He Was Mine, I Was His

My Lovely Little Valentine

    I started a spring break fund. Every paycheck I got, went into that. We had a little meeting two weeks after Sodapop brought the idea up. We decided we would take a car because Two-Bit was too scared to fly. One of Steve's buddies had a van we could use that got somewhat decent gas mileage. Well, not really but it was the best we could get for something that would carry all of us. 

    "We can hop on Route 66 and it will take us straight down," Soda said. He came equipped with a map and everything. He was doing everything he could to make this go smoothly. 

    "We will need all of the snacks," Two-Bit said. 

    "Yes. Definitely," Steve added. 

    "We'll get snacks. What we need to save up our money for is gas. Gas is pricey out in California," Ponyboy explained. 

    "How many people are going again? Just us?" Johnny asked. 

    "Well it was but Darry got off work and Dally wants to come now too," Soda explained. 

    "Donna and Evie too," Steve added.
 
    "We might need two cars."

    Soda put his head on the table. I put my hand on his back, "It's okay. We will figure it out. You boys can take the van. Us girls can ride in Evie's car. Do you think it can make it to Cali and back, Steve?"

    "She's a beast. She can make it."

    "That's even more gas to pay for," Soda complained. 

    "Hey, trust me. I have it covered. We can find a way to get money," I smiled.

    "Okay. I trust you."

    We continued talking and got an estimate of how much we needed. To be safe, we each needed a little over $100. I had a lot of money saved up so I could help. Darry had a lot saved up too. Two-Bit could probably steal and sell some stuff. Steve started to take in more cars. Donna competed in more indoor rodeos. By the looks of it, we were going to be just fine.

     I did have to dip into my savings a bit to buy Sodapop's valentine's day present. He told me not to and just to focus on the trip but I couldn't do that. He was planning a special day. I had to do something for him. 

    All week Soda had been talking about what he had planned. Dropping hints here and there. Unfortunately, Valentine's Day fell on a Monday this year. Not the most romantic of weekdays. I did get to go see him during lunch. I had let Elizabeth know that I would be spending the evening with him.

    I started to get ready around 4:30. He told me to dress 'fancy comfortable'. Whatever that meant. I tried my best to fit his description with a casual dress and a jacket. 

    I knocked on the door when I arrived. Sodapop cracked it open. He looked me up and down and smiled, "You look gorgeous."

    "Thank you," I smiled, confused of why he only had the door open a crack. "Do I get to come in tonight?"

    "Oh yes," he said, pulling something out of his pocket. "But put this on first." It was a blindfold. 

    "Um, why?"

    "Just turn around," he laughed. "It makes the surprise more special."

    I laughed and turned around. I closed my eyes as he slipped the blindfold over them. I felt him take my hand and walk me inside. It was warm. Comfortable. He walked me into what I assume was the dining room and sat me down in a chair. He pecked my cheek.

    "Are you ready?" He asked. 

    "As I will ever be."

    "Happy Valentine's Day my love," he said slipping the blindfold off. 

    The lights were off but the room was lit with candles on the table. He had flowers setup and plates for both of us. In the middle was a small pan of lasagna. It was the cutest little candlelit dinner. I smiled up at him. 

    "This is perfect."

    His smile grew. He sat down next to me, "I'm glad you like it. Let's dig in 'cause I am starving." I laughed as he slid some lasagna on to my plate. He slid some on to his too. I took a bite and it was amazing. 

    "Wow Soda, you made this?"

    "Hey, Chef Soda to you," he joked.
 
    We laughed and talked while we ate. The way the fire was flickering in his brown eyes made him look even more dreamy. He was so handsome. Sometimes I got lost in those eyes of his. 

    "Here, I'll take this," he said, grabbing my plate after we were done eating. He got up and took them to the kitchen. I started to get up too but he put his hand on my shoulder. "I got it."

    When he was gone, music started to play. He came back with that look on his face. That smile, those eyes he had when he wanted to do his favorite thing. 

    "Dance with me," he said. 

    He took my hand and led me into the living room. Soft music was playing from the radio. He put his arm around my waist and started to slowly spin me around the room. 

    There's this feeling you get when you're dancing with the love of your life. A feeling you can only feel with one person at a given time. That night, I felt it. It was the feeling of happiness, peace, and freedom all at the same time. It was euphoric. Absolute bliss.

    "Oh but you're lovely," Soda started to sing softly. "With your smile so warm and your cheek so soft. There's nothing more for me but to love you, just the way you look tonight."

    I smiled and laid my head on his shoulder. His voice was angelic. So soft and sweet. I could listen to it all night long. And so I did. We spent the rest of the night dancing. Holding each other. Just the way it was supposed to be.

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Hey beautiful people. I'll be a little slow with updates. Life gets a little hectic with school and work. Bare with me and thanks for ready my story. Hope you're enjoying!