The War of Tristan

chapter 1

i never liked stopping to get gas. To me, it was a waste of time. If i had a choice in the matter, I'd never stop. Well, maybe not never. I'd stop for a Jimmy Hendrix concert or to get a pack of cigarettes. But i wish i didn't have to stop for gas.

When i arrived in Tulsa, my tank was nearly empty and my small red truck was begging to beg me to fill it up. I pulled over at the DX when i saw it. i entered the small gas station and grabbed a coke, cigarettes, and a candy bar.

"Can I help you?" I heard a voice call out from behind me. I turned around and saw a boy covered in oil. He was about my age and was wearing a uniform.

"Yeah. Just this." I answered. I tried not to stare because I figured he got that a lot. He really was quite mesmerizing. His looks were abnormally stunning.

"Where you from? That accent ain't southern. Is it New York?"

"Yeah you ever been?" I asked wondering how he picked it up so easily.

"Nah, but I gotta buddy named Dally and he's from there. Y'all sound an awful lot a like." I nodded. And he just looked at me, I found it hard not to stare at him in the same way.

"Thanks for the stuff. You pump the gas or is there someone else I need to talk to?" I questioned while walking toward the door.

"I usually don't but you're an exception." He replied while running to catch up with me.

"Why is that?"

He grinned at me. I turned my attention in front of me ignoring the butterflies in my stomach. He was quite something. "I'm not sure."

We walked out to my car and he began getting the gas ready to fill my tank. I leaned up against my truck and watched him. His dirty blonde hair was long and wet from the sweat of the sun.

"What's your name pretty girl?" He asked randomly catching me off guard.

"Pretty girl?" I repeated.

"Well yeah." He smirked and it took all of my self control to not smile like an idiot.

"Tristan." I said with a calm and collected tone.

"Well Tristan, you staying here for a while?"

"Just rolling through."

"Well where are you headed?" He asked with slight disappointment. I turned and looked at the road. Where was I headed?

"Not sure. I don't really have a home."

"You what?" He asked laughing at the idea.

"I'm kind of a hippie." He smiled at me like I was a rare sighting. I interrupted his admiration with a question. "What's your name? I told you mine."

"You're gonna laugh." He assured me and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Try me."

"Sodapop." He said waiting on my laugh. I kept a straight face and raised my eye brows.

"I like it. Your mom and dad must be pretty unique."

"Yeah they were." He said nodding and looking down for a slight second. The use of the past tense word made me stomach turn.

"Mine were too." I said letting him know I understood. He gave me a sad look full of empathy and I didn't turn away this time. His looks became even more attractive when he held a more serious look in his eye. I didn't know Sodapop, yet I know he was not a more serious boy. This look was rare. And it was absolutely addicting.

"You know where I can find a hotel pretty boy?" I asked breaking the silence that had overtaken us.

"Pretty boy?" He repeated mocking our precious conversation.

I shrugged and smirked flirtatiously at him. "Yeah down the road to the left. You can't miss it." I looked down the road and nodded and was about to say goodbye when he stopped me. "But, my door is always open. You can come by and have dinner with me and my brothers. My friends may be there too. They'd love you."

I smiled knowing that I should decline for my safety. I had just met this boy and I knew nothing about his brothers whatsoever. Staying in his house would be ridiculous.

"What time should I come by?" I asked going against my common knowledge and listening strictly to my gut. And my eyes.

"I get off in about ten minutes. You can come inside and then we can ride together. We can leave your truck in the garage." I smiled at his generosity.

"Do I need to worry Sodapop? I mean, we did just meet?" I asked more in a flirtatious tome than I honestly concerned one.

"Do I look threatening?" He asked laughing.

"Not even a little."

We walked inside and he sat behind the counter. I sat on top with my legs resting on each side of his chair.

"So you lived here your whole life?" I asked.

"Yeah. Born and raised." I shook my head at the thought of staying in one place for so long. It seemed unthinkable.

"I haven't stayed in the same place for more than a month since I was 14. I'm 17 now." I continued telling him about my adventures. He seemed intrigued about my lifestyle as I did his. We talked and talked until I finally glanced at the clock.

"Sodapop its 20 after, we've been talking for 30 minutes!" I exclaimed laughing.

"Come on, you'll love my family Tristan." And with that I followed him to his house. Not once even thinking about leaving his side.