I'm becoming slow on the updates...sorry! Hopefully this chapter quinches your story craving.
And reviews make me happy :)

Chapter 13

The next day I was very sore as I was for the day after. Soda came over that Monday after his shift and just spent some time holding my hand while I was in bed. He didn't stay very long and told me he'd make it up to me tomorrow. I grinned weakly; he had a surprise planned for my birthday.

The next day I felt completely better. Maybe it was because it was my sixteenth birthday, or maybe I really did feel better. But then, today was the day I was supposedly getting my driver's license. I was supposed to get the official Illinois one, but then we moved and my mom had to send all the information here. The lady at the DMV told her it'd be ready on my birthday. Well, actually she said April 12, but that is my birthday, so it works.

I went into my mom's room and jumped on her bed. "Mornin' Ma," I said, grinning. She just laughed. "Honey, it isn't open yet, and besides I've been thinking…:

My smile dropped. "I can't get my license?"

"Well, I mean, I think you should wait until this gender thing works its self out. You won't respond to your biological name, and I'm afraid you'll get in trouble by a cop for correcting him. I just don't want you to get hurt, honey…"

"No!" I protested. "I promise Mom, I'll respond to William if a cop calls me that, I'll even-I'll even let him call me a boy. Please Mom; please can we get my license."

"Do you promise?" I nodded.

"Yes, I promise."

"If I hear you mouthin' off to a cop because of your name, or gender, I'm going to take that license away. No ifs, ands, or buts, is that clear?"

I nodded. "So, can we go?"

Mom laughed. "Yes, just let me get something to eat first."

I watched her eat her breakfast, "Hurry, Mom. Hurry." She laughed again, and finally at half past nine we got going.

The DMV was crowded, even for a Tuesday morning. People were lined up, and kids were wailing how bored they were, and teenagers were either shouting with joy, or looking as if the world ended.

Mom and I took our spots in line, her hands equipped with DMV necessities like my birth certificate and other paper work. The DMV line took forever and when our time came, we were greeted by a not so cheerful lady.

"What're you here for?" She asked us dully.

"My child's picking up a driver's license," my mom stated, making sure to not use "he" or "she."

"Do you have the birth certificate?" Mom nodded, showing her the paper. The lady looked at me then at the paper. "Fill out all the areas marked," she said again in her bored voice. She handed us our number and we took a seat.

Mom started filling out the paperwork they gave us. She chuckled at some of the asked questions. "Are you a man or a woman?"

I bit on my lip; I knew she was just kidding. "Mom." I blushed. "That's not funny." I cringed inside watching her check the box labeled male. She knew it was bothering me, but we both knew we had to put whatever society deemed me as for all the answers, and not what I was.

She finished the rest of the papers and we just sat there waiting for our number to be called. We were E05 and they weren't even to the C's yet.

"So," Mom began. "How does it feel to be sixteen?"

I shrugged. "When I can drive, I'll tell you."

"Just remember what I said…"

"Yeah, I know."

She smiled and ruffled my hair. "I'm making your favorite cake, y'know."

I grinned. "Chocolate? With Chocolate brownie pieces sprinkled on top?"

Mom laughed. "You're going to die from all that chocolate."

"Nah." I shook my head about to speak as the announcer came on. "E05, E05, please report to window number four." I looked down at our ticket and followed my mom to the window. She handed over the paper work as the person behind the window just nodded.

"Alright, William, go to that section to have your picture taken, and then your license will be ready in ten minutes."

I walked to the where she pointed and waited in the line impatiently. I tapped my foot while I waited and when my turn came I grinned. "Smile," the photographer said, and I just grinned. I was finally on one step closer to my freedom.

I got my license ten minutes later and Mom and I left. When we got home I just grinned at her. "Can I take the car for a drive?"

"My car?"

"Well, yeah. Peter's is all rusted. No offence, it's not really cute."

"Honey, I would feel better if you take his car. I need mine to do some errands and I cannot for the life of me, work his car. If you want to drive, you take his car until he gets back. Then, we'll decide on the situation of you possibly getting your own car."

I sighed. She wasn't going to budge on me driving her car. I just nodded and took my license and pried the door to Pete's car open. His truck was old and rusty, and it wasn't in the greatest shape in the world. But, I had to get used to it. It was my new ride for the time being.

I sat in the rusty car, forcing the mirrors to the right position for me. When that was done, I put the key in the ignition and drove off to the DX.

The line at the gas pumps were long, and it didn't help that the elder couple in front of me were chatting up a storm with Soda. The lady was going on about how he was a sweet boy and when she thought her husband wasn't looking, gave Soda a nickel.

