Chapter 11

Soda whistled as he and Steve walked home from school. Steve had now been living with them for almost two months, it was one more week and then his bandages would come off. Both young men were very nervous about it. But Soda knew Steve wouldn't turn blind, he just knew it. They had forgiven the gang, who I might add had been really scared when Steve screamed like that. School was working out good for both of them. Steve's grade was still good, as always and Soda was really starting to like working as a personal assistant. The art teacher was on his case everyday but Soda hadn't thought about exhibit his art yet.

They got around a corner when a car suddenly pulled up at their side.

"Steve Soda wait a minute", both of them started at the voice and turned really slow. Cherry Valance stood in front of them. The court had been two weeks ago and the socs kidnapping and abusing them got sentenced to five years in prison and had to pay 15 000$(that sound enough money? I have no idea) in damages to both boys and to Goodman. Cherry had got sentenced to six months in jail for not helping the police.

"What are you doing out of the cooler", Steve growled at her.

"I-I got permission to go out for the day and come back tonight… Uh back in my car is a policeman."

Soda looked over and saw the man.

"I have to take your word for it", Steve snapped at her.

"What do you want Valance", Soda asked coldly.

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry."

"You're sorry", Steve yelled. "You're sorry!"

"If you had called the fuzz or the guys your soc friends wouldn't have done this to Steve's eyes", Soda yelled angrily. "Why the hell should we forgive you?"

"Because Henry and his friends threatened me, I-I was too scared to go to the police or your gang. I'm sorry for letting you get hurt… and for lying to Ponyboy."

"Go to hell Valance", Steve said and he and Soda started to go.

"Steve", she yelled in despair. "Sodapop!"

They ignored her but suddenly felt someone grab them by their shoulders.

"Listen to me", Cherry yelled and they both turned around. "I regret what I did! It's eating me alive! I just want you two to forgive me."

"Why would we", Steve said. "Even if I wanted to I would never be able to forgive you Valance. Your friends might have cost me my sight and my dreams."

"I know I should have acted different. But you must understand… I-I was scared but I still made one of Sheppard's boys see me open Pony's backpack and slip the envelope inside."

"So taht makes you an hero now?"

"It made me help them find you..."

"No they found us 'casue the inspector leading the investigation recognized the car."

"But Tim..."

"You don't get it do you", Soda said and took a threatening step towards her. "It's not the fact that you didn't help us Valance that makes us despise you right now. It's the fact that you lied to your friends, people that wouldn't hesitate to offer their arms for you. Damn Valance you've burned the bridges." He looked her straight in the eye. "And you can never rebuild them again. You're nothing to us, jsut a slut."

Steve heard a smack and then a small chuckle from Soda.

"That's how you socs learns to deal with your feelings when you realizes that you're not getting what you want", Soda asked. His face was red where Cherry had slapped him. "You hit people."

"I-I didn't mean to Soda…"

"Get the hell out of here", Steve growled.

"Steve please", Cherry begged and walked up to him. "I'm sorry." She ran her hand down his cheek.

"Don't touch me", Steve yelled and pushed her away.

"Hey", the three of them heard an angry voice say. Soda turned around and saw the gang stand behind them.

"You got a lot of nerve showing your pitiful ass here", Dallas said and crossed his arms.

"She's not showing any nerve Dallas", Soda growled and took Steve's arm. "She's just being a soc, thinking they can have everything in the world." They started to walk again.

"Soda", Cherry said pleadingly.

"Get the hell out of here", Darry said and stepped between Cherry and Steve and Soda.

Cherry looked at them all.

"Ponyboy", she said.

"What?" He asked angrily.

"I'm sorry."

"Get out of my sight", Pony said. Turned around, slung an arm around Soda's shoulders and together the greasers left her standing there.

Back at the house Soda started to walk back and forth and rant about how stupid Cherry was.

"Man calm down", Two-Bit said. "She's gone now."

"You didn't see what she did to Steve did ya?" Soda asked.

"Huh?"

"She caressed his cheek god damn it!" Everyone stared at him.

"She's a whore", Dallas stated. "A fucking slut."

"Agreed", Two-Bit said.

"Hey Soda I find this in your room", Darry said and rose. He took out a folded paper from his pockets.

"What's that", Soda asked and took the paper. He folded it out and quickly folded it back again. "Uh… well… Thanks Darry."

"What was that", Johnny asked interested.

