Sing me a love song || Sodapop Curtis |

VI

Valerie stood in front of a restaurant curiously. Stapled to a wall was a flyer to sign up for a live music session at one of the diners greaser went to frequently, Ruby's. It was one of the nicest places greasers can afford and live music was held often.
"You should put your name down." Valerie jumped at the sudden voice next to her. She looked over to see Two-bit standing right next to her.
"Shit, Two-bit, you scared me." She hissed. Two-bit laughed.
"You should join." He repeated. She cocked an eyebrow.
"Why?" Two-bit leaned against the wall and sighed.
"Ya want to be a musician, don't ya?" Valerie looked at her shoes.
"I guess so.." she mumbled.
"Then you should do it." Valerie sighed.
"You only live once..." She mumbled, scribbling her name on the paper.
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Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry sat down in a booth at the diner. It had been 2 days since Ponyboy and Johnny had returned, and Darry took his brothers out to celebrate. Ponyboy ordered a banana milkshake, Sodapop ordered a chocolate one.
Soda sat in thought for most of the time, though. He couldn't stop thinking about what he had done-kissing Valerie-and worrying about offending her. He wasn't even really sure why he did it, it just felt right in that moment. But seeing the look of confusion and discomfort on her face scared him, he didn't want her to be angry at him.
Sodapop snapped out of his thoughts when the musician that had been playing walked off stage. People clapped, both for him and the next person, and quieted down.
Valerie walked up, guitar in hand. She sat on the stool and cleared her throat. The crowd watched her intently, and so did Sodapop.
"Uh-hi," she started. "I'm Valerie. I'm gonna be playin "can't help falling in love" by Elvis, so..." she pursed her lips awkwardly and adjusting her fingers on the threats. The diner was quiet except for a few families whispering and the sound of plates and glasses being moved around.
She started playing a tune. It was pretty, very pretty. Then she started singing.

"Wise men say
Only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay?
Would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you?
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be."

Darry watched as Soda's face fell. His concentration quickly changed to something he had only seen a few times from his parents. The look on his face? That was love.

"Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
Like a river flows
Surely to the sea
Darling, so it goes
Some things are meant to be
Take my hand
Take my whole life too
For I can't help falling in love with you
For I can't help falling in love with you."

Soda licked his lips.
"Hey Darry, what's with Soda?" Ponyboy whispered. He was in awe.
"He's realizing some things about himself." Darry whispered back.
Considering Darry was raising two teenagers, he had learned to observant. Sandy, Soda's ex girlfriend who had recently broke his heart, came around often. Soda never looked at her the way he was looking at Valerie.
"What about Sandy?" Pony asked. "Didn't they just break up?" Darry nodded.
"Sometimes you can't help it."
The Curtis brothers' mother had an amazing singing voice so it was no surprise Valerie's voice had affected in way it did. Their mom would sing them all to sleep every night and sing while making dinner. That was Soda's favorite thing about him mom, her voice.
Valerie's voice (both singing and talking) was soft and low. It was gentle and soothing, similar to how their mom's was. It spread warmth over every heart that heard it. It brought smiles to all the faces that it met. It could either make you dance or send you to sleep.
Valerie walked off stage with her guitar in her hands. Soda's eyes followed her as she walked. When she walked out the door, he turned back around in his seat. Darry stared at him with dumbfounded eyes.
"What are you doing?" He scolded. Soda gave him a confused look. "Are you gonna go after her or not?" Soda looked surprised, but he jumped up out of his seat and ran out the door.
Valerie was walking home silently as Soda called her name.
"Valerie!"
She turned around and looked at him. He jogged up to her.
"Yeah?" His voice got caught in his throat. He stuttered out mixed up words for a second before taking a deep breath.
"About the other day-"
"Don't worry about it." She interrupted. His fave formed into one of surprise as she continued. "I know about your ex and everything. Sometimes you can't help yourself." She shrugged. His shoulders sunk, but it was from relief.
"Can I ask you something?" He stared at her deeply. She nodded slowly, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Can I take you out?" Valerie cocked an eyebrow.
"Like with a knife?" Soda laughed.
"No, like on a date." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Tomorrow, maybe? Before the rumble?" Valerie clicked her tongue before smiling.
"I don't see why not." She shrugged. Soda laughed in relief and looked at his feet.
"Cool. Can I pick you up?" Valerie nodded and pulled a ripped up piece of paper and a pen out of her pocket. She scribbled her address on the paper and handed it to him.
"I'll see you tomorrow."