Elliot's P.O.V
•skipping to New Years•
Today SodaPop and I were going to Masons Aunts stable. Since Soda already knew how to ride and take care of a horse we didn't need his aunt to help us but ... I would need help from Soda.
Since it's New Years we didn't work so that worked out perfectly.
I walked out of my room with my usual plain t-shirt, jeans, converse, and the jacket Soda gave me.
"Hey SodaPop, you ready?" I asked and stood behind the couch but Soda wasn't over there.
Suddenly two hands gripped the sides of the torso, causing me to jump and turn around. I smacked him on the chest "don't scare me like that.
I looked him up and down and this time instead of his normal blue DX button up, he had on a white t-shirt with a flannel over it. He always looked good in flannels.
"I'm driving" I grinned.
"Do you have a license?" He raised an eyebrow.
I pulled out a wallet from my pocket and opened it to show my license and grinned, putting the wallet back Into my pocket.
"Got it in Connecticut" I said and looked over to Darry "mind if I drive the truck today?"
"Sure thing kid" he said and tossed the keys to me.
I caught the keys and moved out of the way of Soda and over to the door "see y'all later" I called and Soda followed me out the door.
I got in the drivers side of the truck and he got into the passenger seat. I stared the truck and pulled out of the driveway and began to drive to Mason's, Aunt's stable.
It didn't take too long to get there and once we got there I pulled into a small parking area where another car was parked.
I turned off the truck and took the keys out then got out of the truck along with Soda.
We walked down to the stable and someone was there tending to the horses.
The woman turned and smiled to us "I assume you are Elliot and SodaPop?" She asked.
I nodded "that's us"
"It's nice to meet you, i'm Mali the hostler here" she stuck out a hand for us to shake. I shook her hand first and then Soda did. "Sheryl" Mason's aunt "tells me that this young man knows how to ride a horse already" she said nodding to Soda "so I'll leave you two to your business" she said and with that walked off over to one of the stalls.
I looked to Soda "your gonna need to help me out with this, I'm new to it" I laughed a little.
He laughed and nodded "let's pick out a couple horses" he said and we began to walk down the stable.
Soda picked out a black horse with a few white spots here and there and i picked out a White one.
Soda easily had the horse out of the stall with the saddle and everything on it.
"Come over and hold him for me while I get yours" he said
I waked over and held the reigns of the horse while he went to get mine ready. I gently reached out and pet the side of the horses neck and it let me.
"Do you know their names?" I asked Mali.
She nodded "the white ones Alaska and the black ones Bandit"
Soda got the other horse out and saddled up and then took his back while I took the reigns of the one I chose.
"Okay, the only part I know is how to get up on a horse" I chuckled.
He smiled "don't worry, I'll teach you"
And he did, after about an hour Soda had successfully taught me how to ride the horse ... of course I was no expert but I wasn't awful.
"Hey kids" Mali called out to us "behind the house in the woods, there are a couple trails you can take if you wanna"
I looked to Soda and he nodded happily "let's go" he said and guided the horse over to the wooded area with me behind him.
Only one of the trails had room for two, side by side so we took that one.
"I can see why you liked spending time with them ... the horses" I said and looked over at him a bit. We were going at a steady space.
"Well, I had a huge thing for Mickey Mouse and I guess it kinda just expanded from there. I haven't rode a horse in like three years ... I'm surprised I still know how" he laughed a bit.
"It's a good thing you do" I laughed.
"Hey ... a guy I know is having a New Years party tonight, Steve asked if we wanna go with Evie and him" he said and looked straight ahead at the trail.
"Sure, I've never been to one I nodded.
"A party?"
"Yeah, I mean I went to that bar with you but, they didn't have a lot in New York where I lived and no one could throw them in the school in Connecticut"
"So this'll be your first time" he grinned "and a New Years one, be prepared"
"Oh glory" I laughed a bit
~*~
"Elliot! That's great, I'm happy for you two. I know you make Soda real happy" Evie smiled while applying a little bit of blush to her cheeks and then turning to me.
I blushed a bit "well he makes me real happy ... I feel comfortable and safe around him"
She took a hold of my face and lightly applied blush, making sure it wasn't a lot since she knew how I felt about makeup.
"So, What are we wearing?" I asked.
"Dresses" she grinned.
I crinkles my nose "do I have to?"
"Yes" she laughed "I'm wearing one too, and it's New Years the beginning of a new year is coming just around the corner"
"Alright, but only since it's New Years" I said as she turned back to me and applied a little mascara to my eye lashes.
"You take the red one and I'll take the white, red looks really good on you" she said and turned back to the mirror, applying her own mascara.
I got up and looked over to the dresses. I wore a dress to my date with Cole ... this shouldn't be hard.
I undressed and slipped the dress on after I got my clothes off. Evie helped me zip it up and I helped her with hers. I put on my converse and Evie put hers on.
Evie had come over to the Curtis's house since the rest of us were over here and helped me out like last time.
"Ready?" Evie asked.
I nodded "let's go" I said and she opened the door walking out, I closed the door behind us and followed her.
We got out and Steve and Soda were sitting on the couch along with the other guys.
"Well shit SodaPop, I might have to steal your girlfriend" Two-Bit joked, grinning.
