Thank you Tonyboy and EmmaHermione1fan for your reviews! This chapter is going to be really long, I hope you appreciate that:-)

Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders…

10 – Back home

"Lewis!" I cried, throwing my arms around his neck. I held him tight. Then, I pulled away. "You're an idiot!"

"What? Why?"

"Why?" I repeated in disbelief. "You disappeared for two years, you never called, never said anything…don't expect me not to call you an idiot!" I exclaimed. I let him come inside.

"Where's our father?" Lewis asked, looking around. He had only a bag with him, a huge bag, and he threw it to the ground.

"He's…" I stared at him. He looked the same: his dark hair was a bit longer than it used to be, almost as long as Pony's and Soda's, and he was just a bit skinnier than he had been two years before, but his pale grey eyes were the same, he still eyed me like a big brother eyes his little sister… "He's in Oklahoma City, he's got a court case, you know…but he'll come back tomorrow. At night, probably. Lewis…" I sighed. "Where have you been? Two years…why you never came back at least for holidays? Why you never wrote?"

"It's…" he paused. "It's difficult to explain. I've been travelling a lot…I've been to Texas, Arizona, California…New York, too…"

"New York?" I almost yelled. "That's incredibly far away! And New York is huge, it's a dangerous city-"

"Like Tulsa." He cut me off. "Tulsa's dangerous, too. Some parts of it, that is. Don't tell me the East Side at night is safe."

I didn't reply. The East Side…Soda…Pony, Darry, Steve and Two-Bit…they lived there. "Well, it depends-"

"You know I'm right, Sybil." He yawned. "Listen…I'm tired, why don't we just go to bed and talk… tomorrow?"

I nodded, even if I was suddenly feeling very awake. "Ok…"

Lewis patted me on the head, like he used to do years before, and went upstairs. I wanted to call Soda and tell him Lewis was home so badly, but I couldn't, it was one in the morning. I had to wait. Then I thought about the following morning, when I would tell Lewis I had a boyfriend (and a real amazing one at that), I'd tell him I was doing great in school, I'd tell him what I had done in those two years while he was away, how me and dad had managed to stand mom's loss and his loss, too, since for all we knew he could be hurt or worse…

I shuddered at the thought and decided I'd go to bed, too. It was about time.

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"So, you left your job in Phoenix and headed north…and reached New York?"

"Yeah."

"What did you do there? How long did you stay?"

"Actually, I don't like thinking about it. New York was a nice place, but it was lonely, too."

I could feel the sadness in my brother's voice. We were sitting at the kitchen table and he was telling me about those two years he had lived around the States. Well, he wasn't telling me much: he was trying to avoid my questions and kept on eating so he could excuse himself saying his mouth "was full".

"Look, Sybil…" he sighed. "I'd prefer not to talk about these two years. For the most part I thought I was in hell, it was awful…"

"Why didn't you come back then?" I whispered. Why had he chosen to live like a runaway rather than stay with his own family?

"Because you know our father and I don't really get along. I didn't want to ask for his help for some business…I needed to manage things on my own. I've come back now because I've taken care of that business and I feel like I can live here again. Actually, not really here, in this house: I plan on renting some place, because I wanna live alone. I don't wanna live with…" his voice trailed off.

"Why, Lewis? Why can't you try to get along with dad? He loves you, he loves you despite everything you've ever done, he loves you even though the two of you fight all the time! Listen…first mom, then you… it almost killed him…" I looked down. "And me, too."

"I didn't think you'd suffer like that, Sybil…if I had known, I would have called…"

"What?" I cried. "You're my brother! How could you think I wouldn't worry about you? How could you think I wouldn't miss you?"

He seemed oblivious to the matter. "Listen, I'm sorry, Sybil, real sorry, but I want you to understand this…" he paused. "I never left before because of you and mom. When she died…reality hit me hard and I understood things would never change."

