Hey everyone. I managed to write another chapter before I leave tomorrow. I hope you like it. R&R.

I don't own the Outsiders tears I only own Dani and xForza Italia 06 NYx owns Serena

Chapter 23

Dani's POV

The next few days, I stayed in Serena's room, in bed, with the covers up to my chin. The only time I left the room was to go to the bathroom, and I didn't have much of an appetite, so whatever food was brought up to me usually remained uneaten. The only reason I'm leaving the room today is because it's Christmas. I don't know why they want me around. It's not like I'm going to be much fun.

I walked downstairs in a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt that used to be Dally's, and found the whole gang in the kitchen. "Hey Danigirl. Want some breakfast?" Darry asked.

"No thanks. I'm not really hungry."

"C'mon Dani. You haven't eaten all week. You gotta eat something," Serena said. I grabbed a piece of toast off Dal's plate and took a bite. I put a fake smile on my face and went into the living room, curling up on the couch.

I heard the scraping of chair legs on the kitchen floor, and shortly after, Sodapop came into the living room. He sat down next to me and said, "I know how you feel." I just looked at him with a confused expression. "Me and Sandy broke up," he explained, "She's pregnant with another guy's baby." You could hear the hurt in his voice.

"Oh Sodapop. I'm sorry. I didn't know," I said, giving him a hug. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. "You must be really hurting."

"Yeah, but just know that you're not alone in this break up thing. And you can't stay locked up in Serena's room because of Tim. He's an idiot. You gotta get back out there and mingle with all those other guys that find you attractive."

I smiled. "I know, Soda. It just hurts. How could he think that badly of me? We went through a lot together. We snuck around behind you guys' backs, we pretty much lived together, I lost my virginity to him. It sucks."

"I know, but you'll get through it. Any other guy would be happy to have you."

"I love talking to you Sodapop Curtis. You always make me smile, even when I'm feeling horrible." I kissed his cheek and got up. "C'mon, I think I'll have some breakfast now." I took his hand, and we went back into the kitchen.

When we finished breakfast, Pony asked, "Can we open presents now?"

"Yeah, go ahead," Darry answered.

We all went into the living room and sat down—Soda, me, and Dally on the couch, Serena on Dal's lap, Darry in his chair, and everyone else on the floor. Two-Bit decided to take the liberty upon him to play Santa and pass out the presents. We all started opening our presents. "Wow," I said when I opened my present from Dallas. It was a heart shaped locket with a picture of me and him when we were younger. "Thanks Dal. It's beautiful," I said and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"I knew you'd like it," he replied.

"Thanks Dani. I've always wanted this," Pony said, referring to the copy of Gone With the Wind that I bought him.

"You're welcome Pony. I know you love the movie, so I figured you'd love the book too."

When we got everything unwrapped and threw away the paper, Two-Bit said, "Hey there's another present under here."

"I'll take that. It's for Tim," I said, taking the gift from him. "I'll be back. I'm gonna go leave this on his porch."

"Can I go with you?" Soda asked.

"Sure," I said, putting my winter gear on. He did the same, and we walked out of the house.

"So what'd you buy him?" he asked.

"Umm…it wasn't for him exactly. It was more for me to wear and him to see, if you get my drift."

"Oh, I got it." We reached Tim's house, and I placed the present on the porch next to his door. I walked back down the porch steps, and Soda and I started walking back to his house.

"I think it's about time you get a car, Sodapop. It's too cold to be walking."

He laughed. "Well, I don't really have the money to right now, but hopefully soon."

"Yeah, hopefully real soon."

We reached the house and walked inside. No one was in the living room where we left them, and we were too cold to try and look for them. We sat on the couch, with Soda's arm around me, and covered up in a blanket to keep warm.

Tim's POV

"Hey man, this was on your porch," Curly said, walking into the living room. He handed me the package and I looked at it. There were two envelopes. One said 'Read First'. The other said 'Read Second.' The package said 'Open last.' I opened the first envelope and started to read the note. It was definitely Dani's handwriting.

Dear Tim,

This is just a little something to make you want me even more. It's for your eyes only. When I saw it in the store, I knew you'd love it, so I bought it before I left. I'll meet you at your place tonight so we can 'make sure it fits'.

Love you lots,

Dani

I put the first note back in the envelope and reached for the second one. I opened it, and it read:

Tim,

I really thought you'd like to see me with this, but because of the circumstances, it ain't gonna happen. I know you would've loved to see me wearing it, or not wearing it, which, I'm sure, is how the night would've ended. Well I hope you eventually forgive me for NOT cheating on you. You're really crazy sometimes. If I had cheated on you, would you still love me? Now that's backwards. Well I hope this makes you want me even more, but I don't want you right now. You thought I was a slut, just like Sylvia. You didn't exactly call me that, but I saw it in your eyes.

