Sandy's Saga
Chapter 2
The Lake
XXX
"Here you are, m'lady," Soda said, twirling me onto the porch. I giggled, his smile contagious. "Safe and sound and on your own front porch. To top it off, it's not even nine yet."
"I'm sure my parents will be quite pleased."
Done twirling, he stepped closer, his eyes bearing down on me as his hands softly ran up and down my arms. Goosebumps had come up on my skin.
"You cold?"
"No, not really." I reached over and fingered the top button on his shirt, it had a loose string holding it on and I was certain it would fall off the next time he washed it. He took my hand and kissed my fingers, making me tingle inside. "Will I see you at school tomorrow?"
He squeezed my hand slightly, then let it drop as he stepped back, leaning against the banister. "No. Boss said he could use me again tomorrow, maybe the rest of the week since Jasper's out for a while. He needs me, and, well, I could use the work."
"You need to be in school, Sodapop." He turned his head, shuffling his feet some. This was the only thing we really argued about, and while I was in no mood to ruin our good evening, I wasn't backing down. Eventually he'd get the message.
"Sandy, don't start. I'll go back next week. Ain't like they're going to move the building, now are they?"
"You're going to get too far behind."
"Yeah, well, I'll hire a tutor." He tried to be funny and I turned to walk inside. Suddenly, his arms snaked around me, pulling me close and I leaned back into him. "Don't be angry... please? I got to do this … there are reasons..."
"What reasons, Sodapop? I don't get it. Explain it to me, make me understand," I hissed.
He turned me around to face me, brushing the hair out of my eyes. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking.
"You can't go telling your girls about this, but we... Darry needs some help. The bills are stacking up, and he's getting farther and farther behind. It's either I do this, or we all get split up. The State ain't just gonna let us hang out in a house where the powers been cut off and there's no food."
I felt like an ass. Of course he wasn't skipping just to skip. Maybe he did hate school, but when it came to his family, he always did what he could. I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him tight, his arms doing the same to me.
"Of course... I'm sorry, Sodapop. Maybe I can swing by your classes and get your assignments... help you with the work later. So you don't fall too far behind?"
He looked at me, a smile there, but the eyes distant. I couldn't read his thoughts.
"Sure. But I make no promises about the work."
The front door opened and Sandy's father was standing there.
"Good to see you got her home on time, Sodapop. Sandy, time to get on up to bed. Night, son."
"Evening, sir. Sandy."
Soda nodded after me as I headed upstairs. Funny how dad never lets him into the house, but mom never thinks twice about it. Of course, he'd been in the house, but never up to my room. Once I'd gotten to my room, I shut the door then opened the window.
"Soda!" I hissed. He was already halfway back to his truck, heard and turned. "Love you!"
"Back at ya, sweets. Night!"
I closed the window and watched him drive off, wondering what his eyes were hiding from me.
*
"Sandra... you are going to be late! Your friends are already here waiting on you!"
"Yes, Mom.... I'm hurrying!" I hollered back through the door, shoving one barrette in my hair after another. A quick glance in the mirror and I frowned, it's a certifiable mess! Oh well. I grabbed my jacket, shoved my feet in my shoes and lugged my bag over my shoulder, headed downstairs to see Jane waiting for me.
"Took you long enough. You ready, sleeping beauty?" she huffed, her keys already in hand.
I tossed her a weak smile as an apology and grabbed an apple off the table on the way out. Once in the car, I gave Jane a wary glance. She caught it.
"Okay, whassup?"
I felt uncomfortable, knowing I was about to ask her to lie for me.
"Jane, about this weekend. I... well I sort of, can't make it."
She grinned. "You and the Coke boy?"
I gave her an evil look. "You know his name ain't Coke. But yes, Soda sort of asked me out … and I really, well I really want to go. I know you have this girls-night thing going on, but...."
She laughed. "Sandy, I don't care if you bow out. Go! Have fun! Where's he taking you?"
"Well, that's just it. I have no idea. And, I don't want my folks knowing I'm with him. If they think I'm with you, it'd be the perfect cover."
"Oooooh! This is getting even better. So whacha want me to do?"
"Pick me up like you originally planned and take me to your place, then if my folks call.... well, lie to them. Tell them I'm in the bathroom or something. I don't care."
She drove in silence, then grinned. "Fine, but I want details."
I blushed, wondering what sort of details I would have to surrender. "I'll share what I can."
She gave me a look as she pulled into the parking lot. "Girl, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into."
I hoped so too.
*
Behind us, Jane watched as we pulled away, Soda holding my hand, his thumb rolling over my knuckle.
"So, where we going?" I finally asked, looking at him.
He smiled. "I told you, it's a surprise. But don't worry, I think you'll like it."
