Wanted to do something different, one shot!
I do not own the outsiders :(
The school bell rang signaling the end of another school day. Sodapop Curtis's legs sprung up out of the too small desk they moved into the remedial classes. Ignoring the uncomfortable bump it left on his knee he quickly advanced to the door along with his other greaser buddies.
"Sodapop," the teacher called from the front of the room. Soda shuddered, he was so close to evading this. Without looking up from his papers Mr. Baxter continued, "let's have a chat." The teen sulked back into the room, facing the talk he was trying so hard to avoid. Mr. Baxter was probably one of his favorite teachers, despite the fact he taught history which wasn't gym or auto mechanics, the only classes he had a passing grade in.
"Yes, sir?" Soda asked chewing on his toothpick. The elderly man removed his glasses and stroked his short white beard before saying casually,
"I heard you're trying to drop out." Trying to avoid awkward eye contact Soda stared at his old beaten up sneakers and said,
"Ah, well you know." God he hated confrontation like this.
"Oh I'm sure I know, but do you?" The elderly man's deep voice rang into the back of Soda's mind where he tried his best to put on a expression of deep though.
"Well, you've seen my grades," he chuckled. Mr. Baxter smiled and said,
"Indeed I have. But that's no reason to give up. What if Christopher Columbus said 'Nah I think I'll go America some other day!' or the pioneers gave up halfway through their venture to the West?"
"I know what you're tryin' to say, sir, an' I get it but it just ain't me. I'm not smart."
"Sodapop, that's not true-"
"Shucks, yes it is!" Mr. Baxter was taken aback by the words spoken by the normally bubbly happy-go-lucky kid. Soda went on to explain, "But I don't really mind, I'm happy getting a job, especially to help my family." The elder nodded respectfully and said,
"Yes I remember the incident, terribly sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. But school just isn't for me," Soda gnawed on his toothpick a little more, scratching the back of his neck.
"I see that. But I figured I should at least try and make you stay. Education is priceless," Mr. Baxter said wisely.
"I prefer the simple things in life," Soda smiled boyishly. Mr. Baxter looked serious for a moment and then mirrored the grin. He sighed, still smiling and said,
"Well maybe you'll become one of those male models, or a petroleum distribution specialist."
"A what?" Soda said quizzically.
"Pump Gas!" he raised his voice in a playful tone.
"See I told you I wasn't cut out for-" Soda answered quickly but then paused to think and said, "Hey yeah! I am gonna do that!" Smiling Soda started to pedal towards the door calling, "Thanks, Mr. Baxter!"
"You're welcome Sodapop," he chuckled warmly. After his student was halfway down the hall he said quietly said to himself, "and stay innocent while you can."