.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

8. Now I am on my own trying to find myself again.

The middle Curtis didn't know where to go, he had hopped on the first train ride not knowing where his first stop was going to be. His heart was racing, the voice in his mind was saying that everything he was doing was wrong. Wrong wrong wrong! But his heart said yes, that he should go. Continue his unknown journey. With his duffel bag in his hands, he sat down controlling his breathing since it was beginning to go fast from the nervousness. Looking out the window, the city of Tulsa began to fade away as the train was leaving. Tulsa, the place he was born, where his friends lived, his family, where his whole life started.

His eyes watered from knowing that he had to sacrifice huge things in order to get going with this plan. He thought of Ponyboy, his little brother. Imagining his heart broken face was absolutely shattering, wiping away the tears Soda gritted his teeth. It's too late to go back.

Sometime later he eventually fell asleep. He dreamt of memories, conversations, emotions. Darry making a high score on his foot ball game, Ponyboy learning to walk, his mother baking cake, his father playing with him. Steve tossing him his first cigarette, Twobit cracking jokes. Dally wanting him to ride a bull, Johnny wishing him a happy birthday. Happy stuff. Then the bad memories came, his parents accident, Ponyboy falling off a tree he had climbed, Steve fighting, Darry disappointed when he dropped out.

With a sudden jerk Soda sat up in cold sweat with the sunlight burning his eyes, it was morning now. Some people were still in their seats sleeping as well. He looked out the window curious of where he had traveled. The place looked similar to Tulsa only with more wide open spaces with trees and such. Sodapop pursed his lips, this felt like the right place to stop first. He took his bag ready to step off as a man announced the train stop.

"Springfield Missouri!"

What? I'm all the way out here? Holy Jesus...Walking away from the station his eyes widened, this was all new to him. Scary if you must say. He'd never been alone somewhere so far away. His stomach growled in hunger so he searched for a dinner. He ended up in one named 'Steak & Shake'. A pretty waiter wrote down his order blushing when she gave him his breakfast. Soda grinned, that feeling of being admired was amusing. She giggled nervously going away. Remembering Sandy he lowered his head not liking it anymore.

While eating he was thinking of where he was going to sleep that night, what he was going to do. His money would run out in a week or two. he needed to look for a job and quick.

The waitress came back to check if he needed anything else.

"Say there pretty lady, do you know any gas stations around here that need people?"

The waitress bit her bottom lip, "No sir, I'm sorry."

He raised an eyebrow, "Sodapop. Sodapop Patrick."

She smirked, "Mary...Is that really your name?"

He nodded, "Says so on my certificate."

Mary thought for a moment, "If you're looking for a job...this place is looking for a busboy..."

Soda beamed, "Really? I'd like that just fine."

"You'll have to talk with the boss. He ain't so bad, actually he's right here. Let me get him for you." Mary hurriedly left coming back with a man in his forties, his hair was brown, his eyes brown too. He was about the same size as Sodapop, the man looked nice enough. Mary introduced him.

"Bob, this is Sodapop Patrick. He wants the job."

Bob rubbed his chin eyeing him from head to toe to make sure he wasn't some delinquent child wanting to simply horse around. Soda simply smiled turning on his usual charm. He extended his hand.

"Good morning, Mr. Bob. Sure I would love the job."

Bob smiled back accepting the hand shake, "Bob Mayfield. You had experience working as one?"

Soda scratched the back of his head, "N-not really...But you what they say. Give a man a fish he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he'll have lots of fish to eat! Or something along those lines..."

Mr. Mayfield laughed slapping him on the back, "I like you kid, youu got the job Soda-pop. Is that really a name?"

"Yes sir, named by an original man. My father." Sodapop proudly said.

"Well Soda, you start tomorrow. I want you here by nine in the morning minute no later. Work days are from Mondays to Thursdays. You have the rest of the week off. Pick up your paycheck every two weeks. I have to go now, take care Mary and give the kid his uniform."

Mary went into the back coming back with a small bag. It contained a black tie, white shirt with the dinner's logo and black pants. He grimaced at it, the DX uniform was better. She giggled at his reaction, "Ah c'mon now it ain't so bad."

He sighed, "It looks...awefull..."

"Well you wanted a job didn't you?"

"Yeah yeah...Hey-sorry for asking so many questions- but do you know someone who's renting a room or something like that?"

Mary nodded, she gave him instructions to a place where this building was renting small apartments at a reasonable price. He thanked her as he left. Everything was falling right into place. At first he thought everything was going to be hard yet his lucky star and guardian angels were looking after him. He sighed contently, the beginning has only started. It was his time to be set free, forget his painful past. Sodapop looked up at the sky, Gosh guys, I'm real sorry about this. I hope you understand one day that this was all for my own good. I miss you.

Sodapop headed towards his new place where he would start to heal.

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

I know, very quick update but this had to be done. I hope you enjoyed it and thanks for the reviews guys! I appreciate them very much.