Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders. I added some stuff to this chapter

Three Weeks Later Soda

Charles was a weird kid, no doubt. Every time I saw him he was always alone. He avoided people like a plague and he never answered a question directly. And if he wasn't forced he never talked. He was always reading and drawing.

Still I couldn't help sorry for the kid. Some days he'd come in limping or sporting a busted up lip, maybe a black eye. His left arm was broken. None of the teacher's suspect abuse because he's rich. I know better. I've seen Johnny. I know the signs. It makes me sick. Sad for him too. Poor kid something has made him so scared of people.

Well anyways I got off subject. I do that all the time. I start yammering on and I don't even realize I've gotten off topic. Mom says its because of my energy. She says I was born with caffeine in my body instead of blood.

So any who Ms. Bell was handing out last weeks math tests. I knew I didn't do so hot. I really do try but somehow I can't help but fail. "Mr. Davenport, very nice work. I see a bright future for you. Perhaps Mr. Curtis may take a cue from your hard work." Then she lay my paper on my desk. I didn't even have to look. "Mr. Curtis I suggest you actually study next time. Laziness only breeds stupidity. Which you seem to have in great supply."

I sighed and kind of slunk down in my chair. She has a way of making a guy not feel so hot, if you know what I mean.

Charles glanced over. It was one of the few times he had interacted with me or anyone to my knowledge. He gave me sympathetic smile. I smiled back. It was the first time I'd ever seen the kid do anything but frown or cower.

* * * * * *

There was a ruckus in the hall around the corner. Steve nodded at me and I nodded at Two-Bit and Johnny. We were on the way to lunch when we had heard it. It sounded like a fight. Something about guys and fights. I can't really explain it except I like all the action that I can get.

What I saw kind of shocked me. Curly and a couple of his pals were working together with some pals. They were picking on some kid. Beating him up, throwing his books and tearing something up. The kid was not putting up a fight. He just took it.

It was Charles. I felt awful bad. I aint never seen a kid just crawl into a ball and let someone hit him. "Hey!" I called. I can't help it. Sometimes I meddle.

I ran over and pulled Curly off the kid. "Lay off Shepherd." Curly just frowned and walked away. He aint one for fighting a whole gang of guys.

Charles was shivering. I held out my hand to him. "Don't mind Curly. He aint a bad guy." Charles didn't look up. He started rocking. I nodded at Steve. "Hey Steve yawl grab his stuff and take it to the car. We'll meet you there."

He nodded and I leaned down to Charles's level. "Hey kid, you okay?" I was always good with scared animals and stuff so I use that technique with people.

Charles shivered and kept rocking. I put my hand on his shoulder and he recoiled. Some oine had hurt him real bad sometime, maybe more then once. "Hey man I aint going to hurt you. Me and the guys are going for some chow. You in?"

He shook his head. "Why not, you don't like food?" I joked.

He shook his head. "Father, he, he wouldn't like it." It was the first time he spoke a full sentence to me. I smiled.

'He won't find out. I promise." Charles just nodded. I helped him up. He looked down.

"Charlie, can I call you that?' he nodded. "Your dad. Does he beat you sometimes?"

"No." It was quick, too quick. It sounded rehearsed. I felt awful then.

'Okay man."

We started walking. Charlie walked hands in pocket, much slower then me.

* * * * * * * *

Charles

We were almost done eating. It was the first meal I'd had in two days. It felt good. "Hey Charlie hand me a milk will yah? I grabbed a milk from the freezer and handed it to Soda. Obedience is practically ingrained in my brain. I get a command I follow. It's like a reflex for me, like my fear of people. I don't trust easily. I don't disobey either.

I handed Sodapop the milk. He went to take a sip then dropped it. "You okay Soda?" The guy with the side burns asked. Soda shook his head.

"I can't have milk today. It's no good. I'm not hungry. I.. I got to get a smoke." He headed outside. I picked up the milk. There was no expiration date for today at least.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Surprised at my courage. Steve grabbed it from my hand. I jumped back and looked down. I did something wrong. I shouldn't have asked that. Oh boy I'm going to get it.

"Easy kid." Steve said inspecting it. He sighed. "Guys it's Pony." The quiet kid and Sideburns nodded and Sideburns whistled.

Steve frowned and turned to look at me. He handed me the carton. There was a picture of a little boy on the back. He looked familiar. Had I seen him before?

Name: Ponyboy Michael Curtis Birthdate: 11/22/52 Date Missing: 8/23/ 57

Weight : 37 lbs Height: 3 ft 5 inch Hair: reddish brown Eyes: green

Call 257-245-6278 if any information

Curtis, Curtis. My eyes got wide. "He's Sodapop's little brother. He went missing nine years ago. Their family is still messed up about it."

I stepped outside thinking about the boy. Poor little kid. At least he still had a family who loved him. He was probably dead but they were still looking. Father would probably be the reason I ever went missing. Sometimes I am sure he will kill me. Maybe he'll beat me up so much that I'll need to be in a institute, like mom. Man I miss her. And she didn't love me he don't love me, not really. But this kid is loved. Lucky kid.

Soda was smoking. He was crying. I did think tuff guys like him ever cried. I sat down not meeting his eyes. I don't know how to act around people. I never obtained that set of skills. I don't much like being around them anyway.

I let out a sigh. Soda looked up. "Sorry for being such a bawl baby. It just hurts sometimes."

I nodded. "You want a smoke?" I shook my head. Father has given me drugs all the time. I'm his favorite guinea pig to see if the stuff is good. I didn't want to touch cigarettes if I didn't have to.

"You know I barely even can remember him sometimes. And then something like this happens. I hate it. I miss him. Glory kid. You know he'd be a year older then you are?"

I hunched my shoulder. Too much of interaction and I get shyer. Weird.

"We better get you back to school.

Charlie

"Useless, pathetic…" Father had be by the crook of my shirt. "You know who just called." I shook my head shivering.

"The school. You got beat up today. And then you skipped class with some hoods. Can't even fight your own battles can you?" He punched me and laughed. The he shoved me the ground. He pinned me down.

I could feel his breath hot and dry on my cheeks. "You worthless, pathetic little worm. That's all you are you know? Your so worthless so pathetic."

He let me up. Then placed a arm around my shoulder. At least his bad mood had dissipated. His moods changed quicker than the tide. Father laughed and let go. He patted me on the back. 'Come on son. You can test out some new junk for me. That's all your good for anyways." I merely nodded. Father believes children should be seen and not heard.

The Next day Soda

Charlie wouldn't look me in the he'd crawled back into his shell. He was also sporting a new bruise on the cheek. Poor kid.

"Hey Charlie," I whispered, "You know I don't really understand this stuff." I indicated the math worksheet we'd been given. Charlie was already done and doodling.

Charlie hunched his shoulders. "I bet you'll get a hundred." I added. "Me I'm dumb."

Charlie looked up. "No," he paused. "No, you're not." I smiled.

"So you'll help me?"

He gave a small smile and nodded.

"Thanks man."

Okay I changed Ponyboy's birthday in this to work with the story. Charlie has a forged birth certificate of course, listing him a year or so younger. I hope you liked this. Review please.