I went home after that. I stopped by to see my aunt and tell her I'd stay in touch more often. A promise I intended to keep. Bodhi saved my life. When I came to, he was holding me praying. I drove home. It was a long drive I was anxious to see the boys. All of them, I don't just mean my two. This trip was supposed to be about finding the answer to which boy I loved more. Well there isn't an answer to that. It was which boy did I need more. Which one needed me more. And that was without a doubt Dallas Winston.

I parked my car at the DX. And I ran as fast as I could to the Curtis house. I needed to tell Soda first. When I arrived I hesitated at the door. Then I knocked three times. And within the first fifteen seconds someone answered the door.

"Hey Ponyboy," I started but I couldn't finish because he grabbed me and spun me around. "Ponyboy!" I screamed which only made matters worse. After a few seconds the entire gang had come and took turns clinging on to me with dear life.

"We thought you left for good!" Johnny yelled.

"What the hell were you thinking Hendrix you had us all scared to death," Darry added.

"Yeah man we were worried," Two-bit said.

"Guys stop," I said getting them to quiet down. I looked over and saw Soda standing awkwardly in the living room.

"Take a walk with me, Sodapop," I half question and half commanded. He nodded and then walked outside with me. After we shut the door we decided it would be easier to just sit on the porch.

"I love you," Was the first thing I said. It was the most important. "And I came here looking for a home and I know God brought me to you. You're my home Sodapop." He must have been able to tell that even with the kind words I spoke he knew this wasn't a makeup. His face wasn't sad, but definitely not happy either. Just understanding. "Hey," I put my hand on his face. His beautiful face. He looked at me with those eyes that were the very thing I fell in love with. "In a perfect world, I think it would've been us. I think you're my soulmate. But we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a world with corruption and darkness. Where our parents are dead and Socs are cruel. We live in a world with-"

"Dallas," he said. I looked at him and my face sunk.

"I never meant to love him Sodapop. I only meant to love you. But it isn't a perfect world." He grinned at me and nodded. He was understanding and somehow that made all of this even harder. I didn't want to hurt him.

"I am in love with you, Hendrix. And I think I always will be. But I love you as much as I'm in love with you. So I want you to be happy. As long as he keeps you safe and happy, I can make peace with that," he said as a tear slipped from my left eye. He gently wiped it away with his thumb and then pulled me in for our last kiss. It was soft and kind. He was warm and gentle just as he always had been. When I pulled away I smiled at him.

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Go get him, Henna." My smile grew and I nodded. Sodapop winked at me and walked inside. And I ran for Bucks house.