Disc. I don't own the Outsiders. Do I gotts to do this every time?

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The next two days were a drag. I didn't here anything from Soda. Not one call. He probably thinks he can't call because of my dad. This whole time he's spent with Kathy though. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt if I called, I mean surely he's outta work by now. I forced my hand to reach for the phone and dialed.

"Hello?"

"Hi Pony, Soda home?"

"Uh, no what can I do for ya?"

"Just let him know I called."

"Do you need to see him cuz I can send him soon as he comes home," Pony said sounding worried.

"No, it's okay."

"Alright then, bye Mel."

"Bye."

Where could he be? It wasn't like him to get home so late. What if he went with some other girl? Maybe he didn't want to see me anymore. I never usually got this protective over guys but this was MY guy. I knew he wouldn't do anything like that but I couldn't help but wonder. I was a prisoner of my imagination for the rest of the night. I could only hope that work tomorrow would get this off my mind.

Pricing candy boxes, not the most exciting, but my job for the day. At least I had company. Sam, she's only fifteen but works just as hard as any of us ever will. She's got shoulder length red hair and hazel eyes. Sometimes they really stand out depending on what she wears. Cheerful disposition kind of gal. She can get you in a good mood just by being around you. Hope it worked today.

ChocolatebarNO.49651. Down the list... okay, 40 cents each. SuckerQNo.3021, 39 cents each. HeartSuckersNo.60347. I held the heart candy out in front of me as if I could melt it if I stared at it hard enough.

"Somethin' wrong ?" Sam asked as she tilted her head to the side. I grinned at her and put the sucker back in the box.

"How'd you know?"

"First of all you've been staring at that heart sucker for a while, plus you labeled the chocolate bars wrong."

I looked through the list again. Fifty-five cents, not forty. Forty wasn't even anywhere on the list. Sam sat next to me and had the 'I'm expecting you to tell me' look on her face.

"It's stupid, I shouldn't be, I mean, well, I'm overreacting."

"To what?"

I felt obligated to tell her. She was pretty trustworthy, not that this was a secret or anything.

"If it's bugging you so bad why don't you go visit or call him again? He can't hide forever. I'm sure there's a good, acceptable reason he's doing this, just don't panic Mel. Hey, if it's your birthday any time soon, he might be planning your surprise party right now!" Sam reassured as if she was positive this was the reason behind everything. She did make it sound pretty convincing.

"Thanks Sam," I called back to her already half way to the phone. So he was running late for once, big deal. I would call, listen to his voice and feel better. I don't know why I felt bad in the first place. See, I felt better already.

"Hello, Steve?" I need to talk to Soda real quick."

"Sorry Mel, he ain't here yet."

"But his shift started over an hour and a half ago!"

"I know, I uh, guess he's runnin' a little late. I can tell'im to call you back soon as he gets here."

"No, it can wait. Thanks anyway Steve."

"Okiedokie then, bye."

He was never late to work. Never. At least not for reasons I haven't known of before. Sam walked in slowly, trying not to startle me.

"How'd it go?"

I shook my head at her.

"I'm Sorry," she mumbled, "If you need me, I'll be in the front." I felt her eyes follow me as she stepped out of the room. When I no longer felt her presence, I felt free to collapse on the floor. 'What if' thoughts poured into my head again. I had to see him after work. I had to get this thing in my head straight.

The day went by slowly and counting the ticks the clock made didn't' seem to help. I left work just a little early to get a head start on my journey to the Curtis home. Pony, as usual, sat reading on the porch. I tried to make my voice sound as casual as possible and finally tried it aloud.

"Hey Pony. Soda get home yet?"

"No." he said not looking directly at me. "That reminds me, I'd better do my homework 'fore Darry gets home." He waved at me and disappeared inside. Something was definitely wrong. I hadn't realized I was still standing there until Ponyboy came back out.

"You need something, Mel?"

"No, I was just..." I didn't know what to say.

He stood there a while studying me and finally spoke up.

"Don't feel bad."

How did everyone seem to know there was something wrong with me? Was I really that predictable?

"Bad about what?" I lied.

"You know, Soda not being around lately."

All I could do was crouch down and stare at a blade of grass on the ground.

