Stay Gold || 'The Outsiders' One Shots

Oh, Sandy... (part 3)

Soda and Steve left the DX after a long shift, fully intending on both going back to Soda's and eating their fill of whatever Darry and probably Pony had cooked for supper (Steve was on bad terms with his Dad at the moment so had been staying with the Curtis'). 

They were chatting about some car they had fixed as they walked down the street, until they reached a group of girls stood by the side of the road. 

They spotted Soda, and instantly started giggling, a few going bright red. 

"Hi Soda." One said with a grin. 

Soda stared at her for a second, giving her a forced smile before carrying on walking, Steve following quickly behind. 

"What was that about?" Steve asked. "You're meant to be the one that's good with the girls, plus you should be used to that - it's always happened." 

Soda shrugged. "I just can't stand it," He muttered. "Not anymore." 

Steve sighed. "You're gonna have to move on from Sandy at some point buddy." He told him. "It's been three, nearly four months since she left." 

"That's easier said than done Steve." Soda told him. 

Steve nodded a little. "I know," He breathed. "I guess it's hard, knowing someone out there's carrying your kid." 

"Hmmmmm," Soda replied. 

Steve frowned a little. "What?" He asked. 

Soda stared at him for a moment, before taking a deep breath, "I gotta tell ya something," He said. "I ain't been able to bring myself to talk before now, too painful to think about." 

Steve looked slightly concerned, and he almost wanted to stop walking, but he carried on because he figured Soda would much rather keep moving, away from anyone who may overhear their conversation.

It took Soda a moment or two to carry on talking, and when he did his voice was quiet. "Sandy ain't carrying my kid," He told his friend. "She cheated on me, slept with someone else." 

Steve nearly stopped dead, swearing loudly. 

Soda snorted. "You can say that again." He muttered. 

Steve was struck dumb for ages, before he let out a whistle. "The nerve!" He exclaimed. "After everything you did for her, after the way you treated her." 

Soda nodded. "It weren't enough apparently." He sighed. 

Steve stared at him. "You were still gonna marry her," He remembered after a moment. "Even after she cheated on you." 

Soda shrugged. "I didn't wanna leave her to raise a kid on her own." He sighed. "Nobody deserves to have to do that."

Steve admired his friend, even if he thought he was out of his mind. "Did ya ever find out who's the kid was?" He asked carefully. 

"You remember that Soc that broke Two-Bit's finger that one time?" 

Steve choked. "Not him," He said. 

"Yes him," Soda replied. "We got into a fight the day after I found out actually-"

"That's what happened to your face?" Steve sighed.

"He beat the crap out of me." Soda remembered. "I ended up passed out at Buck's with Dally for hours afterwards." 

"Did ya tell Dally? About Sandy." 

"Yeah I told him," Soda told Steve, still unable to not feel upset at just the mention of his friend, after all it had only been three months since he'd been killed, and it was still an open wound for all of them. "I didn't really have much of a choice."