Soda's Girl

Chapter Five

The next morning I wake up still in Soda's arms. When I wake him, he seems a little confused where we are. But when he looks down at me, his eyes light up as they did last night and a grin spreads across his face. 

"How'd you like our first date?" He asked, helping me to my feet.

"I'll admit, at first I felt like killing you," I reply, frowning as my legs and arms felt stiff. I was sore. "But you made it up to me in the end." I grab onto him as I almost fall.

"We're lucky it's a Friday," Soda sighs in relief before picking me up and holding me bridal style. It feels good to be off my feet, but I can only imagine what it must feel like for him. "Or Darry would skin us both."

I shudder at the thought. Soda places me in the back of the truck comfortably, then hops into the driver's side and starts it up. At first I want to object, but then I think better of it. He's only helping me. Plus, he deserves a turn to drive my truck. He did do most of the heavy lifting in fixing it up.

When we get home, Soda parks the truck beside Darry's. He then hops out, grabs me, and carries me inside the house. There, both Darry and Ponyboy are watching TV. I don't know what is playing, but it's not Mickey Mouse.

I'm placed on the couch beside Darry and he looks at Soda. "What happened?"

"Date night." Is all he says. He's still shirtless. He realizes this and his cheeks flush red. "No, we played in the rain. You know, she can be a real joy to be around when she's havin' fun." He nudges me.

I roll my eyes and stretch out. My muscles are so sore. I get up and head to the bathroom. "I'm takin' a quick shower."

Soda takes my place on the couch and all three Curtis brothers are watching whatever's on TV. I chuckle and hop in the shower, placing my clothes on the counter to dress in afterward. When I get out, I'm somewhat relaxed and feeling clean. I get dressed and head into the kitchen. Soda hops in the shower after me.

I decide to take what I've learned from Darrel and cook ups some breakfast. Or...lunch, I guess. it's twelve thirty in the afternoon. Man, that must've been one long night for me to sleep in that long. I crack some eggs into a pan and make them scrambled. Then I cook up some bacon, the last of the pack. It takes me thirty minutes to do this, and when I make everyone's plates, the food's gone in under a minute.

I eat my meal more slowly. Usually I eat so fast I can barely taste anything. But today I'm relishing the powerful taste of bacon and salted eggs. I need to cook more often.

After I'm done (and slapped Soda across the face for stealing a piece of my bacon from me) I'm sitting on the couch with me and Soda's blanket wrapped around me. I'm feeling really cold. Maybe it's because it's raining again outside and a draft is in the house. Soda notices and cuddles closer to me.

After an hour of watching random TV shows, Darry finally stands up and asks me what all he needs to buy at the store. I don't know why he asked me, but I manage to tell him everything that's missing from the icebox: eggs, bacon, and milk.

He sets off with Ponyboy and me and Soda are left alone on the couch.

"We need to ask Steve and Elora how their date went," I stretch out my sore limbs. "I wonder if it was anywhere near as great as ours."

Soda smiles and caresses my cheek. "Nothing can top that date," he says calmly. "That was pure genius thinking of me. But, don't get used to the smart Soda. You might get disappointed."

"That was you being smart?" I look up at him and narrow my eyes. "Then what are you like when you're being dumb?"

A moment later me and him are wrestling on the ground. At first I have him pinned, but he knocks my legs out from under me and has me pinned.