Little Miss Winston

Chapter 11: Listen...

"Lela?" I sleepily mumbled, "Yes?" My voice coming out in a higher pitch than I thought it would. "Come on Lela, wake up." Soda said soothingly rubbing my back. I opened my eyes and said, "Stop rubbing my back or I'll fall back asleep." I yawned. Soda chuckled and scooped me up in his arms. He walked up the front porch steps and stepped inside the Curtis house. "Lela!" The whole gang yelled and hugged me. "Hey guys! Dally what happened?!" I asked gently touching his black eye and gash on his cheek. "I beat up those Socs who hurt you." He said triumphantly. "Dallas you know I hate fights!" I yelled and ran outside, and sat down against the side of the house. I started crying...and these weren't tears cause I got hurt...I can handle that, but the way Dallas beat those guys up...I don't think revenge is ever sweet. Soda came outside and sat down next to me. He put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him.  "Lela," he tensed, "I'm sorry about Dallas."  "It's okay...I don't think he really cares about me."  I said coldly...a tone I've never heard my voice in, I didn't like it.  "Aw, don't talk like that."  Soda pleaded standing up.  He picked me up and looked into my chocolate brown eyes, "You know he cares about you."  He said flashing me a movie star grin.  "I'm not so sure anymore..."  I trailed off.  "That's it!"  He threw me over his shoulder and walked me back into the house.  "Dallas, tell Lela you care about her."  Soda said firmly and set me down.  I whirled around to face my brother then turned towards the door ready to run, but Darry and Steve blocked my exit.  "Of course I care about you Lela!"  Dallas said desperately.  "Did you think I...didn't?  He asked hurt.  "Well," I bit my lip, "You never listen to me...you just do."  "What?"  He asked cocking an eyebrow.  "When I was trying to tell you about my date with Soda...you didn't listen you just said that you'd hurt him if he ever broke my heart!  You didn't even care that it was the best night of my life!"  I yelled.  Soda's eyes couldn't help but light up at that.  "And...I needed you at the hospital with me...not getting revenge for me."  I said looking into his cold eyes.  "Lela...I'm sorry."  He said hugging me to his chest.  "I know you care about me...but I need you to listen to me, I'm not a little kid, Dal."  "Yeah, but you'll always be my little sister."  I smiled, "I wouldn't have it any other way."  I said.  The whole gang started cheering, I laughed and Dallas wiped my tears away.  "So, your first date with me was the best night of your life, huh?"  Soda asked winking at me.  I blushed pink, "Look she's turning her favorite color!"  Two-bit joked.  I shot him a glare and Darry held me back so I wouldn't tackle him...which was pretty easy considering he's Darry and I'm me. "Do y'all want to go to the Nighty Double tonight?" I asked wanting to just get out of the house like old times. "Yeah!" The whole gang yelled. I giggled. "I'm gonna go change my outfit, be right back!" I said. I dressed in one of Soda's flannels, ripped jeans, a Texas necklace, some cowboy boots, and also curled my hair. "Ready!" I squealed bounding back through the door and jumping into Darry's arms. He spun me around and tossed me into Soda's arms who was sitting on the couch. "Fancy meeting you here." He said in a cheesy way. I laughed and nuzzled into his neck. He gave me a kiss on the forehead and hugged me close. "Get a room!" Steve yelled. I giggled and Soda winked at me. "Let's get to the drive in." I said climbing off Soda's lap. "Really Steve?" I heard him mumble.  And we were off to the drive in.