A/N: This is a story off an old account I had, it was titled A Fresh Love. I'm retyping it, and it won't be the same as it was originally written, so hope you enjoy it!
Sodapop Curtis slowly walked into the DX gas station store. He wasn't looking forward to the day, because he knew his best friend, Steve Randle, would wander in from the garage to see how his date went last night. Steve had hooked him up with a girl last night named Lydia Hangson, a green-eyed brunette who was a senior in high school and was going to college to become a doctor. That threw Soda off right away, she was being more smart around him and wanted to know his 5-10 year ambitions. It wasn't a very fun or relaxing conversation, and she was too serious for Soda to get interested in. Soda found himself using that excuse for almost every girl he's gone out with for the past couple months; she was either too serious or too childish. That was one thing Soda really loved about Sandy, she could have real fun but become serious if needed. These girls Soda had gone out with couldn't seem to do that. They couldn't seem to do anything that made Soda happy. Steve said it was because he wasn't letting them make him happy, and that always lead to a little argument between them.
Soda figured he'd be over Sandy by now, it had been almost six months since she left. After the first month had passed was when Steve began pushing Soda to go on date after date. He intentionally picked girls that didn't look like Sandy, with hopes Soda would actually get interested in a second date with one of them. At first Soda thought it was a good idea, going on dates with girls to just get his mind away, but he didn't try to look for anything serious or intimate. Steve didn't see it that way though. He wanted Soda to find that long-term relationship. As much as Soda didn't see it as a harmful idea, he just found himself not having fun on dates anymore. He felt forced to ask for a second date if he could even bear it.
That was how Soda's life had been ever since Sandy left. Sure, his brothers and the rest of the gang tried helping, but Steve was pushing him to get back into life. Although Soda didn't like spending his life like this, he'd deal with it to make Steve happy, at least until he figured it out himself. It kept Steve from constantly nagging about it too. Even with all of that, Soda was glad Steve had been there for him so much. He may not have had the right ways to fix it, but he had the right intentions. Soda felt himself being comforted the most by Steve out of anyone. It was becoming a really nice, and sometimes wanting, feeling.
As Soda set up the register and made sure things were in order for the day, Steve walked into the store on cue. "Hey buddy," Steve said joining Soda behind the counter. Soda was waiting for him to egg at him about the date, but at least he felt happiness and relaxed when Steve was around. It made him willing to deal with the questions.
"Hey," Soda responded.
"So how did it go last night?" Steve asked.
"Same old Steve, same old," Soda said.
"Another fail, huh?" Steve asked.
Soda nodded, "I don't know Steve. I've gone on dates at least every other night for awhile now, maybe I should take a break."
Steve shrugged, "I guess that's not a bad idea. You should probably have some guy time, huh?"
"You're only saying that, because you can't find anymore girls," Soda said with a chuckle.
"No, it's just getting harder to find girls. But some guy time will really be good for you. Hell, I could use it too. While you've been out with chicks, I've been at home alone or stuck with Two-Bit or Dal."
"That is all on you," Soda said looking down at the counter.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got some drag racing to do this weekend if you want to come," Steve said.
"Sure," Soda responded, "Who are you racing?"
"I don't know yet, Shepard's just inviting people to go race."
"That should be fun."
"Well do you want to race? Or do you want to be my personal cheerleader?" Steve asked with a smile.
Soda laughed at the comment, "I don't know, I'll think about it. It would be a good distraction I suppose."
"Well hopefully not too distracting behind the wheel to where you kill yourself."
Soda thought for a moment, understanding Steve's meaning behind that. "Yeah I think I'll just watch."
Steve laughed, "Alright, I'll pick you up at 8, unless I come over for dinner first."
"Sounds good. Is anyone else going to be there that you know of?"
Steve shrugged, "Two-Bit I'm sure, just probably the same crowd. Well I'm going to head out to the garage now."