I nestled in his side, his arm wrapped around me as I watched the scenery pass by. Finally, he pulled into Bryler Park, an abandoned park that used to have a lot of life. There was a play area for little kids, a track now overgrown with weeds and a picnic area that dipped and wove its way around a lake. There wasn't anyone here but us, most people preferring the parks closer to town than the remote drive all the way out here. I looked at him, but he seemed sure of himself. He got out and opened my door for me, then reached into the back of the truck for a box. I followed.
"What are you doing?" I asked curiously.
He spread a large blanket on the ground under one of the massive oaks close to the water and pulled me down by him. Then he reached into the box and pulled out some covered dishes.
"A picnic. What, you've never been on a picnic before?"
"Of course I have. I just wasn't expecting this."
"What, that I'd plan this - or that I'd pulled it off?"
I shoved his shoulder, "Oh shut up."
He let go of the dishes and wrapped me in his arms, laying me less than softly on the blanket. I lay there, catching my breath then looked up at him, smiling. He was looking back at me, unblinking. His hands brushed the bangs away from my forehead but the soft breeze fluttered them back.
"You are beautiful, Sandy."
I felt myself blush. One of his arms was next to me, and I ran my finger up it, feeling the strong muscles that chiseled his skin. "Thanks. You're sort of good looking yourself."
He lay next to me, careful of the containers and my clothes. "I'm really glad you could break away from the girls." He murmured as he bent closer.
"Sodapop?"
"Okay, fine. May I kiss you?" he was teasing, but I loved it.
"Yes, you may."
And his lips were on mine, gently at first, then gradually building momentum. His tongue tasted my lips and I let him in. At the same time, I was acutely aware of his hand on my breast, feeling me through my blouse. I didn't mind, this wasn't the first time he'd toyed with my chest and his touch was magic.
"Sandy," he murmured, planting kisses on my neck.
"Yeah?"
"Touch me, take off my shirt for me."
My hands shook. At this point in our relationship, we'd done a lot of feeling each other up, but always with clothes between us. Granted, it was just his chest, but ..."
"Please, Sandy, touch me."
The buttons were easier to manage after the first one or two parted way. He wasn't wearing an undershirt, his chest bare before me. As he kissed me, I felt the smooth contours of his chest, the hard muscles of his abdomen. As my fingers curled around his back, the divot along his spine gave my fingers something to grasp, and before I knew it I was pulling him against me.
In the same instant that I realized how wonderful his skin felt, I realized it was because his skin was against mine. My blouse was unbuttoned, only my bra separated our chests.
"Soda.... stop....." I breathed. He backed off, breathing hard.
"What?"
I looked at him, unable to say the million things in my head. My conscience warred with my wants, and the fact that his fingers were lightly running circles around my still sheathed areola was making me lose the war. My fingers grazed the features on his chest; his pecks firm, his skin warm.
"I won't do anything you don't want me to. If you're not ready... I understand." He said, pulling away. I, however, caught him before he moved far. He gave me another look - waiting for me to protest, then when I didn't, he lay back down.
He pulled the material down, exposing my breast, kissing it. My body was in cahoots with my brain, refusing to behave ladylike. My back arched involuntarily and he quickly took advantage of it, releasing the hook at my back. A moment later, my chest was as bare as his. At first, he pulled back, eying me, then softly he touched me; my taunt nipples, the sensitive undersides of my breasts. His touch made me moan, softly.
As I arched to his touch, his tongue lapped at my chest. To keep from moaning again, I sought his flesh with my own tongue, kissing his neck, licking it, tasting the salt on his skin. Before I knew it, I was sucking, wanting more but knowing that even though I had surrendered this much, there was still more I wouldn't give up. Not today.
My fingers dug into his skin, and I felt his hand on my leg. I knew there was only one way for that hand to go, and it was already creeping north. I relaxed, putting my hand over his, stopping his exploration.
"Enough. Enough," I panted. He stopped, kissed me again, and moved away.
He walked to the lake, slipping his shirt back on which gave me ample time to get dressed again. A few moments later, I joined him, sliding my hand in his.
"I'm not ready for that.... for more, not yet." I said apologetically.
He squeezed my hand back. "It's okay. I shouldn't have pushed the limits. But I wasn't lying earlier."
I looked at him, unsure what he was talking about.
"You are beautiful. All of you." He fixed my collar, and leaned in to kiss me again.
When he pulled away, I noticed the mark on his neck. "Oh crap. How are you gonna explain that?"
"What?"
"The hickey. Sorry. I sort of lost control, I guess."
He felt his neck and shrugged. "Feel free to lose control on me anytime. And I ain't gonna explain it to no one." He smiled, but I knew better. There was only one way to get a hickey, so I wondered if he'd admit to the truth or say we'd gone all the way. Considering Miranda's assumption, I was already feeling like a tramp. "Hungry? I didn't drag all that food out here just for the fish to eat."
*
Calla Lily Rose
