Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders-all rights belong to their owners except for Chelsea, and her parents.


"Soda!" the brunette whined banging her fist against the bathroom door. "Hurry up!"

It was the morning after and Chelsea was anxious about getting home so she could change and get ready for school. Darry offered to drive her home on his way to dropping Soda and himself off at his work.

However, Soda was still in the washroom greasing his hair while Chelsea and Darry waited for him to finish up and get into the car.

Soda chuckled from inside the bathroom. "Rush me, and I'll have to start all over again."

She let out an irritated sigh and blew a piece of her hair out of her eyes.

"Come on Soda, you've been in there for ages, you're going to make us late." Said Darry as he adjusted his belt and pants beside Chelsea.

"I'll be done in a minute! Quit bugging me." Soda shouted.

Darry rolled his eyes before settling them on Chelsea who was leaning against the bathroom door; one foot on the door the other on the ground.

"Get him out of there, use whatever means necessary." He whispered with the hint of a smile on his face.

She grinned and got off the door. Holding her breath in anticipation: she swung the door open with such force that it smacked against inner the wall.

Sodapop stood wearing jeans and his DX shirt-which was unbuttoned-in front of the mirror. His right hand held his comb, which was, paused midway through a strand of his light brown hair. His expression was of mild surprise but soon returned to smugness as he resumed combing his hair.

"Soda, your hair is greasy enough, add anymore it will be dripping!"

He smirked, "That's not gonna get me out of here faster Chels."

Sighing she slowly walked towards him. "I didn't want to do this but you leave me no choice."

"What?"

She lurched forward, reached up and snatched the comb from his hands so quickly Soda had to blink a few times to realize what she had done.

"Chelsea," he glowered, extending his hand "give me the comb."

Smirking she raised the comb above her hand and twirled it like a baton. "You'll have to catch me first."

Soda raised his eyebrows, shrugged and snarled in mock fury before charging towards her. Giggling, she backed out of the washroom and sprinted towards the front door where Darry was putting on his boots. She didn't make it very far as when she reached the living room Soda had caught up with her and tackled her into a bear hug.

She put her hands up higher refusing to let him take it from her. Soda spun her around to face him then began to tickle her sides violently causing her to laugh so hard she couldn't breathe.

"Soda… stop-p… stop it." She managed to say between gasps.

He smiled, "Not until you give me the comb back."

He continued his relentless assault and Chelsea laughed helplessly until he began tickling a part of her upper back that was covered in bruises from her father.

She jumped and grimaced in pain. Her hands came down as a triggered response to the pain. Soda noticed her reaction immediately and withdrew his hands from her.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked in a concerned voice, his expression sobered.

She bit her lip to force back tears and shook her head.

"I'm fine," she fake-smiled and backed away.

His face remained unchanged. "Are you sure? Is something wrong with your back?"

Hoping to change the subject Chelsea laughed dryly, "You fell for my trick, you stopped ticking me and I still have the comb. I win!"

She winked and Soda narrowed his eyes in fake irritation. "That was a dirty trick Chels! I will get my comb."

Stepping towards him Chelsea smirked, "How?"

He took a step towards her and smirked back, "You'll see."

They glared at each other for a few seconds, having a small staring contest with each other. Finally it ended when Soda made such a wild grin Chelsea lost her straight face and doubled over in laughter.

When she came back up his eyes were on her own and there was a happy smile on his face-happier than she'd seen even before he broke up with Sandy.

She smiled back losing herself in his eyes until they heard the sound of Darry from the front door.

"Will you two stop making goo goo eyes at each other and get in the car?"

Laughing they broke apart and Soda ran around to find his hat, socks and shoes for work while Chelsea ogled at his muscular torso.

"How did I miss that?" she thought to herself, staring at him in a daze.

He spotted her staring and cocked his eyebrows at her. "Enjoying the show?"

She flushed bright red in embarrassment; "Oh no I wasn't- your unbuttoned shirt is just bugging me." She babbled.

Soda shrugged, "It's warm today, I figured I'm not going to wear an undershirt."

