Faith is Spelled R.I.S.K

Chapter 6

Playing Cards and Sleepovers

The next couple of days went by really slow, because nothing out of the ordinary happened. I figured that Soda hadn't told Alyssa that he was planning on fighting, and if he had, she was obviously ok with it, because she seemed just as in love with him as ever.

I really didn't mind Soda and Alyssa being together. To tell you the truth, I think I was just as "in love" with her as Soda was, only in a different way. She was really sweet, and she didn't treat me like Steve did. She actually treated me like I was 15, not a little kid. I was glad that Soda had found someone that completed him so well. All the while, being single and pursuing someone who was completely oblivious to me, and chasing after someone else, it was sometimes hard for me to watch them together.

Soda came home from work one day and had brought Alyssa home with him for supper. I'm guessing that Darry was ok with it, because he didn't seem to mind her being there at all. Quite the opposite, he was actually enjoying her company. Not as much as Soda of course, because the whole night before supper, he never left her side. Darry had to pry him away from her to get him to help set the table.

All during supper, we didn't bring up the rumble at all. But, of course, I made the mistake of opening my big mouth. Alyssa had asked Soda if he was free next Tuesday night. Soda didn't get a chance to answer, before I spoke up.

"Isn't that the night of the…"

Soda kicked me under the table, but Alyssa had already caught on that something was up.

"The night of what?" She asked, eyeing Soda.

"Umm, the night of my…early birthday party." Soda said, trying not to look her straight in the eye. But, Alyssa wasn't stupid.

"Yeah, sure. Soda, come with me for a minute please." She said, standing up from the table, and pulling Soda with her into the living room.

I finished eating, and took my plate over to the sink. I took a little longer than usual, so I could try to hear what they were saying in the next room.

I could see Soda and Alyssa standing in there, and Alyssa had her arms folded, and was looking at him with a look that would make any normal boy cringe.

"A rumble? Soda, are you crazy! You'll get killed." She said.

"I was going to tell you, I really was. I was just waiting for the right time, and clearly this wasn't it. Look, I'm not going to get hurt, or killed. I've done this before. I promise, I'll be alright." Soda was saying.

He rested his hands on his shoulders, and looked longingly into her eyes, as if pleaded with her to be ok with it.

She didn't budge for about a minute, but then, her shoulders relaxed, and she grabbed both his hands.

"I'm sorry Soda. I don't mean to be so up tight about this, I'm just worried about you that's all. I don't want to lose you, I mean it." She said.

"Pony." Darry called to me. "It doesn't take that long to put your dish in the sink. Leave them alone."

I reluctantly went back over to the table and sat down. I really wanted to know what else they were saying, but no sooner had I thought the words, when Soda and Alyssa came walking back into the kitchen, and sat down. They looked calm, and Soda was somewhat smiling. So, I figured everything was cool between them.

After supper, Soda wondered if anyone wanted to play cards with him. I said yes, and to our surprise Alyssa told us to deal her in as well. Darry had to decline because he had some stuff to do.

We sat down, and Soda dealt us all in. We were playing poker, but we weren't betting, because none of us had any money.

I'll tell you something, that girlfriend of Soda's is some kind of poker player. She beat us at almost every hand, and we weren't even taking it easy on her at all. She shrewd too. She's got a great poker face.

After we got tired of being beaten, we stopped playing. Just as we did, we heard this tremendous thunder clap overhead, and saw a lightning flash outside the window. We all jumped. I ran to the window and saw rain streaming down. It was a regular storm.

"Man, that came out of no where." I said, whistling.

"I guess I should get home. Wish me luck that I don't drown before I get there." Alyssa said, standing up and heading towards the door.

Soda ran in front of her, and blocked her off.

"No way. I am not letting you go home in this. You'll die, then I'll die, and that's not something I'd like to experience. So, no, you're staying here tonight." He said.

"Soda, I don't want to inconvenience you guys at all. I'll be fine, really." She said, pulling on the sleeves of her jacket.

I spoke up then. "No, Soda's right. I don't want to have you driving home in this on my conscience all night. You can stay. You can sleep in our parents old room if you want." I said.

"Oh no Pony. I couldn't do that." She said.

"Then I'll sleep in there, and you can sleep on my side of the bed with Soda. That's probably what you want anyway." I said.

