He Was Mine, I Was His

Rumors (pt. 2)

I picked up the phone and called Soda. He didn't answer. I called again and no answer. I cursed under my breath. I hoped that he was in bed, away from anyone who could fill his head with lies.

I went back to my room. I was so exhausted. My anxiousness kept me up for a while but eventually, I was able to fall asleep.

**

"Marilyn? Marilyn, wake up." When I opened my eyes, Elizabeth was standing over me. "Sodapop is here."

I sat up quickly, "Can you send him in?" She nodded and left as I tried to wake myself up.

Soda walked in shortly after. He looked down and kept his head down. He sort of chuckled.

"Hey Soda," I smiled nervously, not sure what he was doing.

He didn't look up. Rather, he sniffled and bent down. When he came back up, he was holding Clint's jacket. I had completely forgotten it was there. He had tears forming in his eyes. "So it is true."

"Soda. It's not true. You know that," I pleaded. "Come sit down and I'll explain everything."

"I don't want to sit down. I'm not dealing with this again," he said. His voice wasn't his. It was an angry, hurt voice that I had never heard before.

"I know what you think happened but it's all lies," I got up and went over to him. I took the jacket and threw it on the floor. "You know I would never do that to you. You know deep down in your heart what is truth."

"Do I? Because from what I hear around town, you're not only all over Clint but Keith too."

Keith. I don't think I had ever heard Sodapop call Two-Bit Keith. I grabbed his hand and we sat down on the bed. He hadn't yet let a tear fall.

"I would never do anything with Two-Bit. You know that. I would never do that to you. We went to the diner to celebrate me getting into college," I explained. "And Clint. He's just a douchebag! They invited me to a party and he kissed me. I swear I slapped him square in the face. David can vouge for me."

Soda got up and scoffed, "David."

"He wouldn't have any reason to lie to you Soda," I got up. "And I wouldn't either. I promise you on everything that Two and I are, and always will be, just friends and I never wanted that kiss from Clint. I don't know why people are spreading these rumors but that's all they are. Rumors."

Sodapop stood there silently, looking out the window. I walked over to him and laid my head on his shoulder. He moved away slightly.

"Soda please. I know that it would be hard to believe me but I swear it's the truth."

"She's right," Elizabeth said as she walked in. "I know I'm putting my nose where it doesn't belong but I saw her last night. I heard her. She was a mess. You should have seen the way she stomped on that jacket."

I wasn't sure how she saw me last night but I mouthed the words, "thank you." Sodapop looked at me. He looked drained. Elizabeth gave a sympathetic smile and left us again.

"I promise. I would never, ever do that. You know I wouldn't."

"I know," he said quietly, putting his head down. "But why did you have his jacket?"

I sighed realizing how stupid the excuse sounded, "I got cold at the party and he gave it to me. I was too worked up to realise that I still had it on until I got home."

"Why would they say things like that?" He asked. We sat down on my bed again.

"I don't know. I really don't. That's just what kids do. They're bored maybe. Immature, jealous, bored kids. We just have to show them that they can't break us."

"Oh yeah? How's that going to work?"

"Prom," I grinned. "We show up, we show off. And we look absolutely stunning while we do it."

He laughed. It was nice to see that smile after all of that. "I thought we already looked good."

I smiled and pushed his shoulder. "You know what I mean. Until then, you want to help me give ole Clint his jacket back?"

"Maybe we should clean it first," he smiled. I nodded and we got up.

Maybe it was a little evil to do what we did but it sure was fun. We let Ada use her markers to draw whatever she wanted on the back of his jacket. Of course Soda had to create his own little design of unkind words.

Soda and I drove to Clint's house, accidentally dropped it in the mud, and threw it in his porch. We peeled out as quickly as we could. Not because we were scared of him seeing us, he would already know who it was, but because it made for a better exit.

"You forgive me right?" I asked.

He leaned over and kissed me, "Yes baby, I forgive you." I smiled, thankful that nightmare had been cleared up. "So when do I get to see your prom dress, huh?"

"Maybe I'll show you when we get home. It's so pretty!" I exclaimed. The dress was gorgeous and I was excited to wear it.

"Anything looks pretty when you're wearing it," he winked. Sometimes he could do the slightest of things and I would fall in love with him again.

Prom day came incredibly quick. I woke up feeling terrible. I had been for the past few days but there was no way I was letting that ruin prom. I took some medicine and got into the shower. Evie, Donna, and I decided to get ready at my house just like we had for homecoming.

"I'm just dying to see your dresses," Donna smiled as she finished her makeup.

Evie was taking the curlers out of her hair, "Me too! Mine is pretty simple but as long as it comes off quickly."

"Oh my gosh Evie!" I exclaimed.

She shrugged her shoulders, "It's prom night. You know Steve."

"Yeah," I laughed. "Like it was just Steve's idea."

Evie shot me a wink and we continued to get ready. We were all so excited and ready to dance the night away. I was mostly excited for Sodapop's "surprise" he had mentioned to me earlier. I could already tell tonight was going to be absolutely amazing.