Hey guys! This is the first Outsiders fan fiction I've ever written.

This is basically my take on the things that happen after the events of the novel, mostly focusing on Sodapop (cus he's awesome) I have quite a few ideas for this fic so it will be multi-chaptered….if you guys want it to be of coarse, so please review and let me know if you want me to continue or not.

PS: I made a few references to a certain Musical…cookies for anyone who can guess which

enjoy :)

Sodapop Curtis has always been an optimist. It isn't that he didn't see the darkness of the world, in fact he has experienced some of the darkest of places in life throughout his short 18 years. It is the way that he views his misfortunes that set him apart form the rest of the world. Sometime during those 18 years, he figured he could either sulk and be angry at the world, or he could enjoy and be consent with the little that he had. But that's another thing about Sodapop Curtis. He believes he is the happiest and luckiest guy that's ever lived. Not because he has a lot in his life, but because he values the small source of happiness that he does have.

These were the things that were going through his head as he held the "serious looking" letter in his hands outside the Cutis household. His first reaction, of coarse was complete panic. But Sodapop, being himself, decided there was no point in panicking. It is what it is, he thought as he walked into the living room of the Curtis household. Ponyboy had his nose stuck in some book that he'd gotten a few days ago. The book looked like a freakin dictionary yet he was almost done with it. Pony's patience with books always amazed and confused Soda.

Two-Bit was sitting in front of the TV with his legs stretched out on the coffee table. If mom were here, she'd give him hell, Soda thought.

Then for the first time ever, Soda was glad that his mom wasn't there. She wouldn't take the news very well. Dad would probably give him an optimistic lecture about how "things happen for a reason and it would all work out fine" …he probably wouldn't believe it himself, but he would still try to make Soda feel better. He always did. That's probably where Soda got his optimism from.

It was after 6 in the evening so Darry had already gotten home and was sitting in his usual position in the recliner reading the daily news. Soda found himself hiding a chuckle as he noticed the headline of the article saying "Hundreds of Patriotic Americans Enlist Willingly." He doesn't know why he found this funny exactly. Maybe because non of them thought that the war would ever concern them. It wasn't that big of a surprise though, now that he thought about it. Lots of "Patriotic Americans" were being drafted on a daily basis lately. Not even the socs were able to get out of it easily anymore.

Steve had just dropped him off in front of his house, which is when he noticed the mail outside. It's funny how one piece of paper can make such a big difference…He had to read it a few times to make sure he understood correctly.. maybe he was seeing things, or at least he wished he were. He was almost tempted to run after Steve's car to see if he'd see the same thing, but he realized that that was a dumb idea. He'd sat in front of the house for what seemed like an hour. The first half hour was the shock of what he had just seen and the second half was him getting himself together and doing what he usually does, looking for the bright side. In this case it was very hard to see a bright side though. He's not sure he actually found one but he suddenly remembered how hard the guys would take the news. What would Ponyboy do? God the kid was finally starting to enjoy life again after what had happened. He didn't want to admit it, but focusing on the others' reactions gave him time to avoid his own fear and panic. He had to be the bigger person and keep it together for them.

All right it's now or never, he thought…although actually it can't be never since sooner or later they'd find out but that's beside the point.

"Hey ya'll!" Soda practically shouted in an overly excited manner…even for him.

Wow this was already going to hell. He suddenly realized that since Steve wasn't here…he had to do this twice…great. This day kept getting better and better.

Darry looked up from his paper for a split second and gave a little nod getting back to his article. I hate that article, Soda thought to himself.

"Hey Soda, how was work?" Pony, of coarse put his book down to say hi. Oh god it's ganna break the poor kid's heart…

"It was alright.. Pretty borin"….except the part where I just found out I'm ganna be sent to god knows where in two weeks.

Two-Bit, after about 3 minutes decided to say hi. He was watching Mickey as always although he looked like he was focused on something very important that required his full attention . I mean how much attention did that cartoon even require. It's a freakin talking mouse with a squeaky voice…. Who the hell even comes up with this stuff?

"Earth to Soda!" Soda came out of his little trance and realized that Darry was asking if he wants any food. Was he hungry? Shoot maybe he should eat some cake while he can. He somehow doubted there'd be any cake in Vietnam.

"yeah sure" Soda finally said.

"Hey Two-bit, if you gave as much time to finding yourself a job instead of watchin cartoons, you'd actually get somewhere in life ya know" said Darry jokingly.

Two-bit was about to start wrestling with Darry when Soda realized he couldn't postpone this any longer.

"Hey guys there's something I gatta tell you"

As usual, they were too involved in their fight to hear him.

"what is it Soda?" Of coarse Pony would listen. Although he probably would rather not hear this.

"I got a letter from Uncle Sam!" This somehow shut them all up. They were all confused for a second and then Soda watched the three of their faces go pale with realization. This would actually be funny as hell if it wasn't so sad. Ponyboy looked like he would pass out any second when he saw the letter in Soda's hands. Boy this was ganna be more difficult then I thought.

Darry was the first one to react. He took the letter and started reading it with close attention, the way he had read the article.

In most serious situations like this, Two-Bit would find something to joke about and break the ice. But this time he just stood where he was, quiet. This scared Soda even more. If Two-Bit couldn't find a funny side to this, then it must be real bad.

Of coarse it's bad you dumbass, Soda thought to himself. But he couldn't let himself go further with that thought or else he'd lose it. Instead he gave Two-Bit a sad smile, which got him out of shock.

"Shit"…Two-Bit mumbled and sat down on the couch. Mickey was still playing on the TV…That dumb rat's voice never sounded more annoying then in that moment right there.

