Stronger with You

Two-Bit's Birthday

Peyton*
June 5, 1965

It was around 9 in the morning when I woke on the floor at the Curtis'. This wasn't a rare occurrence, it happened more than you'd think.

I looked at the couch to see Two-Bit snoozing away. He probably put me on the floor and then took the couch for himself.

I stood up and stretched, my joints popping and clicking as I got the blood flowing. I made my way to the kitchen where Darry was.

He was in his normal jeans and a t-shirt. I watched his back muscles flex as he pulled out a cake from the oven. 

I wasn't going to lie, Darry was an incredibly attractive guy. He was ripped, had an incredible jaw line, nice hair, and beautiful ice blue eyes.

Now, just because I was willing to admit he was attractive, didn't mean I wanted a hook up or anything, I definitely saw him as a brother figure. I couldn't see him as anything else.

Darry cut out a big piece of cake and pulled two two beers out of the ice box.

"What's the special occasion?" I drew my eyebrows together. Darry turned back to answer me but the realization hit me like a ton of breaks.

"It's Two-Bits birthday!" I didn't know how I let it slip my mind.

I ran back out into the living room, took a big leap and jumped right on top of my brother.

"Happy eighteenth birthday ya old man!" I shouted shaking him awake.

"Thanks, now got off," Two-Bit groaned loudly, "there was no need to jump on me you fat lard."

and just like that I was laying on the floor, "there was no need to call me a fat lard, you asshat." I glared at my brother.

"I have a gift for ya, Two!" Darry called out. Normally, Two-Bit would've jumped up and sprinted into the other room, but now he just stood and slowly walked over.

I wonder why Two-Bit wasn't more excited, he was normally ecstatic.

I began to think back on the week, Johnny getting jumped mostly. That boy deserved so much better than what life served him.

"Hey y'all!" Steve shouted coming through the front door, "Soda let's go to work!"

Soda ran downstairs with no shoes or shirt. I looked at little too long.

"Hey Peyton, if you take a picture it'll last a whole lot longer," Steve said, patting my head. I smacked his hand away and shot him a quick glare.

Back in the kitchen I watched Two-Bit eat his cake and drink his beer, his grey eyes were staring off into the distance, something was clearly on his mind.

I sat down across from him, staring him deep in the eyes, "What's wrong?"

Two-Bit snapped out of his daze and looked at me, "Nothing, I'm fine."

By the tone of Two-Bit's voice I knew the conversation was over. I got up, grabbed my cigarettes and went to the front porch.

I plopped down and stared of into space inhaling the dangerous toxins.

I was trying to think of all the reasons why Two-Bit was so upset. He loved his birthday, it was his favorite day of the year.

Two-Bit and I were 761days apart. 2 years and one month exactly. There were only two years of Two-Bits life where he didn't know me, but I don't know any days, any life without him.

"What're you thinking so hard about?"

Soda sat down gently beside me, thinking I didn't notice when he slowly leaned over and grabbed my pack, hiding it beside him.

"About Two-Bit. Why he's so upset today." I didn't look at Soda, just stared at the cancer stick in between my fingers.

The blonde boy was quiet beside me. To be honest, part of me thought he had left.

"It's his first birthday with out Gracie." Soda's hand brushed my thigh and my heart sped up, then dropped at the realization.

"I didn't even realize... I've been pushing her so far out of my mind," tears welled up in my eyes, "remembering her hurts so much. Two was always closer with her."

Soda wrapped his arm around me and I leaned in. It felt so natural and comforting, like we were two puzzle pieces meant to be together.

"I know it hurts, and I'm not sure it ever stops, but it does lesson. Soon, you'll be able to remember the times you had with her and appreciate that," Soda told me.

I didn't want the tears to leave my eyes, but one did and they all came crashing down. Soda held me tightly as I cried on his shoulder, blubbering about how much I missed my sister.

"I'm so sorry." I wiped the tears off my face.

Soda held me tighter, "Do not apologize. I'm always here for you. No matter what."

I finally looked up and was met by Soda's dark brown eyes. The sun was hitting them just right and they melted into these golden rays that captured my heart. Soda made me feel some kind of way, some way that made me think cheesy things.

Soda's eyes flicked down to my lips and I wanted so badly to kiss him. We leaned closer and closer and- BANG.

There was a loud crash in the house followed by tons of laughing, someone must have fallen.

"Thanks for that, Soda. I really appreciate it." I smiled, "The rodeo is in town. We should go for Two-Bits birthday!" I jumped up and away from Soda, yanking open the screen door, leaving what just happened and the boy with big, brown eyes behind me.