The way you curse when we're in traffic

The million flavors of your chap stick

Ponyboy was now hanging out with me, or on "Lizzy Duty" as I liked to call it. It was mid afternoon and I'd only gotten up from the Curtis couch once to go to the bathroom. It seemed that everyone had gotten at least one chance to baby-sit me. I really didn't engage in conversation with anyone.

I was still a little numb from everything, still distraught. I could tell some of the gang noticed. The less sensitive ones, not so much.

Soda, Pony and Two-Bit definitely could tell something was different with me. Soda and Pony, because they were good at telling feelings and Two-Bit because he was my brother.

"So what happened?" Pony asked me quietly. I didn't want to talk about it, I didn't even want to think about it. Of course, though, my brain would not stop images of Jack from reappearing in my mind.

I shrugged and looked away. Pony sighed.

"Now c'mon Liz. We just wanna help you. We wanna find the bums out there that did this to you," He said a bit sharply. I turned and glared at him.

"I don't feel like talking about it right now Pony. Just leave it be." I said to him, my temper rising slightly. I was scared and hurt right now. I didn't need to talk about why, "And anyways I don't want all of you out there tryin' to beat up some socs just because of a little injury."

Pony stared at me for a minute. I wouldn't meet his eyes. He shook his head and turned away.

Pony and I were pretty good friends, considering how much time I actually spent with the gang, which wasn't very much. I usually stayed by myself. I ate with them at lunch, but other than that I was usually a loner at school.

I looked at Pony, he seemed frustrated with me. I didn't want to make him mad, but I wasn't ready to tell anyone anything. Whether it be the truth, or a lie.

"Pony!" Darry's voice boomed from the kitchen. He looked at me for a second, frowning, before he got up and walked away.

I sat there in silence for a few minutes before Soda walked back in, smiling towards me.

"My turn again," He seemed somewhat excited. I didn't really like any of this, but I guess it was okay with Soda. Unlike with Dally, who just sat there, smirking at me.

"You feeling any better?" He asked me. I shrugged and Soda sighed. I looked at him carefully.

"Lizzy, we really are just trying to help you." He told me kindly. I nodded and sat up a little.

"I know Soda, it was just a lot to take in. I don't wanna talk about it." I said simply, Soda nodded and I could tell he understood.

"Pony, your smart enough to make A's! Don't act like you can't!" I looked towards the kitchen as Pony and Darry yelled back and forth about Pony's grades. Soda sighed and looked down. I looked at him slowly.

"Soda, if you all want me outta here, I'll go back home. Just say the word," He looked up at me and I sighed, "I don't want to be a bother."

Soda looked at me, shaking his head.

"No, your fine. You'd do the same if it was one of us." He told me kindly, "And don't worry about the two ding dongs in the kitchen. They're always at each others throats."

I nodded and looked at him questioningly. He cocked an eyebrow.

"I know it's none of my business, but, why do they fight so much?"

Soda shrugged and looked towards the kitchen where yelling could still be heard, "Darry's havin' a hard time getting that Pony's turning into a teenager, and he's not gonna listen all the time." He sighed again, "He just wants what's best for Pone, but then you got Pony, who thinks everyone is out to get him."

I just nodded and listened, letting him get what he needed to say off his chest.

"Aw, look at me. Here I am, telling' you 'bout my problems and here your only a year older than Pony." He apologized. I shook my head and smiled slightly.

"Hey, don't worry about it," I could feel myself blushing slightly so I looked down, " 'sides I'm gonna be 16 in two weeks." He chuckled when I said this, causing me to blush more.

"C'mon Dar! You know I'm trying my hardest!" I could here Pony yelling at Darry. Soda looked desperate for a minute, then started to walk towards the kitchen.

"I'm gonna break this up," Soda said as he started to walk into the kitchen. I nodded and gave a small wave, which he missed.

"Dar, it was a B. He'll bring it up next term." I listened to Soda, reasoning with his older brother. Things seemed to have simmered down once Soda had entered the room.

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I could be a pretty patient person, but even with a fractured rib I wanted to at least be able to go somewhere. I wanted to take a walk or something, but Two-Bit wouldn't let me get up.

I sighed and tried to get Jack to escape my head. When I realized I couldn't I opened my eyes quickly. I couldn't start crying because of stupid Jack.

Soda walked back into the room and looked at me. He came over and felt my forehead and I gave him a curious look.

"Are you okay, you look flushed?" He said to me. I gulped and nodded quickly.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." I told him. He looked at me slowly for a moment before turning away.