He got up and left the room. I glanced at the clock and hurried up, or else I'd be late for school.

"Lewis, if you need the car to go around while I'm in school, you'll have to drive me!" I shouted.

"Yeah, hold on a sec, I'm coming."

He drove me to school and as I entered the building I bumped into Julian: "Hey, Sybil! You look…dazed…"

"Well, I guess…it's because my brother came home last night."

"Really? That's cool! Sophie told me you had received a letter from him…well…is he alright?"

"Yeah…I'll talk to you later, Julian…"

Truth was, I needed time to think after what my brother had told me. So he wanted to find some place to live in, on his own, and make a living, on his own, but how could he do that so easily? He needed lots of money just to rent some small flat and get some furniture; besides, it's not like finding a job where he could earn a good amount of money was that easy, since he didn't have a degree, but just his high school certificate. Also, what if…

"Hey, Sybil."

I looked up: "Seth, leave me alone."

He ignored my remark. "What are you thinking about?"

"Not your business." I coldly replied.

"You know, you're even prettier than usual today." he grinned. I pretended I hadn't heard anything. "What did you do last night?"

"Once again, not your business. Leave me alone, I don't like you one bit. You think I forgot what you did to Pony?"

His smile faded away. "He's a Greaser, I can't help it if I don't like his kind."

"I can't help it if I don't like you. Why won't you leave me alone?" I asked, once again.

"Because I like you too much."

I decided I'd ignore him, since nothing I said was working. "Whatever."

"If you dated me, I'd stop harassing that Greaser. There's nothing more annoying than the kind of them. They're just dirty little folks that think they're worth something. Well, they aren't, and they'd better realize it before it's too late. Cause I mean…"

Seth kept on rambling and insulting the Greasers, till Mrs. Hindley entered the classroom and greeted everyone. I was really thankful for her presence. Seth would shut up then. The big drawback was that I wasn't in the right mood for a hour of history (even though I liked the subject, it was eight in the morning and I had only slept six hours or something the past night). I sighed and wished that endless school day would go by quickly.

But of course, it didn't. It was one of the slowest days of my whole life. I was anxious to get home and see dad and tell him about the good news and see dad and Lewis talk. If only I had imagined what was going to happen, I would never have wished for such a thing.

Dad and Lewis fought badly, so badly I don't even like to think about it and remember the details of their conversation. One moment they were there, chatting quietly, and the next they were almost jumping at each other's throats. Lewis soon got tired of yelling and left, slamming the front door. I ran after him, since he was walking fast, but he said he wanted to be alone and I had no choice but go back home. Dad was still sitting at the kitchen's table, looking pale and tired, and I felt bad for him. It was obvious he didn't feel like talking, so I kissed him goodnight and went to bed. I had nightmares and I woke up in a bad mood, also because I found out Lewis hadn't come home since last night and I had a very important, very difficult math exam that same day, at school. I wanted to skip it, but I didn't want to ask dad his permission, since I didn't want him to get madder than he probably still was from last night, so I went to school, did the exam, waited patiently for the classes to finish and then drove to the DX station, to see Soda. I desperately needed to talk to him, he was the only one who could help me feel a bit better.

"Hey, Steve…I was looking for Soda…" I smiled at my boyfriend's best buddy. He didn't smile back, but replied: "He's at home today."

"Why? Is he okay?" I immediately started worrying.

"Sure, he's fine, just asked for a day off. He works a lot and he's worn-out these days, but I guess you can't understand that, since you go to school, have a easy life and everything."

I felt something inside ache. "Steve, I don't…"

"Go find Soda." He muttered. He obviously wasn't in a good mood. Well, I wasn't, either, and I was tired too. But of course I reached the Curtises' house. I knocked and waited, till Two-Bit opened the door.

"Hi, beauty queen! How are you doing?"

I smiled at his welcome. "Fine, thanks, what about you?"

