heartache

eight

"DARRY! SODA!" Ponyboy screamed. Dread rushed onto Soda's face.

"PONY!" he screamed. He ran ahead and all of the boys chased after him. Darry was driving by and he jumped out as well. Evie and I started running too. By the time we got there, the boys had already chased the Socs clear down the street. Darry was hauling Ponyboy to his feet.

"Ponyboy, are you okay?" I asked, examining the cut on his neck.

"Yeah, just spooked, that's all." Soda jogged over and sat down on the other side of Pony.

"You're bleedin' like a stuck pig," Soda remarked, putting a wet handkerchief on Pony's wound.

"I am?" Soda just chuckled.

"They cut you?" Darry asked from behind me. Pony just gulped and nodded. The poor thing. He was white as a ghost and shaking like a leaf.

"It's okay Ponyboy. They ain't gonna hurt you no more," Soda comforted, putting his arm around Pony. Just looking at Soda with Pony made me realize something. Soda is going to be a fantastic father.

"Come on, let's get you home so that I can clean you up," I said, pulling Pony up. He smiled and stuffed his hands in his pockets and ran up to meet Johnny. Soda and I fell behind the group. We were walking slowly with our hands entwined.

"You know Stel, when you were talking with Pony, I realized that you would make a great mom one day." I immediately stopped walking.

"Sodapop Curtis, are you trying to tell me something? I will never, EVER be a teen mom. Ya dig?" I said sternly. Soda just laughed.

"No Stella, I was not saying that. I certainly do not want to be a teen dad either. Just calm down, will you?" Now it was my turn to laugh.

"Okay. I'm sorry for over reacting. I love you," I replied. In one swift movement, he picked me up off my feet and was carrying my, bridal-style. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder. Soda ran to catch up with the gang. Dally was lighting a cigarette. I glared at him because I hated when he smoked. Actually, I hated when anyone in the gang smoked. Luckily, Soda rarely did. In response to my glare, Dally blew smoke at me. I buried my face in Soda's neck to avoid the smoke. I heard Soda say, "Dal, leave her be." Dally just shrugged him off.

"Speakin' of movies, I'm goin' to the nightly double tomorrow night. Anyone wanna come?" he asked.

"We'll come," Pony piped up, motioning to Johnny.

"We'll meet you there after our date," Steve said, grabbing Evie's hand. She blushed. Awe man, they were adorable.

"Wanna go on a double date?" Soda whispered in my ear. His voice sent chills down my spine.

"It would be my pleasure," I replied, kissing his nose. By that time, we were already home. I quickly got changed and then crawled into bed. A little while later, Soda crawled in as well.

"I love you," I said as I snuggled into his bare chest.

"I love you too."

***

It felt like an earthquake was rolling through the Curtis house. Someone or something was erratically shaking me. My eyes fluttered open and were soon met by beautiful blue ones.

"Good morning sunshine," Soda said. I smiled. He leaned down and gave a long and sweet kiss. When we pulled away, I asked, "What was that for?"

"Because you're beautiful," he quickly replied.

"Well, I could get used to that." With that statement, I grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him towards me again. We shared another wonderful kiss and would've shared more if it weren't for the knock on the door. Soda pulled away and sank back into the bed.