Ponyboy felt like he had been betrayed. He had been confident that there could have been a good conversation between him, Steve, and his brothers. He felt like the conversation could have helped him, but now he was just mad. He was furious. He wouldn't have thought Steve would just ditch him. They needed to talk about things. "He doesn't want to talk about this morning," Pony muttered to himself. Pacing around his room, he had to hold himself back from just throwing things around. He felt like he could explode at any moment.

"Fuck," Pony said under his breath. He snatched his blade, shoved it in his pocket, and marched downstairs. "I'm going for a walk. I need some air."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Soda asked, "It's going to be dark soon."

"No. I just need a minute alone," Pony said as he hurried out the door. He walked at a fast pace. So many emotions were running through him, and he was unsure how to handle them. He was mad at Steve, but he didn't have to be. If he didn't depend on Steve so much, it wouldn't be like this. Maybe he'd just have to go back to his original relationship with Steve and depend on Soda and Darry again. As he arrived to the park, he pulled out a cigarette and lit up. As much as he wanted to just ditch all he and Steve had been through, he considered going to Steve's house to attempt to talk, but couldn't figure out what to actually say to him. All he wanted to do was yell.

There was a knock at Steve's front door. He thought maybe Soda was there. "I thought I was going over there later," Steve said to himself as he approached the door. As Steve opened the door, he felt himself take a step back.

"Hi Steve."

"Gracie," Steve slightly gasped, "Hi."

"Haven't seen you in awhile," Gracie said taking one step inside the house. Steve may have felt his heart slightly leap at the sight of Gracie, but he knew he had to keep his composure.

"Thought maybe you checked yourself into the nut house," Steve commented.

Gracie chuckled, "You're so funny. It's one of your best qualities."

"Wasn't being funny," Steve rolled his eyes, "You can leave now." After he said that, he almost regretted it. He was curious as to why she was there.

"Don't you want to ask why I'm here?"

"Not really," Steve crossed his arms. As surprised as he was to see Gracie at his house, he had torn emotions as he thought she was the last person he needed to see right now. About a year ago, Steve had started a relationship with Gracie. Things were going great too. Apparently she had other intentions though. She made moves on Soda. She appeared flirty, but harmless flirty at first. Soda tried to brush it off as her being overly friendly to her boyfriend's best friend. But then one day she went to the DX on a day only Soda was working, and she told Soda how much she wanted him.

Sodapop heard the door ding as someone entered the DX store. He looked up from his spot in an aisle where he was stocking shelves. He saw Gracie standing there, alone.

"Hi there Gracie," Soda greeted as he walked back to the counter, "Is Steve with you?" Soda only asked, because he wasn't the most comfortable with Gracie. She was a very, very friendly girl. Soda was overjoyed for Steve, because they seemed so good together and Steve was the happiest guy in the world with her. She seemed to really enjoy being around Soda as well though, but he thought maybe it was just because of how close he was to Steve. Maybe she didn't want to be left out of the close bond as she became closer to Steve.

"No," Gracie answered with a smile, "I think he's still sleeping."

"Yeah, he can get pretty lazy on his days off of work," Soda commented.

"Yeah he can," Gracie grabbed a candy bar on display in front of her and played with the wrapper.

"Just killing time until he gets up then?"

"Something like that," Gracie began tearing the wrapper down slowly. Soda watched, unsure what to say next to keep the conversation going. "Seems pretty dead in here."

"Uh yeah," Soda nodded, "It's been slow so far. Once lunch time hits and everyone's on a lunch break, it will be a different story."

"So I have some time then," Gracie commented, taking a slow bite of the candy bar.

Soda looked at her with a confused look, "Some time for what?"

"To talk to you of course."

"Oh, well I can't stand around too long. I got some stocking to do and other things to get done," Soda bit his lip, "I can ring that up for you though and you can go over to Steve's and bug him to get out of bed."

"Oh Soda, Soda, Soda."

"What?"

"I came here," Gracie looked up at the handsome greaser, "To talk to you."

Soda was feeling slightly annoyed at the game being played, "Okay, what about?"

"I'm just going to spit it out Soda. I've had my eye on you for quite some time."

Soda swallowed hard, and felt himself begin to blush. He didn't even need to ask the next question, but he did anyway. "What do you mean?"

"Steve is...such an amazing guy. He's smart, sweet, funny and confident. A lot of great qualities," Gracie said as she ran her hand along the counter, close to Soda's hand, "But then you...well, it's obvious you're stunningly gorgeous. You're also sweet and kind in your own way. When you and Steve are together, you guys are just the perfect duo."

