Take me Home

05 || Take That Back

I hear a knock on my door and I squeal happily knowing Dally's here. I take one more look in the mirror before leaving looking at my pretty red dress that has my black cardigan over it. My make-up is a basic smokey eye and a bright red lip just to keep it classic. I look down at my red wedges exposing just some of my red painted nails. My hair is down in loose curls and I have a red clutch. It's a timeless look. I answer the door with a smile, "hey Dally."

He looks me up and down before smiling slightly, "you look good!"

"Thanks," I blush a light pink. "You don't look to bad yourself."

He lets out a soft chuckle, "should we go now?"

I nod my head as I laugh, "I think that would be a good idea."

As I walk down the stairs I hear Soda talking, "I don't know what happened Darry! I went in for the kiss and she was about to kiss me then she just jerked away. The whole day she was giving me mixed signals and now she's going on that date with Dally. Does she like him or me? She almost kissed me!"

I hear another voice that I'm assuming belongs to Darry, "I don't know what to tell ya little buddy. If she's out with Dally, she clearly likes him."

"She was out with me all day though," Soda reminds him.

"Was it a date?" Darry asks him.

I hear Soda sigh softly, "no, but we almost kissed."

"I'm sorry Soda, but she likes Dally and he's up there right now. So if you want her, you have to stop it," Darry informs her.

"How can I do that to her?" Soda asks. "She's just so perfect."

I turn to Dally embarrassed, "I can explain everything. I didn't kiss him."

Dally leans in. His lips brush against mine lingering there for a few seconds until I smack my lips against his. He grabs my waist and I grab his neck. He slips his tongue in my mouth and I'm lost in the moment as fireworks go off. As he lets go of me I stumble back and he looks at me, "don't worry about it because, you didn't stop me."

Oh my god! Did that just happened? Oh my god! I like Dally! I like Dally, not Sodapop! It's been Dally all along. How am I just releasing this now?

"Chloe?" I hear a heartbroken Sodapop snapping me back into reality. If you could call this reality.

I turn to look at Sodapop and the guilt sets in, "Sodapop!"

"Ho-how could you?" He asks. "I thought we had something."

Tears form in my eyes, "Sodapop please!"

"It's okay, we're just friends," he sighs as he runs upstairs.

I look into Dally's eyes, but I'm just not sure if I can do this anymore. He smiles softly, "so, lets go."

"What?" I ask him. How can he be so insensitive? Did he not just see what happened? Why would he do that.

"We have a date that we should go to," he talks down to me.

I look at him like he has a thousand heads, "you must be crazy or something."

"Why?" He whines like a five year old.

I roll my eyes, "you are such a creep"

"What did I do baby?" He asks as he looks at me.

I run upstairs and pound on Soda's door, "Sodapop! Sodapop! Open up! Sodapop! I can explain! Sodapop please!"

"Go away," I hear him mumble.

"Soda. it's me! It's Chloe! Sodapop please!" I pound his door as tears roll down my cheeks.

Maybe it's Sodapop. Maybe it's been him all along.

The doorknob turns and I wait anxiously seconds feeling like hours until I see his blotchy red face, "right in front of me! In my home! You only care about yourself! God Chloe! You really are a spoiled brat! You know what? Go back to California where you belong and never talk to me again!"

"Take that back!" I demand.

"Why should I?" He asks sadly.

I look into his eyes for a few seconds. He's right why should her. Everything he said about me is true. I am a spoiled brat. Tears well up in my eyes as I shrug, "I guess you shouldn't. I'm sorry Sodapop."

I walk downstairs pass all the guys who I never formally met. They're all just staring at me, like I just murdered their cat. Well it is until the one who I know name is Two-bit because he's wearing a mickey mouse shirt just like in the movie walks over to me, "you shouldn't leave just yet Chloe. You have to meet us first, then we'll decide."

I chuckle softly, "thanks."

"Sit down Chloe," Two-bit smiles.

I look around to see all the spots taken, "where?"

"The floor," Steve yells loudly. It's kind of weird that I already know their names. Steve leans over to Two-bit whispering, "she ain't the smartest person ever."

I sit next to Steve placing my arm on his shoulder before whispering, "I hate to break it to ya, but I can hear every word your saying."

"Oops," he chuckles making me laugh.

"So, I'm Chloe," I introduce myself.

They all go around and introduce themselves, but as they talk I focus on poor Johnny Cade. His smile seems so real, but I know about his home life. How can he still be so happy and so grateful? How can all these boys be so grateful with all the heartache they've been through? They're all so real. I don't belong here, with them. After they all say their names I smile a real smile, "well it's nice to meet you boys. What should we do next?"

"Mickey Mouse!" Two-bit yells.

"Then later, we're crashing a party," Steve smiles at me. "Well everybody, but Pony and Johnny. Pone is too young-"

"Hey! I am thirteen years old! I'm a teenager now!" Pony yells at Steve.

Steve chuckles before continuing, "Johnny is just too innocent. They'll probably go to a movie, or something."

"Is Soda coming?" I ask hoping he is. I need to talk to him.

Steve nods, "I'm gonna make him."

"You know Stevie, it's not very good to make somebody do something they don't want to," Darry informs Steve looking out for his little brother.

"He wanted to a few hours ago, plus he's gonna wanna see-" Steve stops there and looks at me, before putting up his hand to cover his face pointing at me and whispering, "her."

"Nice one Steve," I chuckle.

Two-bit laughs loudly, "don't you be catching feelings for Steve too now, ya hear Chloe."

"Shut-up!" I exclaim as I push him jokingly and for the first time in my life, I'm not rich. I'm not that spoiled brat with millions of dollars or the girl who lives in a mansion. I'm not just that girl who owns a ranch with three racing horses. I'm not that girl with the two rescue kittens and a puppy. For the first time in my life, I'm just Chloe and I can just be me. A smile spreads on my face as that thought occurs to me and I release, maybe I don't want to go home.

Oh my god! So much drama. I feel so bad for Sodapop, but I mean I also feel bad for Chloe. She's always just been that rich girl and now she's lost. She has to find who just Chloe is. Although there's a surprise waiting for her soon. Stay gold. Do it for Johnny!

-Beth