Soda nodded as Steve walked out the door. As soon as he stepped outside Soda got that familiar feeling of loneliness and just felt down. He looked up at the clock, it was eight thirty in the morning. Three and a half hours until him and Steve got lunch. That made him anxious. That was something Soda always looked forward to on a work day was to be with his best friend for lunch. The next best thing was them getting off work and hanging out. Soda loved the feeling he got around Steve and couldn't get enough of it. He wanted more of it and wanted it any time he could. He wasn't even sure what this feeling was, happiness was all he thought of it and he sure needed it. He thought maybe it was because of the dating being too much and he was just longing to spend time with his best friend. It didn't matter what the feeling was, Soda didn't want to put second thinking into it. Only three and a half hours longer until he got more of it.
The time was up. Soda finished up with the last customer and his co-worker, Jeremy, came in from the gas pumps. "Alright Soda, you're good to go for lunch," Jeremy said as he got behind the counter.
"Thanks bud," Soda left the store and walked over to the garage. As he entered, he saw Steve over an open hood of a car.
"Hey," Soda said tapping his arm.
Steve lifted himself up, groaning at how long his back had been bent. Looking up towards the wall clock, he said, "Oh shit, sorry Soda, I wasn't paying attention to the time. Let me get cleaned up real quick, or at least a two minute wipe down." Slamming the hood down, Steve grabbed a towel from the table.
"No problem, just splash some water on you and you'll be good," Soda said.
"Here, you can wait in the car," Steve tossed Soda his car keys as he hurried towards the DX store. Soda took a quick glance at Steve's arms covered in dirt and the little amount of sweat. It took him a minute to shake out of it and remember why he had Steve's keys in his hands.
The boys went to the Tasty Freeze and found a booth. They ordered a couple of burgers and split a basket of fries.
"Sorry last night still didn't work out," Steve said while sipping at his Coke.
Soda shrugged, "Don't worry about it."
"Are they just not your type?" Steve asked.
"I don't really know, Steve. Maybe I've just been going out too much that it's starting to feel like a chore. They are nice girls, they're cute. Hell why don't you take any of them out?"
"Because I'm too busy taking care of you," Steve grinned.
Soda couldn't help, but smile big, "I do appreciate it."
Steve nodded, "I know you do. But really though, have you felt any better about Sandy? It's been six months now."
"I think so. I don't really miss the good times anymore, I just get mad about what she did."
"I know buddy, she was a real bitch for doing that to you. You thought everything of her. It was shitty of her to not be able to return it."
"I'm getting over it though," Soda said, "I just want to slow down on the dating and just get back to how life used to be. Hanging out with the gang, spending more time with my brothers, going to races and dances. I can find dates on my own."
"I know you can. I'm sorry if it seems like I've been controlling your life or running your life for you. That's not what I'm wanting to do."
"I know you don't Steve. It's alright. I told you how I felt though, so it will all be good now."
Lunch ended too fast for Soda. He wasn't ready to be apart from Steve again. He hoped maybe there would be some boxes to unload and Steve could help him stock if he wasn't too far behind on the garage work. Back at work, they made their way to their own stations and got back to their shifts.
"Thanks again Jeremy, you go on to lunch and I'll watch the pump," Soda said.
"Cool, see you soon," Jeremy said walking out. The one thing that Soda could look forward to for the next 45 minutes was anytime a car pulled up to the pump, he'd have a chance to walk out and see his best friend in the garage again. In just three hours, they'd be driving home together and could spend the rest of the night doing whatever they wanted. It'd be the weekend, and Soda could be with the rest of the gang doing their usual shenanigans and the drag race. He was most looking forward to spending that guy time with Steve. Soda preferred that much more than going on a date.
Steve stopped his car at the sidewalk in front of the Curtis household, but he didn't switch off his car. "Aren't you coming in?" Soda asked.
"Naw, I have to go home. If I get kicked out later I'll probably come over, if that's okay?"
"Of course," Soda said quietly. He got that lonely feeling again knowing he might not see Steve until tomorrow. He felt like a little kid again, when him and Steve would hate having to stop playing to go home, or when they were told they couldn't have a sleepover for the second night in a row.