"Well thanks Gracie," Soda said glancing out the window, "I'm flattered, but..."

"You guys are the perfect duo," Gracie repeated as she placed her fingers upon Soda's hand, "And I started asking myself why can't I have both?"

Soda quickly drew his hand down to his side, "Wh-What do you mean?"

Gracie helped herself around the counter and got close to Soda, "Steve is a great guy, but I want you too Soda. Steve has qualities you don't have, but you also have qualities he doesn't have. I want both."

"Gracie," Soda backed up, "I..."

She walked right up to Soda and grabbed his shirt, pulling him close, "Steve doesn't have to know. I won't tell him. It can be between us."

Soda lifted his hands over his head where Gracie couldn't reach them, "Gracie, I..."

"It doesn't even have to be sexual. I know that'd be too weird if you slept with me knowing Steve was also sleeping with me, unless of course you don't mind..."

"Gracie stop!" Soda yelled pulling her hands off him.

"What's wrong?" Gracie asked.

"You're joking right?" Soda asked.

Gracie turned around and walked back around the counter. She got towards the exit when she looked back at Soda, "It sounds scary now, because you don't want Steve to find out. You don't have to worry. We can have a great relationship too, and he would never, ever have to find out." With that, Gracie blew Soda a kiss and walked out."

"Well that's rude," Gracie commented.

"You are a real piece of work showing up here," Steve said.

"Oh relax Steve. I was just sent to come get you."

"By who?"

"Sheppard."

Soda didn't tell Steve anything. He didn't want Steve to get mad at him. Soda couldn't help, but to blame himself. Looking back at the times he hung around with Steve and Gracie, he could only wonder if he had said or did anything to give Gracie the impression he wanted something with her. He decided to play it safe, and just wouldn't go out with them anymore. Steve was too happy with her.

A couple weeks passed when Soda had a shift without Steve again, and Gracie showed up. She was alone again.

"Hi Soda," Gracie smiled.

Soda tried to smile back, but couldn't even fake it, "Hi."

"I haven't seen you in awhile," Gracie said, "You don't come out with us anymore."

"I didn't want to keep giving any impressions I may have given off to you," Soda admitted, "I'm flattered by what you said last time you were here, but I'm not interested in being in a relationship with you. I would never do that to Steve."

"But Steve doesn't have to know."

"I would only feel guilty about it anyway. I've never cheated on a girl or let a girl cheat with me on a guy she was already with," Soda said, "I'm sorry Gracie but no."

"Then it's over."

"What?"

"It's over. I will break up with Steve so we can be together," Gracie smiled. The calmness in her smile scared Soda.

"Gracie," Soda looked at her with a shocked expression, "I wouldn't be with you even if you did break up with Steve. He'd be pissed at me."

"Then what do you want!" Gracie yelled. It made Soda jump a little to hear her yell. She was being calm and flirty the entire time, but the tables turned quick.

"I don't want anything. I want you to be happy with what you have from Steve."

Gracie frowned and stomped up to the counter, "Cut the shit Soda. I tried making it easy last time with a simple offer, but you're being too stupid to take it. Steve is a good guy, but everyone knows you're the best looking guy in town. Every girl wants you. I just took a shorter route to you."

"What are you talking about?" Soda asked.

"Oh my God you really don't get it do you? You certainly don't have the brains Steve does," Gracie slightly mocked, "I knew if I got with Steve, I'd get a lot of time around you. We could really get to know each other."

"You only dated Steve to get to me?" Soda asked, his voice lowering. He felt his heart sink at the thought that the one girl Steve got really close to was only using him.

Gracie reached across the counter and pulled Soda towards her, "Just kiss me." Gracie planted her lips onto Soda's.

"What the hell does he want?"

Gracie walked closer to Steve, "He knows you were jumped. My heart shattered to hear you got hurt."

"So? What the hell is he going to do about it anyway? And why the hell did he think sending you here was going to convince me to go with you after what you did to me?"

Gracie rolled her eyes, "Oh stop it Steve. I'm not here to beg you for anything. I'm just passing along the message." She turned around and walked out of Steve's house, closing the door behind her.

Steve walked into his kitchen, anger rising in him. How could Tim Sheppard do that to him? How could he send Gracie over to play with his emotions? As he paced around, the phone caught his eye. He promised Soda he'd go over tonight to talk to Ponyboy. He couldn't go right now, not with the way he was feeling.

"Fuck," Steve muttered under his breath as he grabbed his car keys and stormed out.

Ponyboy found a spot to sit against a tree. He leaned back against it. Closing his eyes, he pictured his blade just sitting in his pocket. He knew he could easily escape this anger and frustration if he wanted to. Just one movement could...

