TACENDA // Sodapop Curtis

The River

It's about one in the morning on a Saturday and I can't sleep. I seriously cannot sleep. This is the time when I usually go out for a ride. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. Go out on a ride. I need one. I want one. It's fucking relaxing.

I strapped on my jeans and a hoodie. Then put my boots and spurs on. I climbed out my window and ran for the barn. It sounds stupid, I know. But when you're out on your own and in your own mind, this is the best way to clear it. You just have to have time to think.

I put the saddle on my horse and stepped on him. Maverick was by my side the entire time, just running along me as I walked to the river I saw about a mile out when we first moved here. It was gorgeous at night. The way the water sparkled with the stars, it kinda reminded me of Sodapop.

I stopped at the dock and got off my horse and tied him up against a tree branch. I then sat down on the dock, looking up at the stars. They're so pretty. They kind of remind me of my sister. So pretty yet so bold. You always notice them. They have a million stories written on them. Their mind of their own. No one will know it. Ever.

"Didnt expect to see you here," I swiftly turned around and saw the pretty boy walking my way. Maverick, happy that he was here, started jumping up on him while Soda pet him. Soda sat down beside me and admired the stars too. Man did this feel like a dream.

"What brings you out here?" I asked softly. "Lots been on my mind," he said. "What?" I asked. He sighed a bit before he answered. "I wanna break up with my girlfriend." He said. I looked at him for the story behind it. "I'm almost positive she's cheatin' on me with some soc, she says she might be pregnant. I dunno.. I kinda lost feelings for her a while ago." he trailed off a bit. I actually feel bad for him.

"Who's the soc?" I asked. He laughed a bit and turned towards me. "Andy Smith," he said. I just let out the biggest, most embarrassing laugh ever. "What?" He asked, a little offended. "No it's just, my dad. He set up a date with that guy." I told him. Soda laughed a bit too. "Crazy Right?" I asked him. "Right."

"Soda, do you want my opinion?" I asked. He hummed in response. "I think you should cut Sandy off. I mean, you've seen who she really is now. A cheater. And trust me," I let out a sad laugh, thinking of my mother. "A cheater ain't good at all." I said. Somehow, tears were brimming my eyes.

"How would you know?" He asked. I sat up and looked at him. "We're talking about my goddamn mother here, Soda. She's just like Sandy." I said. His eyes changed, they looked apologetic now. "I didn't know," he said softly. I lay back down beside him and sighed. "I know."

"I don't think I even love her anymore," he went on. "I mean, we've been datin' for a year and a half, I've just never felt happy when I was with her. Yeah she made me smile, but I feel like those were forced." He said. I just listened. "There's also a girl I've had my eye on," he said. "Every time I'm with her, I just wanna stay with her. Like she's a drug, and I just can't get enough of her." He went on. She must be one lucky fucker.

"She don't treat me like other girls either, she actually states what she thinks. She don't tell me what I wanna hear." He went on. I wonder who does that. I mean, it's definitely not me. I hardly talk to him. And I sure as hell don't make him happy, I mean, I'm invading his private time right now.

"What about you?" He asked. I looked over to him confused. "Since we're complaining about our problems, you got any?" He asked. I laughed a bit. "My dads makin' me go on a date with the man your girlfriend's cheating on you with, I got calloused hands and I actually miss my sister." I listed off. Plus I liked him. But I wouldn't tell him that.

"I couldn't imagine being away from my brothers." He said. "I mean yeah, Ponyboy and Darry are at each other's throats all the time, i'm always the middle man in them." He explained. "But having them taken away from me?" He breathed in. "I couldn't do it. I couldn't live without them." He said. He actually was sincere about it.

"Sometimes I think having dead parents is better than divorced parents." He stated. "I mean, if you really looked at it, your mom didn't want you," he paused, I smiled. "I ain't sayin' that to be mean, Madeline." He paused. "But you're a middle man just like I am. Or you were anyway." I nodded. Soda was a good person to talk to.

"Soda, do you ever think it'd just be better if we just went away?" I asked. "What do you mean?" He asked. "Like, just leaving. They wouldn't remember us or nothin' we'd just be gone." I explained. He paused for a moment before answering. "Yeah, I think a lot of people would be happier if they didn't know me."

Soda and I just laid there for an hour or two, looking at the stars. My head was on his shoulder and his arm was around my back, watching the stars. Yeah it was boring, but we had talked enough. All you could hear was the water running and the cool wind hitting us. It was perfect.

"Do you need a ride back?" I asked, getting up along with him. "What do you mean?" He asked. I looked at my horse, he smiled. Maverick was back at the barn, he got spooked somewhere and ran off. I didn't blame him, it is scary at night.

I climbed on my horse and held out a hand for Soda to get on behind me. He smiled as he did, that beautiful fucking smile. "He rides rough, hold on." I said, grabbing the reins. His hands snaked around my waist, holding it tightly. I kicked the horse, he started running.

"I'll be nice," I said. He giggled. "What?" He asked as I walked the horse on the side of the road. "I'll take you all the way home." I smiled and looked back at him. His smile fell into my shoulder as we walked on the concrete, his arms around my waist tightly.

I walked my horse up to his house and pulled him to a stop. "We have arrived, sir." I said sarcastically. He laughed before sliding off and landing in the grass. "Madeline," he looked up at me. I looked down at him. "I liked tonight." He said. I smiled. "I liked tonight too." I replied. He patted my leg and turned towards his house. "Goodnight Madeline." He said. "Night Soda." And that was it.

Soda's POV

Once I got inside, I was a smiling mess. That girl really is something else. She's so nice, she ain't like the other broads I hang around. She actually has some personality to her. She tells me what her thoughts are, not what I want to hear. She's so perfect it hurts.

I walked into the room Ponyboy and I shared, he was sitting up reading some book with his lamp on. "Pony, what are ya doin' up?" I asked, kicking off my shoes. "I's waitin' for you." He responded. "Had a bad dream." He said. I nodded and got underneath the covers. "Where were you anyway?" He asked.

"Ponyboy, I just had the greatest night in a long time."