"Always doing great!" he grinned and let me in. "Bet you're looking for Soda. I don't know why every girl thinks he's so attractive. I mean, we could be twins, if it wasn't for my sideburns."

He raised an eyebrow and I laughed. Bitterly, though. I was still thinking about Lewis.

"Hi, Sybil!" Soda reached us and kissed my right cheek, really close to my mouth. "Just ignore Two-Bit, he's more annoying than usual today."

"What? Sodapop Curtis, I'll never help you tidy your house again!"

"When did you ever do that?"

Two-Bit started thinking. Soda dragged me away from the room before Two-Bit could add something. Soda led me to another room, then closed the door. I looked around and guessed it was his bedroom. Then I heard the TV from the living room, Two-Bit was probably watching something, but before I could ask Soda where Ponyboy was, he started kissing me like there was no tomorrow. I was too nervous to enjoy it, though. I pulled away.

"What's wrong?" Soda asked. "Have I done something-"

"No, Soda, it's not you!" I cut him off. "I just need to talk to you, because I'm feeling awful…"

"Why is that?" his stunning eyes were staring into mine. He looked worried.

"My brother came home. I was happy at first, but…but he and dad got into a huge fight, then Lewis left slamming the door…he didn't come back last night…I don't know why they have to fight like that, but I don't want Lewis to leave again…" I explained, fighting back tears.

Soda hugged me and held me in his arms, running his fingers through my hair. "I'm sure everything will work out."

"What if it doesn't?"

"If your brother is half as amazing as you are, things will work. You have to be optimistic, because it really helps, you know?" he grinned so crazily I ended up grinning, too. Still holding him, I replied: "Thanks, Soda…I didn't mean to come here and bother you, especially since today you were having some rest…"

"You didn't bother me none! Actually…I wanted to see you so bad…" his smile faded away. "Bad news though…I'm busy Saturday night, so I was wondering if you don't mind if we go out on Sunday…"

"Sure, I don't mind…" I guessed he was probably busy working. And I guessed wrong.

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On Sunday, I was waiting for Soda to come and pick me up. I told him he didn't need to do that: if he came by, he'd have to meet my father, but he had insisted, and I thought my father probably would like to know the boy I was going out with. Lewis had packed his stuff and went to stay at his best friend's house for a while, till he found some place he could rent. When I had asked him how he was going to find the money he needed, he told me not to worry about that. Of course, that only made me worry more.

"Dad, don't ask Soda stupid questions, alright? Don't ask him about his parents, cause they passed away some years ago, and don't ask him-"

"Sybil, I'm not going to question him like I do with witnesses on trial."

"Never mind. I know lawyers like to hear themselves talk." I replied. I was nervous because I was afraid my father would end up talking too much.

The doorbell rang. I glanced one last time at my father, told him to wait in the living room and went to open the door. "Hey, Soda!"

"Hi, Sybil!"

I let him come in and noticed he had a bruise on his left cheek. "What happened?"

"Oh, you mean this?" he pointed at his face. "Nothing much. I just…Steve and me were fighting… playfully, of course…but I ended up being punched for real. It's okay, though."

I stared at him. "If you are sure…" I couldn't help but notice he was still incredibly attractive, even with a bruise on his left cheek, even with some old worn-out jeans, even with lots of hair grease on.

"So you're Sodapop Curtis?"

I almost jumped. "Dad! I told you to wait in the living room!"

"I know, but I was curious to meet Sodapop." He looked at him and smiled. "Sybil talks about you all the time. Nice to meet you."

They shook each other's hands, while Soda said "Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Forrester." He grinned and dad couldn't help but grin, too. Soda was like that. He made you grin in spite of yourself.

"Well, Sybil wasn't lying…you really look like some movie star!"

I blushed. "Dad!"

"It's the truth, isn't it?" he smiled at Soda. "What's your age again, Sodapop?"

"I'm eighteen, Mr. Forrester."

