Chapter Ten: Tulsa is Weird

Sonia banged down the phone, swearing loudly enough to attract dirty looks from people, mainly older ladies who no doubt upheld that swearing was unbecoming for a young lady.

Sonia had waited patiently until two-fifteen before she started to worry that Two-Bit had forgotten to pick her up. He was awfully scatterbrained, another one of his traits that irked her to no end. Still, despite his faults, she was becoming rather fond of the guy.

By two-thirty, she really began to worry, but convinced herself that he was just running late. By two-forty five, though, she was seething and calling up the house. Anne had answered, saying he wasn't there. Sonia had called the Curtis', too, and even the school in case Two-Bit had a detention. She was about to call Seamus or Hannah to come get her, but then she realized she was completely out of money.

It was three-forty five. A thought occurred to her. What if Two-Bit had been in an accident. No, that couldn't be. Somebody would have heard and come to get her by now, if not sooner.

By four, Sonia's blood was boiling with rage and she contented herself with imagining what she would do to Two-Bit if he ever decided to show up.

She was considering running him over with Steve's car at night—that way no one would see or hear it—when Two-Bit's car pulled up. It was four-thirty.

Sonia stormed over and was about to tear into him when she saw who was driving. Soda.

"Soda?" she said, her anger dissolving. "Wha—?"

"Two-Bit's in the back," Soda jerked a thumb backwards. Sonia glanced in the backseat and scowled at Two-Bit's innocent little boy I-didn't-mean-to look. It didn't fool her for a second.

She glared at him. "Thanks a lot," she said. "For abandoning me here, with disapproving old ladies and guys who breathe down your neck waiting for you to get done with the phone and nasty flight attendants."

Maybe she was exaggerating a little. It must have showed, because Two-Bit ditched the feel-sorry-for-me look and grinned.

"Aw, shoot, Sony, it wasn't that long," he said. "And I'm sorry."

"Shoot nothing!" she shouted. "Two and a half hours! Jesus, Two-Bit, I was worried you got into an accident and died!"

It wasn't just that, though. What had really gotten to her was the thought that Two-Bit could forget about her completely, like she didn't exist. She was sure he wouldn't have forgotten his friends or sister. She knew he was scatterbrained, but even he couldn't forget something this important, could he?

She was silent as they drove Two-Bit back to his house, and silent driving to the DX before Soda spoke up.

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"Two-Bit didn't mean to forget you," he said. Sonia grunted in response. "Really, I mean it," Soda insisted. "He's forgetful. It's not just you, he forgets everything."

Sonia looked away from him, staring out the window.

"Look, I know you're mad at Two-Bit, but will you at least talk to me?" Soda said, frustrated.

Sonia turned back to him. "I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I didn't mean…I mean, I just…I guess I'm just being stupid," she sighed.

"No, you're not," Soda reassured her.

That seemed to be just the encouragement she needed to keep talking. "I mean, I know he's great and all, but I just feel like he totally forgot I existed. Like I don't mean anything."

"You do," Soda said.

They glanced at each other. Soda pulled into the DX, leaped out and darted around to open her door in a comically chivalrous manner, bowing as she stepped out, giggling.

"Why, how gallant of you, Sir Sodapop," she said, trying and failing to keep a straight face.

"My pleasure, Lady Sonali," he responded, bowing still lower. He couldn't help but be pleased with himself that he had made her smile.

Steve chose that moment to stride over and kick him. Soda toppled over and tackled Sonia around the knees in a reflexive effort to keep his balance.

Steve roared with laughter as Soda and Sonia ended up in a tangle on the ground, struggling to get up and Soda apologizing.

Sonia stood up first, hauling up Soda by an arm and glaring irately at Steve. Soda grinned and leapt at Steve, yelling, "You're in for it, greaser!"

Sonia, who by now knew enough to realize they were just goofing around, shrugged and headed back inside.

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"I think Soda likes you," Anne told Sonia that evening.

"Well, sure. We're friends," Sonia said absently, concentrating more on her math homework.

"No, he likes you like a girlfriend," Anne said. "Ponyboy told me so."

Ponyboy and Anne were acquaintances fast becoming friends, although Anne seemed to think there was more going on. Sonia just hoped that Ponyboy would let her down gently when the time came, or she would have to wring his neck.

"Okay," Sonia said. Inside, though, she was filled with excitement. She struggled to hide it from Anne, who was looking at her expectantly.

"Ponyboy has a girlfriend, too," Anne added.

Sonia's head whipped around. Anne seemed to be okay with it. "Who?" Sonia asked.

"Some girl named Cathy," she said. "But it won't last, I know. She's in love with another guy. Bryon Douglass."

"Okay," Sonia said. "So?"

"Nothing," Anne said, snuggling under the covers. "I'm just saying."

What, Sonia wondered as she turned off the light, is with kids around here always having to have a girlfriend or boyfriend? Is it a social disease if you don't?

Tulsa was, in a word, weird. And Sonia missed Philly more than ever, having just been there.

She was a homesick alien on a strange planet. And she wanted to go back to where she came from. But what could she do?

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Soda clanged down the phone, disappointed. Sonia had called in sick to work.

Two-Bit burst through the door. "Have you seen Sonia?" were the first words to spill out of his mouth. He looked panicked.

"I just got off the phone with her," Soda said, startled. "Why?"

"Because," Two-Bit said, pulling a piece of paper from his pocket. "Anne found this on her bed this morning. The dumb chick ran away!"

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