Disclaimer: S.E. Hinton owns the Outsiders. Semisonic owns the song.

Ch. 3 - Opening Closing Time

Closing time, every new beginning

Comes from some other beginning's end

Soda's P.O.V.

I finished putting on my DX shirt and looked over at Pony who was still looking at me. I knew he was feeling bad and wishing he could say something, but really, there was nothing he could say. Nothing would bring Johnny and Dally back. Nothing could bring Sandy back from Florida or take back what she'd done to me. But I felt bad – he'd been giving me the sad eyes all morning, always looking at me when I'd glance at him, and I wanted to make him feel better so I flashed him a smile, trying desperately to make it seem genuine.

I walked out of my room with both socks and shoes on, shirt buttoned, pants zipped, and I found Two-bit and Steve in the living room. Steve kind of looked at me like I was crazy because it never happens that I'm not looking for some part of my outfit. I once found my shoe in the refrigerator – that was fun to explain to Darry. I have no idea how it got there, honest. Sometimes, I'm just crazy like that, I guess. Or at least I used to be. Now, I take off my shoes and set them under my bed when I get home. Or I leave them on. But I try to take them off because I think my brothers worry when I've got shoes on my feet in a house – it's just not me.

Anyway, Stevie was looking at me funny, like he wanted to say some smart remark about me being dressed, but he kept it to himself and asked if I was ready to go.

"Yup, let's go. Boss'll be surprised to see us in on time. Two-bit, be sure to get Pony to school on time or Darry'll skin you."

"Ok, Soda. Have a good day. Maybe we'll come see you at lunch, if we can," he replied, and I briefly wondered why he wasn't making any smart-ass remarks either.

"See ya, Pony!" I yelled as I walked out the door, still wondering about Two-bit's seriousness. I know I've been kind of down lately, but I just don't get why everyone's acting all funny. I'm fine. Everyone's been down, not just me.

Ha, bullshit, I thought as I got in Steve's car and he raced down the road to work. Bullshit. Everyone may be down, but I'm beyond down. I'm totally useless. I don't do anything and my bro—

"So, the new guy starts today, Soda," Steve said, pulling me from my thoughts. I'd actually forgotten all about the new employee at work. Our shop boss, Gary, moved back to Philadelphia when his wife had a baby, so Steve got promoted, which left his position to fill. Our boss filled it over the weekend, though we didn't get to meet the guy, and he was starting today.

We pulled into work like the devil was after us and jumped out of the car to head in. After clocking in, I heard Steve swear in the other room. Thinking he dropped something on his foot or that there was a real problem, I quick ran to see what was up.

When I turned into the shop, what met my eyes was what I least expected.

Steve was shaking hands with a girl I'd never met who was wearing a jumpsuit and whose face was smudged with grease and grime, but whose stunning features couldn't be overlooked.

"Hi," she said brightly. "I'm Sam." She reached out to shake my hand and I stepped forward to do the same.

"Sodapop," I said, and she didn't seem the least bit phased by my strange name. I liked that.

We touched, and for the first time in quite a while, I smiled. Steve looked at me and he smiled. And Sam, having no clue what was going on, smiled too.

Oh my gosh, I thought absently, I can feel.