So this is just something that I thought up and wrote within an hour. Future chapters will be longer, this is just somewhat of an introduction. :)

Now I have to go sort all these writing files into folders..haha..it's too late for this


1968

The restaurant is warm and smokey and Ponyboy traces his fingers around the rim of his glass, looking worried. Sickened.

Boy do I get it. Soda has promised to meet us here at 6. Said he had news. But by the look on his face when he told me, I couldn't tell what kind of news.

He's 15 minutes late.

"What if he got drafted?" Pony asks me, almost in a whisper. My stomach twists. Ponyboy doesn't know that it's my worst fear, that I lay in bed at night and play out the possible scenarios in my head.

He's scratching his chin. There's a vague trace of a beard there. "Christ, what if I got drafted and he found the letter?"

My eyes find my brother's. "You're too smart to get drafted."

He shakes his head, green eyes wide. "No I ain't." his eyes flick in their sockets, searching around the restaurant. It's a crowded night. "Nobody is."

See what I said about him being smart?

I see Soda's shadow weaving his way through the tables and I'm relieved. I can see it flush across Pony's face too. He slides over, making room for his brother in the booth.

Soda faces us, taking off his DX cap and swiping his hand through sweaty blond hair. He's here straight from work.

"Boy am I hungry," he booms, taking a long drink from Ponyboy's Pepsi without bothering to ask. My brother doesn't seem to mind, though.

His eyes meet mine. I don't miss the off-ness that's too obvious in them. I can't, after practically raising him for 4 years.

"You guys order yet?"

Frustrated, Ponyboy yanks his Pepsi back into his personal territory. "We did. Got you a burger, same as always. So don't you worry about anything."

Soda winces. "Christ Pony. I'm sorry I'm late. Wasn't my fault," a sort of dreamy look floated onto his face. "I got caught up. Had a...call to take at work."

I think he can sense that I was looking at him oddly so he clears his throat, banging his fist heavily on the table. Ponyboy jumps and the silverware rattles.

A disturbed couple sends us a dirty look. I put a hand up towards them in an apology.

"Soda," I hiss, leaning forwards. "What the hell is going on with you?"

"I'm nervous Darry," he admits. And I can tell, because he's smiling and looking on the verge of hysterical. "Real nervous."

It doesn't sit well. Ponyboy must've heard, because the worried look is back on his face. I see his hand go back to the rim of his glass.

"Well, don't keep us in suspense," he cracks dryly.

Soda rings his hands together. He's about to spill it when the waitress wheels up, carrying our three plates. I watch relief cross my brother's face.

That girl's eyes take a trip all over him. I take the plates quickly as she places them down, dismissing her with curt annoyance. "Thanks."

"Oh, you're very welcome," she's not looking at me though. Her gaze is locked on Soda. He shifts uncomfortably, offering a small wave when she leaves.

"Glory, was she checkin you out Soda," Ponyboy says with a grin. He tries to smile back but it's not hard to tell that it's false. That's Soda for you. An open book.

Restless, I clear my throat, wanting to get back to the subject of why Soda had dragged us all here in the first place. The whole restaurant is making me feel uncomfortable. We don't get out to eat much, I guess we aren't used to it. "So, Soda.."

His attention is snapped back. "Oh, right." his hands fold warily in front of him again. His burger is going untouched. He's jumpy, his knee bouncing against mine is shaking the table. I wonder what the hell it is he has to tell us.

"You know that girl I've been goin out with, Virginia?"

I let out a breath of relief. Girl problems, I can deal with.

Of course I know Virginia. She and Soda have been going steady for almost a year now.

I was happy when my brother found her. She sort of snapped him out of his Sandy-trance, put him back into reality. But there was always something about her that I thought was off. Not bad, just off.

Maybe it was that my brother loved her so damn much it made me feel weird. He'd told me about loving Sandy but I'd never fully listened, understood. He'd wanted to marry her. He never got the chance.

Now here it was happening again, right in front of my face. I guess I was wondering what sort of road this woman would steer my brother down.

I just nod, and realize that my food hasn't been looked at either. Neither has Ponyboy's. I wish Soda would just spit out what he had to say, get it over with.

"She's a real nice girl, Dar," Soda tells me in a rushed voice, looking sick. I bite my lip, not already liking where this is going. "You know that. I mean hell, she practically cooks for us." he grins, lopsided.

"What is it, Soda," I grunt. Pony is staring at Soda like he's a timed bomb, ready to go off.

"She's gonna have a baby," he practically whispers. "My baby." his eyes meet mine, and I know we're both thinking the same thing. Last time.

"I know it for sure. It's mine. Not...someone else's." he hisses with resentment.

My mind is foggy. Ponyboy is gaping at Soda. Food completely forgotten, Soda's eyes dart wildly between the two of us. He's looking like he's gonna cry, and knowing him, it's probably what's coming up next.

"Soda-" Pony starts, voice hoarse.

"I'm sorry," escapes Soda's mouth, wet. He pushes himself up from the table. His head narrowly misses the light hanging above us. "So sorry."

And next thing I'm aware of, he's halfway through the room, charging past tables to the bathroom.


If you read this far, THANK YOU! Pleeease review, I really just want to know if you enjoyed it:) And tell me what I should do to continue! (vague musings are also welcome)

Hinton owns.