A/N – I know, I know, go on and hate me for being the worst author ever. I sit around and pout cause none of my favorite stories are being updated and yet I do the same thing to my readers…I really am sorry though…

Home Chapter 16

I woke about 5:30 the next morning to the sound of Darry in the shower. I was still curled up with soda, his arms still tight around me, sometime during the night we had gotten a blanket thrown over us. I was warm and comfortable and scared shitless of when Soda would wake up. He was my best friend…but that certainly wasn't how we'd been acting.

I got up slowly, careful not to wake him. I walked into the kitchen and looked in the fridge, happy to see food other then cake and beer.

I took out eggs, bacon, and orange juice, and was amazed to find bread in the cabinet. Darry would be out of the shower soon and Pony would be getting up for school, so I began breakfast right away.

An hour later I stared at what had been breakfast and was now a mess on the table that resembled a war zone; the way boys could eat would never cease to amaze me it seemed.

Darry had already left for work, Pony had headed for track practice, and Soda was in the shower. As I washed dishes and pans and cleaned the table I tried to sort through the thoughts that were running rampant in my head.

I liked Soda, I always had, but I had just gotten back. I didn't know him anymore and he didn't know me. Yet I was comfortable with him, I felt safe.

Soda came out of the shower dressed in jeans and a faded flannel shirt. I smiled uneasily, not sure what to say. Shy around Soda for only the second time in my life.

"I should be getting back to the dorm." I finally said, "Cherry's going to be worried."

"Oh, I'll walk you home then." As Soda came foreword to get his jacket off the hook I felt his arm brush mine, sending a chill up my spine.

Soda dropped his hand from his coat and ran it down the side of my face. I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying his warm hand on my face.

He moved so his lips were just a breath away from mine, his warm breath coming quick. He leaned his forehead against mine.

"I want to kiss you Chloe but I'm scared to death of losing you again."

What could I say? As much as I wanted him to kiss me I couldn't see into the future, I didn't know what would happen if we got together, he could lose me in a breakup, who knew?

After what seemed like an eternity Soda moved in and kissed me, bridging the small distance between us. His kiss was warm and sweet, it was gentle, demanding nothing of me. I kissed him back, my hands going around his neck, and tangling in his hair as he moved his hands to the small of my back.

I finally broke away, my head spinning.

"Wow. Was all I could get out.

"Ya…wow." Soda said quietly, catching his breath.

I smiled "I ever would have seen that coming a few weeks ago when I landed on your doorstep."

"Neither had I…but I'm glad it did." Soda came foreword to kiss me again. I grinned and let out a little giggle holding him back with my hands.

"I have class in an hour and we need to figure out where this going boy."

Soda laughed. "Fine, fine if you insist. I'll even walk you home."

Soda and I walked back to building. This was the first time I had been seen with any of the guys on campus; I had been worried about my reputation. But last night at the movies I realized there really were the same jerks as before. Screw them; I was to be happy no matter what.