"Hey, you okay?" Steve asked putting a hand on Soda's shoulder.
Soda nodded, wanting to kick himself for his face expressions never lying for him, "Yeah, I'm just tired. I think I'll go take a nap."
"Alright, well I'll either see you later or tomorrow," Steve said.
"Okay," Soda said slowly getting out of Steve's car. It hurt to leave the car and watch as Steve drove away. Soda was really looking forward to hanging out with him after work. The feeling was making Soda question it's intention again, but he shook it off.
After standing at the end of his driveway for awhile just lost in his thoughts, Soda turned and walked inside. Ponyboy and Johnny were sitting in the kitchen. "Hey Soda," Ponyboy greeted.
"Hey Pony, hey Johnny. What are you guys up to?" Soda asked sitting at the table.
"Not much, we were thinking about a movie tonight," Pony said.
"It's the first full day of summer and that's how you guys are going to spend it is a movie? You're not going to do something wild?" Soda asked.
"I think Two-Bit's crazy antics are enough to cover for us," Pony said, "You and Steve should come with."
Soda suddenly felt a sense of hope, "Yeah, I'll call Steve after Darry gets home. It'll be fun. I got to ask Darry if I can go out tomorrow anyway."
"Where are you going?" Johnny asked.
"Steve's going to drag race, so I'm going to watch."
"I still wonder why you ask Darry's permission for things," Ponyboy pointed out, "You are going to be eighteen soon enough."
Soda shrugged, "Force of habit I guess, and I'd rather not suddenly leave the house if he needs me you know?"
"I guess he'd want to know where you're going anyway," Ponyboy grinned, "Whether it's the truth or not."
"Shh, not knowing the whole truth hasn't hurt him," Soda winked.
"Who else is going?" Johnny asked.
"No one that I know of for sure, Shepard's going to be there so I'm assuming his gang will be too. Maybe Dallas, Steve thinks Two-Bit will be. You guys want to come?" Soda asked.
Johnny shook his head. Pony responded, "No, this is probably one of Shepard's blow outs for the summer, so it's probably best we don't go."
Soda nodded, "Yeah, you're probably right. I'm not even going to race, I'm just going to watch Steve. I just need to get out of this house and do something."
"Besides date?" Pony asked jokingly.
"Oh yeah," Soda replied, "Not any secret that's all I do now."
The three boys continued talking as they waited for Darry's arrival. Soda was feeling more and more anxious by the minute. He really wanted to take the chance to see Steve tonight. If he did, he could sleep soundly instead of being awake waiting for the next morning. That was another odd habit he had developed. He was like an antsy child excited to go to an amusement park the next day when he knew he was going to see Steve again.
Around six was when Darry walked in. "Hey guys," he said as he grabbed a glass of water, "God it was so hot out today. I'm exhausted."
"Hey Darry," Soda greeted, "Pony and Johnny want to go to a movie tonight. I was going to go and maybe Steve, is that okay?"
Darry thought for a moment, "I guess. Is this at the movie house or the drive-in?"
Soda looked at Pony and Johnny quickly for an answer. "Drive-in," Pony responded.
"Alright," Darry said, "Just be careful for anyone having their crazy summer parties, alright? Home by twelve?"
"Got it," Pony nodded.
"Cool, I'm going to call Steve," Soda said reaching for the receiver. Darry was taking stuff out for dinner as the phone rang. It ended with no answer. Soda hung up the phone with disappointment, but figured maybe Steve was on his way over. Maybe his dad had been drinking already and they got in an argument. "I'm going to sit outside," Soda said as he walked to the front porch. Time went by and no sight of Steve's car from either side. It made Soda more anxious. "Why else wouldn't you answer the phone?" He had become so focused on looking for Steve, he jumped when the door opened.
"It's time for dinner Soda," Pony said through the open door.
Soda took one last look down the street and went inside. Before sitting at the table, Soda picked up the phone and stretched the cord into the living room. The phone rang and rang, but once again no answer. Soda felt upset as he hung up the phone again. Still, he tried having that little sense of hope that Steve was coming here.