"Uh… Nothing Johnny, just some scribble." Soda made a move to put the paper in his pocket.

"If that's scribble it's the best scribble I've ever seen", Darry said and snatched it back.

"Darry give it back", Soda said and first tried to grab it with his right hand and then his left. Yes he's out from his cast now.

"Na uh", Darry taunted and held it out of reach.

"What is that", Dallas snatched the paper from Darry. He looked it over. "What can I say Darry is right for once."

"Thanks… hey!"

"Gimme gimme", Two-Bit said and took the paper. He whistled. "I thought Pony would be the artist-boy!"

"Two-Bit", Soda tried to snatch the picture from him. Then gave up and sat down at the couch beside Steve with an frustrated sigh.

"Why didn't ya tell me you're an artist Soda", Darry asked kindly.

"Because I'm not."

"Yes you are", Pony pointed out and snatched the picture from Two-Bit and held it up so all of them could see it. "And this proves it!" The picture was a scene from a rumble. You could make out Darry, Dallas, Tim and Steve fighting with some socs. When Pony looked closer he saw himself and Johnny in the back. They were trying to help Curly, a soc was on top of him.

"You're grate man", Dallas said. "How the hell did you get all those details in?"

"I don't know…" Soda mumbled. "It just… happens."

"Soda", Darry sat down beside him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I knew that if you saw my drawings you would have wanted me to stay in school."

"That's why the art teacher was so depressed when you dropped out", Pony exclaimed.

"She's still pretty upset about it", Steve pointed out. It was the first thing he'd said since they came home. "Though she want Sodapop here to exhibit his art in a gallery downtown where she'll have an exhibit with talented young men and women. But artist-boy here doesn't want that."

"Are you nuts", Johnny said. "Of course you should exhibit it!"

"No", Soda shook his head. "No, no not happening."

"Why not", Dallas asked.

"What do you think people say when a greaser is there? They wouldn't throw my work a second glance."

"Aw I think artist-boy is shy", Two-Bit said and ruffled Soda's hair. "Admit it, you don't want to exhibit 'cause you're afraid what people will think."

"No."

"Artist-boy…"

"Stop calling me that!" Soda glared at his friends and family. "Okay fine I'll think about it…"

The last week flew by so fast no one had time to think about it, but Soda hadn't made a decision yet and now it was time to go back to the hospital. Steve sat on his bed and was fidgeting.

"Soda…"

"Yeah buddy?"

"What if I won't be able to see? What if the doctor is right?"

"Aw man don't start that again… I told you, fuck the doctors they can't know everything!"

"But…"

"No more buts, come on let's get going."

"You sure you don't want the rest of us to come with you Steve", Darry asked friendly. Soda was the only one going with Steve.

"Yes I'm sure superman… You all think I won't be able to see anyway."

"Hey", Two-Bit exclaimed angrily. "That's not true and you know it!"

"Do I? Then why does your voice always brake when you talk about it Two-Bit?"

That made Two-Bit speechless.

"Come on buddy don't be like that", Soda soothed Steve. "You're just nervous."

"I'm not nervous Soda I'm terrified!"

"Well then let's get this over with", Soda started to push him towards the door. "See ya guys later!"

"Maybe…" Steve huffed. "Ow!" Soda slapped him on the arm pretty hard.

"Okay Steven", the doctor said friendly. "I'm gonna remove the bandages now. So I want you to close your eyes until I'm done okay?"

"Yeah, yeah just get this over with." Soda chuckled. He held a hand on Steve's shoulder and he felt his buddy tremble nervously.

"Right Steve I'm done", the doctor announced. "You can open your eyes now."

Steve didn't move or opened his eyes.

"Steve come on", Soda said and squeezed his shoulder. "It's nothing to be afraid of."

"Steven", the doctor continued. "I know you are afraid that when you open your eyes everything will be black. But look at it this way. You know it will be."

"Shut up you don't know anything", Steve growled and opened his eyes. He blinked a couple of times and gasped and tears started to fall.

"Steve", Soda exclaimed and pushed the doctor away so he was looking straight into his friend's eyes. "Man are you okay?"

"S-Soda…"

"Yeah."

"I-I can see you…"

Authors note: See ConfuzzledAtLife he didn't turn blind, can you let that kitty go now? Actually I never planned on Steve go blind, I like him too much and he will need his sight for my next story. Final chapter up soon.