Soda knocked me on the back of the head.

"Ouch. That's not what I meant." I said, rubbing my head, and realizing just how wrong my last statement had sounded. Of course, I knew that they would probably do it anyway, but still, it was something that shouldn't be said in public.

Alyssa was smiling, and trying to cover her mouth with her hand, so Soda couldn't see her grinning at this absurd statement. Soda on the other hand was turning redder by the minute. I could feel my own cheeks getting warm as well, and tried to change the subject, but Alyssa spoke up first.

"Well, if it's alright with Darry, I'd like to say. It would probably be better considering the weather. Besides, my sister isn't home tonight, so it'd be really lonely in the apartment all by myself. I guess I'll take your room Pony, if you're really ok with that. I'd just feel more comfortable in there." She said.

"No problem." I said. "It'll be nice sleeping in mom and dad's old room again. I used to do it all the time when was I was little. You'll be more comfortable with Soda anyhow." I smirked. "And warmer." I couldn't resist adding that last little bit in.

Soda shot me a warning look. Then turned towards the kitchen.

"Do you think that we should ask Darry before we settle on anything for sure?"

"Ask me what?" Darry asked, coming in from the kitchen.

"Since it's storming outside, we thought we'd let Alyssa sleep over here, so she doesn't have to drive home." Soda replied, looking kind of skittish.

"And I assume she'll be sleeping where?" Darry asked, crossing his arms across his chest, and looking back and forth between me and Soda.

I decided to answer for Soda. "She'll sleep in my room, and I'll sleep in mom and dad's old room." I said.

"Will you be ok with that Pony? You won't have nightmares or anything?" Darry asked, now focusing all his attention on me.

I was defensive. I wasn't sure if I really wanted Alyssa to know I had nightmares.

"No way. I'll be fine. I haven't had a nightmare for a long time. I'll be ok as long as I know that Alyssa is comfortable." I said.

Alyssa came over and gave me a hug. "Thanks Pony. You dig ok." She said.

I saw Soda grinning behind me.

"You'd better let go." I said. "I think that Soda's starting to get jealous."

She laughed, and went over to where Soda was standing.

"Don't worry, I've got her all night." Soda said, grinning down at her, and taking her hand in his.

Alyssa laced her fingers through Soda's and playfully poked him in the ribs with her free hand.

"Watch it buddy, or you'll be sleeping on the floor." She said, smiling.

Soda leaned down to kiss her. "Goodnight everybody." He said, leading her into the bedroom, and closing the door behind them.

I went to the bathroom and got ready, but realized that I needed my PJ's. I went to the door of the bedroom, and knocked quietly.

"Come in." I heard Alyssa say.

I opened the door and saw that Soda was already in bed, and Alyssa was standing in front of the mirror combing her hair.

"Sorry, I just need to get my pajama's." I said, going over to the dresser and opening it.

As soon as I got them, I walked back over to the door.

"Night guys." I said.

"Pony, can you turn the light off on your way out?" Soda asked.

"Sure." I said, and flicked the switch, closing the door behind me.

I went into mom and dad's room. I was really dark, and the storm raging outside didn't help me get to sleep. The room smelled like no one had lived in there for years and years.

I got dressed, and climbed into bed.

It wasn't until I had turned off the light that I realized how dark the room really was. I tried to go to sleep, but I couldn't. I almost wished I was back in my own bed with Soda's arm around me.

I don't know how long I was laying there staring up into the blackness of the room, but I eventually got up and walked into my room.

When I opened the door, and bit of light shone through. I saw Soda's arm laying across Alyssa's shoulder. Boy, Darry would be furious if he ever saw that.

I walked over to Soda's side of the bed, and kneeled down so I was almost eye level to him. I tapped him softly on the arm until he woke up.

He rolled over and looked at me groggily.

"What's up Pony?" He asked.

"I can't sleep." I said, shaking due to the cold.

"Listen. Go back in there, and think of the best memory you have of mom and dad. I guarantee it will work. I promise. Now go to sleep. I'm tired." He said, rolling back over.

I stood up and walked back into mom and dad's room. It didn't seem as dark when I laid back down, and the storm had subsided. I did what Soda had told me and gathered my best memory of my parents. I was asleep in about 10 minutes. I slept better than I had in a long time too.

Please R&R!

Jess