Dani

Okay, that was a little weird. She must've just written that one just recently. I picked up the package and opened it. Inside was red lingerie. Damn, this ain't right. We were gonna fuck tonight, and she had to go and kiss that fucking Soc. Of course if she hadn't cheated on me, I'd love her forever and never wanna let her go. And calling me crazy. I ain't crazy. She's the crazy one for even thinking that I would want her after she kissed a Soc. Damn she's difficult

Soda's POV

When Dani and I got back to my house, we curled up with each other on the couch and covered up with a blanket. I think we both ended up falling asleep because next thing I knew, we were lying down together on the couch, and outside was dark. I rubbed at my eyes and looked around.

"What do we got here? Sodapop and my baby sister sleeping together." A deep voice said from the kitchen doorway.

"Looks like it. Aren't they cute?" a girl's voice said from beside him.

I looked over and saw Dallas and Serena staring at us. I nudged Dani to wake up. She opened her eyes and looked around. She saw Dally and Serena staring over at us, and then she looked at me. Her eyes showed that she was surprised. I guess she forgot we were on the couch together.

"Hey guys," she said, "What time is it?"

"Eight. You guys have been sleeping for awhile," Dal said.

"We didn't want to wake you. You looked so comfortable, and that's the most sleep you've gotten in days," Serena said to her.

She nodded and said, "Well, I'm gonna go take a nice, hot, steamy shower. Wanna join?" I gave her a shocked expression. "Calm down, Sodapop. I was just kidding. It's a joke. Ha ha." She got up from leaning against me and walked into the bathroom. Serena sat down beside me.

"Well Soda, looks like you and Dani are gettin' along real well," Dal said.

"We're just friends, guys. Nothings gonna happen. We just know how each other is feeling at the current moment."

"Mhmm, sure. I think there's something there," Serena said.

"I don't think so. Now I'm goin' out. See y'all later." I got up from the couch, grabbed my jacket, and walked out of the house and down the street to Steve's, thinking the entire way.

Could there be something between me and Dani? We get along real good, but that's probably just because we know how each other is feeling right now. She's beautiful, smart, funny, a great friend, fun to be with, and a big party girl. I suppose something could eventually happen, but right now we're both on the rebound, so it won't be happening for awhile. I still can't stop thinking about Sandy and how she cheated on me. I can't believe she got pregnant and moved to Florida so she wouldn't have to deal with me. There is definitely no room for another girl on my mind right now.I stopped thinking these thoughts once I reached Steve's house and walked in.

Dani's POV

I walked out of the shower thirty minutes later and found Dally and Rini cuddling on the couch. "Where'd Soda go?" I asked.

"Umm…don't know. He left shortly after you went in the shower," Dally said.

"He's probably at Steve's. They'll both be back later," Serena said.

"Okay," I said and walked upstairs to the bedroom. I put on a pair of pajama bottoms and one of Soda's t-shirts. I climbed into bed and picked up a book that I borrowed from Ponyboy. Shortly after, Serena walked in. "Hey," I said.

"Hey Dani," she said, sitting down on the other side of the bed. "So what's going on with you and Soda?"

"Nothing. Why would anything be going on with us?"

"Well, it seems like there's something between you two, and it's not a 'brotherly' type thing like with you and Darry or you and Dally."

"Well, that's ridiculous. Me and Soda don't have those kinds of feelings for one another. We're just friends, and we're helping each other through our…current situations."

"So you aren't attracted to him at all?"

"Well, I don't know. I mean, of course he's handsome and funny and can make me laugh even at the most terrible times, but we're just friends, and we're both vulnerable."

"Okay then. I'll let you get back to your book. G'night."

"G'night Rini," I said, and she left, closing the door on her way out. What she said about me and Soda made me think. Sodapop is really handsome and sweet. Any girl would love to have him. I can't believe that Sandy cheated on him. He loved her. Once he told me he was gonna marry her someday. Then she had to go and get pregnant. He must be heartbroken. My problem's miniscule compared to his. Tim catching Hunter kissing me and then thinking I didn't really love him. Damn, that still sounds horrible and hurts to think about, but whatever. I'm so sick and tired of crying over Shepard. He can go find some other slut to be with.I closed the book and put it down on the nightstand. Then I turned out the light and fell asleep, thinking about the possibility of Soda and me as a couple.