The War of Tristan

chapter 3

I found Soda sitting on the couch and went and joined him. He half grinned at me, even if I had said anything at that moment he wouldn't have heard me, the boys were so loud. He was loud as well.

"Hi." I yelled while I sat with him. Before he could respond Darry calmed down the boys.

"Y'all take it down a notch!" He ordered and they all listened.

Soda turned his attention to me, "Hey, you and Dally okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, he just told me he changed. But I don't buy it." I answered honestly.

"I don't know what Dally was like when you knew him, but he doesn't seem like the guy you think he his." He said with a timid voice as if he was afraid I would disapprove of his opinion.

"Maybe." I was beginning to doubt myself. Maybe he had changed and I just didn't want to believe it.

"What's this?" Soda asked pointing at my leg. My long skirt had a slight riding up the side and when I sat down you could see my tattoo.

"Oh, it's a ying yang sign." I answered smiling at my marked up skin.

"It's.." he hesitated while staring at the ink on my skin.

"Cool?" I asked wondering if that was the word he may be searching for.

"I was gonna say sexy. But cool works." He replied. This time much more smoothly than he had before.

I didn't say anything just looked at him. That's when Two-bit, I believe that's his name, interrupted.

"I'm heading out. Gotta take care of the sis." He grabbed a piece of cake and beer and was out the door. Before he walked out he told me it was nice to meet me and I exchanged the goodbye.

Steve left shortly after. Dallas and Johnny stuck around a little and we watched television.

"Hi." I said when Johnny sat next to me.

"Hi." He was a quiet fellow that was for sure. His voice was near a whisper. "I like your name. It's unique."

"We're in a room with a boy named Ponyboy and another named Sodapop and you think Tristan is unique?" I laughed and he joined.

"It's a nice name."

"Thanks." I smiled.

"I think I'm gonna head out. It was real nice meetin you Tristan." Johnny said standing up.

"You too. I'll see you around." Johnny said goodbye to the rest of the boys as well.

"Let me walk you home Johnny Cade, I'm gonna head to Bucks anyway and your place is on the way." Dallas said grabbing a beer for the road.

"Bye Dallas. It was good to see you again." I stated smiling and he returned the smile before hugging me.

"I'm missed you Tristan." He said with a matter of fact tone that made me happy. The boy I once knew was still there after all. I hugged Dallas bye and then he smiled and left. I turned to the Curtis boys and they all seemed fairly surprised.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"We just haven't ever seen Dally like that." Sodapop answered for all of them.

I wasn't sure what to say, so I said nothing. The silence that had fallen upon us however did not last. The other two boys were curious to know about the girl their brother had found.

"So, you're a hippie?" Darrel asked.

I chucked. "Yeah I guess, I usually use the term free spirit but I guess hippie works." I answered still smiling.

"Where all have you been?" Ponyboy asked in a gentle tone similar to the one Johnny used.

"Honestly, where I haven't been would be a shorter list. I usually just drive until something stops me." All three of the boys were intrigued with my way of life.

"What made you stop in Tulsa?" Darrel asked.

"I needed gas." I answered honestly making the boys laugh. "So I stopped at the DX." I looked at Soda and he grinned at me. A strange feeling inside my stomach rose with the sight of his smile. It was similar to the feeling I got cliff jumping or riding a motorcycle. I'm not sure what it was honestly but I enjoyed that feeling.

"Ponyboy, you should probably head to bed, last day of school tomorrow." Darrel said.

"That's exciting!" I said to Ponyboy referring to the fact that school was almost out. I always loved the last day when I was in school.

"Yeah. Nice to meet you Tristan. I'll see you in the morning." I smiled at him as he walked to his room.

"I'm going to head up too. Goodnight Tristan sleep well. Goodnight Sodapop." Darrel said to the both of us.

"Goodnight." Soda and I said in unison.

After Darrel walked up the stairs it fell quiet again. Soda and I sat watching tv for a small period of time before I finally grew tired.

"Was it really gas that made you stay?" Soda asked out of the blue.

"I'm sorry?" I questioned.

"Was it gas? You said that's why you stayed but after I filled you up you could have left. Why did you?" He asked.

I stared at him. I gently grabbed the side of his face and pressed my lips against his. If I was being honest I had wanted to do that since the moment I saw him. He was gorgeous and charming. There was something about him. Something that anchored my soul in a slightly terrifying way. And at the same time, slightly extraordinary.

He was shocked by the kiss at first. He settled down after a second or two and our bodies melted together. His hands gently moving from my waist to my face. I pulled away and looked at him. His eyes were dancing with joy and curiosity.

"I hope that is a valid answer to your question Mr. Curtis." I responded in a slight whisper, hoping his brothers wouldn't wake up.

"That was a pretty good answer." He said softly. His face grew painfully sad and I wondered what I had done wrong.

"What's the matter Soda?"  I asked. I was worried at this point.

"I'm dating someone."