Stronger with You

Work with Steve

Sodapop*
May 28th, 1965

"Honestly Soda, why are you with Sandy if you are obviously into Peyton? If I liked Peyton then I wouldn't be with Evie," Steve said from under the car he was working on.

I was sitting in a chair and flipping brought a magazine while looking out for anyone that came by.

"I don't like Peyton, she's my sisters best friend and Two-Bit's sister, they'd both kill me." I shook my head even though he wouldn't see that.

"Oh bullshit, you know Two-Bit would just threaten you if you hurt her but overall he wouldn't mind." Steve stopped talking for a second then continued, "and Maya would get over it."

"Yeah right, Maya would have my head on a platter, and besides I am not into Peyton," I said my eyes carelessly scanning the magazine.

"Well, if you don't go for Peyton, as soon as Pony can, he will," Steve said rolling out from under the car. He wiped the oil off his face and hands with a rag and sat up. When he did sit up I checked out his cheek, which did turn into a bruise.

"What're you talking about?" I ask drawing my eyebrows together. Steve laughed and looked at me like I was stupid, "Man, Pony is so in love with Peyton it's obvious to everyone." That's when he pointed to his face, "The kid was fine with me talking about girls until I brought up Peyton."

I stared at my best friend in shock, I didn't even think about Pony having a crush on Peyton and so guess I hadn't even realized what Steve was saying when Pony hit him.

"You think Pony likes Peyton?" I asked.

Steve laughed and shook his head, "Pony is in love with her you blind idiot!"

I looked at Steve bewildered, "No? No he ain't?" I say and Steve sighs slapping his hand against his face.

"You just go ask Pony for yourself," Steve said and I just nodded in response. I didn't want to believe him, but I was kinda thinking he was right.

"Soda!" A girly voice shouted from outside the shop.

I sighed and then plastered a smile on my face and went outside, "Hey, baby. Whats going on?" I asked Sandy. The dirty blonde and blue eyed girl smiled at me and kissed my cheek, "Just wanted to come see my handsome boyfriend."

I cracked another fake grin and we went inside and sat behind the cash register. I let Sandy chat my ear off about how her mom and sister and her were going to go shopping with her rich grandmother.

Sandy was a pretty girl, she was pale with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. She was also a middle class and I wasn't exactly sure how I managed to get her to go out with me.

She was different then what most would think I would go for. Normally I tended to go for light blondes with green eyes. I really liked freckles too, like when they were across the cheeks and nose. I wasn't sure why, but there was something about freckles that I loved.

"Soda! Listen to me!" Sandy whined shaking my shoulder.

I snapped out of my thoughts quickly realizing exactly the person that was really on my mind.

"I'm sorry, just getting lost in my thoughts," I said kissing her cheek. Sandy smiled at me and responded, "Its okay sweet cheeks, I have to get back home to make cakes with my grandma. I love you." My girlfriend stood up and gave me a peck on the lips then skipped out of the store.

I sighed slightly and looked down at the cash register.  I knew I loved Sandy, but my mind was always on a green eyed girl.

"Sodapop! Im gonna need ya to get off your behind and get me some cigs please!"

I laughed and shook my head, of course Peyton needed a new pack. The girl was never seen without a cig on her lips.

"Marlboro?" I questioned, reaching for the pack. I didn't even need to ask I knew the answer was going to be yes.

"SP, did you seriously just ask me that?" Peyton laughed and I nodded my head in agreement, "I know, I know. Stupid question."

Peyton fished some coins out of her pocket and handed them to me. I took the coins and handed her the cigs.

"Thank ya."

Peyton tapped the pack against the palm of her hand three times and then peeled it open. She took out the cancer stick and placed it in between her lips and lit up. I knew that the pack would be gone by tomorrow.

"Ever think you should cut back?" I ask leaning against the counter.

Peyton took a soft drag, then tilted her head back blowing the smoke, "Yeah. I've thought about it." she stared at the cancer stick between her fingers.

"Why haven't you?" I questioned. Peyton went to answer but was interrupted when Maya came running in with Steve behind her.

"Hey Pepsi Cola!" Maya grinned, her blue eyes were wide and happiness was radiating off of her.

"Hey sis, why so happy?"

Maya rolled her eyes and flipped her hair over her shoulder, "I can't just be in a good mood? Geez." I rolled my eyes in return.

"I'll tell you later." Peyton laughed.

"Okay great," I said laughing in return. Peyton and I locked eyes from a few seconds before I looked away reminding myself that I have a girlfriend.

"Okay, well, we're gonna get going. Promised Darry I'd help with dinner," Maya said.

"Alright, we get off in about an hour so we'll see y'all soon," Steve said and I just nodded in agreement. My mind was on other things.

The two girls left. I watched them walk down the street, Maya was talking and Peyton was pulling out her second cig and lighting up.

"You got a paper with a note on it." Steve slid over a scrap of paper with a messy note jotted down.

"you and the guys smoke for fun. at this point I smoke to die." - peyton

I looked back up seeing the cloud of smoke above Peyton's head.

"Your in deep, Soda."

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hey y'all! long time no update, i know! i am so sorry for not updating in forever, junior year is really kicking my butt. but now I am back and I am going to continue on with this story, I swear! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and I hope you read the next I publish! thank you for reading!

-Avery