The older man chuckled and apologized to Soda. "I'm sorry. If she'd had her way, we'd be here all night. Now c'mon, honey, we want to get to Joey's party before he turns twelve." The couple got into their car and drove off.

I rolled down my window as Soda came over. "Hey," I greeted.

He grinned back. "Nice truck y'got there. It yours?"

I shook my head. "I wish. It's my brothers, but I drive it until he comes back."

"From Nam, right?"

I looked at the floor of the truck. I don't know why I kept saying when he was coming back, the proper word should be if, not when. But Mom won't say if, only when, and I guess that's rubbed off on me.

"Uh, yeah." I bit on my lip again and Soda knew what was going on.

"Don't worry," Soda reassured me. "He's fine. So, got any plans for tonight?"

I shook my head. "Just cake an' presents with Mom."

"Then come over," Soda said. "I've got a present you'll never forget."

I shook my head at him. "Soda, I told you I'm not ready for sex."

"Then we won't have sex. C'mon, Bill, live a little. It's your sixteenth birthday, have a little fun."

"I said I'm not ready for sex, Sodapop," I replied annoyed.

"I know. I'm not going to force you, Billie. Trust me. We'll do something else. Maybe have something to drink. Unless you're a virgin to drinking."

I laughed. "Soda, please. Drinking's something I've done plenty of. I've been drinking since I was eight years old."

"Bullshit. Catholic communion grape juice mixed with wine doesn't count."

"Alight, alright, since I was thirteen then."

"Jus' come over tonight, Bill. Give ya a present you-hopefully- won't forget."

"What? Gonna get me wasted or somethin'? Well, Sodapop, it takes a lot to get me wasted. Like six or seven. And ain't ya gonna put some gas in my car?"

"Already did. I'm just waitin' for my pay."

I leaned over and kissed him on the lips. "There. I paid."

"Don't think the boss will go for that…He kinda likes money."

"Oh, well then here." I handed Soda a little more than what the gas cost and told him to keep the change. "See you tonight." I waved at him as I drove back to my house.

It was mid-afternoon by now and when I pulled into the driveway, I saw that Mom already decorated the house with "Happy Birthday" banners and balloons. I walked into the house and was immediately greeted with a hug from her.

"Happy Birthday sweetheart," she said for what seemed like the hundredth time today.

"Thanks Mom…Is that cake I smell?"

"Yes, it's almost done. Don't touch it until it's ready. I know you like to stick your fingers in when I'm not looking."

"Mom, Soda wants me to go over to his house tonight, can I?" I asked, even though I was going over no matter what she said.

"That's fine, dear. It's your birthday. Just don't stay out to late."

"I won't, I promise." I heard the timer in the kitchen go off and grinned. My cake was ready. I rushed into the kitchen and Mom just laughed sticking candles in the cake. She sang her off-key version of "Happy Birthday," then told me to make a wish.

I had no clue what to wish for. There were many different ideas floating around in my mind, and I decided on one wish: I wish everything will stay as it is forever. Currently, everything after Saturday night went great, and I didn't want anything to change.

My mom sliced the cake and the two of us ate the cake until we couldn't eat anymore. Then she headed off into the dining room with some packages, and I grinned. Presents! Before she could even place them in front of me, I already was ripping the paper off.

Pretty soon the trash pile grew and the gift pile was visible to reveal some clothes, a journal, and some water color paints and paper. I hugged Mom to thank her and looked across the street. Soda would be home soon, and I knew just how to surprise him.

I pulled the tags off my new clothes and tried them on. It wasn't pink this time, and they were actually pretty cute. I tied in a matching blue ribbon to go with my outfit and then modeled the outfit to Mom.

She just smiled and kissed the top of my head. "I'm glad you like it honey. Are they too big? I have the receipt if you need to take them back…"

I shook my head. "They're perfect just the way they are."

Mom just smiled shaking her head. She kept seeing me look across the street for Soda. When he finally got in his house, Mom just laughed. "Alright, you can go over now."

I waved good bye before I bolted out the door to go visit Soda. Before I could even knock on the door, Soda opened it for me.

"Hey," he greeted, kissing my cheek. "Happy birthday, Bill. You look cute."

I blushed. "I got it today. So, what d'you have planned?" I asked him, swaying back and forth.

"Maybe a drink or two, then back here. What d'ya say?"

"Sure." I shrugged; I didn't see a problem in that.

"Lemme just get ready," he said. I just nodded as Ponyboy came up to me.

"Hey Billie," he said in a tone I've never heard him use before."So why do you get your own private changing room in gym?"