She nodded then ran towards the front door to get out of the house before she died of shame.

From within the house Soda chuckled to himself.


The car ride was mostly quiet until Soda started a conversation with Chelsea about school.

"I really don't care much for school," she said, "I wish I never had to go back, it's lonely without Pony and Johnny."

"What about Two-Bit, isn't he in your grade?" Darry asked looking in the rear view mirror at her.

She gave them both a knowing look and Soda laughed. "Right, Two-Bit doesn't do school."

"Yeah, I really can't wait until the day is over for the party! I wish I could just take a half day."

They reached her house and Soda whistled at the size of it. "Wow, nice place."

She nodded, "Thanks," and unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Are you up there by yourself?" asked Darry sadly.

"Yeah, but only for the weekend then my dad gets back from his business trip."

He nodded at her and Chelsea thanked them for their kindness to her before unlocking the gate and waving goodbye.


"OMG! I totally love your skirt it's too cute!"

"No, I love your dress!"

Chelsea groaned and rested her head in her arms. It was only 5 minutes through fourth period and already she wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Everyone at the school was driving her insane.

"Only one hour and a half until school is over," she thought to herself staring at the slow-moving hands of the clock.

Suddenly the intercom buzzed. "Would Marlene Young please report to the office? There's an urgent phone call from her father."

The class went silent and everyone stared at her as if she'd just murdered someone. She slowly looked up at her teacher who nodded her head to give her permission to leave.

She stood up, grabbed her bags and left the class without a second thought. As she walked through the halls she wondered why on earth her father would be calling the school. He never affiliated himself with the school. In fact, the only time she'd ever seen her father at school was when…

She shook her head, forcing those horrible memories out of her mind. She reached the office and wrapped her arms around her torso trying to hold herself together for the secretaries.

"I'm Marlene, I heard there was a phone call from my father?" she asked softly.

The bland-faced secretary did not look up from her typing but raised one hand to point to the rotary phone across the mahogany desk.

"Thanks," she mumbled before walking over to the phone.

Chelsea took a deep breath to steady herself before closing her eyes and picking up the receiver.

"Dad?" she whispered fearfully.

There was laughter from the other end of the phone and she smiled recognizing the voice.

"Hey, Steve." She sighed in relief.

The secretary gave her an odd look and Chelsea's face fell. "I mean dad,"

More laughter sounded on the other end of the phone and she heard Two-Bit's voice. " What's going on Mickey?"

"I don't know you tell me," she said in a serious tone so the secretary's suspicions wouldn't rise.

"Soda told us to call you to get you out of school early." Steve explained, "I used my best Elvis impersonation for your dad's voice."

Chelsea bit her lip to prevent her from laughing out loud. "Tell him that I'm very grateful for his consideration, also that is quite amusing."

Steve laughed, "Let me guess, the secretary is right beside you?"

"Yes."

Just then, the secretary got to her feet and announced that she was going to run an errand and that she'd be back soon.

The door closed; Chelsea smiled and leant back against the counter. "Okay she's gone Steve, thank you so much for calling I'm so bored, I hate school."

"School sucks... Oh and how was your date with Dallas last night?"

She shrugged, "It went well."

"Are you two, uh, dating now?" he asked in a provocative voice.

Chelsea rolled her eyes, "Yeah, Dally proposed, we're going to get married Steve!"

"Really?" he asked loudly.

"No," she shook her head trying not to laugh.

"Oh, then what did happen?"

Chelsea opened her mouth to respond but at that exact moment the Principal walked into the office and nodded at her,

"It was fine Dad, now what did you need me to do?"

The sound of Steve groaning echoed in Chelsea's ear and she pressed her lips in a thin line to keep from smiling.

Arguing sounded and Two-Bit's voice boomed in the receiver, "Okay Mickey, here's what we're gonna do. Repeat after me; Oh no!"

"Oh no!" she echoed, making her face look concerned. The Principal eyed her over her stack of papers on the desk.

"Very good," Two-Bit continued, "Now say; I understand, I'll be right there."

