The Lies we weave
The Outsiders: Chapter 1
The wet, humid heat of the Tulsa sun had sweat dripping down my reddened cheeks, and I used the back of my hand to wipe the salty sweat away. The heat stung at my lungs as I breathed in and found myself sprinting towards the DX, so I could be in the air-conditioned station. My jeans and t-shirt stuck to me as I opened the heavy glass door, feeling an immediate chill from the coolness of the station. Soda was laughing with some blonde at the counter but immediately stopped when he saw me. His blue eyes no longer danced but were stone cold and fixed on me. The girl took her change from the counter and scowled as she walked past me, angry I'm sure that I interrupted there flirting. I found myself looking down at my shoes, scuffing the white bottoms against the dark gray tile.
"Whatcha doing here Ponyboy?" Sodas voice had a hard edge to it, and I grimaced. Guess he was still mad at me for the mess with Curly yesterday. I shoved my bawled-up hands in my front jean pockets and shrugged. I knew it annoyed Soda, but I couldn't stand the idea he hated me for what I did. I didn't hear Soda walk towards me but felt his hand tip my chin up to look at him. "You know you weren't supposed to leave the house Pony and Darry is going to be awfully mad at you." Sodas voice was stern but laced with concern.
Just then Steve opened the door that led to the car port and he had car grease all over himself. "What's the kid doing here? Darry is not going to be happy he's here, especially after what he did yesterday." I glared at him, "Wow, Steve nothing gets past you no sir." I chided. It was none of Steve's business what had happened, and he needed to shut it. Soda tugged my arm and pulled me to the stations back office, "Steve buddy, watch the counter for me will ya?" Steve nodded his head yes to Soda and I found myself panicking.
Soda slammed the chipped white door closed and whipped me around, so we were facing each other. My nervous fingers found the hem of my blue shirt and I found myself twisting it and looking down again. Soda hated when I didn't look him in the eyes, my guess is because then he could tell if I was lying to him or not. "So why in all that's holy are you here and not at home? You know it took a lot of convincing for Darry not to strap you last night and this is how you repay me? By sneaking out?" Soda grabbed my shoulders shaking them, so I'd look up at him.
"No Soda, I promise it wasn't like that and I am sorry for what I did yesterday. I was cleaning the house and the power went out. I promise, I tried to stay home but it got so hot and I figured you got off work soon. Thought I could hang out till then and maybe the power would be back on at the house." I rushed out. Soda looked at me and shook his head, "Alright Pony, I believe you and I'll just have to tell Darry when we get home what happened. You know Darry though Pony and he'll think you should have just toughed it out."
"But Soda…." I attempted. "No Pone, you're still in major trouble for yesterday and I'm not happy with you. You should be home cleaning and thinking about what you did. I get off in 30 mins. Then we're driving home and if the powers still out then we will figure it out then. So, get yourself a Pepsi and sit back here quietly." He scolded. I felt ashamed of what happened, and I deserved to be in trouble but didn't mean I had to like it. I went up front grabbing a Pepsi out of the cooler and headed back to the office.
I sat at the desk and sipped the sugary drink and felt myself cooling off. I started to think of all the things that Darry would say when he'd see the house was still a mess and the power was out. Even though Soda promised to explain to Darry what had happened, I kinda felt like maybe he wouldn't understand. I became nervous as I thought how much trouble I'd be in if they'd only known what Curly and I had really done the night before. I know that lying to my brothers was never the best option but sometimes I felt my brothers didn't understand me.
I had my head in the clouds because before I knew it Soda came into the small office to tell me it was time to head home. Apart of me wanted to run away, but I knew if I did that then Soda would be even more upset with me and I couldn't handle the look of disappointment in his eyes. As I got up from the chair, I felt my knees go shaky and I wasn't sure if it was the heat or the sugar from the Pepsi, but I felt like I was gonna faint.
