Disclaimer: I'm not S.E.Hinton. She's like the greatest author in the world and I'm…well…not. So there.

Hey, y'all. I'm back with another chapter. May not be that good, but oh well. I feel like postin somethin' just so I can get reviews:) Anyway, here it goes…

On with the show…

Chapter Eight
A Lesson Learned

The next school day went slower than ever, and I was grateful for it. For as soon as school let out, Darry, who had the day off, would be attempting to teach me how to fight. And let's just say that I wasn't looking to forward to that. If training with him was anything like training with Ponyboy, then boy, was I gonna feel the pain tomorrow.

But eventually, the seconds ticked onward until it was finally three o'clock, and the bell rang to go home. I slowly began to walk home with Pony. After the first block, he looked at me skeptically.

"You really think you're gonna be able to hold it off just by walkin' slow?" he asked. "Besides, it's for your own good, you know. How long you think your gonna last here if you don't know how to fight without a whole bunch of soc goons helpin' ya. And I can tell you now that those socs ain't ever gonna be helpin' you again, unless you want help goin' to the hospital." I realized Pony was right, and began to walk at a normal pace.

"Hey," I asked suddenly. "Do the others know. About me bein' a soc I mean."

Ponyboy shook his head. "And I wouldn't just waltz up and tell 'em either. I know you're all right, but the others might not be so keen on havin' you around, if ya catch my drift."

I understood completely, and I vowed to keep my mouth firmly shut.

Finally, we reached the Curtis house.

Before we had even had time to set our bags down, Darry came in and said, "Hurry up and do your homework, Matt."

"Golly," I said. "You sound just like Nate."

"No," Ponyboy corrected. "Nate sounds just like Darry."

I realized he was right. Darry had been doin' this for a lot longer than Nate had. Used to be that Nate didn't give a thought about me, and now, he was my guardian, the only one I had left.

But despite Ponyboy's lecture on the way home from school, I did tend to do my work a little bit slower than usual. But if Darry asked, I could always blame it on Two-Bit, who again had invaded the house and had both the old TV and radio blaring. How one guy could watch so many cartoons was beyond me.

But finally, I had no work left, and had already checked over everything three times. It was time. At least I could get it over with.

Four Hours Later

I trumped out of the Curtis's back yard. Darry had been teaching my fighting techniques for hours now, and I was beat. I don't think I could have walked home if I wanted to. If Darry really wanted to make some cash, he should start a self-defense school.

But one part of the training session really stood out in my mind. It was when Darry taught me how to use a switchblade.

I watched with fear as he flicked out the shining silver blade. I remember stepping back. This was just like the knife that killed Bob.

"You…you expect me to be able to knife someone?" I stuttered, shaking my head.

"No," he answered. "I expect you to be able to defend yourself."

But it was all over now, and Darry thought that I could protect myself adequately, at least until someone from the gang came along to help me out.

I plopped down on the couch. Soda, who had been wrestling with Steve and Two-Bit, looked up at me, then at Darry.

"Golly, Darry, I thought you were gonna teach him how to fight, not make him die from exhaustion."

Darry just playfully punched him on the shoulder, then went into the kitchen. To his surprise, it was empty. "Hey!" he yelled through the house. "Whose night was it to cook?"

"Yours, Darry," Sodapop answered, who had Steve in a headlock.

"Crap," he said. "Everyone get in the truck! I'm too tired to cook. We're goin' out to eat tonight. Lets call it a celebration that Matt here can now keep from getting killed whenever a soc walks past him."

Everyone gave a cheer.

"Matt, you wanna call your brother? I'd bet he'll wanna come join us."

I shook my head. "Nope. He's still out job hunting. He had no luck yesterday."

"Job hunting?" asked Soda. "Hey! I bet Steve and me, we could pull a few strings and get him a job at the DX! What do ya think, Steve?"

Steve just shrugged.

"Your brother know anything about cars?" he asked.

"He took some auto classes in school," I said.

"That's good enough for me!" yelled Soda. Wow. Now this really was turning into a celebration.

"Hey!" I exclaimed. "Let's go to Rusty's."