"He's been... Mel, he really loves you, you know. A while back when everything was normal, you know with Dally and Johnny, he told me he wanted to"- suddenly he cut himself off,"... Uhh, don't worry, trust me, he really cares about you."

I had so many questions but asked none. Why couldn't Pony ever finish his sentences? I wanted to know everything everyone was keeping from me but I had no choice then but to leave. I couldn't decide whether to feel better of worse. Everyone else seemed to know where he was. Why didn't anyone tell me? I wonder what Pony was gonna say about Soda wanting to do something. I had way too much on my mind.

Work next day- same. Sam didn't say much to me but we both knew what we were thinking. She would only smile at me sympathetically not finding anything to say. As I stood thinking to myself, I spotted the shadow of somebody walking in. I turned to see that it was the manager. Quickly I looked for something to do but realized there was nothing. She looked at my idle hands for a second and then up at me. Forcefully, I faked a smile.

"So, Melissa" she started. God, I hope she wasn't gonna fire me.

"We need a little extra help around here, and you seem like a willing participant. If you don't mind, I'd like you to put in a few extra hours once in a while. Sam already agreed."

"Of course" I answered in great relief. She nodded big and I listened to her heels click down the hall. I heard them click back and she peeked her head into the room.

"Today would be okay, right?" I signaled a thumbs up and she left. At least this would get my mind off stuff.

After long hours of sorting things, the other employees began to leave. Mrs. M (the manager) came in and handed me the keys.

"I trust you." she whispered and walked away. The only people left in the store were Sam and I. Honestly, It felt creepy. The afternoon fell into nigh time and the store darkened. Sam and I were charged with the task of taking everything out of the boxes and placing it where it belonged. A huge order had just come in and I didn't think we could finish any time soon. I had to find Sam to tell her we were leaving. I stepped into the hallway taking long strides so I wouldn't have to listen to my own footsteps.

"Sam?" my voice echoed. "Sam?"

"Coming" she yelled and ran towards me. She seemed a bit jumpy.

"Mel, you think you could walk me home? I mean, if it's not too much trouble."

"Sure thing. I don't wanna walk alone myself."

She sighed in relief and seemed instantly relaxed.

"Sam, how 'bout we leave now. We can finish next week."

"Way ahead of you." she remarked pushing the boxes aside. I locked the door behind us and stuck the keys in my pocket.

"Lead the way." I told her. We walked in silence for a while. I didn't mind but it seemed a bit awkward. Suddenly Sam broke it.

"Mel, what's Soda like?" It was a little weird she was asking but I had been talking about him an awful lot lately.

"Well, he's always got a smile on, like you. He has the most amazing eyes and dark gold hair." I couldn't help but giggle. "He's the best."

Sam seemed fascinated by what I was telling her. When we finally reached her house, she stopped on her front steps.

"Mel," she said, "He'll come around."

I only had to walk about half a mile back to my house. For some reason, I wasn't scared anymore. I kept thinking about what Sam told me and to a certain extent, it gave me comfort. There was something about that girl I really liked. I don't know if she was just telling me what I wanted to hear or if – I don't know. I like her though. Approaching my house, I could tell nobody was home. The lights were off, and my dad's car was gone. I turned the knob and to my surprise, it was open. I'm sure my father was in a rush to see Kathy but he could've at least locked the door. He's sure been spending lotsa time with her. Opposite of Soda and I. Yeah, it's only been six days, (not that I was counting) but feels like an eternity. How did Sam know he'd come around? How did anyone know anything? Everybody else was in tune with what was going on and seemed to know it was gonna get better. Why did I feel so crapy then? Too many questions, not enough food. I began peeling a rather brown banana. He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not. Stupid banana, I should've left room for another peel. I sat by the window waiting to see something. Anything, stray cat, leaf blowing in the wind, Soda... he'd be home from work. Very tired. I can always help with that…

I returned from my daydreaming when I heard quick footsteps approaching. Soda! Knocking my chair down, I stood up to open the door.

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I'm soo sorry it took me so long to update. I died. Luckily I came back to life and had enough time to type this and eat a sandwich! Hope you guys liked it cuz just so you know I could've had another sandwich instead of doing this…