Chelsea repeated what Two-Bit told her to say.

"Okay, now when you hang up the phone tell the secretary that your dad needs you home because there's a family emergency-give as little information as possible. Ya dig?"

"Yes."

She could hear a smile in Two-Bit's voice when he said, "Now you go home and get ready for the party, we're all excited for it!"

"Thanks guys," she softly said so the Principal wouldn't accidentally overhear.

"Don't mention it!" Two-Bit and Steve echoed.

"Bye." She replied.

"See ya!"

The girl slammed the receiver down and looked up at the principal concerned.

"My dad he- he said there's family trouble, I have to go home right away."

The woman's shifty eyes melted to panic. Everyone at the school knew Chelsea lost her mother a few months ago and that she couldn't afford to lose anyone else.

"You can go then dear, I hope everything turns out alright for you Ms. Young."

"Thank you," Chelsea nodded adjusting the strap of her brown leather messenger bag before bolting out the door.

Once she reached the school grounds she let out a happy shriek and sprinted towards the bus stop so she could get home.

Thank God for those boys! She thought to herself as she boarded the city bus headed for her neighborhood.


"POOL PARTY!"

"Two-Bit, it's freezing do you seriously want to jump in Chelsea's pool?"

"Not right now Tim, I'm not drunk enough yet! But I will be,"

The party was in full swing and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves with the whiskey and food Chelsea set out for everyone, not to mention the jukebox she had playing. The party was being held in backyard.

Most of the guys brought dates and spent most of their time making out while everyone else drank and joked around merrily.

Chelsea spent most of the night conversing Evie but the moment Soda and Steve showed up, she was lost.

"Nice party," Steve commented with Evie on his arm, "do you mind if we-"

"Yes, go ahead."

Steve and Evie gave her a grateful look before darting towards the woods.

"Hey Chels," Soda smiled and Chelsea grinned.

"Hey," but then she noticed that Soda looked upset.

She frowned, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing,"

"It's not nothing Sodapop, something's up. Are you okay?"

Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a tipsy Two-Bit appeared with a blonde girl in tow.

"Heyyy baby, how you doin?" he slurred as nodded at Chelsea.

"Isn't that Curly's girl?" Soda asked irritably as he glanced at the giggling blonde on Two-Bit's arm.

Two-Bit hiccoughed, "Yeah, she got bored with him so I'm enter-entertaining her now."

"MATTHEWS!" An angry voice sounded from across the patio. A furious looking greaser sped over to where the four of them were standing and swung his fist at Two-Bit who-with oddly quick reflexes for a drunk person-ducked out-of-the-way.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING WITH MAUREEN?!"

Soda rolled his eyes and Chelsea nodded, "Follow me," she whispered.

She took off and ran towards a small red building about an acre away from her house.

He followed her and together they stepped into the small barn house. There were two horses inside along with a wall covered in riding gear, awards and ribbons. She shut the door behind them and led Soda over to the first horse-it was a chestnut mare with a strip of white down its face.

She stepped forward and rested her hand on its muzzle. "This is Rocinante, my mother's horse. My mom got him when she was my age and she competed in events with him. They were champions."

Sodapop smiled and pet the horse too. "He's a beauty,"

Sighing Chelsea replied, "Yes, he is. Poor thing, he misses her. They were best friends."

"I had a horse like that once," said Soda softly sinking into the hay bale pile beside Rocinante's pen. "It wasn't really my horse, but I loved him as if he was mine. I named him Mickey Mouse and he was an ornery pony. He belonged to some stable, and I took care of him when I worked there. Then one day I went to work and he wasn't there. Someone bought him and I never saw him ever again."

Chelsea watched his face become clouded with gloom; He must've really loved that horse… she thought sadly.

"I'm sorry," she said sitting down next to him. "That's the worst feeling in the world-losing your best friend. Your whole world kind of just… ends."

He nodded and looked into her warm eyes, "I never told anyone this before-not even Sandy but I cried for weeks when he got sold away."

