Snapshot // Sodapop and Dallas

Chapter 4

I woke up at 7:00 so I had time to get ready before Sodapop picked me up. The thought of Soda wanting to spend more time with me gave me a slight rush. He was so handsome he could have any girl he wanted. I'm not sure if this is a date or not, either way I was happy he wanted to be with me.
I slipped on a black skirt that stopped right before reaching my knees. I tucked in a white tank top and finished the look with black and white high top converse. I put my hair in a ponytail and wore mascara like always. I wasn't big on makeup. Didn't really see much point in it. I think the goal of makeup is to make it look like you aren't wearing any.
At exactly 8:00 there was a knock on my hotel door. I smiled to myself and went to open it.
"Good morning." He greeted.
"Good morning Sodapop. How did you know what room was mine?" I questioned.
"The guy that owns this place is a friend of mine. He knows and trusts me not to rob you." He chuckled in his charming manner and I giggled lightly. "Are you ready?"
"I am." I answered.
"You look really great Henna." He said smirking at me. Not in the creepy way most boys smirked at girls, but as if he was admiring me. My cheeks burned and turned away to avoid him seeing me blush.
"Do you say that to all the girls?" I asked sarcastically but with a bit of honesty.
He chuckled and put his hands in his back pockets. I waited for my answer but knew I had somehow struck a nerve.
"This will actually be the first time I've gone on a date in a while." He said honestly. I wanted to say something like I didn't know this was a date. But I could tell he was genuinely concerned about something.
"Why?" I asked as kindly I could. He stared at his feet as if the answer to my question would somehow appear written on the ground.
"Just got out of a long relationship. That's all." He smiled at me to reassure that he was fine. But I still felt like he missed something. Or someone.
I didn't know what to say so I just nodded. I did that a lot.
   We continued walking until we arrived at the small diner. It was only a street away from the hotel I was staying in. We got seated and ordered our food. Sodapop got pancakes and got an omelet. We both got chocolate milk to drink.
   "So what's the deal with Dallas Winston?" I asked after our waitress left. "I mean, what's his story?"
   "He used to live in New York. He got framed for something, never told us what, and was thrown in jail at age fourteen. He got out a few months later and moved down here. He's been living with Buck since then. They're cousins. Dally's mom was from here so he figured he had some family. Buck is all that's left though."
   My heart broke at the though of a fourteen year old kid being falsely accused of something. I couldn't imagine going to jail. No wonder he's so cold.
   "What was he like before he was thrown in jail?" I questioned. I know they didn't know him then, but I figured he'd have an idea or a story that could answer my question.
   "He let it slip one time that he was hanging out with his best friend at the library when he was twelve. We all joked about it, but it made me wonder. He was probably a lot like Ponyboy and Johnny. Which is why he seems so protective and attached to them." What was left of my broken heart then began to sink. The thought of Sweet little Johnny or brilliant little Ponyboy in jail was unbearable. I guess Jail changes people. It sure changed Dally.
   "Wow." Was all I said.
   "Why do you ask?" Soda asked curiously.
   "Dallas just seemed interesting to me. Kinda like a puzzle or mystery." Soda looked off to the side awkwardly and I wasn't sure why.
   "Do you..." He started but seemed like he couldn't quite find his words. My words always seemed to be on the tip of my tongue. Like I was made to speak. Speaking was never difficult for me, even in front of large crowds. "Like Dally?" He finally finished.
   I didn't flinch at the question because I didn't understand at first. "What do you mean?"
   "Do you like him?" He asked emphasizing like.
"What? No!" I laughed. I barely knew him. I mean, I really didn't know Sodapop. I knew what he told me but I didn't know the things that came along with being around someone.
He kinda smiled but I'm not sure if it was a relieved smile or a comedic smile. "I wouldn't be real surprised I guess if you did. Girls seem to really be fond of Dal." He said.
"From what Two-Bit and Ponyboy tell me, the ladies seem pretty fond of you too Sodapop." This time he grinned slightly embarrassed with a hint of pride.
"Not really." He answered. I glared at him sarcastically. He chuckled a little. "Alright. Maybe girls get desperate and find me at the DX." I laughed at his response. Soda didn't come off as the humble type, but he was.
   The waitress arrived shortly with our food. We both thanked her and began eating. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I saw my food. I glanced up at Soda and smiled slightly. He had a certain radiance about him that I couldn't quite explain. He was like the embodiment of the sun. And I was starting to really enjoy the sun.