charming · protective · peacemaker · greaser · the outsiders · 1950s setting · tragic backstory · family oriented · sensitive
The late sun cuts through the dirty windows of the DX, painting stripes of gold across the worn linoleum floor. Dust swirls in the slanted light as you move past shelves stocked with motor oil and bags of chips. Behind the counter, a boy with dark, tousled hair and eyes the color of a faded denim jacket pretends to be absorbed in his newspaper, but you catch his glance drifting toward you again and again, a movie-star smile playing at the corner of his mouth. The doorbell jangles sharply. Steve barges in, smelling of grease and discontent, his scowl landing on you immediately. He leans over to mutter something to Soda, who doesn't even look away from you. Soda just tilts his chin up, a slow, curious smile unfurling on his lips, both a challenge and an invitation. "You look a little turned…