Title- Trying to Adjust

Chapter Title- The Fight with Steve

Chapter Number- 6

Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders

Reviewers-

Eternal Dragon 101- Here's an update…

Hahukum Konn- You're right. That was supposed to be taken out. I think I am going to edit it soon. I'm just awfully lazy. I noticed it in, like, the middle of the night and I couldn't get to my computer. Anything is possible, especially with me… just ask my friends.

Tikagem- Yeah, she has a friend of her own, and you'll se her either in the next chapter or the one after. As for Caesar; I only know him because we were forced to read that play in English 10E (which would be English tenth grade enriched… I'm in ninth grade… I must stop bragging!). I did like it though.

oOoDancingQueenoOo- I was thinking of making her have a little crush on him. There is approximately an 8 year age difference.

QTpie4- Thanks

JamesDeanismygod- Over the summer, I finished a 24 chapter story in nine days. Some times I have these really odd updating streaks.

Note- I never, ever had to respond to that many reviewers a chapter. I guess you people really like this story. It's getting around 4 or 5 reviews a chapter!

"Two-Bit," I said as he placed a funny looking pancake on my plate. He decided to make pancakes for dinner and I had no objection to that. I liked Pancakes, a lot.

"Yeah," he answered. He put a few pancakes on his plate and sat down.

"Am I a problem?" I asked him. He reached across the table for the maple syrup.

"No, where'd ya get that idea?" I finished chewing a bit of my pancake and took the syrup from him.

"Steve said he was only pickin' me up because I'm your kid sister and you don't deserve this trouble." Two-Bit looked at me, and took a sip of his beer.

"Steve has no idea what he's talking about. He thinks all younger kids are problems. Look at the way he treats Pony, and Pony isn't a problem. He's just upset that he doesn't get a lot of attention." I giggled and smiled at Two-Bit. He smiled back.

After dinner, I was able to do my homework. It seemed easier now that I had that off of my mind. I put it into my bag and sat on the couch next to Two-Bit. He looked at the clock on the wall.

"Do you need to take a bath tonight?" he asked. I nodded and then got up. "Do you need help?" he questioned, wearing a weird face. I shook my head.

"I can do it by myself," I responded. I ran into the bathroom and started the water. I put in the stopper and as the tub was filling up, I went into the linen closet to get a towel. I took my bath and went to bed.

After school the next day, Steve picked me up. He acted the same way he did yesterday. He was very quiet and didn't even stop; it was more of a really slow speed. As soon as I had the door shut, he picked up speed. I wasn't belted in and I fell back into the seat. I tried to make as little noise as possible. I didn't want it to seem like I was a problem.

I went to the bathroom at DX, and around the time I was going to come out, I heard Two-Bit. I kept the door closed and leaned my ear against it.

"My sister has it in her head that she's a problem. Do you know where she got that?" he asked.

"No," I heard Soda answer truthfully.

"Steve," Two-Bit said.

"No," Steve answered quickly.

"My sister is not a problem. I happen to love her a lot and I don't want you telling her anything else."

"She is a problem. You've become serious," Steve growled. "You're not like Two-Bit anymore... You seem like you could be a Keith. I don't wanna waste my gas and time picking her up."

"My sister is not a waste of gas and time. It's a small favor I'm asking you. It takes about three minutes. You don't have to talk to her. Just give her a ride here. I don't think she's a problem around here, is she?"

"Nah, ya hardly realize she's here," Soda answered.

"Yeah, I haven't heard or seen her since I got here. Did you forget her, Randle?" he asked. I came out of the bathroom, wiping my eyes quickly.

"No, he didn't." I grabbed my stuff and walked out of the service station quickly. I opened up Two-Bit's car door and sat in the seat with my arms crossed. I stared straight ahead. "I'm a problem. I made you mad at Steve," I whispered.

"No, Steve just shouldn't treat you that way," he said.

"He doesn't have to pick me up, I could walk to DX," I stated.

"So somebody could accidentally hit you? You know, I would lose you then. I don't want to lose you." A smile was playing on my lips. I was glad that he cared for me. Maybe I wasn't a problem.

I thought about what he had said about Steve treating Pony the way he did. It's probably true. Soda cares so much for Pony. I decided I didn't care if Steve liked me or not. I didn't like him.

For dinner that night, Two-Bit made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I always pull mine apart and lick the peanut butter and jelly off. Then, I throw away the bread. I don't know why, I just do. I quickly drank a glass of milk and sank down into my bed.

"Good-night Two-Bit," I called. He was in the living room watching television.

"Night, Lizzy," he called back. Somewhere, deep inside, that Lizzy hurt. I could feel it in my heart. He had never called me Lizzy. Only mommy had. That made me miss my mom even more. I started to cry. "Liz, what's wrong?" he asked, entering my room. He must've heard me.

"I miss mom," I said in between intakes of breath. He sat down on my bed and hugged me.

"It'll be all right," he responded. I pulled out of the hug.

"How can it be? Mom isn't ever coming home. She's dead. That hurts. It hurts when Steve says I'm a problem. It hurts that I made you drop out and get a job. It just hurts." He sighed, staring at the wall.

"I, I don't know what to do..." he trailed off. I climbed into his lap and gave him a hug.

"It'll be all right," I mimicked. He tried not to grin and ruin this moment. I started to tickle his sides. He fought me with tickles of his own. I started to tear from all the laughing I was doing. "I love you," I said.

"I love you too," he responded, and kissed my forehead. He turned off the light and left.

I pulled the sheet up to my chin. Staring at the ceiling, I whispered, "good night, mom."

Aw, I love the brother-sister mush. I wish my brother were like that. -Sigh- Feedback! Wazsha!