When Soda sat down at the kitchen table, Darry asked, "Is Steve going?"
"No, he didn't answer," Soda said picking at his food, "So I guess we're walking unless I can use the truck."
"You can use it, that's fine," Darry said, "The keys are hanging by the door whenever you guys leave."
"Thanks Darry," Soda said slowly eating his dinner.
The boys didn't leave until a couple hours later, and Soda knew then Steve probably went off elsewhere for the night. He felt a little down that Steve hadn't asked him to go out with him. He tried shaking it off though, he was going to try and have fun anyway. He did want to spend more time with the gang and his brother, so he'd make the most of it. Soda parked in the drive-in parking lot and the boys walked up to the stands to watch whatever movie was playing.
Soda decided to look around to see who else was there. He recognized some other greasers from their side of town. Some were trying to have a party rage in their cars without trying to drag attention for cops to be called.
The three boys were sitting and talking, not really paying attention to the movie even though Soda was trying to let it distract him. Although if Soda really wanted to not let his mind wander, a movie wasn't the best suggestion. Soda began to think about Steve again. He really wished he was there, so they could be together and cause mischief. Steve would know how to get Soda to laugh. It'd at least make the drive-in a little more enjoyable. Steve kept crawling into Soda's thoughts and he tried his hardest to focus on Ponyboy and Johnny.
Pony suddenly pointed down to the parking lot, "Hey there's Dally and Shepard." Soda looked down and thought to himself, 'Thank God. Maybe this can get my mind somewhere else.' Soda couldn't understand why he was longing for his best friend's company, or why it was only getting worse throughout that day, but he hoped he could finally get the distraction he needed. The three boys walked down the stands and strolled over to Dally and Tim.
"Hey guys," Soda greeted.
"Hey Soda," Tim replied, "Hey boys."
"Hey Sodapop, Pony, Johnny," Dally said, "What are you guys up to?"
"Not much, just hanging out," Soda answered.
"Cool," Dally said, "Hey Soda, Tim's having a drag race tomorrow night."
Soda nodded, "I know, Steve told me about it. Are you going?"
"Oh yeah. Haven't had much action all week, everyone was trying to pass school and shit for the year," Dally said lighting a cigarette.
"So far my word is getting out too much," Tim said, "Some Socs want to be there and get their hands on some booze and start trouble. If they think they're going to get past me and cause problems, they got another thing coming."
Dally flicked his cigarette towards the ground. "Damn right. You guys want to hang out with us? We've been trying to find something to do. Go around and bust some guy's chops," Dally grinned at the idea of messing with some people around town.
"Sure," Soda said, "I got Darry's truck."
As they walked towards the truck, Pony couldn't help himself. He nudged at Soda and smirked, "Darry won't get hurt if he doesn't know everything, huh?"
"I never promised the truck would stay at the drive-in all night. It's in between the lines bro," Soda said with a laugh.
Soda and Dally climbed into the front of the truck while Tim, Pony and Johnny got in the back. "Have either of you guys seen Steve tonight?" Soda asked as he started up the truck.
"No, we haven't," Dally said.
"Why? Is he in some trouble?" Tim asked.
Soda shook his head, "No, he wasn't answering the phone and I haven't seen him out anywhere so I was just wondering."
Soda bit his lip before his emotions took over him. He wasn't worried about Steve, he could take care of himself, he just wanted to see Steve. He wasn't liking that he was getting emotional over the unknown at the moment. That made him feel ridiculous. Steve had been there for him through these really tough times though, and Soda was needing more and more of him to be happy. All he wanted was that feeling Steve gave him, happiness and a sight of hope. But was Soda willing to get emotional over not seeing him? He knew that was out of line, he didn't always need Steve around to be happy or not think about Sandy. As weird as it was though, Soda hadn't thought about Sandy as much lately. He knew he wasn't using her as the excuse anymore. He just wanted Steve around. The last time Soda ever had that kind of feeling was with Sandy though. Soda began to wonder if there was some connection between the feelings he was having with Steve and what he use to feel with Sandy.