Sing me a love song || Sodapop Curtis |

V

3 days have passed since Bob the soc was killed. Ponyboy and Johnny took off, though Valerie wasn't sure where too. Yesterday she went to the DX to buy some things, but Steve was the only one there. Soda was not. Steve explained how Ponyboy and Johnny had ran away and everything that happened before it. Apparently Soda wasn't doing too well, neither was Two-bit or Darry.
According to Steve, Dallas told the cops they were going to Texas. No one in the gang except Two-bit believed him. Word had gotten out about Bob's death and the boys' disappearances. Everyone knows. Steve said that Darry's been off his rocker. He's going insane worrying about what might have happened or what's to come. He also said that Soda been the same way, except worse. He won't go into work, is barely sleeping, and keeps forgetting to eat. Valerie wasn't sure if she was the right person to do it, but she went to the Curtis house.

She knocked on the creaky door. It was soon opened by Darry.
"Valerie?" He asked. She nodded.
"I wanted to come check on you guys." Darry opened the door and Valerie stepped inside. They sat on the couch next to one another.
"Imma be honest..." she started. Darry turned his head. "I was there after Bob got killed." Darry's face formed into one of surprise. He nodded for her to go on.
"Johnny stabbed him because he was trying to drown Pony. It was defense." Darry's eyebrows furrowed. "If they can get the fuzz to listen to them, then punishment shouldn't be too bad."
Darry looked down at the floor. He fidgeted with his hands. Valerie looked over.
"Ponyboy told me..." Darry looked up. She took a deep breath. "He said he didn't know what was gonna happen. So he told me to tell you and Soda he loves ya both."
Darry looked back down. His hands began to tremble. He mumbled incoherent words under his breath. All Valerie caught was "stupid kid" and "never uses his head." He sighed and looked up at her.
"Thank you." She nodded. "If you want to see Soda he's in the room at the end of the hall, though I can't promise he'll be in the best of moods."
Valerie got up and walked down the hall. The door at the very end was open, but she knocked anyways. Soda glanced up at the door. He looked exhausted, but he forced a smile.
"Hey, Val." A look of concern crossed Valerie's face.
"How ya doin?" His smile faltered slightly.
"Eh, I'm okay." He shrugged. She knew he was lying though. Steve also told Valerie that Soda's girlfriend, Sandy, left after getting pregnant with someone else's baby. Losing your girlfriend and brother in the same week has to take it's toll. Soda sat up and scooted over, Valerie sat next to him.
"I heard what you told Darry." He started, looking at the ground. "Did he really tell you to tell us that?"
Valerie nodded.
"He was just as scared as you are now. But he really does love you guys." Soda chuckled a tired, heartbroken chuckle.
"I shoulda gone after him." He cursed at himself under his breath. Valerie placed her hand on his shoulder. Soda looked up at her.
"This is no one's fault but Bob's." She whispered. "It's his fault for jumping Ponyboy and Johnny in the first place." Sodapop looked at his lap.
"Look at me," Valerie whispered. "Everything will be okay." She promised. And the look in her eyes almost made Soda want to believe her. Soda gazed into them. They were a pretty light-green color, with hints of brown mixed in. Her eyes were small and downturned. His eyes fell down to her nose. It was thin and refined. Finally his eyes fell to her lips. They were light and heart shaped, with a noticeable cupid's bow.
Valerie recoiled back slightly. Sodapop leaned in closer and closer. He wasn't even sure what it was that made him do it. Maybe he was just delusional, or maybe he was just desperate. Either way, he connected his lips to her.
The kiss was soft and gentle, hesitant on both parts. Her lips were soft and somewhat chapped, but they were sweet. Sodapop heard her make a noise, like a mix between a gasp and a squeak. He kissed her lips once more before pulling away. Confusion and unease were strung across her face. She pulled away before standing up abruptly. Sodapop snapped back into reality. He attempted to call her back as she walked away, but no words came out.
"I'll see ya later." Her words were a breathless, confused laugh as she walked out. Soda smacked himself in the forehead.
"I'm an idiot." He groaned.

Valerie walked out of the bedroom and back down the hall. Her heart was racing and her hands were trembling. She couldn't seem to wrap her head around anything that just happened. The kiss was so sudden, so unexpected.
"Later Darry." She waved as she made it to the living room. And she walked out the door, making sure not to slam it. She walked quickly out of the gate in the front yard and walked until she entered the park. She flopped down under a tree, knees brought up to her chest. Thought upon thought raced through her brain. He kissed her. Why? She couldn't explain what she was feeling. Discomfort and unease were definitely there. But there was also a faint hint of bliss in there, and a bit embarrassment.
Valerie sat under the tree for so long she was unaware of how much time had passed. She sat and contemplated and wondered and questioned. She wondered why he did it. She contemplated on what it meant. She questioned why it made her feel so weird. Sodapop was a chick magnet, everyone knows that. And maybe that's why it made her feel so odd. Out of everyone to spontaneously kiss, he chose her?
He kissed her. And worse of all?
Part of her wished she had kissed.