A/N:

Sadly, this will be my final Outsiders fanfic. I do have a couple reasons, but I'm just trying not to have a tantrum (LOL). Really though, I'm just frustrated with all the unoriginal fics getting so many reviews and when I try to be as original as I can, it just doesn't feel right or I don't get as many reviews as I would have liked. Okay, I guess I am having a little temper tantrum, but I'm just gonna put down my last story and move on to completely original stories as well as screenplays. So in this story, I'm gonna try to use some hidden metaphors to show what I don't like about some fanfictions these days. They're really not flames, just the way I feel.

Partition

By FlipWise

I do not own any characters from The Outsiders. They were created by the woman who inspired me to write stories, S.E. Hinton.

The scenery seems to be an average day around dusk in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The weather was warm and birds were flying. This area however, was not the sunny side of town. This land was divided into two regions in order separate the richer and poorer. As the wealthier respectfully lived in the upper region known as the North Side, and the ones with less money resided in the bottom area better known as the South side.

At one house in the lower neighborhood, there was a teenage boy around the age of sixteen. He seemed to be working under the hood of an antique car clad in jeans and a white beater. After a few seconds of putting some last minute touches on the motor the young man closed the hood, only to see his best friend walking out of his house with a cold beer.

"Thanks, Soda," he said as his best friend gave him his beverage.

"No problem, Steve," he replied back as he hopped on the hood of the car to take a seat. Normally Steve would have become outraged at someone sitting on his prized possession. But this occasion would slide since the action was made by his best friend. After he took a sip of the beer, he turned his attention to Sodapop to inform him of the news that he heard earlier.

"Oh yeah. Two-Bit called before you came over. He said that he was coming by your house."

Sodapop looked at Steve with a confused expression. Two-Bit wasn't the type of guy to call and let you know he was coming by and even if he wasn't, everyone knew that the Curtis household was open to everyone since they always kept their door unlocked.

"Since when does Two-Bit actually call to let you know he's coming over?"

Steve shrugged and drank a little more of the beer.

"He just said that he wanted to tell everyone something. He wasn't as happy-sounding like usual."

Soda kept his eyes on his best friend, but this time with a worried expression.

"Do you think that something is wrong?"

"Don't know. I guess we'll see tonight. I reckon he'll come over when Darry gets off work."

"Well let's go on ahead over there so we won't forget."

"Hold on."

Steve finished the rest of his drink and then threw the empty bottle into the trees. With that, the best friend simultaneously entered the car and Steve turned the ignition. After the engine responded with its running noise it he put the pedal to the metal and took off down the street towards the Curtis household.

As the car moved on in the street the sun started to go down turning dusk into night. By the time the reached the Curtis household the street lights had turned on and Steve parked beside the house behind Darry's Ford truck.

They both hopped out to see the screen of the television shining through the window. Soda's younger brother, Ponyboy must have been home watching whatever cable program he usually pays attention to.

Soda and Steve walked into the house as Ponyboy greeted his brother and then attempted to greet Steve, but was only replied by ignorance. Pony continued to watch his television program while Steve and Soda continued to talk about various topics. Soon enough, Two-Bit came walking through the door and was greeted by everyone.

"What is it that you wanted to tell us?" asked Steve.

Two-Bit didn't reply with an answer, only a question.

"Is Darry here?"

Soda shook his head.

"He won't be home for another thirty minutes."

"Wait until he gets here."

Soda and Steve soon enough brought in another conversation, which was on girls. Normally Two-Bit would have added a lot more to the conversation, but he didn't give as much as he usually did. He still cracked jokes, but it was easily noticeable by everyone that he was being slightly different on this night.

Almost thirty minutes later, Darry came through the door and was greeted by everyone as Two-Bit was. This was no different than any other night. If the gang was not at the movies or a party, then they would be found at the Curtis household. Darry was about to walk back towards his room, obviously to take a shower and relax, but Steve held him up by announcing that Two-Bit had something to say to everyone. Almost at that moment, everyone's attention turned to the "joker" of the group. He took a sigh and told everyone the news he'd concluded this morning.

"Okay," he started. "I think my mom is going back to my dad."