Sorry this was late, but I was busy today. And it's shorter than usual because I'm tired right now.

Chapter 7: Flashbacks and Chit Chats

Sodapop and Steve sat on the porch. The porch cover protected them from the rain, so it wasn't bad. Two-Bit had to go one home and Darry and Ponyboy were keeping Johnny company. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis let him stay at their house, but they said he didn't tell them why they were out in the rain. That was partially why Mrs. Curtis wanted them to talk to him. He looked like he needed some friends.

"Where did your parents say they found him?" asked Steve.

"He was in the lot, curled up in a corner or something. Did you notice his eye?"

"Yeah. It looked like he had been hit or something. Do you think those other guys did it?"

"What other guys?"

"Remember what Darry said. Those guys that live on the Southside of town. The ones who always dress up."

"Oh. You think they did it?"

"I don't know. You see how they were about to do the same to Two-Bit."

"Could be. We could ask Darry a little bit more later on."

"Ask me what?"

Soda and Steve turned around to see Darry standing at the doorway.

"If those guys that live on the Southside of town attack people."

"They're called socs and yeah, some attack people. But that will happen when you're older."

"How old," asked Steve.

"Wait another two years, then they'll probably start. That's when it happened with me."

"They tried it on you!"

"No. They tried it on a couple of others. Anyway, I just came to tell you that Soda needs to go to bed."

"Mom said so?"

"Yeah. You need a ride home Steve?"

"The rain calmed down. I'll make it home."

"Hold on. I want to tell you guys about Johnny."

"Is he okay?" asked Soda getting up.

"Yeah. He's fine, but I figured out why he was in the lot."

"He told you, didn't he?" asked Steve.

"Yeah. I had to comfort him first. He was there because his dad hits him a lot. And his mom yells at him. He got that black eye from his old man."

"What?"

"Yeah. He didn't tell Mom and Dad because he didn't want them to call the police or anything. Okay, Soda. Time for bed. See you Steve."

"Bye, Steve."

"Bye, Soda. Darry."

Steve hopped off the porch and ran through the now, sprinkling rain. Soda and Darry walked inside. Johnny was on the couch asleep. Darry shut off the television and the two brothers went to bed.

Steve made his way to the house. It started to rain harder on the way, but Steve was right at his house right then. He had a key for his house now. He remembered when his dad gave him a key:

Steve walked up to the door and knocked on it. His dad didn't answer this was usual. But it was different now. Steve had to bang on the door for a full five minutes before his dad came ran yanked the door open.

"What! Why were you banging on the door?"

"Because you wouldn't answer!" Steve shouted back.

"Well don't come home so late!"

"It's 8:30! How late is that?"

"Too late for me!"

"Then stop being lazy! I'm tired!"

"What have you been doing all day?"

"Playing around!"

"It's summer Steve. You need to get a job!"

"I'm eleven. I can't get a job at my age!"

Steve's dad just stood there. He pretty much lost the argument. Steve walked past his dad and went into his room. He was tired that day. He had been playing with Soda all day. It was summer and he had nothing else to do. The next day, Steve's dad apologized and gave him a key. He was scared to lose his son, like what he did with his wife.

The thunder struck which snapped Steve back into reality. He decided that he would need to get in the house now.