Lovely Day (Sodapop Curtis being trans)

Lovely Day

Sodapop stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He could feel that today was going to be a bad day. He didn't want to get out of bed, the mere thought of driving over to the DX made him feel nauseous. He got up anyway, though, knowing there was no reason he shouldn't go if he weren't actually sick. Many people would consider him to be so, anyway, if they found out that he didn't want to be a girl.

He wrapped bandages around his chest, looking in the mirror to ensure it looked okay. His hair looked a little too long, he cut it quickly before continuing to get dressed. He made his way out the door. It was still dark out, he had woken up early. Maybe he should just take a walk before clocking in.

As he put one foot in front of the other, he heard a whistle and a voice. "Hey, baby! You're lookin' pretty!" the voice called.

He rolled his eyes and walked faster, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked faster. He thought he should've known better, walking around by himself this early. He rushed back home and just sat in the living room, trying to calm down.

His older brother walked into the living room. Darry shot him a concerned look. "What're you doin' up this early?" he asked.

Sodapop shrugged, "I dunno..." he sighed.

He didn't know what was wrong this morning, maybe it was just that he felt a little too feminine. He knew everyone calling him a girl wasn't going to help, but he had to deal with it. It's not like he could tell anyone, he lived in Tulsa, so how could he?

He felt restless, Steve was supposed to show up soon. They usually carpooled to the DX together. Everything was moving too slowly this morning.

Finally, Steve entered the room, they left the door unlocked so that he could come in. "Hey, Soda. You look—"

Sodapop cut him off, "Don't even say it..." he muttered.

Steve immediately shut up and knelt next to him, "Are you doin' okay?" he asked, worry written across his features.

The other sat up, "I'm fine, let's just go." He shook off the concern and stood up from the couch.

Together, they made their way to the DX, mostly in silence. Soda clocked in as soon as they got there, standing behind the counter and waiting for customers.

Steve was outside, working on cars when a younger man came in. He looked pretty rugged, with sharp features and greasy hair. "Hey, pretty lady, what are you doin' workin' in a place like this?" he flirted.

Sodapop wasn't in the mood for any of that, though. He scoffed and rolled his eyes, just ringing him up, "Two dollars and forty cents," he replied firmly.

"Not gonna be nice for me? C'mon, give us a smile," the man said, clearly not having his response.

"Two dollars. And forty cents," Soda drawled, narrowing his eyes.

The man scoffed and practically threw the money at him. He put the money in the register, slamming it shut before he buried his head in his hands as he leaned over the counter.

Steve came in not too long after that with worry as he went to check on his friend, "Was that guy giving you some trouble?" he asked, reaching out to take one of Soda's hands.

The other side, trying not to put things in a way that would make sense to his friend.

"I dunno. Normally, I'd try to entertain them a little, but..." he trailed off, "I'm not feelin' like myself today..."

"I know that's not it," Steve replied, his features softening a little. Soda had been acting odd for a while now. "Look, y'know you can tell me anything, right?" Soda sighed in response to that.