Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders.

Summary: Ponyboy hates Steve and Steve hates Ponyboy. They say you shouldn't judge a person until you've walked in their shoes. What if something like that changed their feelings toward each other or… kept them the same?

Post book (not related to my other stories)

To Hate or To Like?

~Steve~

"Want to come, Ponyboy?" Soda asked his younger brother. I glared at Ponyboy.

"Sure, I guess," Pony replied. I didn't like the kid. I never had.

The three of us were walking into the drive-in, but instead of paying and walking in, we sneaked in through a hole in the fence. I saw Ponyboy beam up when he realized it was a Paul Newman movie. The kid digged movies and books too much. I didn't understand why.

"Paul Newman movie, huh, Ponyboy, well, did you get lucky tonight?" Soda said happily. I frowned, but then sighed and realized I should stop being a brat. Maybe the kid ruined my chances of having some time with just Soda for the night, but I could enjoy some other way. Besides, Pony did need to get out more.

"Hey, Steve, can you get some popcorn and drinks? Sorry, I don't want to leave Ponyboy by himself," Soda requested.

"Sure, Soda," I replied casually. Inside though, all hope of a good night was burned down.

Later on, I walked home alone. I had told Soda and Pony I should head home now. I hadn't seen my dad in a few days, and I thought I should go back. My mom needed me there. I was the one standing in between them. I would've run away otherwise. When I'd reached home, my dad was passed out on the couch-a clear sign he had had a good night and most likely earned himself a job. I tip-toed to the television and turned it off. I grabbed the beer out of my dad's hands and threw it in the trash in the kitchen.

The night hadn't turned too bad. Pony was real into the movie, so Soda and stuck around and flirted with girls until it was finished.

In my room, I glanced at the clock. Almost midnight. I remembered the fortune cookie in my pocket. We had stopped by the Dingo after the movie and found Two-Bit. The funny guy had grabbed a bunch of fortune cookies from a restaurant he took his girlfriend Kathy to. Kathy had wanted a fancy and normal night with him for once. That didn't work out too well. I laughed at the story Two-Bit told them about their "fancy and normal" night. Then, he had handed a few of the fortune cookies he grabbed to us.

I pulled the cookie out of my pocket and read the fortune:

You will discover the individual you loathe doesn't have an incentive that should make him to be detested.

"Whatever that means," I murmured and climbed into my bed after putting the paper back into my pocket. Soon, sleep overcame me and I was looking forward to a better day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

~Ponyboy~

"Sure, I guess," I replied. I was uncertain because of Steve's glare. Then again, I hadn't gone out too much since Johnny and Dally's deaths. I knew this may bring some fresh air to my brain. So, I chose to go with Soda and his best friend to the movies.

We snuck in through a hole in the fence, and I was happy I decided to come because there was a Paul Newman movie coming on. Soda had asked Steve to go buy some popcorn and drinks, but I couldn't have cared less.

I was too absorbed in the movie. I had forgotten Steve had come in the first place, too. Sodapop and he had gone off somewhere. I knew they wouldn't have left me just like that, so I kept myself absorbed in the movie.

When the movie was over, Soda and Steve came back. I was right, they had stuck around.

"How about we drive to the Dingo? It's still a bit early," Soda suggested. He was still full of energy. I wouldn't mind going to the Dingo either, but I glanced at Steve. He looked content enough, so I agreed to come even if I hated spending more time with the boy.

Now, there we had to meet…Two-Bit. His on and off girlfriend, Kathy, had gotten tired of Two-Bit fooling around the restaurant they went to. So, they came to the Dingo instead to go their separate ways for the rest of the night. Apparently, Two-Bit had some real kicks at the place because he kept going on and on about what he did there.

Before we were about to leave, he gave each of us some fortune cookies he managed to grab. To annoy Steve though, he gave him only one. I tried to hide my smile. I enjoyed seeing Steve annoyed, sometimes. Other time, he may be annoyed of me which irritates me at the same time.

"I think I'm going home tonight. See ya'll tomorrow," Steve said while we were standing in front of our house. I was happy. I didn't want to wake up a fifth day to see Steve lying on the couch. Soda said bye and ran after me up the pathway. I had already reached the door.

"Let's open a fortune cookie!" Soda yelled joyfully. I nodded my head and grabbed one out of my pocket, cracked it open, and read it aloud:

You will discover the individual you loathe doesn't have an incentive that should make him to be detested.

"What does that mean?" Soda asked curiously.

"I don't know," I replied. Suddenly, I felt icky and stood up to go take a shower.

"Where you going?"

"Shower," I yelled back to Soda. I noticed Darry wasn't home yet. I knew he would be when I'd step out of the shower. I was going to head out more, I decided. That would start tomorrow.

 Reviews! Please! 