Soda shifted his attention to Ponyboy who was still frozen in the same place as he was a few minutes ago.

"Hey Pon, it's not that bad.." Soda tried to say something more but, honestly there wasn't anything much he could say.

Darry was still reading the letter. It didn't take that long to read a short letter…I mean they didn't even bother to write much. Truth is he didn't know what to say.

"Cotton Balls!" Two-Bit shouted jumping out of his seat. This kid was seriously losing it, Soda thought. Probably all the drinking.

"huh?"

" You gatta swallow cotton balls before you go for that check-up thing!"

"….why the hell would I do that?"

" Why!?" Two-Bit asked surprised as if the answer was obvious. " It'll show up on the x-ray thingy n they'll think you got some illness or something…remember Logan? The one with the big nose, he did that and they didn't draft him!" Two-Bit went on for a good few minutes about his genius plan. Good ol' Two-Bit. It was kinda entertaining listening to his rambling, especially when Soda knew he wouldn't hear it for a while…or ever again. Great, think depressing thoughts again why don't you. Al right back to the present.

"Two-Bit I ain't swallowing cotton balls"

Darry was scratching his head walking back and forth, his head still in the damn letter.

"Look guys it ain't that bad, let's not panic alright? I mean…at least it ain't Canada huh?" I said with a huge smile on my face.

Okay maybe this wasn't the best time to joke around but come one, you gatta admit that was a good one.

"We'll figure something out" Darry said suddenly. For a split second Soda actually believed him. I mean, Darry was Superman…he knew everything, he'd figure this one out, he'll get you out of it. Suddenly it dawned on Soda that Darry wasn't superman, Darry was as freaked out about the whole thing as everyone else. This scared Soda more than anything. It is what it is, Soda told himself again.

"Look this is happenin alright? I'm ganna go, the sooner ya'll accept that the better."

Everyone was quiet.

"Come on it ain't that bad really.." Soda tried the smile again but this time couldn't think of a joke. They sat in silence for what seemed like 500 freakin years to Soda.

"…at least there's good pay?…"

This time Darry gave him a small smile. Okay that was good, Darry was gettin it together, that was a good start. He'd deal with the rest later, Soda thought.

"I'm comin too" Two-Bit declared. Soda couldn't help but laugh at his "serious" tone.

"ya alright"

"I'm serious, I'm comin"

"No you ain't Two-Bit, you got a little sister and a mom to look after at home, d'you think about that?" Two-Bit tried to argue but it was obvious he couldn't do it. Soda believed him when he said he'd enlist. Two-Bit might be a goof-ball, but he was one heck of a friend not to mention one tuff greaser. But he also loved his family and wouldn't abandon them if he could help it.

"You're ganna look like a freakin clown in those cloths" Two-Bit mumbled after a long pause. Soda laughed wrestled with him for a good few minutes but neither of their hearts was in it. Still it felt good to not be so sulky, at least on the outside. It was getting pretty late, so Two-Bit decided to leave. They'd made a few jokes and talked about cars for an hour or so like they would do, just him and Soda. Then Two-Bit stood up to leave but paused at the door.

"Out of all the people… they choose you…" he said bitterly, adding a few lovely words at the end. God know who he was cursing at. Soda didn't know exactly what he had meant by that. Soda was qualified in every way to be drafted. He had turned 18 a month ago, he wasn't in college, nor was he the older male of the house. He was perfectly qualified to go so why not him and someone else?

Soda was thinking these when he noticed that Ponyboy was no longer in the room.

"Hey Dar where'd Pony go?"

"Probably in his room" Darry said trying to sound as calm as he could. He was doing a poor job of it though. Soda wished Darry were stronger about this. He needed him of all people right now. As he was about to go to his room to talk to Pony, Darry said

"It's ganna be alright Pepsi-Cola, we'll get through this like we do everythin else"

Soda gave him a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Smiling was becoming more difficult by the second.

Ponyboy was sitting looking out the window when Soda entered the room.

"Hey Pon?" Pony didn't' respond. Soda went a little closer and said

"You've been real quiet…tough few hours huh Ponyboy…" Soda said with a smile.

Ponyboy could practically hear the smile in Soda's voice. He wondered how he was still able to still smile after all this.

"yeah' Pony mumbled.

" Ponny come on talk to me"

Ponny turned around slowly. "I don't want you to leave Soda…things were finally going good ya know…" He said his voice shaking.

"Yeah I know kid" Soda said pulling him into a hug. Pony looked so much younger in that moment. He looked scared and lost. In situations like this, Soda was always the one to change that look on his face. The kind of look that he had after they told them the news of their parents' death. The look he had when he'd wake up from a nightmare in the middle of the night. Or the look he had for months after Johnny and Dally died. That look that quietly pleads for help from his big brother. But this time he was the cause for that look…and there wasn't anything he could do about it.

They didn't speak much after that as Pony started crying quietly. I mean, what was Soda supposed to say. Truth was he wanted to cry too. He wanted to bawl and scream and break stuff. But that wasn't Soda. The happy-go-lucky Soda.

If it were Steve, he would probably break a few stuff and cuss the world out and get it over with. But not Soda. That was the problem with being the optimistic one. People weren't used to seeing you break down or be sad. You're the source of happiness, the light in the dark sort of thing. This is why Soda didn't cry. He kept it inside, just like he did when his parents died. He buried it inside and comforted the rest because that was his job. Funny that he assigned that job to himself…maybe it wasn't a very good way of living after all.

After shifting in his bed for a while, Pony finally went to sleep. Soda decided he should try to go to sleep too, he had work in the morning.

Shit. Soda thought to himself. Now he had to tell Steve. Great.

Looks like a few pieces of furniture were ganna break after all…