Stronger with You

The Door is Always Open

Maya
July 7, 1965

I was laying on the couch watching the TV when Darry, Two-Bit and Peyton walked in. They were looking at the house across the street, something about needing a house because of court.

I was still upset with Peyton sleeping with Soda. I couldn't comprehend it. She was supposed to be my best friend, how could she? Soda was my brother. I wanted them to date, not have one night stands and make it awkward for everyone.

Mainly, I just wanted them to get over whatever block it is and get together. I wanted to stop being angry with them. I could see Peyton being scared because of Chad, which maybe that's both the reasons.

"Maya, will you got shopping with them? I would rather you be in a group of three in case the socs are around."

I looked up, snapping out of my thoughts, "Yeah, sure. Dallas is working some horses with Buck. I ain't got nothin better to do." I shrugged. On foot it took about fifteen minutes to get to the store, so we had left as soon as I got shoes on, it was around three o'clock and the stores closed at six.

"My car is downtown, we can load up all the stuff and drive it back." Two-Bit said. After that the walk was quiet.

Normally when we went anywhere we were loud, full of jokes and laughter, but lately it was quiet. Two-Bit and Peyton has been through a lot and all of it was abrupt. They used to be so careful and full of life, even after Gracie, I wanted more than anything to bring that back, give them hope again.

"Here's you thirty, Two. This is just for clothes and shoes, I get thirty and the rest goes for groceries. Got it?" Peyton asked before handing Two-Bit the money.

"Yes, I got it."

Peyton and I started looking around the girls section to find some jeans, for shirts we'd just grab t-shirts from the boys.

"I'm sorry I slept with Soda. I've been out of my mind lately. That should've never happened." Peyton broke our silence.

I let out a long sigh, "It's okay. I just wish you two would date already or something. You are so blindly in love with each other!"

Peyton laughed, shaking her head, "He's in love with someone else." She grabbed a pair of jeans then looked back up at me, "Are we okay? I can't stand not talking to you."

I smiled, letting my ice exterior fall, "Yes, we're okay. Now, have you lost weight because those look huge!"
Peyton laughed and the rest of clothes shopping went smoothly.

"So, how are you and Dallas," Peyton asked, wiggling her eyebrows as we walked down the isles of the store.

"Good, really good actually. We can talk about things with each other that I couldn't with any one else. Don't tell anyone this, but he's actually a huge softie." I grinned, playing with his ring that sat on my necklace.

"I believe it. You can tell with the way he looks at you. Like your the best thing to walk the earth." Peyton reached out and grabbed a can of green beans, "You two are good for each other. I'm glad your so happy."

"Thanks. I might just be in love with him." I grabbed a can of corn, "but enough of that sappy stuff!" Peyton rolled her eyes and Two-Bit came skipping down the isle, his arms full.

"Two-Bit we do not need five boxes of Cocoa-puffs!" Peyton yelled, hiding her laughter. Two pouted, putting three of the boxes away. We both rolled our eyes laughing hard.

We picked out canned foods and other basic kitchen things. We also grabbed bed sheets and blankets. Thankfully, the previous owners left all of their furniture and kitchen appliances when they found out about Two-Bit and Peyton's house burning down.

"Can we go to our house? Our childhood house?" Peyton asked when we were done with shopping and had everything loaded up.

"I guess we can."

It had been two weeks since their house burned down, but on this side of town it would take the city three weeks to come and clear the site.

The drive was silent, when we pulled up to the house we stayed inside the car staring at the rubble. Everything was black and charred, all of their pictures, personal items, memories, were laying on the ground.

Peyton was the first to get out. I watched as she rummaged through trying to find anything salvageable. Two-Bit took a deep breath before joining her.

For a few minutes I watched them walk around picking things up, then putting them back down. I felt like I couldn't go through these things, but when Peyton looked up as if searching for me, I climbed out of the car.

"I just want to find one family picture." Peyton mumbled, we were standing in what used to be the living room.

"I'll go look in the back, your moms room." I made my way through, the smell burning my nose.

I shuffled around looking for anything that seemed intact. I started picking up some scorched clothes wondering if anything survived.

"Ow! Shit." I pulled my hand back looking at the finger I just jammed on something way harder than a shirt. Carefully, I moved the rest of the clothes finding a medium sized black, steel box.

"Hey, Peyton, Two-Bit. I found something!"

I heard the crunch of things under their feet as they ran my way.

"That's the box!" Peyton yelled excitedly, grabbing the box from the ground.

"Did you find anything else?" I ask Two-Bit. We were walking back to car to open the box, all of us were tired from being on top of remains.

"Just some basic silverware and stuff. All of my things from my room were gone, Peyton's too. We didn't have jewelry or anything like that." Two shrugged.

"This should have all of our birth certificates and such in it. Mom kept certain things locked away." Peyton said, there was a combination lock on the box, "it's Two-Bits birthday."

Two-Bit and I stepped closer to see the items inside, P was right. Inside were all three kids birth certificates, but also tons of family pictures and some rings and necklaces.

"It's Gracie." Peyton smiled at the picture she just pulled out, Gracie was around seven in it, she had long blonde hair, with bright blue eyes. In the picture she had been showing off her missing front teeth.

"I miss her so much." Two-Bit whispered staring at the picture.

"I do too."

I stayed quiet, letting them have their moment.

"Let's get out of here. We have what I wanted and now it's time to move on." Peyton smiled.

I was so glad I came with them today. I was glad I had my best friend back. When I got home that evening it was kind of weird to watch Peyton and Two-Bit walk into the house across the street instead of ours.

"Soda, you need to ask out Peyton tomorrow. Stop being oblivious and just do it. She loves you and you love her."

Soda looked up at me from his spot on the couch, "wha-"

"Don't argue. Just do it. Let yourself be happy with her. You both deserve it." and with that, I went to my room.