The Outsiders: Before My Time Sequel | Sodapop

You're In My Time

"Bri," was all Soda could say before he rushed to me and picked me up in his affectionate hug. I hugged him back just as tight. His hugs are a perfect example of intimacy in its most wholesome form. He took the weight off my feet. I closed my eyes, feeling so overjoyed that I got to hold him in my arms once again. I gripped his shirt, just to make sure he was real. That he was really there with me. In my time.

I could feel myself melt whenever I was around Soda. I know that I am never going to find someone who makes me as happy as he does. Ever since the day that I met him, he has been on my mind. He is all I can think about at night when my mind is running amok. He lights up my whole life like the golden morning sunrise.

"I'm sorry, I had to find you again," he said softly. His hand pet down my hair, and he squeezed me a little tighter, like he was afraid to let me go.

When he put me down, I was immediately scooped up by Darry. I gave him the biggest hug I could, trying to send him all of the gratitude I never got a chance to give him when I lived with him. He had a strong grip, and I could feel his muscles around me.

"I can't believe it's you," Pony's voice quivered.

I relaxed my arms around Darry so he let go of me. I stepped up to Pony, and I noticed that his hair was just a little bit longer from the last time I saw him. Most of the blonde from Windrixville has been cut off, but Pony was using his hair grease to darken the ends enough to blend in with the rest of his natural brown hair. I saw him just a couple days ago, how long has it been since he has seen me?

I pulled Ponyboy into a tight hug and he didn't hesitate to hug me back. His hugs make me feel seen. He was like my little brother. He reminded me a lot of my younger sister, which is probably why I felt such a strong connection to him. Plus, being stuck in an abandoned church up in Windrixville for a week with anybody will give you a lifelong connection with them. Pony squeezed me a little tighter, which made me chuckle softly.

"We have had one doozy of a day," Two claimed in his thick southern accent.

Pony slipped from my arms and I could still feel it even after letting go. My eyes met with Dally's, and I froze. The last time I saw him, he admitted that he had feelings for me and I turned him down. My love for him hasn't faded away, but it wasn't the kind of love he felt for me. I felt a deep, personal connection to him. But I couldn't give him what he wanted, and he couldn't give me what I needed.

Dally's blue eyes softened when he saw me. I walked up to him swiftly and wrapped my arms around his neck. His leather clad arms hugged me back and he stood up straight, taking the weight off my feet. Dally whispered softly so only I could hear him. "I thought I lost you."

"I missed you too," I whispered back.

The weight was back on my feet and I took a few steps back, slipping from Dally's arms to really get a good look at them all. I couldn't believe they were all here in front of me. It was like they walked out of my dreams and back into my life.

"You are here. You are all here." My excitement slipped into confusion. I tilted my head to the side and asked, "how are you here?"

"We were hoping you could tell us," Darry said while crossing his arms over his big chest. "What in the Sam Hill happened to us?"

"I found some sort of contraption under my bed," Soda said while using his attractive hands to demonstrate how big it was.

"The Time Machine," Lillian whispered. Her eyes went wide, but then she groaned and her face dropped.

"Stevie here fixed the doohickey and... well... now we are here," Soda finished.

"You fixed it?" I asked Steve in disbelief. "How long did that take you?"