"Life has a funny way of doing things, you're given something wonderful and great then one day it just disappears and there's nothing you can do but mourn. It's not fair."

Soda leaned back against the pen gate, "Life sucks."

A loud whinny sounded from the other side of the stables and Chelsea got to her feet. "That'll be my horse Cinnamon, he's looking for attention-that silly rascal."

She helped Soda to his feet and he followed her to the other pen where a tan-colored horse was impatiently scraping his hoof on the ground.

The moment Soda saw the horse his face lit up like a kid on Christmas. "MICKEY MOUSE? IS THAT YOU BOY?"

The horse responded by sticking his head out of the pen and nibbling on Soda's jean jacket.

"It is you!" he wrapped his arms around the horse's head and the horse nuzzled him back gently.

Chelsea's eyes widened, "This is Mickey Mouse?"

Soda laughed, "Yes! Oh Mickey, I thought I'd never see you again. I've missed you boy."

She smiled at Soda's blissful face and shook her head. "What a coincidence,"

"How did you get him?" He added, petting the horse's mane.

Furrowing her brow Chelsea tried to remember, "I believe I had just turned twelve when I got him. My dad bought him for me to learn to compete like my mother had. He said went to watch a race one day and Cinna-Mickey was the winning horse and he wanted me to have the best so he bought Mickey from the race track that day."

Soda looked at her flabbergasted, "I'm sorry! I didn't know you worked there, if we were friends then I wouldn't have let my dad give me Mickey- I would've told him to just-"

He cut her off by putting a finger to her lips. "Thank you," he said as he withdrew it.

She cocked her head at him feeling a little confused. "For what?"

Soda explained, "For years I've had nightmares about Mickey being sold to a glue factory or to some labor camp where they would whip him and abuse him. It haunted me that maybe he was being hurt and there was nothing I could do to help him. But then you; you amazing Chelsea, you're the one who's had him this whole time. He's belonged to you. So while I was tossing and turning in bed thinking about some horrible person hurting Mickey Mouse, he's been here with you and he's extremely lucky because I know you would never hurt him. I'm so glad you have him, I can't imagine anyone I'd rather have him with."

Touched by his kind words Chelsea blushed and looked down. "Thanks," she mumbled.

He grinned, and went back to petting his horse.

"Would you like to take him out for a ride?" She asked when her face was no longer bright red.

Soda's eyes widened, "Seriously?"

"Sure! You can take Mickey and I'll take Rocinante."

He grinned and she grabbed the saddle for Mickey Mouse and tossed it to Soda before going to Rocinante and suiting him up.

She zipped up her leather motorcycle jacket and changed from her heels to her black riding boots. She mounted her horse and met Soda at the rear of the stables facing the woods.

"The trails aren't to tricky to navigate, just stick to the path and you'll be fine." She said as she tied her wavy brown hair into a high ponytail.

Soda looked at her and spoke: "Alright, so should we ride side by side or one-"

"Try and catch me!" she exclaimed flicking her reins gently to usher Rocinante to giddy up. Her horse charged forward leaving a determined Soda in the dust.

"I'll find you Young!" he called to her before taking off with Mickey Mouse.

She laughed and sped her horse up once she reached the border of the forest. The sun was setting still in the distance so there was a little light illuminating the path-but Chelsea had ridden here so many times before that it made no difference to her. She could navigate these trails backwards and blindfolded.

Chelsea loved riding, the fresh hair pumping through her lungs, the wind rushing through her hair. She shut her eyes taking it all in when suddenly she heard galloping behind her-Soda was gaining!

She urged her steed forward and stuck her tongue out at Soda. They raced down the hill together neck and neck and when the path turned back up the hill Chelsea took the lead riding hard and fast until she reached the entrance of the barn.

"I win!" she cheered and Rocinante as if sensing his rider's glee, neighed and rose up on his hind legs.

Soda shook his head, "Shoot, you're too good."

She blew him a kiss and dismounted her mother's horse to lead him into the stables. Soda copied her and once both horses were placed in their pens safely Soda turned to his friend.

