Snapshot // Sodapop and Dallas

Chapter 13

It didn't take long to pack my suitcase. When I get my mind set on something I get it done quickly. And I was set on leaving. Tears were still falling from my eyes and I was finding it hard to breath. I grabbed my camera and stared at it for a second. I turned it on and looked at the pictures. Pictures of Soda and Ponyboy. Soda at work. Soda smiling really wide holding a piece of cake. Soda. Soda. Soda. More tears fell and this time I sat down and just cried. I cried and cried until I felt like my abs were going to explode. I heard the door open and I started wiping my tears.

Johnny just stood at the door with a broken look in his eyes. "Are you okay? I came to see if you wanted to get lunch and heard you crying and-"

"We broke up." I interrupted. "He's still in love with Sandy. I'm leaving."

"Hendrix," Johnny mumbled. I was holding back tears again.

"It hurts." My voice cracked and I dropped my suitcase and grabbed Johnny. I hugged him as tightly as I could and cried some more.

"It's not the kind of pain you can run away from Hendrix." He pulled away and looked at me. "I know that's who you are. You run and you look for a new life. But not anymore. You can't run from this. You can't leave all of this because of a breakup. This is your home too." I finally stopped crying. He was right. But it didn't make it stop hurting.

"I'm hungry." I said making Johnny chuckle. "Well let's go get something to eat and then we can come back and unpack these bags." This time I laughed slightly.

Johnny and we're walking to the diner when we heard a familiar voice behind us. "What are you two hoods doing?" Dally smirked as we turned around.

"Hey Dal, we were just getting s nite to eat. Want to come?" Johnny invited.

"I'm not sure how Soda would feel about his girlfriend going out with two of his friends there Johnny." He added.

"We broke up. He's confused with Sandy being back and I don't blame him." I answered. Johnny and Dally were quiet at first and then Dal changed the conversation.

"I could use something to eat, man." I grinned and we three walked down the street to the diner.

We got there and ordered our food. I got a salad and a water. Dally got a cheesburger and a coke. And Johnny got a milkshake and fries.

"That ain't even food, Henna. It's leaves." Dally commented.

"Hush it." I jokingly snapped. He grinned at me and Johnny grinned along.

"So what are you gonna do Henna?" Johnny finally asked.

"About what?"

"Don't play stupid. About Soda. I caught you almost skipping town so stop acting like you ain't hurting." Johnny said.

I glanced down at my salad and picked at it. I was hurting. I just didn't know how to face problems.

"Hey," Dal added. "It'll work out kid." He reassured me.

"I love him. I'm in love with him. I'm supposed to be with him." I could feel my nose begin to burn and I knew that meant my tears were wanting to escape.

"I know, man." Johnny mumbled. "Maybe you will be. Maybe he needs to be away from you to realize that." I nodded along like I agreed. I'm not sure if I did or not. Just seemed like a moment to nod along I guess.

Time passed and we finished our food and talked some more. The sun began to set and I noticed Johnny get nervous.

"What's up Johnny?" I asked.

"Nothing man, I just better get home now. Ponyboy asked me to stay with them for a little while since my old man has been hitting me again. I'm gonna run home and grab some stuff before he gets home." He got up and said a quick goodbye and left.

I couldn't imagine being abused at home. Johnny was a real hero and I really loved him. I'm glad he's staying with the curtises. He might as well move there.

"Thinking about Mr. Dreamy?" Dal asked chuckling.

"No," I responded. "Just glad Ponyboy watching out for Johnny."

"I think Johnny may have a little crush on you, Henna." Dal added.

"No he doesn't." I ignored.

"Alright man whatever you say." I looked back at Dal and couldn't help but smile. He just had a face that was sort of intriguing.

"Let's go." He said.

"Go where Dally?"

"I don't know. Maybe I can cheer you up."

I sighed and got up with him. Who cares. It's worth a shot. We walked out of the diner and started walking toward the town.

"It'll be ok." Dally said to me randomly bumping into my shoulder gently.

"I know." I agreed. "When did you start to care?" I giggled.

"I don't." He protested.

"First night we walked together was the night I got here," I started. "I was scared of you and you told me you were only walking me because you didn't want Sodapop to get upset."

"Yeah," he smiled and then lit a cigarette. "I remember." We kept walking and silence crept over us once again. "I told you that you had a pretty face." He said interrupting the quietness.

"Yeah, you did." I smiled to myself. Dally stopped when we reached a park bench under a tree. I looked down and read the bench and it had the Curtis parents names on them.

"She was the only person in my life that believed I was good." He said sling another drag. "When I left New York, I came down here looking for my mom. She ran out on us a long time ago. Came down here and I found out a secret. My mom didn't run out on us. My dad did. I was born down here and my dad took my sister and I and left. Threatened to kill us if she ever showed up again." He paused for a moment. Took a drag and then licked his lips. This was hard for him and I could tell. "My mom had moved on. Started another family. A better one." He shook his head.

I'm not sure why he was telling me this. I'm not sure why I cared so much. But I reached for his hand. I didn't tell him to continue or to stop. I just let him know that it was okay without really telling him. He glanced at me. And then back down.

"Found out I had two little brothers. And an older one. My mom was with this other guy first. Had a son and then left him for my dad. I'm not sure why. It didn't last long. Just long enough for me and my twin sister to be born. Then my mom and dad were divorced and she went back to the other guy and had two more kids with him. I'm not sure if I had met my older brother or not before my took off with us. But yeah." He chuckled again. "I met my brothers when I was fourteen and we became friends. I never told them. And then my mom died and neither did she. So I never did. I never told anyone. Not until now." My lips parted slightly when I realized what he was saying.

"Dally..." I mumbled.

"Yeah." He answered.

"The Curtises are my brothers."