Disclaimer: S.E. Hinton owns the Outsiders. Fugazi owns the song. I own Sam.
Ch. 16 – Waiting Room
I don't sit idly by
I'm planning a big surprise
I'm gonna fight for what I want to be
I won't make the same mistakes
because Ii know how much time that wastes
Function is the key
Soda's P.O.V.
The sun was shining bright in my eyes when I woke up, feeling less than rested to say the least. I rolled over to check on Sam, but found the bed empty. Trying my hardest not to freak out, I jumped out of bed and ran to the kitchen looking for Darry or Pony or anyone who could tell me what happened. I found no one, but instead a note from Darry.
Soda-
We tried to wake you up when Toby and Owen got here this morning, but you were out like a light. Sam decided to go home so she could shower and get changed, but asked if you would come over when you wake up. I told her I'd let you know. Owen and I will stop by on our lunch breaks to see if you guys need anything. See you then,
Darrel Curtis
Glancing at the clock to find that it was only 9, I made my way to the shower, looking forward to a time of relaxing. Usually there's someone banging on the door telling me I'm late or that I'm going to use all the hot water, but an empty house meant a long, quiet shower with no interruptions. I turned on the water to let it heat up as I brushed my teeth and washed the grease out of my hair. Oh, great, I thought, I'm going to have to change my pillowcase now since I forgot to wash my hair before bed last night.
I stepped into the warm spray and immediately felt more rested than when I woke up. I let it wash over my body and tried to get the images that haunted me out of my head – Sam yelling for me, her bruised body, her grimaces in the night. I tried to focus on the things that I loved instead, but the visions came to my mind every time I closed my eyes. I remedied the situation by keeping them open and hurrying through my warm shower instead.
Getting dressed quickly and grabbing a couple pieces of bread, I started off for Sam's house. Darry had the truck, so I was stuck walking, but I didn't mind so much. I liked to walk – I liked to do anything that kept me busy. I was much too active to sit around for too long, and even though there was an emergency yesterday and I was exhausted today, all those hours of sitting were beginning to wear on me.
About 3 blocks from home, I realized that I was walking the very streets that Sam did yesterday and I started to get angry. God, I thought, she's a girl – an innocent, sweet girl who's done nothing but live quietly on her side of town. HER SIDE OF TOWN! The more I thought, the angrier I became and eventually I was slamming my feet onto the concrete as if it were the heads of those who had hurt her.
I was overcome with fury and frustration and turned quickly, throwing my fist out and whatever happened to be in the way. I turned out to be a tree – an old, big one that didn't budge when I hit it. Instead, my knuckles cracked and sent a searing pain through my body that I hadn't expected and I incidentally let out a tiny yelp. I jerked my hand back as though it had been burnt and watched as the blood started seeping to form a bruise.
My pace quickened then, realizing that I'd have to address it sooner or later, but my anger hadn't diminished. I've gotta get my head on straight to see Sam, I thought, realizing that being angry wasn't going to help her at all. Speeding up again, almost to a jog, I decided that I'd talk to Steve later and see if he could help. I had to get those bastards back for this. This was unforgivable.
Sam's P.O.V.
I know I feel better than I did last night, but being fully awake isn't helping this situation any, I thought as I groaned in pain from moving. I was in a lot of pain, but nothing like the night before. I had taken a shower this morning with as little help from Toby as was possible. I wanted to do it here though – as embarrassing as it was to have my brother in the bathroom with me, it would've been ten times worse at the Curtis's with the guys around and Soda helping. It would've been a very different embarrassing with Soda, and after last night and his crazy circles, who knows what would have happened.
Hmm, last night, I thought. I wonder about all that. I'd never felt closer with someone than I did with Soda, and I felt like it was all coming to a head. I knew he was used to greaser girls and their easy ways and plus, he was a guy. Guys wanted sex. Or at least, that's what I'd always been told, anyway. He makes me feel special, I thought, like I'm the only girl around. Maybe when I'm better, things will have to take another step. That could be fun…
Alone in my living room, I started grinning. The couch was less than perfect for a pained body, but it was good for sharing, and I figured that Soda would be here soon. I felt giddy, like a schoolgirl with a crush, and it made me laugh, which consequently hurt my ribs. It was a truly vicious cycle.
Around 9:45, Soda knocked on my door, and I could only holler for him to come in, which he did. He walked up to me like I was the best present on Christmas morning and he kissed me gently and pulled back with a smile. After just putting up with that vicious cycle at the thought of him, I wasn't about to let him go with just one gentle kiss, so I put my hands on the back of his neck and pulled him back to me, tilting my head to plunder his mouth with my tongue. He balanced over me with his hands on the back of the couch and after a moment or two of my ravaging, pulled back again, this time laughing.
"What is so funny, Sodapop Patrick Curtis?" I demanded.
"You," he said simply, and turned to walk away, but stopped at my next words.
"What about me?" I asked.
