Opening the door quietly, as to not wake up the three boys, Soda stepped into the house. It was five in the morning, and he was expecting the worst. Three guys that can't stand each other half the time stayed together the whole night, the house was probably a disaster. But as he walked inside it wasn't bad at all, infact nothing really even looked out of place. There were a few beer bottles on the floor, an empty pack of cigarettes on the coffee table, and a few plates laying around. But that was the worst of it.
Dally was passed out on Darry's chair, with the foot recliner half up but he weighed it down some. Steve and Ponyboy were on seperate ends of the couch, Steve stretched out and Pony sitting up right, leaning his head back in a position that looked anything but comfortable. Soda was dying to know what happened, but he just slipped into the kitchen and started cooking everyone some breakfast. Pancakes with yellow food coloring and green sprinkles, bacon, and hot fudge sundaes. Sodapop was crazy about chocolate. Especially icecream and cake, and they usually had one or the other along with their breakfast.
Steve was the first one up. He tip-toed into the kitchen and tapped Soda on the shoulder, who ultimatley freaked out and gasped.
"Oh, hey Steve!" He said after he caught his breath. Steve laughed quietly.
"How was your night buddy?"
Soda thought for a moment on how to answer that. He and Riley - the pretty brunette - had had a great time, they danced and talked and laughed. He didn't make any moves, and he didn't get her number; but it was fun nonetheless.
"I had fun," he ended up replying. Steve grinned. "No, Steve, not that kind of fun." He accused, knowing what Steve was thinking.
"Well, you could of fooled me with that grin on your face. You look like a giddy little girl." Soda felt himself redden.
"Okay," Soda sighed. "I met a girl. She was awfully nice, and cute too. But.." He trailed off.
"She wasn't Sandy." Steve finished for him, sounding sorry. Soda's eyes filled with tears and he nodded. He tried to blink them away, - greasers just don't cry over girls - but he knew he couldn't hold it in.
"Look, Soda. I know you loved her man. If she loved you too, she wouldn't of done what she did. And she would of came back to you, not rejected you."
"I know," he said quietly.
"Look just give the new broad a chance," said Dally, walking into the kitchen. Soda gave him a questioning look.
"I heard the whole thing, Steve talks loud. And anyway, I saw the note Sandy wrote you. She's not coming back, Soda."
Sodapop's reckless grin was gone, replaced by a pained look. Before anyone knew what was happening, he broke down and about bawled. Steve gently pushed him outside onto the front porch, only to return a couple of minutes later.
"He wants to talk to you, Dal. He needs you right now." Steve said with an edge to his voice, he hated seeing his buddy hurt. Dally was a little taken off guard, but he reluctantly stepped outside, feeling uneasy. Soda spoke first.
"Sorry about just running out like that, you're right Dallas. I'm just torn right now, because, well -" he got a little pale - "she phoned me, and wants me there during the delivery. I don't know how in the world I'd be able to do it, we don't have the money to get to Florida, and just hearing her voice made me cry. I don't know how I could stand seeing her, especially like that. Birthing someone else's kid." He looked as sick as Dally felt. Dally wondered how he got so wrapped up in this, then realized that regardless how he felt, Sodapop had done so much for him lately, he should at least offer support.
"Well, whatta ya gonna go?" He asked, unable to think of anything appropriate to say. Soda rubbed his eyes tiredly. Looking closely, Dallas notice there were dark cirlces under them and they were puffy. He was stressed out. He looked ten years older than he actually was. A lot older than seventeen.
"I don't know...be a buddy, will ya Dal? Tell me what'd you do."
"I wouldn't go," he said simply. Sandy had wronged Soda, just like Sylvia wronged Dally. The single difference was that Sandy gotten the worst consequences. Dally thought she deserved to get what's coming to her, but Soda's different than everybody. He's understanding. Dally couldn't afford to be understanding for his life. They both frowned in unison. "I'm sorry, Soda. But I just wouldn't do it. Not just 'cause I'm stubborn, also because It's not my place to interfere. You're just askin' to get in someone's business. You don't want that. You don't need more things to worry about than you already got on your list." That was a big speech for Dally. Soda looked at him in awe.
"I suppose you're right..It's just, I love her. And I can't stand the thought of losing someone I truly love. And I know that you know the feeling," Soda looked him dead in the eye. Dally suddenly understood. He'd never get over the loss of Johnny. There was a long silence.
"Look, Soda. I get it. I'm here for whatever you decide, alright?" And with that Dally stalked off the porch and opened the gate, slammed it shut, and didn't look back. Soda knew he shouldn't of brought it up.