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Chapter 5: The Changes
Sodapop and Steve ran outside. Luckily Mrs. Curtis pulled up pretty soon with Ponyboy in the passenger seat. She already welcomed Steve to their house anytime. So they both climbed in.
"Hey Mom. When is Darry going to get home?"
"He went to a football meeting. He'll be home soon."
"Okay."
Mrs. Curtis had to go to the store, so she dropped them off at the Dingo and said she'll pick them up later. Soda asked Ponyboy if he wanted to come too, and Ponyboy accepted.
This didn't make Steve feel so hot.
When Ponyboy was getting a coke, Steve whispered over to Sodapop.
"Why'd you invite him?"
Soda looked at Steve.
"What? He doesn't hang out with anyone else."
Steve just went on to finish his own drink and Ponyboy came back soon. After about seven minutes or so, Mrs. Curtis came back to pick them up.
They got home at the exact same time that the Ford truck was pulling into the house. Darry and Mr. Curtis were home. Soda jumped out the car and Steve followed.
"Hey Dad."
"Hi Mr. Curtis."
"Hi Soda. Steve, you staying for dinner?"
"Sorry. Not tonight."
"Alright."
Mr. Curtis went on in the house, but Darry stopped Soda. Darry looked at him.
"What's wrong? Did something happen at school?"
"Kind of. Let's talk in my room. Steve wants to hear it too."
"Okay. Let's go."
All three entered the house and walked towards the younger Curtis room. When they got there, Steve and Soda sat on Soda's bed and Darry sat on Pony's.
"Okay. What did you want to talk about?"
"Repeat what you said exactly."
"Did someone hurt you?"
"No."
"Did they do anything?"
"They were staring at us," said Steve.
"So you know who you can hang out with?"
"I guess. The people we dress like?"
"Yup. The people that were staring at you were socs."
"What?"
Everyone looked towards the door to see Ponyboy looking in.
"What are socs?" asked Pony.
"Not now, Ponyboy. I'll tell you when you're old enough."
"Why not now?"
"He'll tell you later," said Steve. He was getting annoyed by this kid.
Ponyboy just shrugged and exited the room.
"Okay. I'll repeat his question. What are socs?" asked Sodapop.
"Socs are people who live on the Southside of town. They are the ones with all the money, and for some reason, they think they're better than us."
"So that makes us…" said Steve waving his hands around.
"Greasers."
"Greasers?" said both Steve and Soda.
"Yup."
"Why do they call us that?"
"Because of the grease we put on our hair."
Neither Soda nor Steve had ever thought about that. They did start putting some grease on their hair since last year.
The next day at school, Steve and Soda walked in to see three socs talking to this one greaser. He had some nice sideburns.
"Well, that um…greaser is talking to those guys," said Soda to Steve.
"I don't think they're talking," said Soda.
The two looked at each other and walked towards the boys. On the way there, they heard many jokes.
"What's with the khaki pants? You got church today?"
Soda and Steve laughed as they approached the greaser. The socs saw Steve and Soda walking up to them and they left.
"Nice one," said Steve to the other greasers. The other greaser put on a grin.
"Yeah. I think they were trying to attack me or something."
"For what," asked Soda.
"Probably the way I dressed. That's what everyone says."
"Hm. Hey don't we see you in gym?"
"I think so."
"What's your name?" asked Steve.
"Keith. But everyone calls me Two-Bit."
"Everyone."
"Yeah. My teacher even called me that."
"It's from your jokes isn't it," asked. Soda.
"Yup."
The bell rang, and they had to make their departure.
"I'll see you two in gym."
"Alright. See you."