Inside the Outsiders

Chapter 8

Hormones and Girlfriends

Disclaimer: Same still applies.

The year flew by. Darry hardly even realized it, and by the time he did, it was his birthday. March was a cold month, but Darry didn't mind. He was turning twelve at last. Finally, he felt old. Almost a teenager.

Soda wasn't buying into the whole Darry teenager thing. He still thought that Darry was young enough to play the same games they had played before. Darry refused, and kept telling Soda that Pony was now old enough to play with him, and that he had more important, grown up things to do.

"But Pony's only four. He doesn't know the difference between a cop and a robber." Soda complained.

"He'll be five in May. You can teach him. He's not helpless anymore." Darry said, as Pony came walking into the room.

"What are you talking about?" Pony asked.

"You kid." Darry replied.

"What did I do?" He asked.

"Nothing Pony. Don't worry." Soda added.

"Ok." Pony shrugged and left the room.

"See, he's highly intelligent. Now, go play." Darry said, starting to turn away.

"You're forgetting, Darry. I'm almost seven." Soda said.

"Yes, and you're forgetting, I'm turning 12 in two days. There's a difference between 7 and 12." Darry said, quite annoyed.

"Not that much of a difference!" Soda said, getting angry.

Darry sighed, and led his little brother over to the couch.

"Listen kid. There's some things that 12 year olds just don't do. They have different lifestyles almost. They have something called hormones, that messes us up."

"So those hormones make you be a jerk?" Soda asked, sarcastically.

"I dunno. Sometimes." Darry replied.

"Well, in that case. You've proved your point. I'm going to go play in my room. Alone." Soda said, pouting, and walked away.

Darry sighed again. He didn't like getting Soda or Pony upset with him. But, things had to be different now. He was getting older and maturing. He couldn't have a reputation in school of being the 12 year old that plays cops and robbers with his seven year old brother.

On the morning of his birthday, he was awakened from a deep sleep by someone tapping him.

"What?" He asked, groggily

He opened his eyes and saw Pony standing by his bed.

"Happy Birthday." He said, quietly.

Darry smiled. "Thanks Pony." He said, rolling out of bed.

When he went out into the kitchen, his mother had made him his favourite breakfast, and his father and Soda were already sitting at the table.

"Good morning. Happy Birthday." His father said, pulling out Darry's chair for him.

"Thanks guys." Darry said, sitting down and digging into his food.

Soda didn't look up, and didn't say anything. Darry didn't really blame him. He had been pretty horrible to him yesterday, but there was nothing he could do. Soda would get over it. He always did.

But Soda did not get over it as quickly as Darry thought he would. All through the day, Soda hardly made eye contact with him, and when he was opening his presents, Soda just sat there. Darry was heartbroken. He hated having Soda mad at him.

After supper, Darry saw Soda sitting on the couch, not really doing much of anything. He decided to work things out.

"Hey Soda." He said, coming over to where he was sitting.

Soda didn't look up, but said "Hi."

"Can I sit down?" Darry asked.

Soda nodded, and Darry took a seat.

"Look kid, I'm sorry about what I said yesterday. I didn't mean for you to take it like that. All I was saying was that things are different now. I'm older, and I can't always be doing the things with you and Pony like I used to. That's just the way it has to be. But, you're still my brother, and I still love you. I love Pony too, and just because I'm twelve, doesn't mean I can't play with you sometimes, just not all the time. All right?"

Soda looked up, and Darry could see a small grin on his face.

"Okay." He said, nodding.

"So you forgive me then?" Darry asked.

"Yea, sure." Soda said. "I mean, I know that you're older now, I guess I was just sad that you were old so fast. I'm gonna miss spending all that time with you."

Darry smiled. "I know kid. But, like I said we'll still spend some time together, just not all the time. Now that Pony's older, you're his big brother, and you have to be a good big brother to him, just like I'm a good big brother to you."

"I'll try. I wanna be like you Darry. So, I'll try." Soda said, leaning over to give Darry a hug.

That night, Darry went to bed happy.

After March ended, April and May went quickly. Soon, it was June again, and Soda turned seven. He was really excited.

On the last day of school, Soda bounced into the classroom, to find Alyssa, Steve and Johnny there, waiting for him.

"Since you didn't have a birthday party this year, we brought you a cake." Steve said.

"Actually, it's a cookie, but it's the best we could do." Alyssa replied, giggling.

"The candle wouldn't fit in it." Johnny said, quietly.

Soda laughed. "Thanks guys." Soda took the cookie, which was actually really big, and broke it into four pieces, and gave a quarter to each of his friends.

At recess, Soda and Alyssa went out to the playground. Steve and Johnny were busy doing other things. They found two swings that were close to each other, and sat down and started to swing.

"So, what are you doing this summer?" Soda asked.

"Well, my birthday's in August. But, I don't know other than that." Alyssa said.

"Are you excited?"

"About what?" Alyssa asked.

"Turning seven." Soda replied.

"I dunno. I guess. What's it like?"

"It's fun. But I don't really feel no different. Just…older a bit. But, it's not as great as I hoped it would be. Darry was right excited about turning twelve, but seven is just another year." Soda said, swinging a bit higher.

"Does Darry have a girlfriend?" Alyssa asked, giggling

"No. I think there's a girl he likes though."

"Who is it?"

"This girl in his class named Kaley. He's always talking about her. I think he really likes her. Hey, maybe Darry could go out with your sister!" Soda said, laughing.

They both laughed, and Alyssa said "Amber doesn't want a boyfriend. Dad says she's not old enough. She doesn't like boys anyway."

"Do you want a boyfriend?" Soda asked.

"I'm not old enough either, silly!" Alyssa said, laughing again.

