Chapter 8: Suspects and Hospitals

All Or Nothing

Disclaimer: Do I look like I own The Outsiders? No. The real owner of The Outsiders is the best author ever, S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write on this site.

A/N: Please tell me what you think! Criticism is welcome, but no flames please. Flames killed Johnny. ;) Suggestions are welcomed, no matter what they might be. Thank you.

Sodapop's POV (February 12th, 1967)

"Ponyboy? Do you know who Carla was dating? Do you know somebody named 'Charles' or 'Charlie?'" I asked him.

He blearily opened his clouded green-grey eyes and stared at me. "Who is Carla?"

I knew that Ponyboy was higher than a kite when he said that, but I couldn't help but let his comment sting just a little bit.

"Your sister," I whispered back to him in a pained voice.


"We arrested Robert Shelton is the murder of your sister. We found the weapon used in this crime inside his vehicle," the cop told me. It didn't super me. I handed him Carla's diary hesitantly.

"Can this be used as evidence?" I asked hopefully. He shook his head sadly after reading a few pages. No matter how hard I argued, I didn't get the results that I requested.

"Mr. Robert Shelton's family has hired one of the best criminal defense lawyers than money can buy to represent him. He's looking at a plea deal in exchange for a confession, and he might be able to plead second degree murder or even manslaughter. Carla's diary is nothing but circumstantial evidence and suspicion. It will only help us to prove first degree, premeditated murder instead of manslaughter unless he accepts the plea deal. He's young and so far he has been pretty clean. I don't think that he's looking at life in prison or even a death penalty, kid. I'm sorry," The cop with a name tag that read "Jones" said.

He was actually pretty nice and seemed to be taking this seriously, so I tried not to get angry at him. He was doing everything he could.

I nodded, feeling drained. "Thank you, Officer Jones," I said gratefully.

Exiting the police station, I called Cherry from a nearby pay phone. I told her that I was sorry about her ex-boyfriend. Both of us had lost so much recently.

"Would you like to come over?" I offered. She paused, and then said that she would love to come to my house. I hung up with her and went on walking home slowly.

I sat on the couch holding Cherry's soft hand. I wasn't sure what to say. We locked eyes and suddenly she kissed me. I kissed her back, hard. Her lips were warm and soft against mine. I wrapped my hand around her neck, my fingers latching onto her red hair. With a struggle I broke away from her.

"I'm sorry, it's just..." I noticed that she had tears streaming down her face. I put my arms around her. Cherry felt so small and breakable.

"Why'd Bob do it?" She cried. "She was my best friend." I shushed her softly and held onto her tighter. But really, we were holding onto each other.

~January 31st, 1972~

My hand smeared off the dirt from Carla's headstone. I couldn't believe it had been five whole years already since I lost her.

Have you ever wondered why there's a night if there can be day? Carla was my-our day, and I guess that there had to be a night somewhere.

"It's not fair, you know? Not fair that Bob got off with just manslaughter. Not fair that you had to go... I miss you, baby girl. Pony does too-" I paused. I thought of Cherry and her round stomach waiting for me in the car. "Remember how you always wanted to have a nice family, Carla? I'm doing it now. For you and Cherry and my brother and me. I love you."

I stood up and saw Cherry in her red blouse getting out of the car. Her hands rested on her stomach lightly.

"Ready, baby?" I asked her. She kissed my cheek and nodded.

"Whenever you are."

** PLEASE READ: I'm thinking of writing a few one-shots with Soda and Cherry and their kids, because I love this story and I love Soda as a daddy! What do you guys think? Please request some too!

A/N: Word Count: 780 words.

Aufenthalt Gold,

~Alee xXx