-I'm back. Happy 4th of July.

Chapter 9: Grown

A couple of years later….

Sodapop sat there in his desk. His knee was shaking up and down. He looked forward; his teacher was sitting there going through papers. He looked to the left to see Steve looking through a Playboy. He looked to the right to see Two-Bit asleep drooling on the desk. Soda then looked upwards at the clock. He whispered to himself,

"Five, four, three, two,"

The bell rang. At that moment Two-Bit jumped up yelling,

"Whoo-Hoo!"

Steve and Sodapop did the same and they rushed out the door. A teacher screamed for them to stop, but the three young greasers ignored. It was their last day of middle school. They broke through the doors and hopped along the way. They jumped on some of the benches and other things and did a couple of flips.

"Alright," said Steve slowing down to a jog. "Let's not get locked up again."

Soda was grinning, which made his comrade and friend smile also.

"Hey," said Two-Bit. "Someone told me about a party tonight."

"Yeah. I heard about that, too," said Soda.

"Then why don't we go?" suggested Steve.

"Should we?" asked Two-Bit leaning against a tree to help protect him from the summer light.

"We all should go. There's Johnny right there. He could go too."

Johnny came up to his friends and asked what was going on.

"We're going to a party tonight. Wanta come?"

"I guess."

"Maybe I should ask Pony," suggested Soda.

"No," said Steve quickly.

"Why not?"

"Well. Isn't he a little young?"

"Hm. Good point."

"Where is the party?" asked Johnny.

"At that guy Buck's. Remember, he drives us over to the Dingo."

"That guy's mean looking," said Johnny.

"Ever met a greaser who ain't?" pointed out Steve.

"Me," said Soda putting on his famous grin. You know the effects that happen on everyone when that happens.

"Can Darry drive us?" asked Two-Bit.

Soda shook his head.

"So you guys want to meet at my house around seven or so," asked Steve.

"Why your house?" asked Two-Bit.

"Dad got another car from some guy. He said I could use it. It's not that great. But with my mechanics, I made it work real good."

"Okay. Your house it is," said Soda.

The greasers split up from there.

Soda was jogging up to Steve's house. When he got there, Steve was putting the hood down on his car.

"What's up?" asked Soda.

"Nothing really. Just checking some last minute stuff to make time go by."

Soda and Steve sat on the hood of the car waiting for Two-Bit and Johnny.

"I don't know about you, but this soc and greaser thing doesn't seem bad," said Steve.

"I know. I think Darry overreacted. He does that sometimes. I mean. We haven't been hurt or anything. They've just been making jokes and stuff. And we've been doing the same."

"I know."

"What do you plan to do this summer, Steve?"

"Dad said I have to get a job. I guessing I can work at a gas station somewhere around here. I know I'm good with cars. These hands wouldn't do much in a grocery store. What about you?"

"I don't know. I was hoping you would give me some ideas."

Johnny and Two-Bit showed up a while later and they went on to the house. Two-Bit had to give directions to Steve about where to go. When they showed up, they could hear some loud music. There were a lot of cars there as the greasers got out. There was also the faint sound of beer bottles breaking.

They walked in looking for something to do. Two-Bit found some broad to talk to and Johnny kept running in and out. Soda and Steve just played cards and looked around. Johnny caught up with them later on.

"It's getting hot in here," said Soda wiping his head.

"There are some drinks over there," said Johnny pointing towards a counter.

Johnny walked over and grabbed three of the drinks and handed the two to Sodapop and Steve. They didn't even bother to look at what they were drinking.

They left the party a while later and Steve got into the car. He could barely stay awake.

"Awww, man. My head is killing me," said Soda leaning his head back.

"My head and stomach," groaned Two-Bit.

Steve and Johnny weren't exactly in their best shape either. Steve was dropping in and out of sleep.

"Whoa!" he yelled as he hit the brakes quickly. He just dodged a car which had stopped down the road. The sudden stop didn't help Two-Bit much. He flew out of the car and ran over to the woods. He then threw up right then and there.

Soda climbed out and swaggered over to his fallen out friend, but was pushed back by someone. He looked over to see some finely dressed people. They were socs.

"You almost hit my car," yelled one of the angry socs.

Soda didn't say anything. He tried to push past them to get to Two-Bit, but they pushed him back. Then one slugged Soda across his eye. It was a hard hit and made Soda fall back. Steve then caught him under his arms and dragged him back to his car. Soda leaned on it.

The socs were walking towards them. Steve's headache was kicking in and he wasn't in the shape or mood to fight. He glanced back in the seat and Johnny had passed out. Suddenly, a couple of rusty car showed up. The socs took one glance and retreated. A greaser stepped out of one of the cars and went to see what was going on. Steve filled him in.

"Hm. Your friend's eye is bleeding."

Steve looked at Soda. He had passed out too. If he hadn't have been punched, he probably still would be awake.

"Need a ride?" asked the greaser.

"Yeah. Thanks um...what's your name?"

"Tim. Tim Shepard."

They got home safely. Johnny stayed at Two-Bit's house and Soda got a little flack from his parents. Turned out they had drank alcohol. They didn't yell too loud, because Pony and Darry had already fallen asleep. Soda had to get some stitches in his eye. Steve just went home, walked passed his drunk dad, and passed out right when he hit the mattress.