"I guess we'd better join the party?"

"I guess so."

They left the stable and chatted about horses and racing.

"You know, anytime you want to come visit Mickey Mouse, you can." She told him.

He grinned widely, "Really?!"

"Of course! I won't let you two remain separated forever."

Still smiling Soda took her hand in his and squeezed it but once he realized what he had done he dropped it abruptly.

"So um, you never told me what you were upset about." Chelsea began shyly.

He stopped and glanced at her, "Nothing, honestly I just had a bit of a rough day but I'm okay now I guess."

She nodded understanding he didn't feel like talking now. They resumed walking and once they reached her stone patio they stood together beside the pool.

"How did your date with Dally go last night?" he asked casually trying not to look anxious.

She undid her ponytail, allowing her wavy brown hair to tumble around her shoulders. "It went… okay."

Not wanting to push her Soda looked down at his lap. Her eyes followed his and she sighed.

"Actually no I'm lying, it didn't go well." Soda lifted his head to meet her eyes at this statement.

"What happened?"

She wrapped her coat around her tighter, "It started out well; we both had a lot of fun at the movie. We joked around, drank champagne and made fun of the other couples together."

Turning her head to face the woods she continued, "But when he dropped me off at home I realized that we're both looking for different things. Dally needs someone not as fucked up as I am and I need someone to talk to, someone who I can joke around with but at the same time have deep conversations with."

Soda gave her a smile, "You're not fucked up; you're just as sane as I am."

Beaming Chelsea turned to him, "Thanks.. But that's not it. Dally asked me if I had feelings for someone else."

His eyes widened in surprise, "What did you say?"

"I said I don't know, I don't know if he even knows I have feelings for him."

Slowly Soda started leaning towards her. "Who?" he asked, his voice lighter than a whisper.

Chelsea was about to say the boy's name but then Soda leant in further and all the oxygen vanished from her brain. She closed her eyes and decided to just let it happen but then-

"POOL PARTY!" Two-Bit shouted and he ran towards them in a zigzag pattern before finally bursting through them and landing in the pool taking Soda and Chelsea with him.

"WHAT THE FUCK TWO-BIT?!" Shouted Soda once he resurfaced. He splashed his friend angrily until he was sputtering water.

Two-Bit continued to laugh "Sorry buddy,"

Chelsea giggled and climbed out of the pool. She'd managed to keep her head above the water when she fell in but Soda's hair was sopping wet.

"Here," she said leaning her hand out to help him out.

He looked at her, then at the water before taking her hand and pulling her back into the pool. She screamed and he laughed at her. She splashed him and they began an epic splash battle that lasted such a long time that when they decided to come out of the pool, everyone had gone home.

"What the fuck?" Chelsea wondered aloud looking at her destroyed patio covered in whiskey bottles.

"I guess everyone headed to the after-party." Soda said shivering under his soaking wet garments.

She frowned at him in puzzlement but he elaborated that Steve had planned to take everyone to trash one of the Socs hangouts as an after-party.

"Oh…"

She led him to the shed where she kept her towels and tossed him one.

"You can dry up outside while I change into clothes in here."

He shrugged and toweled himself off letting her change. As soon as she was done she tossed him a jacket that was her father's.

"Thanks," he said putting it on.

"Sodapop? Chelsea? Thank God you're both still here." A voice sounded from across the patio.

Darry stood looking extremely frazzled.

"What's wrong?" Soda asked.

"It's Ponyboy, he was in a fire."


A/N: Dun dun dunn! Okay most of you probably know what happens next but still ;) anyways, thank you for your continued support and reviews! I appreciate each and every one of your comments-honestly; every time I see that I have a new review it just makes my day. Even if you put something as little as a smiley face as a review I still get super happy! So thank you for that and I will try to upload the next chapter as quick as i can but exams are coming up so I might not have as much time as I'd like... I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter- tell me who you're rooting for- Pony, Soda or Dally and I'll see if I can add more of them to the story. It's getting good, :D! Please leave a review!