"Uh, okay. I was wonderin' if you wanted to uh go over to the movie house or something. I don't like movies, but I decided to volunteer to take you somewhere. Ya seem pretty bored, " He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

My mouth was hanging open. I would be alone? With Sodapop Curtis? In a dark movie theatre? Alone? I nodded and tried to hide the blush creeping up on my poor face.

"Sure," I said quietly. Soda helped me stand up. I smiled at him and looked in his sweet eyes. Okay, so it wasn't really a date, but it was something. He of course wouldn't think of it as a date, but if in my mind I would like to imagine it as that, then hell I was going to imagine it as just that.

"Okay, I'll take you back to your house to change quickly."

I nodded and Soda helped me walk outside. We hopped into Darry's worn out truck, him in the driver seat and me passenger.

Sodapop drove while I was left to dwell in my thoughts.

I was actually surprised that Soda had volunteered to take me somewhere. I knew as much as the next guy that Soda could not sit still through an entire movie. I'd never gone to one with anyone, but Two-Bit, so I wasn't sure how much truth this rumor really had to it.

My mood had done a full swing knowing I was going to the movies with Soda, but I was sure my original feelings would return soon.

We pulled into my driveway and I slowly made my way out of the truck.

"Do you need any help going inside?" Soda asked from the drivers seat. I shook my head.

"Nah, I'll be fine. Just gotta be careful is all. I'll try to be quick."

Soda nodded and gave me a wave of his hand. I held my rib as I slowly did a waddle-like walk up to my front door. It was open so I went ahead and walked in.

Somehow I carefully made my way up the stairs and into my room. I looked at my shirt. It had a tear at the bottom and a few blood stains on it. I really hoped those would come out. I slipped it off and looked at the bruises across my stomach and they scared me something fierce.

I slipped on a form fitting shirt. It was plain sky blue, nothing more. I slipped of my jeans and didn't even bother to look at the bruises. I was too afraid.

I slipped on a nicer pair of jeans then I normally would wear. I tried not to over do it. I kept telling myself, 'Not a date. Don't be stupid! Why would Soda ever ask you on a date? Not a date. Not. A. Date.' I sighed and pinned a front piece of hair back with a bobby pin.

I considered putting makeup on, but decided that was a big No-No. Everybody would know something was up then. I only put a little cover-up over the bruise on my cheek and called it good.

As I waddled back down my stairs I could feel butterflies forming in my stomach. As soon as I reached the bottom, though, my whole stomach just about dropped to the floor.

"Hello Elizabeth," He said slowly, evilly. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to grab a knife and kill the bastard. I felt my breath hitch in my throat,

"What do you want?" My voice cracked slightly. I was scared shitless. He only smirked.

"I already got what I wanted Elizabeth. Don't you worry you're tiny little head." He said slowly, "You were real good too." He laughed and I felt the tears starting to burn the rims of my eyes. Anger rose inside me. How dare he…

"Shut the fuck up!" I yelled at him. I didn't even know the words had escaped my mouth, but they had, "Who gave you the right you sonofabitch?" I screamed at him. He narrowed his eyes at me and I realized I should've thought that move through.

"That ain't no fucking way to talk to your elder now is it?" He asked He stepped towards me. I, cowardly, took a step back, "Answer the fucking question!"

It was my turn to glare, "You bastard! You no good, perverted, virginity stealing, cold hearted bastard!" I screamed at him. He was about to lunge for me, when someone came running through the door, "Soda," I said quietly as he stared, taking in the situation.

"Who the hell are you?" Jack spoke to Soda, taking a step towards him. Soda sized Jack up then looked towards me. You could tell he noticed the fear in my eyes.

"Sodapop Curtis, sir. And if you don't mind, Lizzy and I were about to go somewhere so.."

Soda tried to step towards me, but Jack blocked his path. I could hear Jack's scary chuckle and Sodapop seemed to form a glare on his face.

"Sir I-"

"Listen son. Lizzy has to stay here and learn a lesson about talking to her elders correctly." Jack smirked at me for a moment, "She won't be able to come," He finished, turning back to Soda. I shook my head softly, looking at Soda with pleading eyes.

Soda narrowed his eyes at Jack, "No sir, actually, she's coming with me," Soda ran around Jack and grabbed my arm. Jack lunged for us, but Soda got us out of the way in time. As we ran out the front door, me waddling, Jack was screaming so many obscenities it would make a sailor jealous.

Soda helped me into the truck and he quickly got in the drivers seat. I couldn't help the continuous tears that didn't seem to want to stop. Soda pulled over on the side of the road and leaned his head back, taking a deep breath.