Was he still bothering me about that? I just shrugged. "Fuck off, Ponyboy."

"Are you hidin' something?" He asked, causing me to blush. Fuck. He didn't know, did he? "Y'know, you're pretty flat for a chick. How come? You are a chick, right?"

The color drained from my face.. "Yeah, I'm a chick. Just, um, just go away Ponyboy." I rolled my eyes, watching him walk away. I was pretty sure he knew, but right now it's my word against his—I was pretty sure I'd win.

When Soda finally came out, I rushed over to him and gave him a hug and he returned the favor.

"So, we're ya taking me?" I asked Soda. We walked out of his house before he answered me.

"You'll see."

I stopped in my tracks. "Is it a party, a club, or just some private place? I'm not moving until you answer."

"You hear of that place near the tracks?"

"That brick building? One with lotsa noise?"

"Yeah, that one."

"We're going there?" I could see his face drop, like I wasn't going to let him go to a party.

"Unless you don't want to…" he started.

"No, it's fine. I'll tough it out for tonight. I don't mind, Soda."

He kissed me again. "We won't stay long, I promise."

I shook my head. "Soda, I'll stay as long as you want." I kissed him back.

We both went inside to the party, and he grabbed my waist. I blushed, making sure to stay close to him. He had a look of this is my girl on his face, and I couldn't help but giggle. I stayed close to him throughout the whole party, even when we ran into Steve and Evie.

Soda let go of my waist, and went over to talk to Steve. I was left alone with Evie who made her way over to me, smiling. "Want a drink?" She offered, handing out a cup of some sort of liquid.

I knew it wasn't something I should be drinking, but I took it anyway to be polite. I took a sip and scrunched my nose in disgust. "What is this shit?"

She shrugged, and I ended up dumping the rest in the trash. We stood by each other for a good thirty minutes before Soda and Steve came back. They both were a little tipsy, I could tell. Soda grabbed my waist again and grinned. "Wanna go back to my place?"

I shrugged again. "Sure."

Soda kept a hold onto my waist as we walked all the way back to his house. As we went inside I took notice of the empty house. "Pony an' Darry ain't here right now, it's jus' you an' me."

I nodded. "I can tell-Soda!" I shrieked, giggling. He picked me up, laying me on the couch. He jumped on top of me, and began kissing me. I blushed, not wanting him to get to close to that area. I kissed him back, though, and we started getting violent.

He started trying to wrestle off my clothing and almost got my shirt off, still kissing me, when he got to the lower half of my body. He started tugging on my skirt, running his hand over the creases in the new fabric.

He froze when he got halfway down and jumped back.

"B-Billie?"

Oh, shit. "Yeah?"

"What's that? Well, I know what that is, but why is it on you? You're a chick right?"

I turned red. "Well, mentally I'm a chick, but physically…"

His face turned whiter than Christmas snow. "You're a?"

I weakly nodded my head. "That won't be a problem will it?"

"Of course not…" he said sarcastically," I always like my chicks with dick…OF COURSE THAT'S A PROBLEM! I date girls, Billie-if that's even your real name."

"Soda," I said softly. "I can explain."

"Explain what? That you like dudes? That you're a queer? Fuck Billie, you just don't hide this shit, it's just not something you hide. I knew Ponyboy was right…," he muttered.

"He told you? When I get my hands on that little shit I'm gonna..."

Soda's anger rose. "You're gonna what? Don't you fucking dare touch my baby brother, Billie. Don't you fucking dare!"

"But Soda," I whined. "I can explain."

"Billie," Soda took a deep breath. "Billie, I don't date boys. I like girls, and I'm not queer." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I can't believe-Jesus Christ; I can't believe you never told me."

"I'm telling you now."

"Bill, I can't…I'm not…"

"I understand," I said softly.

"Good. 'Cause I don't wanna make this harder than it is. Let's just forget this whole thing even started," he said.

"I can't," I muttered softly. "I can't forget Soda; I love you."

"Yeah, listen Bill, I…you're a guy. I can't…it's just…no offence…It's…I can't do this. I'm not queer."

"I know Soda, I know. But I thought that maybe you'd understand."

"Understand what? What it's like to be with chicks with dicks? Being queer? I ain't got no knowledge in that department. None at all."

"Now that you know, I'm not afraid to have sex with you anymore."

Soda snorted. "Billie, I'm not going to have sex with a guy. I think you should just go home now, forget this relationship thing ever happened."

I sighed, and walked out of Soda's house. There was no point in going back, now that he knew all I could do was move on.

Sodapop Curtis and me were all the past now, and I still was madly in love with him.