"As if, Two-Bit" Soda grinned.
Soda walked over and wrapped one arm around my waist and Steve walked over to Evie, taking her hand in his.
"You clean up nice" Soda whispered.
"You don't look so bad yourself" I chuckled.
"Hey Darry, how ya feel about Ponyboy goin to this party?" Two-Bit asked.
Darry hesitated "i don't know Two-Bit"
"Awe come on, Johnny and I'll keep an eye on em. Won't we Johnny?"
Johnny nodded and grinned "sure thing Darry"
Ponyboy rolled his eyes "I don't need a babysitter"
"As long as you and Johnny stick together" Darry nodded "I have a feeling Two-Bit'll be drunk before you get there" he raised an eyebrow.
"Don't worry Darry" I chuckled "I'll make sure Ponyboy stays out of trouble" I winked at Pony.
Ponyboy laughed "Johnny and I will be fine" he said as the others stood up.
"Hey Darry, you should go" Soda offered.
Darry thought about it for a moment "you kids have fun, I'm gonna stay here"
Soda nodded "alright" he said and we made our way over to the door, walking out.
Evie, Soda, Steve, and I piled into Steve's car and Two-Bit, Ponyboy, and Johnny got into Two-Bits car.
Steve drove not too far from the house to a house I hadn't seen yet. It was still on the Greasers side of course, we weren't welcome to the Socs side.
The place was pretty packed with people and loud, cheap music playing.
Steve parked across from the house and we all piled out of the car. We walked across the street and into the house.
"Who's house is this?" I asked Soda.
"Roy, he's a buddy of mine and Steve's" he answered, confidently walking in with me on his arm.
I nodded, I'd never heard him talk about him before but then again Soda doesn't really talk about people besides the gang.
Soda pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to me. I took out from the carton as he did and he put it away, pulling out a lighter. He lit mine then his.
I took a drag of it and and blew out the smoke.
"I'm gonna get a drink, want one?" I know I don't normally drink but it didn't hurt tonight.
Soda nodded "I'm gonna go over to the couch to say hey to some people" he said and leaned over kissing me lightly.
I kissed him back then walked off to the 'bar' area where all the drinks were. I picked up two beers and used the counter to pop off the cap.
I felt someone come up beside me but didn't even think to look.
"What's a pretty broad like you doin at this party?" The guy asked.
I turned to see an unfamiliar face "I'm here with my boyfriend, SodaPop" I said and took a swig of one of the beers.
"SodaPop huh?" The guys grinned "didn't know that guy got a new girl. What's ya name?"
"Elliot, Elliot Winston. And you are?"
"Ahh a Winston, the names Roy"
"Ohh so this is your house" I nodded and looked over at Soda "Well I better get back to SodaPop".
"I'll be comin by later" he winked at me and turned around, walking off.
"Oh glory" I said through a breath and pushed away from the counter, walking over to Soda.
I handed him a one of the beers. I had never seen him drink before cause he never needed to, I guess it didn't really interest him. It's didn't me either.
"Thanks baby" he smiled lightly.
Baby? I don't think he's ever called me baby before.
I took another swig of the beer and Soda pulled me close to him and kissed the top of my head.
Steve came almost bouncing over to Soda and I with Evie waking behind him, laughing.
"Come ere' buddy come see this" he said and lightly pulled Soda away from me. Soda laughed and followed him, looking to me first and shrugging.
Evie walked over to me.
"What was he so excited about?" I giggled.
"Oh lord I don't know, he's always excited about something. Sometimes I think Soda and him are dating secretly" she laughed.
I laughed and pressed a hand to my chest "I wouldn't be surprised" I said and calmed my laughing fit down "Hey Evie ... can I ask you something"
"Sure doll, what is it?" She asked as we made our way to the back yard of the house.
"Have you and Steve ... you know"
She chuckled and sighed "no way, I mean I love Steve but I'm not ready for all that. Why?" She said and then raised an eyebrow and I knew what she was thinking.
"Oh, no! I mean we haven't either" I 'coughed' into my arm "I mean it wouldn't much matter for me I don't have a mother or father to scold me or anything but ... I'm waiting for a reason"
"What's the reason?" She asked.
I hesitated and I think she could tell cause she spoke up again "you don't have to tell me doll".
"I mean Dallas is the only person here that knows ... I haven't even told Soda, I'm terrified of what he'll think" I shrugged and kicked at the ground.
"Elliot I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring it up I-"
But I cut her off "no, no it's okay" I nodded "I kinda have the urge to tell someone ... this is why"
~*~
Soon enough Soda and Steve came back outside, laughing and shoving each other. Which was typical of course.
I realized I was still holding the beer, I hadn't drank much of it. I don't know if I didn't like alcohol or I just didn't wanna drink it.
Soda still had his too, I only knew it was the same one because Soda wasn't drunk at all. I was actually happy he wasn't, it would've been weird for him.
"It's almost midnight" he whispered to me.
"You gonna be my New Years kiss?" I asked, biting my lip.
Suddenly counting began from ten. And at around three Soda pushed me up against the side of the house, one hand against the wall above my head.
"Here's to 1965" he said and leaned down, kissing me lightly.