𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋. ( 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘱 )

CHAPTER TWO

Sodapop had always loved when the weather turned chilly. It signified the end of summer and the start of autumn. With that came all of the holidays that came after in such a short period of time. 

Not only did he love the holidays, but he also loved his chances. During these times is when a great number of people found their soulmates, most merely by accident. Others searched far and wide to meet their lifelong partner. 

The wheat-golden blonde was different though. He didn't search for his soulmate, no matter how much he wanted to. He had always been a hopeless romantic, wanting to find the most flattering ways to meet his soulmate. 

But his family kept any urges at bay. After the death of their parents, Soda had sadly dropped out of school and got a job at the local DX station in order to help pay off bills. 

His older brother, Darry, appreciated the extra help with the bills. Although the oldest brother knew that it was a lot to give up. Losing your parents as teenagers was really hard on them, especially since they would need a guardian. And that's where Darry came in. 

He became the youngest two brother's legal guardian. 

For now, the blonde would just keep post behind the counter, hoping that someday his soulmate might stumble through the front door and greet him, no matter how awkward their first words might be. 

He glanced at the clock, watching as time seemed to tick ever so slowly. The teen was ready to get out and go home. Or find his pal Two-Bit. 

The older redhead was enjoyable company and he got to rant about how badly he wanted to find his soulmate. He was just open that way in terms of emotion. 

Everyone knew how badly he wanted to find them. Some people had even gone great lengths to try and match the words written on his forearm. 

Soda had done his best to keep the words covered up ever since the first couple of attempts. He didn't want people to fake being his soulmate. It was hurtful and it just proved how people lied. 

He shifted on his feet, a low whine escaping his lips. Time couldn't seem to go fast enough for him. He was antsy and ready to clock out. The teen loved this job, don't get him wrong, but sometimes it just reminded him that he had to give up his education. 

Although he had always thought that he wasn't smart enough for school. He was only passing gym and mechanics when he left, anyway. 

After seemingly hours had passed, it was finally time for him to clock out. He swore he had never moved so fast in his life. The blonde clocked out and told his boss goodbye before heading to the front door. 

As he was leaving, someone else was coming in. A teenager around his age, dark-chocolate colored hair combed neatly and tanned skin from what he assumed was time in the sun. He could feel his own brain scrambling at the sight. 

He was attractive. 

Soda's sexuality was like a door that swung in every direction possible. He didn't care who his soulmate was, just as long as they had a good personality. And if they happened to be a looker, then that was just the icing on the cake. 

He flashes a grin toward the stranger, holding the door for a few moments before turning and continuing his way out. The blonde couldn't help the heat that had sprang to his cheeks.

No words had been exchanged but he could already feel that something was different. Maybe he would see him again and they could be friends. He could only hope. 

As he made his way further down the sidewalk, he couldn't help but break into a run. The blonde wanted to head home. Two-Bit said that he would be there by the time his shift was over. 

He ran home a lot faster than he thought, bursting through the front door. It slammed behind him and he could already hear Darry grumbling from the kitchen about it. He didn't care all that much though, plopping down on the floor next to Two-Bit who had been watching whatever was one. 

"Hey there, speedster," Two-Bit greets, a goofy grin on his lips. "What's got you running like that?"

Soda just grins in response, a huff escaping his lips as he caught hus breath. 

"Just thinking about soulmate stuff again," Soda comments. "And how I'll probably never find them because the world absolutely hates me." 

Two-Bit rolls his eyes playfully, slinging an arm around the blonde and tugging him close. Soda didn't seem to fight it at all, just letting the older redhead do as he pleased. 

"What have I told you about talking like that?" The rusty-haired male asks. "I think I remember something along the lines of telling you that I'd bust your head in. Can't be so condes… that one big word."

"Condescending," Ponyboy chimes in, flipping a page in the book that he was reading. 

"Yeah, yeah, smartypants. That word."

Soda couldn't help but snicker, leaning his head against Two-Bit's shoulder. He sighs loudly, wanting to push his point on how serious he thought the topic was. 

"I can't help it," Soda says. "No matter how many people I've talked to, it just ain't them. You know how many customers I talk to a day? A lot, Two. And even more when I was in school. And out of all of those people, not a single one…"

Soda huffs.

"And not to mention that one blonde chick who tried to write what I had on my arm on hers. She told me she'd get it tattooed for me if I would be her soulmate."

He shivered, moving his hands to pick at his fingernails. Finding his soulmate seemed hopeless. The town was average sized, but he swore he's talked to everyone his age at least once. 

Socs were a different story though. It was almost like a death sentence talking to half of them. They threatened to beat you up or actually did beat you up. Even then, he's held a few conversations with them. Not pleasant, to put it easily. 

"Soda, you just need to be patient," Two-Bit says. "You can't just manifest meeting them. It doesn't work like that. Either it happens, or you go out and make it happen."

Soda pouts to himself, glancing at Two-Bit who was eyeing him. He thought about all of those people who died alone, not getting the chance to meet their soulmate because they didn't go looking. The blonde wanted to find them. 

"Yeah, you're right," Soda murmurs, shifting a little in the redhead's grasp. 

"Always am, Pepsi."

Written by: -TheFandomLife-