Who We Are(The Outsiders Fanfiction)

26|"Start With Goodbye."

<Soda's POV>

I wake up with a sad heart. Today is the day Steve and I leave. Looking to my right, I see Chris is awake and there are tears in her eyes. I brush them away and bring her close to me. She nuzzles her head naturally into the crook of my neck and starts to cry harder. My arms wrap around the small of her back soothingly. Next thing I know Pony walks into the doorway with tears running down his cheeks and his hands in tight fists. I wave him over and he quickly lays by me and I wrap an arm around his shoulder. My little brother bawls his eyes out with my wife as I try my hardest not to cry.

"Guys please stop crying, we'll be okay," I beg. They quiet down a little, but tears still drip silently down their faces. We stand up and walk downstairs where everyone else is waiting with solemn faces. Darry comes over to Chris, Pony, and I. He rubs Pony's back and for this first time in a while, Pony voluntarily hugs Darry. Chris leads me to the couch where we sit between Steve and Dally. We all just become frozen in our places. None of us know what to make of the situation.

"I don't know what to say," I say suddenly. Johnny looks at Steve and I.

"How about you start with goodbye," Johnny suggests. I shake my head.

"Not to be cliche, but no goodbyes, just see ya laters, okay Johnny," I tell Johnny, who nods his head and then heads to Ponyboy who is still glued to Darry's side.

"The bus that picks you up should be here soon," Darry informs us. Chris clings tighter to my arm when she hears this. Every one gathers in a circle.

"Well guys, I guess we're just going to have to see ya later," Steve says awkwardly.

"Oh Jesus guys, I can't hold it in any longer, I love you to so god damn much," Two-Bit bursts out. Never did the thought cross my mind that I would ever see Two cry, yet here he is with his cheeks drenched and his eyes red and puffy.

"Preach it," Dally mumbles quietly to himself. I grab Chris's waist and pull it even closer to mine.

"Good luck kid brother, and you to Steve," Darry says. I leave Chris's side for a moment to hug my big brother. Darry. My brother that has helped me and lead me through so many situations. Darry and I are truly a team. We taught Pony everything together. I don't know what I'm going to do without him guiding me. I don't want to let go but I've got six other people to speak to.

"See ya later," Johnny says in his naturally quiet voice. I smirk at him and Steve and I give him a hug. Johnny. The small, shy, boy that has such a large impact on my baby brother. Dallas approaches me and pulls me aside from the group.

"Soda, you need to promise me something, you need to come back for her, make it your mission, I don't want her to turn out like Skyler, and I don't mean lost, I mean cold, if you don't come back Chris is bound to a new life as a cruel and cold person like Skyler. Don't let that happen," Dallas says. When Skyer's name leaves his lips he cringes as if her name is a knife stabbing his heart.

"I will try," I mumble. Dally looks at me sternly.

"You aren't going to try, your going to do it because I told you to," Dally declares, "now good luck brother." I hug Dally quickly and then we rejoin the group. I drift naturally to Chris.

"I love you Soda."

"I know," I answer Chris, as I grab her waist and pull her close. "I'm going to miss you so so much Chris."

"Christina," she says.

"That's new," I whisper. She smirks.

"Trying something new," she informs me. I smile and kiss her softly, yet dragging out the kiss as long as possible. Steve joins us soon after.