Tabula Rasa

Chapter Three

Sunshowers


Opening song of choice: "Too Much" by All Time Low


Author's Note and Disclaimer:

I don't own anything, all rights to the Outsiders goes to S.E. Hinton. Also, I'm not sure if dance halls existed in Tulsa but if not, I'll just say this is AU.


He gives me that look again. "Stop giving me that look," I say to him.

"What look?" he asks innocently.

He knows exactly what he's doing. The edge in his eyes, the seductive grin, the way his eye brows notch the way they do. The pressure peering from his gaze suffusing into my heart.

"It's too much," I say to him.

He frowns, and it pains me so to see such a beautiful portrait stained the way it did, right then.

He edges closer, trying to bridge the gap that has so separated us for so long. I pull him into a hug; my face kissing the polyester collar of his, and my hand trembles as I hold his strong body.

We were so close...but our hearts were worlds and worlds away...

"It's too much."


The music was going on full blast with everything from the elongated tunes of jazz all the way to the rhythmic staccatos courtesy of the new and hip Disco-dance for a more party-esque vibe. By this time, the music had gone to her and the sounds kept rattling about in her head as she tried to wash down her anxiety with Sodapop - like she always did.

"What's wrong dearie?" Cynthia asked nonchalantly with a cigarette cradled comfortably in her mouth.

"Oh, it's...it's nothing." Sandy actually worked herself trying to keep up with Scott dancing, she really needed time to chill out. Unfortunately, Cynthia wouldn't let her get away with just that.

"Scott ran out on ya, didn't he?" she teased.

At first Sandy looked at her, a bit tense, but endeavored to mask it. "Lemme guess, ya can't get him off your mind," she giggled as she took another blow of her cancer stick. "Next thing you know, you're gonna be dreamin' 'bout him and then-" Cynthia stopped right there, and frowned.

"Oh dear, I'm not being rude, am I?" Cynthia inquired, whole-heartedly concerned.

"No, not at all, Cynthia," Sandy insisted, lying straight through her teeth.

"But let me just tell you, you don't want to get your hopes up with that boy. It never ends pretty, ya dig?" Cynthia explained, again with that ambiguous tone of hers.

"An' why's that?"

"Just trust me on this one, m'kay, hon?"

"Right," she gave her a suspicious look, but didn't seem like Cynthia noticed. Too preoccupied with the bright lights and the music.

Cynthia may be Evie's friend, but Sandy felt like something was a bit off with her. She must have been wearing three inches worth of make-up, and she has been smoking that same cigarette for hours. There was a look in her eyes that kept Sandy unnerved, however she could not deny Cynthia of her genuine kindness.

Evie was certainly enjoying her time her, she made herself quite comfortable around a couple guys and has been dancin' ever since. Evie was a great dancer by herself, she could get any party started if wanted. Sandy, unlike Evie, wasn't quite the party-type of person.

Sandy liked to walk around, she almost preferred to observed them than actually being a part of the whole affair. Sandy was grateful to have a friend like Evie. Evie could keep her cool real well, maybe that's why she was such a great match for the wild Steve Randle. Or at least, Sandy always thought so.

After a few minutes, Evie meandered back to her friends.

"So did ya have a good time?" Cynthia asked.

Still panting from all the excitement, Evie took a moment to catch her breath. "You know it. How 'bout you, Sandy. Have a great time?"

"Yeah." She gave her friend meager smile.

"It's getting late, I really think we should go home, ya know?" Sandy nodded in agreement. Cynthia bid the two goodbye but not with telling Sandy something first.

"Sandy, ya know Scott? He only comes on Mondays and Thursdays like this, for whatever reason. I'd just thought you'd like to know that."

Sandy thanked her, though not without growing red from embarrassment.


"Sandy...Sandy..."

Sandy awoke with a scream, bewildered at the voice.

"Whoa, Sandy! Don't scare me like that."

"What? What happened?" asked a confused Sandy.

"You fell asleep right after leaving the Dance Hall, and then just now woke up screaming."

"Wait. Didn't you hear him?"

"Hear who?"

"Scott!" Sandy almost screamed.

"Calm down, Sandy. You were just dreamin' it, I'm sure." Evie tried to keep her tone placid, but could not hide her concern for her friend.

"But...it sounded so real."

"You're just tired, Sandy." Sandy looked out the car, counted the streetlights away as they zoomed past them. The night was still and silent with the moon as the sole solicitor. It was cold, and Sandy could just feel a cool chill creep up from her spine and flare.

She shivered.

It took a while until Sandy realized that she was just now passing the cemetery from before.


The next day went by quickly for Sandy. The reason why she had been able to attend the Dance Hall in the first place was because she had no such homework.

As always, she didn't get to see Sodapop. She never did, ever since he dropped out. Sandy was never quite comfortable with his decision but was willing to get past it because she really did care about him.

