Hi guys. Thanks for the reviews. I think this story might be coming to an end sadly. If you don't want it to end, I'm gonna need some ideas to keep it going. I've been having some writer's block lately. I think I'm gonna start another one. I think this one is going to be a girl for Pony. Tell me if you still want Tali to be there or not. I love you guys. Please review. Here's another chapter!
"Wake up Tali. It's almost time to go. Darry said I could ride!" I could hear Soda exclaim, jumping onto the bed. He jumped on top of me.
"Get off of me you heavy cow!" I giggled. He rolled off of me & layed next to me. He let out a happy sigh.
"Parker came over earlier & dropped a bag of clothes off for you." he recalled.
"What time is it?" I asked, sitting up & brushing the hair out of my eyes.
"Um, It's about noon right now. We have to leave in hour." he told me. I gasped.
"That's not enough time. You should have woke me up earlier. Can I go take a shower? Who's all here?" I asked, jumping up off of the bed.
"Woah, slow down. Yes you can take a shower. It's only Darry, me, Pony, & you." he spoke. I glared at him.
"Thanks!" I said, running into the bathroom. I turned on the water & got into the shower. What am I gonna do? I'm probably gonna have to go home tonight. I don't wanna look at Paxton. I'm still super mad. I don't want to be near him. I shouldn't be holding this grudge, but I can't get past it. I was interrupted by the water turning really hot.
"Holy shit!" I gasped, turning the nozzle all the way to cold. I could hear somebody laughing outside of the shower. It was Soda.
"What the Hell?" I exclaimed, not really mad at him. He was dying of laughter.
"I just came in here to put… put the bag for you! I tried to talk to you, but you didn't answer!" he laughed. I turned the water off.
"Get out Soda." I commanded. He was still laughing when I heard the door close. I got out of the shower & looked through my bag. I put on a medium green tank top, a pair of black jeans with ripped knees, & a jean jacket. I slicked my hair back with my hair grease. I walked out into the living room & sat down on the couch. Soda came out with two plates of chocolate cake.
"We're waiting for the gang to get here & then we'll leave." he noted, handing me a slice. I nodded & started eating it.
"Knock Knock Curtises! And Adders!" Two-Bit announced, bringing Johnny, Steve, & Dally with him. Soda & I jumped up & put our shoes on.
"Are we ready to go?" Darry asked, coming out of the kitchen. Everybody said yes & we started our walk to the fairgrounds.
"So, You are gonna be riding to be your long lost pal Mickey Mouse." Steve piped. Soda nodded.
"Yes I am Stevie & there is only one day of my life that I have been happier." he told.
"Oh yeah. What day was that?" Dally asked. Soda smirked.
"The day I met Tali." he smiled. Two-Bit & Steve started to choke. Soda & I shot them our best death glares. They stop & we started laughing. We got to the fairgrounds & walked in through the gates.
"Me & Tali are gonna go to the stables. Save Tali a seat in the bleachers." Soda declared. The boys nodded & left & we started down to the stables.
"You're gonna be careful aren't you?" I asked, suddenly. Soda looked at be with his big dark brown eyes.
"Of course. Nothing's gonna happen if that's what you're worried about." he promised. He took his arm & put it around my lower back. I love this. This is what first date's are supposed to be like. We walked into the stables & Macy pointed to the office. We walked down the hallway & opened the office door. Brantley was in, talking to Mr. Miller.
"Ah, Sodapop. Tali. This is Brantley Young. Mickey Mouse's former rider." Mr. Miller introduced. Brantley held out his hand & Soda took it.
"I'm Sodapop Curtis. I was Mickey's rider before he moved." he introduced himself. Brantley nodded & extended his hand towards me.
"I'm Tali Adders. Soda's girlfriend." I introduced. He kissed my hand & I blushed. Brantley moved his crutched out of the way & we sat in the other two chairs.
"So, in a couple minutes we'll head down to the stables & get Mickey ready. I would just like to say that I am proud of both of you." Mr. Miller pointed out. We got up & started to walk out.
"Sodapop? I would just like to say thank you for taking my place." Brantley thanked. Soda nodded & we walked down to the stables. Soda went into Mickey's stall & the horse let out a happy nicker.
"Hey Mickey." Soda greeted him, putting his head on the horse's snout. Mr. Miller nodded towards a few stable boys & they led Mickey to the fence while Soda got dressed & got ready to ride.
"You'll be careful?" I insisted. He kissed me, running his hand down my cheek. He jumped over the fence & got onto Mickey.
"Now riding Mickey Mouse, Sodapop Curtis!" the P.A. announced. I could hear the boys hooting & hollering from all the way on the other side of the arena. I laughed to myself. Soda & Mickey were doing great. At about eight seconds, Mickey threw Soda off & I cringed. Soda jumped off & Mickey was corralled back into his stall. Soda ran under the fence & kissed me.
"How was that?" he asked, between kisses. I shook my head at him & laughed.
"It was great." I giggled. We heard slow clapping behind us we turned around. It was the gang & Mr. Miller. Soda gave out his big Sodapop grin.