"Well, you wouldn't have to go on dates, just say that it's your boyfriend. Just for fun." Soda said.

"Well, do you want a girlfriend?" Alyssa asked, putting her hands on her hips.

"I dunno. If I found a girl that wanted to be my girlfriend, I guess so."

"You'd have to kiss them." Alyssa said.

Soda grinned. "That's ok. I see mom and dad do it all the time, and I ain't that bad. I could do it."

Alyssa giggled. "You'd probably kiss them and then go wash your mouth out."

"No, I wouldn't do that. I've never kissed anyone before anyway. Just on the cheek."

"You kissed me on the cheek. Who else did you kiss?" Alyssa asked, slightly frowning.

"Just my mom." Soda said. "Why?"

"Just wondering if I was the only one that's not related to you." Alyssa replied. "Would you ever kiss me?"

"I already did." Soda said.

"No, I mean, would you ever really kiss me? Like your parents kiss?

"You'd have to be my girlfriend." Soda answered, grinning.

"Why?" Alyssa asked.

"Because that's just the way it works!"

"How do you know? You've never had a girlfriend before." Alyssa said.

"Well, how do you know that's not the way it works? You've never had a boyfriend." Soda said. "Besides, Steve told me."

"How does Steve know?"

They were both quiet for a minute.

"Maybe it's better if we don't ask." Alyssa said.

Soda nodded.

"So, you never answered my question." Soda said.

"What question?"

"Do you want a boyfriend?" Soda asked.

" I told you, I'm not old enough." Alyssa said.

"Well, yes, but if you were, would you want one?

Alyssa was quiet for a minute. "I guess so. Why are you so interested?"

"Maybe I could be your boyfriend." Soda said.

"You?"

"Yeah. I mean, we're best friends, so it's not like we don't know everything about each other already. It wouldn't be weird, and all we would have to do is say that we were. We wouldn't have to buy each other stuff, and go to the movies or anything."

"Do you just want an excuse to kiss me?" Alyssa said, grinning.

"Well, I would have to if you were my girlfriend, wouldn't I?" Soda asked.

Alyssa shrugged. " I guess you would. If you wanted to, and if I let you." She said, grinning again.

"Would you let me?" Soda asked.

"I dunno. It depends. As long as my dad wasn't around, cause then I'd probably get into trouble."

"Don't worry. We'd only kiss at school where no one could see us." Soda said.

"So you would kiss me?" Alyssa said.

"I already told you I would. Only if you were my girlfriend."

"Do you really think we're old enough?" Alyssa asked.

Soda shrugged. " I dunno. What's old enough?"

Alyssa shook her head. "I don't know. I never really thought I'd have to figure that out until I was older."

Soda laughed.

"So, are you going to be my girlfriend, or what?" Soda asked.

"You have to ask me nicer than that." Alyssa said

"I don't know how to ask." Soda said

Alyssa smiled. "Well, I guess you have to say, Alyssa will you go out with me."

Soda nodded. "If I do, would you say yes?"

"You have to ask me first. I'm not going to say yes or no until you ask me."

Soda grinned. "Ok, Alyssa, will you go out with me?"

Alyssa moved in closer to Soda's swing.

"Of course I will, Soda." She said, laughing.

"Then, you're my girlfriend?" Soda asked.

"Absolutely. Which means, you're my boyfriend?"

Soda smiled. "Definitely. So, what are we supposed to do now? I mean, what are boyfriends and girlfriends supposed to do, other than kiss?"

Alyssa thought about this. "I don't know. Maybe, we can kiss first, and then decide after that."

"Are you sure?" Soda asked, seeming nervous.

"I guess so. Why? Are you scared?"

"Well…it's just that…I really don't know how to kiss someone like that. I know how to kiss you on the cheek, but I don't know how to do it the other way. I've only ever seen my parents do it, and I wasn't really watching." Soda said, looking at the ground.

"I don't know how to either." Alyssa replied. "So, you don't have to be nervous."

"Ok, so maybe we can talk each other through it. How do we start?" Soda asked.

"I think we have to get closer." Alyssa said.

Soda and Alyssa both moved their swings in closer to each other.

"Do we have to close our eyes?" Soda asked.

"Umm…I don't know. Maybe." Alyssa replied.

"I never really understood that." Soda said.

"Understood what?"

"Why people have to close their eyes when they kiss. If you like someone, don't you want to be able to see them?"

Alyssa was quiet, then shrugged. "I don't know. I guess it's just a romantic thing. Maybe people think it's rude to look at the person you're kissing."

"That's dumb." Soda said.

"Well, I don't know. I'm not like an expert here, Soda." Alyssa said, sarcastically.

"Ok then, lets go over this slowly. We've gotten closer. We'll close our eyes, and then…what? Do we just put our lips together?" Soda asked.

Alyssa giggled. "I think there's a little more to it than that."

"We put our lips together and…"

"Kiss." Alyssa said. "I can't think of anything else to do."

"Ok, so do you want to try?" Soda asked.

"I guess so."

They started to move in again, but Soda stopped.

"Wait. I want to know something." He said.

"Ok… What?" Alyssa asked.

"Will this be your first kiss?"

Alyssa smiled. "Yes. Yours?"

Soda nodded.

They moved in closer again, and this time, they didn't stop until they were almost touching. Soda squeezed his eyes shut, and Alyssa did the same. Soon, their lips were touching, and they held it there for about ten seconds.

Soon they separated, and looked at each other, and smiled. Then, they got up of the swings, and walked back to the school.

As they were walking, Soda looked down, and carefully took Alyssa's hand, and kept on walking.

Well, that chapter was a lot cheesier than I thought it would be. But, none the less. Please R&R!

Jess