After Dally's little outburst, I got enough strength to pull myself out of Steve's arms. He wasn't a good comfort, but I loved being in his arms. Pulling my shirt down, I saw all the boys on the floor with intense looks on their faces as I saw Dally in the corner with his head against the wall and his back towards up. Shaking, I stood up and walked across the room feeling the gang's eyes on me. Slowly, I put my hand on Dally's shoulder afraid of his reflex's.
"Dally, I'm fine. Everythins' fine. Please just relax," I spoke quietly to his back because I wasn't tall enough to get to his face. He pulled away from the wall and looked down at me. Wow is he tall, I never noticed until now when he was pressed against me.
"I jus' don't want ya gettin hurt," Dally said sweetly. I nodded as he wrapped his arms around me and held me in a tight hug. Digging my head in his chest, I could smell his cologne mixed with smoke and beer in his shirt, making a smell I would always love. I don't think Dally has ever should this much affection for a person based off the looks on the guys face while they watched us.
As Dally pulled away, he kissed my forehead and then the top of my head. "You goin to Buck's tonight?" He asked me. I nodded my head in return and he left without another word.
I turned back to the guys and walked back over to the couch. I noticed that Steve was on one end of the couch and Two-Bit on the other end. Great, I wasn't going to make them get for me and I needed to lay down because my ribs hurt a little. Deciding that there was no other way to lay down, I sat my butt on the middle cushion and turned my head to the side and laid my head down on someone's lap and put my feet on the other persons. Lifting me head up for a moment, I noticed that the person I was laying my head on, was Steve. Crap. Whatever I'm too lazy to move. I put my head back down and fell asleep.
Hours later, I woke up feeling someone's arms around me and a blanket over us. I wasn't laying down and felt my head on someone's chest as theirs went up and down. I didn't hear a TV on; the only thing I could hear was very quiet whispers. Opening my eyes, I looked up to see Steve's face with his eyes closed. Just then, the door opened revealing Sodapop walking in. His eyes darted directly towards Steve and myself as I tried to get up. He had a painful face. Pulling my head out of Steve's grip, I waved at Soda. He gave me a weak smile. I turned away to get out of Steve's grip and pull the blanket off. When I was finally free, I put the blanket over Steve and walked over to Sodapop and hugged him tightly.
"What's got ya so happy?" He asked with a little laughter in his voice.
"That's the best way to wakeup from a nap," I couldn't pull the smile off of my face, but Soda was able to make his disappear. "What's wrong?" I asked Soda, suddenly changing my mood.
"Oh nothin. I'm happy for ya Maxy," Soda said putting the smile back on his face, but I knew that it was fake and he was just putting it on for me. "When are we goin to Buck's?" I asked curiously.
"The party won't be gettin' into full swing for a few more hours, so hows bout I take ya for some dinner at the Dingo." He offered. I nodded my head in approval and headed upstairs to change my clothes.
I pulled out my short jean skirt that Steve bought me as a joke, but it was actually really cute and I would wear it. Also, I pulled out a white tank top. I threw that on and went over to the makeup Two-Bit bought me thinking it would be useful for me. I put on a little bit of eyeliner and mascara along with a bronze, natural color. It looked like I was wearing barely any makeup. I pulled out one of Ponyboy's converse that were still too big on me, but these were all I had, and I put them on, finishing the look. Looking at the big mirror the boys had in the corner of the room and looked myself up and down. I thought I looked pretty decent.
I skipped downstairs happily and saw Soda and Steve on the couch talking. When I got to the bottom of the stairs I stood in front of the boys as they stared wide eyed at me. "What do ya think?" I asked teasingly and spun around for them so they could check me out. Neither of them answered me and continued to give me googily eyes. I snapped in front of their faces trying to get them to answer me. "Boys! Boys snap out of it! I don't look that good," I said making them snap out of it. "Soda let's go!" I said cheerfully as I swooped his hand up walking over to the door just as Dally walked in.
"Hey Dal!" I said cheerfully. He's never seen me this way so his reaction to it was to give me a look like he just saw a socs compliment a greaser.
"Why're you in such a happy mood," He asked confused. I shrugged in return as I continued to walk out the door, but was stopped by Dally grabbing my shoulder. I turned around attentively, to see him take his jacket off and hand it to me. Now it was my turn to give him a confused look.
"What's this for?" I questioned.
"It's cold out. Take it," he said, once more shoving it in my face. Taking it from him, I threw it around my shoulders and walked out with Sodapop. I broke our hands apart and walked over to his car, waiting for him to meet up with me, but he never did.
"Aren't we takin the car?" I asked.
"Nah. It's nice out. Let's walk," He held his hand out for me to take and I gladly took it as he laced our fingers together. An ever bigger smile appeared on his face as we began walking. It was silent the entire walk there, but it was a content one. Not awkward.
