Stronger with You

Oh, Sandy.

Sodapop
June 28, 1965

I leaned against the counter of the DX, my mind running faster than my legs ever could. I couldn't stop thinking about Darry bringing in Peyton after being jumped. She looked so small and fragile in Darry's arms, a way I've never seen before.

"Hiya, baby!" Sandy called skipping into the room, a wide smile on her face.

"Hi, Sandy." I stood up straight and forced a grin on my face. Sandy was wearing a soft pink skirt, with a white button up shirt tucked into it.

"You looked stressed," Sandy drew her eyebrows together, "are you alright?"

"Peyton got jumped. I'm real worried about her."

Sandy's entire demeanor changed, "You know. I don't like Peyton," Sandy crossed her arms in front of her chest, "you pay way more attention to her than you do me." I had never seen Sandy act like this, never jealous.

"Well she's like my best friend," I said, but in the back of my head I was screaming at myself, tell her! Tell her what happened, "She's apart of the gang."

Sandy shrugged, holding her hand out in front of her, "I don't care. I do not like her and I don't want you hanging around her. She's skeezy."

My blood ran cold, "Do not talk about her like that."

Sandy looked up at me surprised, then she got real angry, "Of course you stand up for her! Im sick of this, Sodapop Curtis! It's either me or Peyton."

My heart thudded in my chest and I knew that this was my chance, my chance to end things with Sandy and let go of the guilt. A reason to break up with her, "I choose, Peyton."

Sandy dropped her arms, her mouth falling open, finally she said, "Fine! I spent the night with Greg last night and I know he will take me and treat me way better then you ever did!" She turned around and stormed out of the store.

I suddenly lost all guilt I had built up about what happened with Peyton last night; I even got a little bit excited about being single. Maybe now I could do what I always wanted to..

Two-Bit*

Darry hadn't let me see Peyton all night or morning and I was going absolutely insane.

"Why can I see here! She's my sister, Darry!" I yelled slamming my hand against the table. Darry spun around grabbing my shirt, jerking me up right.

"Keith Matthews. You did not pick her up off the side of the street after being choked. Yes you are her brother, but you did not hear her broken voice. You will wait until she wants to talk to."

I gulped and nodded slowly, "O-okay."

Darry slowly eased me down, "I'm sorry. I know she's your sister and I know you two have court today and your stressed as all get out, but I'm scared straight for you two." Darry rubbed his face with his hand and had another hand on his hip.

"You don't need to worry, Dar." Peyton said emerging from the hall. She was wearing one of Darry's t-shirts and a pair of Maya's shorts from gym class.

"P..." I took a step towards her, but stopped myself, she looked so defeated and it broke my heart into a thousand pieces. I still had no idea what had happened besides that she was jumped by Chad Wilson, she had bruises on her neck and wrists, as well as a small cut and some swelling below her left eye.

"I just needed some sleep, once I have a cigarette and a shower I'll be back and better than ever." Peyton forced a smile on her face and turned back around to the back porch to smoke.

"Darry, please tell me. What else happened to her? What do I not know?"

Darry sighed and peered out the back window looking at my sister, "I can't, Two-Bit. She has to tell you when she is ready."