Revolution - An Outsiders / Sodapop Fanfic

One

It was an ordinary day working the DX gas station for Soda and Steve. It must've been the hottest day of the year, so Soda was hiding out working the counter of the gas station. "A little heat never bothered me" Steve had said that morning... Before it was blistering hot out. But now at 1:17 in the afternoon, he was sweating more than he ever had before. He was fixing a flat tire on a gross old car. He hadn't told anyone - not even Soda - that he had wrote to Sydney Lucas, their childhood best friend.

Steve found himself thinking about her a lot. She never replied to his letter so she probably wasn't coming. It wasn't like she was mad at him or anything like that. She probably didn't even get the letter.

Sydney Lucas was like a miracle child. When she moved away four years ago, people everywhere started rumours about her. Someone once said she was in New York City, starring as Annie on Broadway. Someone else said she was spotted dancing on a float during Mardi Gras. Apparently she also went to parties with Elvis, surfing in California, and had weekly tea dates with the queen of England. Someone else said they saw her name carved into a tree in Canada.
That's what Steve was wondering about. He'd sent the letter to her parents' house in London, England, but Sydney probably wasn't even there. Her parents probably didn't even know where she was. The only thing I knew was that wherever in the world she was, she was having fun.

"Screw it," Steve said, giving up on the tire, "this damn car isn't going to work in a couple days anyway."
"That's not the spirit," said a girl that was passing by.
She had long, hair that shone brown. She had bright blue, friendly eyes that popped against her skin, and freckles... everywhere.

The girl was about sixteen, like Steve himself, and looked about 5'4. Her feet were bare and she wore a blue and white striped peasant top and denim shorts. She had orangy circular sunglasses resting on her head.
Her eyes lit up with an idea and she said, "Hey, do you know Steve Randle?"

That second everything clicked, that was her. Standing right in front of Steve was the gorgeous girl that he thought he'd never see again. It was Sydney Lucas. Steve was frozen on the spot.

"No?" She asked, "What about Sodapop Curtis?"

Steve was brought back to reality. He blinked a couple times and shook his head.

"Sydney!"
"Steve," She smiled and ran into his arms.
She smelled like strawberry and coconut, just like she always had.
"I'm sorry," Sydney said from Steve's arms, "about Johnny and Dally."

Johnny Cade and Dallas Winston  were dead. Two of the gang's best friends had both died a few weeks ago. In the same night too, it hurt like nothing I've ever felt before.

"Well at least you're here to say goodbye," Steve tried to comfort.
"I shouldn't be," Sydney said, "I left them years ago. I wasn't there for them and they were probably the two people who needed it most. I don't deserve to be here for their funerals."

Steve was shocked. That was nothing like the Sydney he knew. He thought she'd never miss any of their funerals, even if she was on her deathbed herself.

"Shoot, Syd," Steve shook his head, "You're part of the gang. You always will be. You deserve to be here as much as any of us. You dig?"

She smiled at him and changed the subject, "So where's Soda? "

Steve hesitated before saying quietly, "He's inside but before you run in there and trample him, you should know that he's a little depressed..."

Sydney cocked an eyebrow and Steve went on;

"His ex-girlfriend Sandy, well, he thought he was going to marry her, he was in love with her. But I guess she didn't and she moved to Florida-"
Something flickered behind Sydney's bright blue eyes at the mention of Sandy. But she covered it quick.
"When Sandy moved to Florida," Steve continued, "She had been cheating on Soda and the other guy got her pregnant."
Sydney gasped.
"Soda told her he'd still forgive her and marry her and help her raise the child but... she returned his letter unopened."

Sydney's heart broke for Soda and all she wanted to do was run into the station and hug him because that had always cheered him up. Like when Mickey Mouse was sold.

"I got it, Steve. I'm going in there and I'll go easy on him, okay?"
Steve smiled and said, "Oh, get in there."

Sydney pushed open the door to the gas station.
"Ow!"
She peered over the side of the door and saw a man, probably in his 40s, holding his foot.
"Watch it, Grease!" The old man in the Madras said.
"I'm sorry," Sydney said sincerely, "Do you need ice?"
"No!" The man screamed, "All I need is for you to get out of my face!"
He was out the door in an instant.

Sydney made an 'oops' face and looked toward the counter at the other end of the station. There was another sixteen year old boy there. He looked depressed, hopeful, shocked, and was laughing all at the same time. His eyes were full of tears but they weren't spilling over. He smiled the most hopeful smile that Sydney had ever seen. The boy was very pretty with his styled brown hair and dark brown eyes, and his blue DX shirt. But it was his eyes the caught Sydney's attention, and the way he looked at her like she was a miracle.

Sydney took a step toward the counter and even though she knew the answer, she asked, "Do you happen to know where I can find S-"

One tear escaped his eyes and he whispered, "Sydney."
"Hey Sodapop," she said as she began to jog to him.
He jumped over the counter and ran full speed to her. Then, Soda wrapped his arms around her, saying, "Oh Skwid, I thought you'd never come back for me."

Sydney could feel his tears on her shoulders. Between that and the fact that he had called her "Skwid" she couldn't help but cry too.

"I promised I'd never leave, Soda," Sydney said from his shoulder, "and I've missed you so much."