He looked over at me, "C'mon Liz, don't cry. You're okay. I'm okay," He said to me. I couldn't shake it though. When I was with Jack back there, I almost pissed myself, "Liz please," He wrapped his arms around me in a strong embrace. It felt good, really good, "Shh, you're okay," He said softly. I turned into his chest and let out heavy sobs.

As much as I wanted this moment to mean something, I knew it was just Soda being Soda. Either way, I loved the smell of diesel, aftershave and cologne all mixed together in one. I made sure to inhale a lot of it.

I calmed down the best I could and pulled away. I looked out the window and sniffled, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I'm really sorry Soda," I said quietly. I waited. When he didn't say anything I looked at him. His face showed confusion.

"Why are you sorry?" He asked me kindly, wiping away a fallen tear. I shook my head as a few more tears were shed.

"You, you shouldn't have had to see that," I sobbed out. Soda ran the back of his hand softly across my cheek. I looked at him. He shook his head.

"No, no it's okay. It's a good thing I came, it looks like." I shrugged and he looked like he snapped back into reality, pulling his hand back. I thought I saw his cheeks turn slightly pink, but it could've just looked that way through my tears.

"I'm still sorry," I said, looking up to him. We stared in each others eyes. He shook his head softly and leaned in a little closer to me.

"Nah, no Lizzy. I'm sorry. That you have to live with that." He told me kindly. I just shrugged my shoulders and looked down, fiddling with my fingers in my lap. He sighed and put the car into drive.

"Ya' still wanna go?" He asked me quietly. I shrugged and nodded at the same time.

"Yeah, uh yeah. I can't let Jack ruin my good time."

We got to the movies and went inside. I was still upset, so I didn't even realize what movie we were seeing. Soda got some popcorn for us to share and we walked in and took some seats in the back.

I could tell within the first 10 minutes of the movie that Soda was already antsy. I turned to him.

"We can go if you want," I offered, pointing towards the exit. He shook his head and put up his hand.

"No, I'll be fine." He said. I shrugged and turned back to the movie, popping a piece of popcorn into my mouth. A few minutes later he started to talk to me.

"Uhm, so is uh Jack, normally like that?"

The question caught me off guard, that's for sure. Why he wouldn't just wait to ask Two-bit was beyond me. I shrugged and looked at the movie for a minute before turning back to him.

"Mostly when he's around, yes. He's normally drunk," I was suddenly glad that the movie house was dark because I was positive that all the color had drained from my face as images of the night before plastered into my mind.

"Hey. Hey Liz, you okay?"

"Huh? Oh, um, yeah I'm fine. Sorry," I said. He chuckled and I cocked an eyebrow.

"Stop saying sorry." He laughed. I didn't realize it was that funny, but I found my own thing to laugh about when several people turned around, shushing Soda. He covered his mouth, but I could still see that goofy grin on his face.

I looked into his eyes as they danced with amusement, causing me to crack a small smile. He looked back into my eyes and it suddenly felt like the whole world paused right then and there. As quickly as it had come it passed and I felt my face growing hot as I quickly looked away.

We didn't talk anymore through the movie and once it was over Soda and I walked back out to the truck. It was still early afternoon, but I was already worn out and in dire need of Tylenol for my aching ribs.

Before we got in the truck Soda turned me towards him, smiling.

"Listen Lizzy, I understand if you don't feel the same way," I nodded, cueing him to continue. He sighed, "Listen Liz, it's just, after spending time with you I can tell I like ya'."

I nodded my head slowly, not sure where this was going, "I like you too Sodapop," I replied to him. He shook his head.

"No, I like you more than just like you," he said slowly. I cocked an eyebrow until I felt that light bulb above my head ding on.

"Aw, I shouldn't have said nothin'. Nevermind-"

"No, wait. Soda, I-I feel the same way," I said quietly, that stupid blush creeping up on my cheeks. Soda stared at me for a minute.

"You do?" He asked carefully, I nodded.

"Yeah."

Soda slowly pushed some hair out of my face, leaning in closer. I felt the butterflies moving at rapid speeds within my stomach, but I ignored them as our lips crashed together. This right here, was like some stupid, little, cheesy fairy tale. But, it was my stupid, little, cheesy fairytale and I was not about to waste it.

I felt his tongue hit my lip, asking for entrance, which I eagerly granted. I could feel sparks fly, just like they always say. I didn't really know what was going on. It was disorienting, but as my lips touched his in perfect harmony, all thoughts of Jack were the last thing on my mind.

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