"Hi, dear," her mother exclaimed as Sandy opened the door to my home.

Before she could respond to her mother, another voice calls out. "Where were you?" Sandy's father demanded.

Sandy grimaced. "No where, Dad. Just went out dancing with a few friends down town."

"Dancing?"

"Soda wasn't there, Dad." She makes sure that the detail is very clear to him. Sandy did real well in school. Though, she usually got B's and was placed in normal classes, but that was much better than her parents expected since her father never graduated high school and her mother wasn't near the best student around either. But she still managed to pull through a few years of college and become a nurse.

Her parents were always very proud of Sandy, even though she wasn't spectacular at school. Her father did worry that Sandy having a boyfriend might hinder her school work. But so far, Sandy has proven him wrong. While the late night studying sometimes got to her, and some of her friends have expressed their growing concern for Sandy.

Sandy usually shrugs them off.

Herald Adams, her father, simply leaves to the living room.

"Mom, I'm actually going to leave soon," Sandy tells her as she dumps her backpack by the couch and fills in her purse. "Going out with, you know," Sandy grins to her mother. She always did like Sodapop, she thought of him as a real charmer.

"Okay, have fun, Sandy."

"I will."

Before she could leave, her mother places her hand over Sandy's shoulder. "Sandy...just don't make the same mistake I did when I was your age, okay?"

Sandy nodded, but she never quite knew what her mother meant by that.


Sandy walked to Sodapop's house, just a few blocks away. She goes to the door and rings it. Instead of Sodapop, a younger boy opened the door.

"Hey, Ponyboy." Sandy's voice chimed.

"Hey, Sandy," he said a bit uneasy.

Ponyboy was no Sodapop, but Sandy always thought he was a sweet little kid. He walks back to the living room and began organizing a bunch of papers on the floor.

Many of them were drawings. Sandy picks one up. "These are really good." Sandy always loved to drawn when she was younger, but she was never quite good at it. One of them was a picture of a sunset, with a beautiful array of colors and an amazing background. Another was a picture of his family.

"What these?"

"Yeah, do you show your brothers these?"

"No." He frowned a little.

"Why not?" I asked, a little concerned. He shrugs. Sodapop was always worried about his little brother, he'd tell Sandy about his nightmares when it came up. "Fine, how 'bout, it be our little secret, kay?" I smile warmly.

"Sure." he nods with a really cute smile.


Slinging her purse over her left shoulder and holding a red umbrella in the other hand, Sandy walks over a few blocks. It was really hot and humid at the moment, but the many clouds above signaled that rain that was soon to come, even if just a little.

These were fairly rare events called sunshowers. When it would rain but the sun was still shining. Usually, you can see a rainbow when one occurs.

There, across the field were many kids playing basketball. Among them was Sodapop and that one kid, Johnny. They were playing with some other friends from school. Apparently, Soda's team was winning and the game was almost over.

Soda just scored another shot when he wiped his arm across his forehead from the sweat. Then the rain started to pick up and he decided to pull off his white shirt revealing his muscular yet lean body and then wrapped and tied it around his neck - somewhat like a scarf. Then they continued the game in the rain.

As soon as the game was over, Sandy called out his name and he ran quickly towards her. Dropping her umbrella and paying no mind to the rain, they pulled each other into a strong embrace like they haven't seen each other in weeks - that's how it felt for Sandy at least.

Soon enough, their lips locked as she ran her hand across his bare torso.

"Hey," she said to him.

"Hey," he responds back. Sandy was never quite so good with words, but now she remembers why she loved Sodapop the way she did. They didn't need to talk to each other so much, they could understand each other and talk without saying any words.

After being re-acquainted with each other, Sandy grabs her purse and umbrella and they head off in silence, with Sandy leaning on him.

"Does this mean you'll give me another chance?"

"Was there ever any doubt?"

Sandy felt so refreshed after going to the Dance Hall. Right now, she can't thank Evie and Scott enough. Being here, in her man's arms was all she could ever ask for.

They start chatting idly, the way they used to when they first started dating, many months ago. They were about to cross the street, but a large puddle had formed. So Sodapop merely smiled and hoisted his girlfriend up with her still holding the umbrella.

She never did realize how much of a gentleman Sodapop could be. She thought as she gazed in amazement as the brilliance of the sun shined down and reflected off his golden body, hair, and smile.

"What?" he inquired. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He merely wished to know.

"It's nothing, just that it's nice out here, ya know?" Sandy simply responded.

"The sunset, the rain..."

Everything seemed golden.


Author's Note:

From now on, I'm not sure how fast updates will come so I wanted to make this chapter a bit longer. As the name implies, I'm not the most inspired person out there. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.


Closing Song of Choice: Good To You by Marianas Trench