When we got there, a woman who looked a few years older than me walked over to us. She was real pretty. She had dirty blonde hair that was straight and a little wavy at the bottom. Her hair was mid chest and very pretty. She had green eyes that were beautiful in the light. She was short and skinny; not very built.
"Hey Kathy! Mind gettin us a table?" Soda asked. How did he know who that is
"Hey Soda. Who is this?" This Kathy girl asked.
"Max. She lives with us," Soda stated with happiness in his voice. Well it was good to know that he took pride in hosting a girl at his house.
"So this is the Max huh? Two-bit doesn't shut up bout ya. He told me, he thinks of you as his lil sis," She stated. How does she know Two-Bit? She must've noticed my confused look and answered my question before I could even ask it.
"I'm Kathy Mills, Two-Bit's girl." She said flashing me Two-Bit's ring on her finger showing their relationship. I wish that would happen with me and Steve, but Steve has a girl already and it sure ain't me. I gave her a smile as she lead us to our seats. Soda and I, scooted into a booth and sat across from each other.
"She's real pretty," I stated not realizing I said it out loud.
"Yeah. Two-Bit's got a good one. Better not hurt her. She's a good friend o' mine." Soda said agreeing with me. I nodded my head as Kathy came back over ready to take our order.
"What can I get for yeah Pop?" She asked, I'm assuming to be, Sodapop.
"I'll get a double burger. Max?" Soda ordered.
"Oh umm I'm not hungry. I'll tell ya if I want anything though. Thanks Kathy," I shot her a smile as I felt my tummy growl. Losing weight faster, might be harder than I thought. I hadn't eaten all day and I was starving. I almost felt sick. Kathy walked away with a nod and finished scribbling down Soda's order. I took Dally's jacket off because of how warm it was in the Dingo.
After she was gone, Soda gave me a nervous look. I responded with a confused expression. "You've eaten nothin all day. Eat somethin darlin'," Soda insisted.
"I'm fine really," Lie. I shot my hand to my stomach as it growled again. Oh, I felt like I was going to throw up. I was so hungry, I might just eat his entire burger.
"You need t' eat. " He perused his original request. Soda's face made me melt right into the seat. His green eyes lost his sparkle as a smile was no longer on his face. I couldn't say no to him. I sighed loudly.
"I'll take a bite or two of your burger. But that's it," I said. A grin grew on Soda's face in victory. I stuck my tongue out at him as he chuckled quietly. Kathy quickly came back with Soda's burger and then walked away. Soda took a big bite out of it. I couldn't help but laugh at his quickness of scarffing down the burger.
"Here, take a bite," He said with a mouthful of food. I laughed as I leaned over the table and took a smile bite. When Soda gulped down his huge bite and looked at me with shock.
"No Max. Take a real bite." He emphasized the word 'real' because I guess my bite was pathetic. Rolling my eyes to the back of my head, I leaned over again and took a big bite. As I was chewing, a little bit of ketchup got on my face. I reached for a napkin to wipe it off, when a hand was already up to my face wiping it. Peering up to see the owner of the hand, I saw that it was Sodapop's. I giggled and blushed while the tips of his ears turned red.
"So how ya holdin up darlin?" Soda asked intrigued.
The happiness I had been feeling before had completely disappeared as the memory of my grandma dying flooded back to me. Her happy voice of her singing "Amazing Grace" was suddenly the only sound I could possibly hear. Then my screams filled my ears making me nauseous. My stomach started turning and I knew what was coming next.
Pushing the table off of myself, I sprinted into the bathroom holding in the hamburger that I had just digested. Pushing the bathroom door opened, I slammed open the first stall door I saw, ran to the toilet and before even kneeling down, the bite was upchucked. Well there goes my food for the day.
I leaned with my back against the wall as a few tears fell down on my face. My blood curdling screams filled my head. Every time I blinked, I could see my grandma shaking rapidly on the bed. Falling on my knees again, I held my head over the toilet and threw up whatever else could possibly be in my stomach. I felt an arm on my back as I wiped off of vomit that was left on my face.
I curled into the arms of the person I knew to be Soda, and cried harder than I did the other night. My tears were soaking up into Soda's shirt as I balled it up into fists. I felt him place a light peck on my head, forehead and then cheek and I calmed down.
"I'm sorry Max. I'm so sorry for asking," He continued his apologizes whilst I cried. After probably an hour of him soothing me, my loud sobs turned into short sniffles. I looked up at Sodapop and kissed his cheek as I snuggled my head into the crook of his neck.
"I don't wanna go to Buck's no more," I said out of the middle of no where.
"We can just go home alright?" Soda said. I nodded my head as he carried me out of the bathroom and out of the Dingo, paying Kathy on the way out.
When we reached outside, I felt cold drops of water fall onto my skin. Rain. I love rain. Because I cooled down, I did what I normally did when it rained. I jumped out of Soda's arms and ran down the street twirling, hearing Soda coming. It thundered loudly and I screamed in happiness as Soda caught up with me.