"You're on fire or something. It's not like I'm going anywhere. Plus, I don't want to hurt you, but you don't seem to care much at all about that. What's gotten into you, Sammy? Not that I mind…" his voice trailed off at those implications.
Now it was my turn to laugh. "Nothing's gotten into me. I just like you and I want you. Is that so hard to believe?"
"No, I guess not," he replied quietly. "I'm just the luckiest man alive."
"Come here." My voice was quiet and reserved, and I tried my damndest not to show how much I wanted him, because he clearly wasn't going to allow me to do anything while I was still hurt and stuck on this couch.
He obeyed and came close to me, sitting on the middle couch cushion, which he was sharing with my legs. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close enough to kiss, but refrained.
"When I'm better and you'll touch me again," I chortled at his shocked expression, "I'm going to make you a very," I kissed him, "Very," another kiss, "happy man."
I tugged him toward me by his hair and again kissed him, hard and fast, passionate as I could manage in my pain.
And again, he pulled back, still unwilling to compromise on this issue of my pain and his pleasure. "I'm gonna get some food," He started, settling himself. "Do you want something?"
I shook my head and told him that Toby had made me breakfast before he left and he winked as he left the room for the kitchen.
Wow, I thought, around him, I'm a totally different Sam. I think I like it.
Soda's P.O.V.
In the kitchen, I took a minute to recover from Sam's attack. God that woman is wonderful, I thought to myself as I went about finding some food. Turns out they had my favorite cereal, so I poured myself a bowl and went back to the living room.
"Is it okay to eat in here?" I asked Sam.
She nodded amiably while watching Mickey Mouse on TV. I guess she's been spending a little too much time at my house if she's already fallen in love with Mickey.
While she watched intently, I started wondering about my intentions again. I wasn't a generally mean person. I didn't jump people for fun or lift too much from stores or get into too much trouble. I got hauled in one time with Two-bit for doing handstands on the street downtown – boy, did my dad like that one. I felt a smile pass over my lips at the thought of my dad. He was such a good man. What would he do about this?
I didn't know what he'd do. All I really knew was that I loved Sam and some dumb Socs decided it'd be a great idea to jump her, maybe even because of me? My heart dropped clear into my stomach. Did Sam get jumped because she was my girlfriend? The Socs had it out for us since Pony and Johnny got mixed up in that stuff with Bob's death and all – none of our gang walked alone anymore at night.
Oh my god, I thought as I stared at the beautiful, broken girl beside me, if she was hurt because of me, I'd never forgive myself.
"Sam," I started carefully, "Do you remember anything about the guys who attacked you?"
"Not much," she replied, still looking at the TV. Eventually, when a commercial came on, she looked me in the eye. "I remember them coming after me. I remember hitting one of them. I remember one of them grabbing me around the waist – which probably why I have these damn cracked ribs. By the way, Toby's making me go to the doctor tonight. He said he's sure I'm alright but that he wants to make certain. Anyway, then I remember running and yelling and that's it. I couldn't even tell you what they look like, except that they're all taller than me and they all have dark hair."
She looked sad as she remembered that last bit, and I put my hand on her leg and rubbed my thumb absently over her calf. Her legs were so smooth, and she had such a feminine quality about here – not rough like Sandy had been or coy like all the girls who flirted with me were. She was simple and beautiful, perfect, even.
"I love you, Sam."
"Love you too," she said absently, her eyes averting to the TV as Mickey came on again.
"Can I use your phone?" I asked.
She nodded again, probably not even having heard me, and I went to the kitchen to make my call. I dialed the numbers with the mixed emotions of heated rage and overwhelming admiration.
"Hey, is Steve there? It's Sodapop." I spoke into the phone and waited while Gary got him for me. "Steve? Hey, yeah, I'm at Sam's for the day. I'll probably need tomorrow off too, but I'll be back after that." As Steve rambled on about work, I let the love in me linger for a moment longer before I pushed it out and let the anger take hold and felt a vindictive feeling I'd never felt before. No one would hurt Sam and get away with it. Not the girl I loved. "Okay. Hey, I need your help. I've got a plan."
Steve, as expected, agreed immediately, having no idea of what I was even talking about, but he was my best friend and he'd walk through fire for me. I went on to explain my plan and he listened quietly. After I finished, he growled maniacally and said one phrase I wanted to hear, the words to set things in motion: "Let's do it."
A/N – Hey guys! Sorry this chapter was a little shorter. I've been really busy but I wanted to update for you all! Reviews have been dwindling a little lately – are you still reading? I hope so.
In this chapter, I tried to show a different side of Soda that I feel is often overlooked – the raw, manly, angry side that mixes with his emotional, sentimental side. I hope it worked.
It might be a bit before I can update again, a week or two at the most, but I wanted to get a chapter in for you before I go away. So enjoy! Be sure to review. I miss hearing what you all think!
Have a wonderful day!
P.S. - That doctor comment is just for you, marsonfire. I was thinking from a very financial point of view, but you're right. They probably would have made her go. lol. :)