"Lots, you're really leavin'?" I could see the smile fall from Ponyboy's face, his eight year old body trembling with what I could assume was sadness. I was gonna miss that little guy.

I was sporting a sad smile, reaching out to pull the boy who was basically like my brother close to my chest. "I'll be back, eventually, little Colt."

Darry was unmoving, watching me with sorrow filled eyes as I licked my lips.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel of my bright red Corvette, my dark brown eyes watching the road ahead of me. It was getting dark, but I could just faintly see the sign up ahead.

Welcome to Tulsa.

My palms were sweating, knees weak as I entered the living room of the Curtis house, instantly being greeted by the frowning face of Mrs. Curtis. She must've already heard.

"Soda's in his room," She whispered, leaning across to give me a tight hug, which I needed right about now. So, I instantly hugged her back, she was like a second mother to me. "Are you sure you don't wanna tell the rest of the guys? They all seem fond of you."

"It'll be hard enough telling Soda, I can't." Swallowing back my tears, I bit the inside of my cheek, pulling back out of the tight grip the woman had on me.

I'll see all of the Curtis' again, I just know it.

It was getting late, and I was getting low on gas, the gauge almost on the huge E. I cursed a bit and pulled over to the side of the road momentarily so that I was able to pull out the map from the passenger side glove department.

To be fair, it has been eight years since I was last in Tulsa, but I am back and better. Kind of.

I am back and lost.

"There has to be a gas station around here somewhere," I mumbled under my breath in a strong southern accent, flipping open my map to gaze through it. I had always been a terrible navigator, but I had improved quite a bit, easily pointing out the place I have been looking for which was up ahead a quarter mile. I could do that.

The DX.

"Lottie! Look, I got a C on my spelling test." Sodapop gushed, a toothy grin on his face as he held up a piece of paper, a huge C written across the top. This was a huge achievement for him, I could tell. It was no secret that Soda wasn't that good with spelling, so yes. This was definitely big. The biggest accomplishment that a ten year old could possibly have. I was going to miss him most of all.

"That's good, Pepsi," I spoke with a clearing of my throat, unable to help the sadness that was etched onto my face.

His brown eyes flickered towards me immediately, head tilting to the side, eyes big as concern laced his voice. "What's wrong?"

That's when I just spat it out. "I'm moving to Kentucky."

His eyes were as wide as saucers as I said that, his paper falling to his messy bed, and that was the last time I saw my best friend.

It didn't take long before I slowly rode up to the gas pump right outside the DX, two men leaning against it, talking. All I could hear was 'Seeya Steve, I'll close up and be right there!' And with that, he leaned into my car window and gave me a dazzling smile. "Hello, little lady, how may I help ya today?"

"I just needed gas," I spoke firmly, nodding my head as I examined him. He just simply hummed in agreement, dragging his finger against my car, heading to the gas tank.

"Nice car. Surprised Steve didn't stop to fawn at it. He must've been in a hurry to eat, or play poker."

The man before me was in a greased up DX uniform, but it wasn't that that shocked me, it was the fact that his old name tag read Sodapop Curtis.

The Sodapop Curtis.

My lips parted in momentary shock, as he filled my tank up for me.

It was really him. The goofy child I grew up with, the one who could hardly spell family, and who couldn't tell the difference between there, they're and their was right in front of me.

"You know," Soda spoke, interrupting my thoughts, as I lifted my eyes to his face, watching him concentrate on what he was doing. "You remind me of someone I use to know. She moved ages ago, but it seems like only yesterday when we kissed in first grade under the bleachers." A soft laugh escaped his angelic lips, and I just wanted to kiss him again. And again. And again. "We both ran away screamin' 'cooties'. Such children, yeah? I just miss her, sorry for complainin'." He suddenly got flustered, face red as he shifted on his heels.

"Soda, Soda. Calm yourself. Your ranting about the past with the girl of your past." I roared in laughter, and his face paled before a huge grin split onto his face as he fumbled to put the gas pump back and close the gas cap.

"Lottie Mason, by golly, it's really you? When were ya gonna tell me? You let me talk about you like I'd never see you again, and you're right here? When did ya get back?" He was frantic, his brown eyes wide, and he didn't even allow me to speak before he was bouncing up and down. "Now open that door and get out here and hug me, dork."

Rolling my eyes, I was eager to obey and unlock my door, pushing it open and standing from my Corvette, and I stood like a inch below him, so I had to tilt my head a bit but not much. He had an eager grin on his lips, and it was almost instantly that he threw his arms around my waist and pulled me into a crushing hug. At that very moment, he smelled like rust and grease, but it was heavenly coming from him. The scent wasn't as bad as most would assume.

"Oh goodness, I missed ya, Pepsi. How's the gang?" My arms draped around his neck in a quick hug before I pulled back, able to catch the small shift in his mood and the freezing of his body posture, before he smiled in return.

"They're great! Oh golly, Ponyboy would absolutely love to see you." His eyes were wide, hands needily pushing me back towards my car as he skid all the way to the passenger seat and hopped into the shiny Corvette. "What are ya waitin' for? Go!"

"Eager?" I laughed and shook my head, obediently turning the car on and hearing it roar to life, watching Soda happily run his hands over the dashboard with a grin.

"This really is a beautiful car." He breathed softly, eyes drifting shut.

And you are a beautiful person, I just wish that I could rub my hands all over you.

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