"Good job Pepsi." Darry congratulated. Soda nodded. Steve came over & gave him one of those guy hug things, pushing me out of the way.
"Um, excuse me." I interrupted. Steve looked at me & I glared at him. He grinned & backed up. Mr. Miller came over this time.
"Good job Sodapop. I knew I could count on you. Stop on over by the office when your done here & Macy will give you your pay." he addressed, turning to leave.
"Wait? What pay?" Soda asked, a confused tone to his voice. Mr. Miller let out a big laugh.
"You're old enough to get paid now Sodapop." he chuckled. Soda stared at him in disbelief. Mr. Miller laughed again & left.
"Woah." was all Soda could muster. Darry came up & put his hand on Soda's shoulder.
"Go get it. Take Tali out to dinner & then drop her off. Don't spend all of it." he insisted. Soda only nodded & we started our walk to the office.
"Where do you wanna go to dinner at?" Soda asked me. I hadn't thought about that.
"What about the diner that Two-Bit's mom works at? I've never been there." I told him. He nodded again.
"Sounds good to me." he replied. We walked into the office & Macy was waiting at the desk for us.
"Here it is. $50 dollars." she said, handing Soda a white envelope. Soda took the envelope.
"Thank you." he maintained, we turned & started walking out of the fairgrounds. Soda was staring at the envelope wide eyed.
"$50 dollars for riding Mickey one time." he said, simply. I shook my head.
"That's crazy. That's almost three times more than what I make at the Dairy Queen in a week!" I exclaimed. We walked into the diner & sat down. Two-Bit's mom came over & started to talk to us.
"How are you doing Sodapop?" she asked.
"I'm doing good. How bout you. Mrs. Matthews?" he asked, back. Mrs. Matthews turned & looked at me.
"I don't think I've had the pleasure of meeting you dear." she told me.
"I'm Tali Adders. Soda's girlfriend." I introduced myself. She nodded.
"Two-Bit talks about you whenever he's home. My daughter really likes hearing stories about you." she spoke. I blushed. What kind of stories is he telling?
"So? What can I get the couple of the evening?" she asked us. I shook my head.
"I'll have whatever Soda's having." I told her. She nodded & looked at Soda.
"We'll have two pepsis, two bacon cheeseburgers, & one vanilla milkshake to split, two straws please." he ordered. Mrs. Matthews wrote it down & walked away.
"Do you know what Two-Bit told her?" I asked, slightly alarmed. He shook his head.
"Nup. But if he doesn't tell you when we get back, you can beat him to a pulp." he suggested. I laughed. Mrs. Matthews came back with the tray of food.
"Is my boy behaving himself?" she asked. I looked at her with a big grin on my face.
"As well as Two-Bit can behave ma'am." I replied. She laughed & left. We ate & then started on the milkshake.
"This is nice." Soda said. I nodded in agreement.
"So, am I taking you home after this?" he asked. I really don't want to answer that.
"I guess. Can we walk through the park though first?" I asked.
"Yeah." I replied. We finished & tipped Two-Bit's mom. We walked out & started our walk back to my house. Soda put his arm around me & rested it on my lower back. This is nice.
"Tali?" Soda asked suddenly.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"Can this be considered our first date?" he asked. I laughed. He looked down at me.
"I was just thinking the same thing. Yes please. Let's pretend last night, except for the winning of the panda, happened." I agreed. He smiled.
"Good. I love you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. When I'm around you… I don't know. I just feel something that I've never felt before." he confessed. It was my turn to smile.
"I love you too. I love you so much. I get that same feeling too. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I must've done something pretty damn good." I told him.
"You are always good Tali." he informed me. I laughed. We got to my house & sat on the porch swing for awhile.
"I don't know if I wanna go in there. I know I said that I was over last night, but I don't know. I'm still mad at him." I croaked. He hugged me.
"I know. It's okay. Go on in. It'll be okay." he promised. I nodded. I got up & we shared a kiss. I walked inside & closed the door. Parker was sitting in the recliner, reading a newspaper.
"Howdy. How'd the rodeo go?" he asked.
"He did amazing. I'm so proud of him. After that, we went to the diner & classified that as our first date." I smiled. He nodded happily. Paxton walked into the living room.
"Hey Tali." he greeted. I didn't say anything & walked up the stairs. Mom taught me that if you don't have anything nice to say, walk away. I got to my bedroom & closed & locked the door. I changed out of my clothes & into a oversized sweatshirt. I layed on my bed & started crying. I don't know why. I just did. I heard Paxton or Parker come up the stairs.
"Tali? Can I come in?" it was Paxton. I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. I heard him slump down against the door.
"Fine. Just let me talk. I was an ass. I shouldn't have gotten that drunk. I don't remember much, but Parker told me everything. I'm so sorry Tali. I didn't mean to hit Soda & ruin your date. I was a real jackass. I'm sorry. I don't think I've ever said anything so sincere before. I just, I got my heart ripped out & that's never happened to me before. I really thought Alyssa was it. I'm sorry." he started to cry. My brother, the basketball star of Tulsa High, the greaser, started to cry. I crouched down on my side of the door & started crying more too. Before I knew it, I fell asleep on the floor.
