Chapter 16: The Perfect One

A couple years later…..

Soda was sitting outside of the police station, with Steve's fixed car. Steve had gotten hauled in the other night and had to spend the night in jail. He was caught beating up some soc. And as usual, the cop took it too serious. Since Steve was in torn up clothing and the soc was finely dressed with a red sweater and kaki pants.

Sodapop hasn't been hauled in that much. He remembered once when he and Two-Bit were hauled in for 'disturbing the peace.' They were just doing gymnastic tricks.

"Soda?"

Soda turned around to see Steve's girlfriend, Evie. Steve had been going out with her since the beginning of the year. Soda had been going in and out of relationships. He had met majority of them at the gas station when he was waiting on Steve.

"Hey, Evie. Here for Steve?"

"Yes."

Soda knew that she would be there. She cried when Steve had been hauled off. Soda wasn't there. He had to hear it from Dally. Who was just leaving when they took Soda in. Dally had a good rap sheet. They pretty much knew to come to him whenever something bad happened.

The doors of the station opened and Steve walked out. Soda walked up to him and said,

"Made it."

"Wasn't that bad," he said.

Steve then walked to Evie and they pecked each other's lips.

"C'mon. Let's go," said Evie.

"Go where?" asked Steve.

Soda knew what was going on. Evie wanted to spend time with Steve. Soda didn't mind. He needed to be home anyway.

"Go on ahead and go," said Soda waving his hand.

Steve then looked at Evie.

"Let me have a quick talk with Soda. Then we'll go."

Evie nodded and got into the car. Steve then walked over to Soda.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Go ahead. I need to be home right now anyway. Moms ticked because my grades aren't so hot."

"Alright. See you later. Need a ride?"

"No. I'm fine."

……

"I have your tests graded today class."

Soda's head shot up. He had tried hard on this test. He wanted to know what he had gotten. Steve turned around to him.

"Did you try on this?" he asked.

"Yeah."

Mr. Syme walked through the classroom giving the papers to the class. He reached Soda's desk and gave Soda the paper. Soda looked at it quickly. Sadness hit his face.

He had gotten another F.

Steve turned around again.

"What'd you get?"

Soda showed him the paper.

"Oh. That sucks. I thought you tried?"

"I did. But I don't get the story. Mr. Syme is a good teacher and all, but I'm just dumb."

"You ain't. You know that's the truth."

Soda just took a breath and looked away. The bell rang for lunch.

"Sodapop. Can I speak to you please?"

Soda and Steve looked at each other. Steve shrugged and said,

"I'll see you outside."

Soda went over to Mr. Syme's desk.

"Soda. I know you've been trying hard in my class. Your grades are improving. But they're not enough."

"I know," sighed Soda.

"But you're in luck. I've talked to one of my other students. She's agreed to tutor you."

"Really?"

"Yes. She'll meet you at the library in the adventure section."

"Okay."

Soda was happy he was getting a tutor. He really needed to pass. He hoped it she wasn't a grumpy old lady or something.

Soda walked towards the library. Darry had to tell Soda where it was since Soda had never been there before. Not a day in a life. Shoot, not a second in his life. Soda walked in and had to calm himself. He had never been to a library, but he knew it had to be quiet.

He found the adventure section luckily. He saw girl around his age sitting at a table reading a book. He wondered if that was her. She was pretty.

"Are you the tutor?" he asked.

The girl looked up and said,

"Yes. Are you…Sodapop Curtis?"

"Yup. That's me."

"Hi. I'm Sandy."

"Hi."

The two sat down and began studying.

……..

"Now I get the story," said Soda with a slight smile. Sandy looked at him, smiling.

"I like you," she said. "You have a pretty smile."

Soda looked at her. And for the first time in a while, blushed.

"You have a pretty smile too."