𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 ― sodapop curtis

𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖 <3

I rush out through the gate, and into the driveway, where Darrel, Ponyboy, and Sodapop are making their way towards the gate. "Hey!", I exclaim. I rush over to Darrel, who I haven't had the pleasure to meet yet. "Hi, I am Zara-Mae Valance. You must be Darrel.", I say, hugging Darrel. He seems surprised at first, but chuckles, hugging me back with one arm, since the other hand is holding stuff. When we let go, Darrel smiles. "Nice to meet you Zara, I have heard a lot about you." - he shoots a pointed glance at Soda, who blushes, looking at the ground - "You can call me Darry.". My smile widens. Who knew that even the scary looking Curtis could be so sweet. 'Must run in the family.' , I think to myself, as I go to greet Pony. "Hey Pony!", I say happily. Pony who is also holding stuff, hugs me with one arm. "Hey Zara.", he says softly, before letting go. I look past Pony, at Soda, who has a sheepish expression on his flushed face. "Hey Soda.", I say, smiling softly. Soda looks at me with wary eyes. "Oh, Zara. I am so sorry. I-I didn't mean to basically ghost you. I wanted so badly to see you again, but I was staying with Pony for a little while, while Darry worked. I had to pretend that I broke my arm so that my boss would let me off the hook for a few weeks. When I finally went back to work, and was told from Steve that you stopped by everyday for 2 weeks, I felt horrible. I waited around all day for you that day, hoping I could explain myself, but you never came. You don't know how relieved I was when Pony came home today and told Darry and I about the invite. I am so, so sorry, Zara.", Soda says, not looking anywhere but in my eyes. I hesitate, before gathering Soda in my arms, regardless to the fact that he has stuff in his hands as well. He seems taken aback at first, but soon returns the hug. When we finally separate, I take his hand momentarily, and squeeze, before letting going. Then, I bound to the front of the line. "Follow me.", I say, opening the gate wide. We walk through the gate, and I call for my dad, who calls for my mom. "Mom, Dad, this is Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darrel.", I address my mom and dad, gesturing to Pony, Soda, and Darry. Then, addressing  Pony, Soda, and Darry, I gesture to my parents. "Pony, Soda, Darry, this is my mom, Georgina, and my dad, Thomas.". My dad shakes everyone's hands, smiling warmly. My mom hugs them all, welcoming them. Once all the introductions are done, my dad returns to the grill, with Darry to help and Pony gathers all the presents that him and his brothers brought, carries them over to the gazebo, and helps Cherry arrange them. Soda, me, and my mom all go in the house, to finish preparing the rest of the sides, and the dessert. As my mom washes up in the bathroom,  I finish making the last of the desserts, a lemon meringue pie . Once the pie is in the oven, I look up to see Soda, who is leaning on his elbows on the island, looking at me with a sly smile. "What?", I ask, furrowing my eyebrows. Soda laughs, as he stands up. "C'mere.", he says, still smiling. Despite my confusion, I walk around the counter, stumbling into Soda's arm accidentally. He laughs harder, while helping me stand up. Embarrassed, I look at the ground, biting my lip. Soda hitches a thumb under my chin, forcing me to look at him. My face flushes, as Soda looks in my eyes intensely. "Uh, y-you have flour, o-on your cheek...", Soda stammers, as he looks over my shoulder. He quickly wipes away the flour, before backing up. I turn around slowly, to see my mom leaning  in the kitchen doorway, her arms crossed, and a smile on her face. I blush, and look at the ground. "Thanks, Soda.", I murmur, before rushing to the bathroom. I wash up, and once my face finally returns to it's normal shade, I walk back to the kitchen, where Soda and my mom are carrying bowls of food outside. I grab the last two bowls, and follow out after them.