"No," said Darry instantly. "We're gonna go to the Dingo."

"Fine," I said, bein' my stubborn self. "I'll go alone."

"NO!" Ponyboy shouted. He gave Darry a meaningful glance.

"Fine," Darry relented, and we all piled into the bed of the truck.

Soon after, I learned what a terrible mistake I made.

As soon as we entered Rusty's, the socs had us cornered. How could I have been so stupid. Greasers weren't allowed in Rusty's. It was a soc's joint.

But we all managed to get out all right, thanks to the gang's tough reps. And ever since Bob's death, they've all been a little bit more wary of greasers.

Ten minutes later we were all crowded around a table at the Dingo.

"Why did y'all let me do such a stupid thing?" I asked, while shaking salt on my French fries.

"You woulda gone by yourself eventually," explained Darry. "It was better if we all went with ya, so you wouldn't get too banged up. No matter how good you are at fightin' you still can't defend yourself against a restaurant full of socs. No one can. Just remember Matt, you ain't a soc anymore."

So they knew now. And just as Ponyboy said, it made them all a bit more wary.

- - - - -

Yes, they all know he's a soc. Just let me remind you, just so there is no confusion, that they don't know it was his idea to beat up the greasers, which ended up in the deaths of Bob, Johnny and Dally etc. Etc. Just thought I'd clear that up.

Now a great big huge thank you to all the reviewers. I got so many and I was so so so so so excited. If y'all do it again, maybe I'll update sooner.

Reviewer- Thanks!

Locket the Lookout- Sorry about the confusion! Okay, here's how I think of it. Okay so Bob's eighteen (I may have written it as sixteen in a previous chapter; sorry) and Matt's sixteen. I figured that age didn't really matter in being a soc. If your rich, you're a soc and they are all in league together. All friends and allies. So it wouldn't be that strange for people of different age groups to hang out together as long as their wasn't like a four year age gap or something. And to me 14 is pretty close to sixteen, so that's why Nate assumed Pony and Matt were around the same age. I dunno, maybe Pony grew or somethin.' Thanks for reviewing! And sorry for the confusion. Hopefully that helps clear some things up. Oh ya, I know my chappies are short, but if I make em any longer, I'll have this long novel thing I'll never finish. I already got another one on my hands.

Steves-girl- That's okay, I just desprately wanted reviews, and was getting kinda depressed. But I'm Happy now! Thanks though, I'm glad you like it.

Hahukum Konn- Yep, I said I'd try to put somethin' up, so here it is. Go you. Every time you send me one of your chapters it inspires me to put at least a little somethin' up.

I know I don't update nearly as much as I should, but you've seen the Leader's apprentice, and I'm trying to focus my energy into that. But still, I should update. Yah, fish out of water. It's interesting to follow Matt's story and a lot of fun. Pomegranate. Makes me laugh too. Next time I see one I'm probably gonna burst out laughing. Then everyone in the produce department will stare. Lol. And training with Darry, yikes. I'm a weakling, and I'd be sore for a month. ;)

Hawaiichick- Thanks. Hope this is soon enough for ya. I like watching the former socs meet the greasers. Its a lot of fun to write.

Sodapop CurtisDX- Thanks. I was back stage, but I still had to be at every rehersal and it got pretty tiring. But it was kinda cool, cause the beds became the bookshelves, then the shelves became the buildings. But I don't think I could stand listening to one more "ANNIE" song as long as I live. Lol.

Darkdestiny2000- Well, I got pleny of reviews for this chapter. Maybe I should beg more often. ;) Ya, I could just imagine Pony beatin' up on Matt, and Matt not knowing whether he should fight his only friend. And as for fighting with Darry… well, I'm just glad I'm not in his shoes!

Babygurl33- I'm glad it makes you laugh. Besides, its not much fun bein' serious all the time! Thanks! Hope this is a soon enough update for ya.!

Once again, a big thank you to all who reviewed. I really appreciate it. So please, make me just as happy and review some more. Please? Remember, flames and constructive criticism accepted. Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks for reading. Rate and review pleez,

Bookworm

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