Chapter 11
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Soda sat quietly in Dallas' room playing with his hands. It was nine o'clock on a Friday night. Dallas had been in the middle of getting ready to go out when Soda knocked in to him. Dally watched him in silence. The guy had come here to ask him something but he hadn't said a word in over five minutes. Dally stuck a cigarette in his mouth and sighed.

"So am I supposed to read your mind or something?" He asked.

Sodapop glanced around the room and spotted something on the floor in the corner. He squinted then blinked and looked up at Dallas.

"Was Pony here that night?" He asked.

Dallas' eyes blinked in surprise and he followed Soda's gaze. The sweat shirt was still on the floor. He sighed and cursed but nodded slowly.

"Look I don't know where they are."

Sodapop shook his head. "Are they okay?"

"I'm sure they are. You know both boys were pretty shook up. I gave them some money to help them out. I'm sure they're in Texas somewhere." Dallas thought it would be better not to tell Soda about the gun.

Soda sighed and stood up. He looked at Dallas. " Will you be around later?"

Dally just shrugged "Was there something' else you wanted Soda?"

"No it doesn't matter now."

Soda hoped into the truck and sped out of the Bucks. He had meant to ask Dallas for money to go to see Sandy but now he just wanted to know Ponyboy was okay. He was sure Dallas was hiding him and he just wanted to let Pony know that they were all thinking of him, of them.

Darry's eyes darkened a little when Soda told him what he saw but then he sighed, he had figured Dallas had been involved alright. Johnny would've gone to him first.

Soda sat at the table for a moment then disappeared into his room. Darry sat on the chair studying his hand. These sleepless nights weren't doing them any good. Darry hit his hand with a hammer at work and today was his first day back after everything that happened with Ponyboy. He flexed it painfully and closed it again.

Soda appeared a few minutes later and looked at Darry. "I'm going out again." He shouted from the door.

Before Darry could reply he was gone.

Dallas opened the door and stared at the figure in front of him.

"Wow twice in one night. I'm honoured."

"Yeah yeah. Look just give this to Ponyboy yeah." Soda said taking a crumpled bit of paper out of his pocket. He didn't meet Dally's gaze as he held out the page.

"Look Soda I don't"
"I know you do. I know you'd do anything to protect Johnny man. We all would."

Dally took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. He looked at the boy in front of him. He looked so young sitting there and Dallas suddenly felt so much older then him.

"Please Dally just take it."

Dally nodded and took the paper. "Look let me walk you back in case you get jumped or something."

Soda didn't object. He'd been doing a lot of walking lately. He should've brought the truck .

Soda walked quickly stuffing his hands deep into his jeans pocket to protect them from the cool night air. Dally called after him but Soda wasn't listening.

"Fancy the Dingo?" Dally called for the third time and finally getting his attention.

"It's half Ten." Soda replied turning around now.

"Point being?"

Soda shrugged and then nodded. He'd been spending way too much time indoors lately and brooding over Pony and Sandy wasn't going to do any good.

There was a lot of people around and a few them turned to look at Soda. He noticed them talking when they saw him and he knew what they were saying too. Dally nodded towards him. "Pony and Johnny are like heroes now."

Soda sighed If killing a Soc was what you needed to be hero then these people knew nothing. Johnny did what he had to do plain and simple. Giving the choice he would have rathar not killed that Soc.

Soda spotted Two-Bit and Steve with Katy and Evie. He swallowed hard as they made their way towards them.

"Hey Soda." Evie greeted. "Heard about Sandy, it's always the quite ones huh."

Steve and Dally shot her a look to tell her to shut her mouth but she didn't take the hint and kept on talking.

"I think you're hot, if i weren't with Steve. Sandy's a fool."

"Shut your fucken mouth you stupid bitch." Steve growled.

"Sorry I was just sayin is all."

"Shut up."

Soda drew a sharp breath and looked at Steve. "Don't worry about it. i'll take it out on the next Soc that decides to try and jump us."

"And let them try." Two Bit shouted.

This resulted in a whole group of Greasers and hoods alike choursing "Yeah Yeah,"