"What are you doin?" He asked a bit nervous. He probably thought I was a lunatic. I screamed and twirled at the same time until I got dizzy and fell over. Before I could hit the ground I felt someone catch me. I was in a dipping position when Soda propped me back up.
"Dance with me Soda!' I said giggling wildly.
"I don't dance, Maxy." Soda said.
"It's easy! C'mon!" I walked up to him and placed his hands on my waist as I wrapped my hands around his neck. I put my head in his chest and we danced.
1.…2...3.…1.…2.…3
I counted in my head. When I had stopped on 2 I felt myself being shoved out and then pulled back in with my back resting against Soda and his other hand caught mine. I laughed as he pushed me back out again. Before I swung myself back into his grasp, he twirled me putting, his hand that had mine in it above my head and spin me. Pulling me back into his embrace, both of his hands rested on my waist. I looked into his shining green eyes that looked beautiful in the moonlight and smiled, with him returning the look.
"Ya know, ya really are beautiful." Soda said staring straight at me. I looked down hiding my blush.
"No. Kathy and Heather are beautiful. I'm just average," I said yelling a bit over the rain. I felt his finger under my chin, as he redirected my face to look up at him. Literally look up. He was a bit shorter than Dally, but a good seven inches taller than me. He put his thumbs under both of my eyes and wiped away my running makeup. I smiled as he smiled at me. He leaned down a little to get closer so I could hear him better.
"No. You're more beautiful Max," He said. As he began slowly closing the gap between us, I saw Soda's face transform into Steve's face. Wait, was this Steve kissing me?
Feeling warm lips against mine, I kissed back thinking it was Steve. Placing my hands behind his neck, I kissed him harder. He managed to open my mouth more and stick his tongue in mine fighting a battle with my tongue. I felt my feet being picked off the ground and his hands on my thighs now. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he shoved his tongue into my mouth more. I pulled away leaving my head on his forehead. Slowly opening my eyes, I saw Soda's face instead of Steve's. Oh no.
"Soda?" I asked out of breath from that kiss.
"Ya?" He asked also panting. Oh no. It was Soda and not Steve. Shit. Shit. Shit. Wait why did Soda kiss me? Maybe this is just a dream.
"It's getting late. Let's head back," I said. He nodded his head and put me down as we walked back to his house hand in hand.
When we arrived back in the house, I called and heard no one. I told Soda I would be right back and headed upstairs to put on dry clothes. I grabbed Ponyboy's pajama pants even though it would be way too long on me, and one of Soda's big sweatshirts. Yeah, I was really cold. I came back downstairs, to hear the shower running. Must be Soda.
I wondered around the house not knowing what to do, when I came upon an old piano. I wonder if I can still play. When I was younger my parents made me take piano lessons. They wanted me to have some musical arts in my life. The only reason I agreed, was for my parents.
Sitting down on the bench, I opened the top, to see the keys all dusty. I chuckled a little at how terrible the boys keep this piano. Bending down, I blew on all the keys quickly, to rid of the dust. Placing my fingers on the C chords and the C octave, I began playing a tune I had heard while watching a play with my parents when I was younger.
I remember it was a few days before my parents died. We were in the car on the way to see my favorite play "After the Fall". It was about a man who looks over his life to see if he should marry his new found love. It was a really good play.
The song I was now playing on the piano, was the song that played when Maggie dies. It's a very sad, but beautiful song. As I hit the last note, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my neck. I knew that to be Soda's. I blushed as he kissed my temple.
"That was pretty Max," Soda said wrapping a tighter grip around my shoulders.
"Thanks," I said trying not to tear up about my parents death.
"Why don't we go to bed?" He asked. I nodded my had, as he guided me up the stairs and into our room. I walked a few feet in, when I heard the door close. Soda put his arms around my waist and pecked my lips quickly and then left.
He speedily went back to the position we were in before, but in his pajama pants… and nothing, but. It made me nervous as he leaned back in to kiss me. Once again, I accidentally imagined it as Steve. I felt my body being pushed down slowly against his bed and soon Soda was hovering over me, when I got my senses back.
"Soda, I'm sorry, but I don't love you in that way. Please don't be upset. I'm sorry," I felt his body weight disappear as he went to the other side of the room. I knew he was mad at me. I crawled over back into my own bed and sniffed not being able to control the tears rapidly, crawling down my face. Cuddling with the sweater I was wearing, I smelled Soda's smell. The smell I had been smelling all night. I fell asleep to hearing my own cries.
I'm sorry if you guys think she was using Soda. I didn't mean for it to come off that way, but I'm sure I'm going to get some reviews saying something like that. Trust me I know the story isn't as good as it could be, but Steve will come in the picture soon. I promise. Please don't hate for the little Soda and Max moment! 3