"Ponyboy!"

Pony looked up towards the voice. It was dark, and he had to squint his eyes to make out the figure. It was Steve walking over to him. "Steve? What are you doing here?"

Steve got closer to Pony and sat down in the grass, "Well, I was driving around trying to blow off some steam. I was going to come see you later, but then I saw you here. I'm sorry if you were waiting long. I got caught up in some shit."

"What happened?" Pony asked, feeling some relief that Steve may not have just blown him off for a bullshit reason.

"Nothing important," Steve shook his head, "It's getting pretty dark out. Want a ride home?"

Pony looked at Steve for a minute before answering, "She came over, didn't she?"

"What?" Steve asked surprised at Pony's response.

"Gracie."

"How did you..."

"She was at the DX today. Soda said she stopped by."

Steve looked down and played with the grass. He felt his heart sink. He thought Gracie only stopped by to see him, even if it was on Tim's account. Hearing she went to see Soda first just proved how low she really was. "Did Soda say what she said to him?"

"Just small talk. I guess she tried talking about going out and stuff, but he shut her down."

Steve nodded, "Well, yes she did come by. But it wasn't to go out or anything."

Pony got a confused look on his face, "Then what did she want?"

"She told me Tim wanted to see me since I got jumped."

"Why didn't Tim just come to you himself?" Pony asked.

"Probably the same reason he hasn't come to see me lately. He knows I'd kick his face in right now before he had a chance to say anything."

"He really wants you to go back doesn't he?"

"He knows I'm the only one who can succeed in what he wants done," Steve said, "And...I think he's going to use me getting jumped as a way to convince me to go do something about it."

Ponyboy sighed, "I mean, I would understand if you wanted to go fight those guys. It's not as bad as stealing a car I suppose. But it's still a sketchy part of town and they don't fight like us."

"I know they don't," Steve agreed, "I'm pissed I had to take a beating for Tim, but I'm going to have to try and let it go. I have to stay uninvolved."

"Why do you think, out of anyone he could have used, he used Gracie to try and convince you?" Pony asked.

Steve thought for a moment, "Maybe to toy with me. Maybe because he knew she'd be willing to."

"Steve, it's all a misunderstanding," Gracie begged. She looked over at Soda, who just leaned against Steve's car. Soda had convinced Steve to drive them to the park, so he could call her out in front of Steve. He didn't like the idea of it, but he knew if he had told Steve in private, he'd confront Gracie and she'd just lie.

"How!" Steve barked, "How is it a damn misunderstanding?"

"I-I don't want Soda! It was a dare from my friends, because they wanted to see if Soda would just fall for me for my looks," Gracie defended herself, "They wanted to prove Soda would do anything to get a girl, even if it meant risking his best friend's friendship!"

"That is such a load of shit!" Steve yelled.

"Steve, please just listen to me!" Gracie cried, "Soda turned me down, so you don't have to worry about anything! It can be just me and you! I promise!"

"How do you think I can be with you knowing you secretly want him instead?" Steve asked.

"I don't want him," Gracie shook her head with trembling lips, "That's the thing is I don't want him. At all. Like I said, it was just some stupid misunderstanding. It was a harmless thing I did that went too far. I thought you'd see the joke in..."

"Joke?" Steve yelled, "Are you kidding me right now? A joke? You call this a joke!"

"Steve, please..."

"No! Go!"

"Wh-What?" Gracie asked as tears fell down her face.

"Get out of here! I never want to see you again!"

"I don't get it."

"What?" Steve asked.

"She wants Soda, so why would she do this?" Pony asked as he lit a cigarette, "Why do something for you if she wants Soda anyway? Isn't that kind of backwards?"

Steve sighed, "Soda doesn't really know this, but that night wasn't the last time we spoke. She called me...a lot. I knew she wasn't calling Soda, because Soda never said anything. She called me all the time and her friends would talk to me. Basically when she found out she really couldn't have Soda, no matter what, she wanted me back."

"Would you ever take her back?"

Steve shook his head, "No. Like I told her that night, how could I be with her knowing she wants someone else instead?"

"So why would Tim think using her would work?"

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss her a little. Or at least missed the good times we did have," Steve ran a hand through his hair, "He just wanted to get my attention."

"Well, I did what you asked. I don't know if he's coming though," Gracie said as she lit a cigarette.

"I think he will eventually," Tim said, "He wouldn't listen to me if I tried talking to him, so I had to send someone he'd listen to."

"Yeah, well, he almost didn't listen to me. He was ready to just kick me out," Gracie rolled her eyes.

"He'll be here," Tim said, "I know he will."