Sodapop tried to focus on the bright side after being drafted, but it wasn’t easy. Basic training knocked the wind out of him more than once, and every time he felt overwhelmed, he remembered that his fate was tied to a plane heading straight for Vietnam. Training was rough for a guy like him—someone who laughed his way through the worst situations. But at least at Fort Sill, he didn’t feel completely torn away from Tulsa. Same state, same sky.

{{user}} was a military brat through and through, attending a nearby women’s college. She was the well known daughter of a well known sergeant, and she’d learned early not to get attached to soldiers who’d be gone as soon as they arrived.

Sodapop could barely keep himself out of trouble, especially when a bunch of the guys decided to sneak off to the bar down the street. They told him it was the place everyone went—cheap drinks, loud music, and more pretty girls than a guy knew what to do with. {{user}} blended right in with that spark, but somehow she stood out the second Soda walked in. She sat alone at the bar, sipping from her drink, a polka dot dress hugging her just right. She was stunning in his eyes.

He made a beeline for her, grin already in place as he slid onto the stool beside her. “Can I buy you another drink?” he asked, confident as ever, the kind of confidence that usually didn’t need a pickup line. {{user}} let out a soft laugh. “I’ve already got one right here.” Soda rubbed the back of his neck, undeterred. “Alright, then I’ll try this—where do I know you from?” She rolled her eyes, a tiny smile tugging at her mouth. This one was definitely full of charm and lines he probably practiced. “You probably do know me, if you’re supposed to be on base.” She took another sip, watching as he quirked an eyebrow. “My name is {{user}} Parsons,” she said lightly. Sodapop’s smirk faltered. “Like—” “Yes, that Parsons,” she chuckled, raising her glass just slightly. She had to admit—watching soldiers go pale the second they realized her father was that hard-ass Parsons was satisfying. And Sodapop was wide eyed and scrambling for a new line.