The Outsiders Meet Katrina

Part 2

Storm

DARRY

Just once in my life, I'd like to have a normal, relaxing vacation. Just once! But no, currently , I was sitting in a makeshift bomb shelter, wondering whether or not the roof would still be standing in the morning.

Pony had gone to bed hours age, and Steve and Two Bit had just dropped off. I was left alone with Soda and Alyssa.

"Is she asleep?" I asked, motioning towards Alyssa, who was leaning up against Soda's shoulder.

Soda looked down at Alyssa.

"I don't know. Her eyes are closed." He said.

"I'm awake." I heard Alyssa mumble.

Soda smiled, and kissed her forehead.

"Are you gonna go to sleep?" I asked.

"I don't know. I'm not really tired." Soda said, yawning.

"Yea you are." I said, leaning over to ruffle his hair.

"Yeah, well…I don't want to disturb Alyssa." Soda said, trying to think of a good excuse not to go to sleep. Needless to say, it wasn't working.

Alyssa poked her head up and looked around. "What about me?" She asked.

"Nothing, don't worry about it." I said.

Alyssa shrugged, and put her head back down on Soda's shoulders.

Me and Soda sat in silence for a few minutes. I'm pretty sure that Alyssa was either asleep, or almost asleep. I spoke up.

"What are you thinking about?" I asked, noticing that Soda was looking contemplative.

The storm was still raging outside, and Soda looked over at me.

"I dunno. Just thinking about what I'm going to do when I get home." He replied.

"What're you planning?" I asked, sort of curious as to what went on in his mind.

Soda was quiet for a minute, then looked down at Alyssa's sleeping figure, He leaned back in towards me, so Alyssa couldn't hear if she wasn't asleep.

"I wanna get married." He said, quietly, but earnestly.

I really didn't know what to say at that point. I had no problem with him marrying Alyssa, because in all honesty, I thought she was the sweetest girl in the world.

The only thing I was concerned about , was that they were both so young. I knew that they were both 17, but that's real young to be thinking about getting married. It is a life long commitment.

"You're sure that's what you want?" I asked, just to reassure myself.

"Of course I am. I love her." Soda replied, still In a whisper.

"Hey, I don't know what you're talking about, but I can hear you, so if you're saying something that I'm not supposed to know about, tell me, and I'll go to bed." Alyssa's voice came from beside Soda.

Soda decided to pick her up and put her down on the makeshift pile of clothes.

She opened her eyes and looked up at Soda.

"Thanks hun, you saved me from walking the whole two feet to my bed." She said.

Soda came back to where I was sitting in a minute.

"So anyway, I love her, as I was saying, and I want to marry her." Soda said.

"You said that about Sandy too." I replied, not meaning to bring that up, but having to.

"This ain't Sandy. I love Alyssa in a way that I've never loved anyone else in my life. This ain't like Sandy. Alyssa isn't gonna leave me. The only kid she'll ever be pregnant with will be mine." Soda replied, indignantly.

"Thank you for that lovely mental image." I said, looking away.

"Sorry, I just meant…"

"I know, I know. Don't worry about it, I understand little buddy. I understand." I said, patting his shoulder.

Soda nodded, then we sat in silence again for a few more minutes.

"You're ok with me getting married ain't ya?" Soda asked.

"Ya buddy, I'm fine with it." I said.

That was the honest truth. Actually, if he got married that would probably be a big help to me. Besides, it would be nice to have a female around again, to help out with the stuff that we testosterone pumped guys couldn't do. The real matter was that Soda was madly in love with Alyssa, and that was as plain as the nose on my face, and that was not going to change anytime soon. So that was good enough for me.

"I'm gonna try to get some sleep now." I said, containing a yawn.

"Ok." Soda replied. "Alyssa probably wants me with her anyway, not that I'm complaining." He said grinning. "I really don't blame her. I wouldn't want to be without her to cuddle up with in this weather."

I laughed, and laid back down on the pile of clothes I had laid out for myself.

I really can't have a normal day, let alone a week. My life is so insane. Two brothers. One with a wild imagination, and the other, head over heels in love. Two friends who may as well live at my house but never bother to clean it. Then there's the one voice of reason in this crazy mess, Alyssa. When I can't handle it, I know that she can. She's just like that. Never loses her cool, able to control her temper.

I was thinking about Johnny. He had been so easy to have around, and so easy to get along with. Then, there had been Dally. Tough as nails, but took care of himself. Never needed anyone, but in a way, always needed the gang.

The storm raged on outside, and above me. The place literally shook, and I could hear muffled screams from around me. Different people scared of the storm. Mostly children, but a lot of adults as well. I looked to my left and saw a young mother holding her crying baby, rocking it to sleep and she sat there crying herself.

All the times that I had complained about my brothers, and Steve and Two Bit, and all the times I had said they were too much for me to handle. All the times I told myself I could've had a life if mom and dad hadn't died, and all the times I had wanted to throw them all off cliffs and give up completely. All of those times didn't matter now. At that moment, I know that I wouldn't trade any of them, for anyone else in the world. I knew that you couldn't chose your family, but you can chose to love them. I knew then, that I would chose to love them forever.

I know, I know. I haven't updated this story in a long time. I'm sorry! Anyways, please R&R!

Jess