiled and put on sweats and an elvis tee. "well if this changes anything, i love you," i said, folding up my sleeping bag. "no i love you," she said. "no i-," "shut up and pack!" dally yelled. we both looked at each other and packed up our stuff as fast as we could.

"ready!" iris yelled fall out of the tent and we all laughed. "gotta take down the tent ripley," dally said. "do it yourself winston," she replied. "soda, ponyboy, you do it," darry said. "i didn't sleep in it," ponyboy said. "i'll help him don't worry pone," iris said and i smiled at her and we took down the tent.

on the drive back home iris fell asleep in my lap and i knew she was dreading going back home. i didn't know how to help her but that's all i wanted to do. we got home and i carried her inside, setting her on my bed, not having the heart to wake her up.

"keep the noise level down iris is asleep," i said walking to the kitchen. "alright, i'm goin' home to shower anyway," two-bit said. "yeah so am i," steve said. "me and johnny are goin' to bucks," dally said. "see you guys later," i said as they all left. "who has dibs on the shower first?" i asked looking between ponyboy and darry. "me!" pony said and ran in the bathroom.

"ok then," i laughed and sat at the table after pouring some chocolate milk. "how's iris doin' after the other night?" darry asked. "okay, i just wish i could do something to make it all better for her," i said. "i wish you could too, losing a parent is hard, us especially gotta be there for her you know?" he said and i nodded.

"it seems like there's something else she's upset about that she ain't tellin' me," i sighed. "ask her about it, i'm sure she'll tell ya," he said. "i know, i just don't wanna say the wrong thing," i said. "you've always been good with words pepsi-cola, you got this," he said patting my shoulder and walking to his room.

iris's pov

i woke up in soda's room and nobody was there. i walked out to the family room and soda was watching tv, eating chips. "hey," i said. "hey doll, c'mere," he said. i walked over and sat next to him taking a chip. "we smell," i said and he laughed. "i know," he replied. "i gotta shower," i said.

"maybe we can save water and shower together," he said kissing my cheek. i sighed and looked down. "i think i'm just gonna shower by myself if that's okay," i said. "of course that's okay, you know we don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with," he said. "thank you soda," i said and walked to the bathroom.

i need to tell him why i'm avoiding any sexual stuff. i'm usually fine with it, but lately i just can't. i saw him again, and so many memories came flooding back, ever since i haven't been able to think about doing anything with sodapop in worries of messing up somehow.

"iris? you forgot a towel i'm just gonna set this here okay?" soda yelled. "okay thank you!" i said and heard him walk out. he's so amazing, and i don't wanna ruin this just because of my past.

i got out of the shower and wrapped the towel around my body then looked in the mirror. i looked at the scar on my head and sighed. i walked out of the bathroom and into sodas room to put some clothes on. i walked back out, brushing my hair, and he just looked so cute, laughing at the tv with his chips. "hey, go shower then i wanna talk to you about somethin," i said. "yes ma'am!" he said kissing me as he walked passed me and into the bathroom.

"i love you!" i yelled. "i love you more!" he yelled back. "he's perfect," i whispered to myself. i waited until he was done showering and sat him down in his room. "what is it you wanted to talk about?" he asked. "you remember how i told you about my ex from new york, alex?" i asked and he nodded. "the reason i haven't been well i guess putting up with anything saying girls are basically objects, is because i saw him the other day before we left to go camping," i said.

"i don't see you as an object iris i swear," he said grabbing my hands. "no i know you don't, but he did, that's why i've been a little off about that stuff lately you know?" i asked and he nodded. "what did he do to you?" he asked. "you don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable i just, it seems like there's something you aren't telling me," he said.

"i'll tell you the whole story, it's just a lot to take in okay?" i said and he nodded. "at first, alex was an amazing guy, got me flowers, took me out every week, but then he started getting a temper and drinking, he scared me," i said and took a deep breath.

"eventually he started hitting me, using me as an object for when he was bored, saying i was only good for sex, or when he needed a distraction," i said. "so i finally packed up and left, all i left him was a note saying we were done,"

"iris i-," soda started. "don't apologize, i'm okay, i just don't know why he's in tulsa," i said. "well it's okay because i won't let him go anywhere near you," he said and wrapped me in a warm embrace. "thank you, i love you sodapop curtis," i said. "i love you iris ripley," he replied and kissed me.