Note: Because as I have been attacking The Outsiders fandom, I have noticed a lack of Soda pairings. Sandy is in Florida, kids. Let's have some fun!

"Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start..."

If there was a contest to see who did the most stupid things, I would win. You think I'm kidding- yeah, no. I may have been my school's valedictorian, but when it comes to real life, I haven't a clue.

This is why I'm currently stranded on the side of the road in Tulsa, Oklahoma. See, a full ride to the University of Oklahoma does not guarantee a place to stay during the summer. And after a bitter argument with my parents last break I was not willing to go back home…not to mention him. But anyway, since I have about as much common sense as a dead horse I left college after my last exam with no plan of action.

I figured that I would break down (done) and call my best friend and roommate (Lauren) to come get me, and spend the summer at her house. Except…I'm in a sketchy part of town and have no idea where a payphone is. Not to mention the fact that it's getting dark. Was that a gun shot? Dorothy, we aren't in Kansas anymore!

Sighing, I get out of my rusty red ford and resign to my fate. Despite the fact that I have no idea what I'm doing- my plan is to fix my car and get on my way. I square my shoulders and pull my white sweater tighter around me. Off in the distance, a cat meows, and I nearly have a heart attack. When you are five feet and about one hundred and ten pounds you cannot protect yourself in most violent situations. Therefore, your best bet is to run. Too bad I couldn't make it two feet without face planting. Using all my might, I pry open the hood of my truck, only to be met with a face full of smoke.

"Honey, I would step away from your car if I were you. Smoke usually isn't a good sign," a voice behind me suddenly says, as I throw myself on the ground. "OH GOD! Don't shoot! Just let me go, ok? I look like I'm seven! I WILL HAUNT YOUR DREAMS! Here, I have some money! I also have a bank account. Just, just leave me alone!"

As I finish my tirade, I am met with hysterical laughter. Let me tell you, robbers seem a lot less scary when they laugh.

"Lady, look, we're not gonna hurt you. We just saw you struggling, that's all. Soda wanted to help," says a new voice, another man, who sounds a little gruffer than the last one. Slowly, I open my eyes, and an incredibly attractive yet sketchy boy is holding his hand out to me. Well, they might kidnap me; but I wouldn't mind falling in love with this kidnapper. Insert girly fantasy here! What? I was valedictorian. It's not like I had a life. Hesitantly I take his hand and he hauls me to my feet. They are both men, as well as significantly taller than me. Attractive yet rough around the edges, I had a hard time finding distinct differences in them. Except that one seemed to glow with happiness while the other was rather surly.

"Why don't we just exchange names, alright? I'm Sodapop- go ahead, laugh- and this is Steve. Now what's a nice girl like you doing on this side of town?"

I may have been a poor judge of character, but I was instantly charmed by Soda. Giggling simply due to how taken I was with him, I reply, "My name is Rachel Avery. And I'm…not sure exactly. I'm not much of a planner."

"What a coincidence! Neither am I," says Soda, flashing a movie star smile. Briefly I picture our whole life together, until Steve coughs awkwardly.

"Oh, well," I said, wishing away the faint blush that I knew was rising to my cheeks, "I just finished up college. Going home…wasn't an option, so I decided to head out into the world on my own, which is easier said than done."

"Ah, a college girl! Come on, Steve. Let's take a look at her car," Soda replies as I step aside, allowing him to inspect my smoky engine. Steve gives me a look I can't interpret and follows suit.

"Jesus, when was the last time you had any work done on this?" Steve asks, with a bite to his voice. I guess Soda makes up for Steve's total lack of people skills. Not that I'm one to be judging people skills…In reply to his question, I scratch my back and attempt to mumble into my hand "never," but they manage to hear me. Dubious, they look at each other, then back at the engine, and back to me. Are you supposed to get cars serviced? They never taught me this in advanced chemistry!

"I'd hate to tell you this, sweetie, but your car isn't an easy fix. I can't really dig in and find the problem. Still, anything smoking that much-"

Oh, and then my car caught on fire. This is my life.

"FIRE!" I scream, as I rush to my car and grab a bottle of water. I open it, prepared to throw it on the fire, when Soda grabs my hand.

"You never put water on a grease fire! Didn't anyone ever tell-"

"ADVANCED CHEMISTRY DOES NOTHING!" I shriek, as I resort to using Soda as a shield. Rolling his eyes, Steve asks if I have a fire extinguisher.

Ha, I have everything in my car! Nodding, I trot back over to my passenger side door, and produce one from the back. I hand it to Steve, who makes good use of it, and the fire is out in seconds.

Soda then turns to me and says, "Ok Miss. Rachel. We're going to have to deal with your…little car problem tomorrow. I guess you have luck on your side, because Steve and I work at a garage."

Steve snorts, and then replies, "If she had luck, it wouldn't have caught on fire in the first place." In response, Soda gives him a glance which I think is intended to shut him up.

"If you'd like, Steve and I are headed back to my house. We have a phone, if you'd like to call somebody. Or I'm sure Darry will let you stay the night. Come on, it's not safe for you to wander round' here."

There is a part of me saying that going off with strange men is a bad idea. Eh, the part that says do it is bigger. They seem like perfectly nice young men!

"Ok, I think I can handle that. Thank you kindly," I say, with my biggest smile. If that doesn't win them over, I'm sure the painfully straight chestnut hair, giant brown eyes, and freckles will. Perks to looking like a five year old: people do whatever you want, and tend to adore you instantly. This is what is running through my head, as I follow Soda and Steve down the street.