The Outsiders a New Member

Cole Jones

It was Friday night and I was so bored. There was no good TV shows on right now and I didn't feel like reading any books. I laid back on the couch and stared at the ceiling.

"Whatever is on that ceiling must be interesting." Soda joked. I looked at him and rolled my eyes. "I'm just so bored." I said with a groan. Soda looked around the house. We were the only ones home. Pony was at the movies with Steve and Two-bit and Darry was still at work. "Wanna go out for a bit? We could go to the Tasty Freeze. It's on me." He said with a smile. That got me going. I ran and got my shoes and pulled my hair into a quick ponytail. I ran back out and said, "Okay let's go."

He laughed and opened the door. He put his arm around me and we walked down the street. "Thanks for doing this Soda. I was really feeling down." I said. Soda looked at me with a failed attempt to cock an eyebrow and said, "I thought you said you were bored." Great. I didn't want to tell him I was feeling sad. I let my mouth slip again. I sighed and said, "I've been thinking about my Mom lately. It still hurts. I mean you guys mean the world to me. You all love me and I love you guys but it's not the same as having your parents love you."

Soda smiled and said, "I know. I mean, when Mom and Dad died, life just wasn't easy. I miss them so much still and I know Pony and Darry do. The whole gang does. We are all like brothers and they'll try to help us from time to time but, it's just not the same anymore." I nodded and said, "I am glad that I ran away." Soda looked at me for a second. "I wouldn't have met you guys if I stayed. I'm glad I did it." I said. Soda smiled "Me too." He said.

Soon we were ordering hot fudge sundaes at the Tasty Freeze. "So. How's school going?" Soda asked. I groaned and shrunk down into my seat. Soda laughed and I sat back up. "It's so boring." I complained. "That's part of the reason i dropped out. No action. That and the fact that I'm not real smart." He said with a laugh. I looked him right in the eyes. "Sodapop Curtis don't say that." I said. He smiled, sat up straight, and saluted and said, "Yes ma'am." I burst out laughing.

We got our sundaes after a while and i could barely swallow one spoonful because Soda just kept on making me laugh. Then, I heard a voice behind us and it was the owner of the place. She was trying to get this guy out of the diner. "Sir please leave. I will call the cops if you don't." She said. The guy was obviously drunk. He didn't say anything but he looked around in a daze and he was swaying on his feet. "Sir! I am not going to ask again." Finally the guy said, "Why should I? I own this place." The owner was getting mad and two costumers got up and pushed the man out the door.

"Wow. Why are those people always trying to get into this place?" Soda asked. I was frozen in place. I kept looking at the man through the windows as he stumbled away. "Oh my gosh." I said silently. I slowly turned back around at slouched a bit in my seat. "What's the matter?" Soda asked. I started to breathe faster and my heart was beating so fast I thought maybe it was burst.

"Eliza? Elizabeth? Are you okay?" Soda was talking to me but I could barely hear him. My head was spinning and I felt sick. No. No it can't be. It can't. Soda stood up and walked over to me. "Eliza!" He practically screamed. He shook me a bit and I finally looked at him and said, "That was my dad." He blinked a few times and then said, "What? What do you mean?" "Soda. That was my dad." I repeated.

Soda rubbed his forehead. "Are you kidding me?" He asked. I shook my head. "Come on." He said. He grabbed my hand and left money on the table. Then we walked to the door and Soda looked out the window for a second. "Stay close okay?" He ordered. I nodded my head and held on to his hand.

We walked out and Soda kept me behind him as we walked home in the dark. When we got home, Pony and Darry were there but I guess Two-bit and Steve went home because I didn't see them.