"Do you want something to put on that?" he pointed at Soda's cheek.

Soda shook his head. "No, thank you, sir."

"Well, I suppose you have to go now…Sybil, don't come home too late, alright?"

"Don't worry, dad!"

He smiled one last time at Soda and me. "Have a good time!"

"Thanks."

As soon as we got into his car, I turned to Soda: "Sorry about dad..."

"Why should you be sorry?"

"Because he wouldn't wait in the living room for us to go and greet him and also because he always talks too much."

Soda started to laugh. "Why are you laughing?" I asked. I didn't understand.

"Because…Sybil, you worry about nothing. Your father has been extremely nice to me, more than any other adult who doesn't live in the East Side has ever been. You know what Socs and middle class people think about Greasers…don't look at me like that, you know it…and your father…treated me like I was no Greaser, no hood."

"You're no hood." I felt guilty, because I perfectly remembered those days when I used to think all Greasers were rubbish and they were worth nothing. I knew better now, even if I knew some of them weren't nice people. But even some Socs and some middle class boys weren't nice. So where was the big difference?

Soda and I went watching some races. He told me he used to ride in rodeos, but he had to quit after he tore a ligament. While we were there, we met Steve and his girlfriend Evie, too, so we all sat together. Steve had a couple of bruises, so I thought Soda had hit him too hard when they were playfully fighting.

"How long have you and Soda been going out?" Evie asked me. Sodapop and Steve had gone taking drinks.

"It's not much…not even a month, actually." I couldn't help but notice she had tons of make-up on. Her hair was blonde, but it looked dyed to me.

"It's nice to see he's finally gotten over Sandy." Evie said.

"Sandy?" I repeated.

"Yes, his previous girlfriend…didn't he tell you about her?"

No, he didn't. He had told me he had been hurt badly in the past, but he never mentioned this girl. I told Evie, and she smiled. "Well, I guess it still hurts. But don't worry, I'm sure he likes you about as much as he did with Sandy." She then turned to Steve, who had come back with cokes and was sitting next to her, and kissed him. Soda sat next to me, grinned and kissed me, too.

I was suddenly feeling anxious. Evie hadn't certainly made me feel that "tuff", like Greasers said.

I guess Soda noticed I was acting weird, but he was real nice with me all afternoon and evening. He drove me home just after dinner, since the following day was Monday and I had to go to school.

"Hey…I'll phone you, okay?" he promised, as I got off the car.

"Sure…Soda…" I wanted to ask him about Sandy so bad.

"Yeah?"

"I…I think you should put something on your cheek." I didn't feel like asking about his previous girlfriend. If he hadn't told me about her, he definitely had had his reasons. I trusted him and that was all that mattered.

"Okay, if you say so." He replied cheerfully. "Goodnight, Sybil." We kissed one last time, then I watched him drive away. I sighed and entered my house. "Dad, I'm back!"

"Oh, hello, Sybil. Did you have fun?" my dad smiled at me, closing the book he was reading.

I nodded. "Have you heard…from-"

"Lewis didn't call or anything." Dad got up. "I'm afraid he's serious when he says he doesn't want to live here anymore. Now, don't feel bad, Sybil…he loves you and cares about you, but…only you, not me, and he can't live with me. He can't stand it, so…I guess you just have to get used to the idea."

"But dad…we're a family, why can't we…"

"Because Lewis's grown up now. He doesn't need his family anymore. At least, he doesn't think so."

I smiled weakly. "Well, it's been only us for two years. I guess we can still make it, right?"

My father hugged me. "Yes, we can." He pulled away: "You can see Lewis everytime, still. You know it."

"Yes." I knew it. I also knew it wasn't the same as having my brother living under the same roof, though. But it wasn't dad's fault.

I didn't sleep very well that night. First that Sandy girl, then Lewis again…

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"Didn't you sleep well last night, Sybil?" Seth's annoying voice made me turn around, slamming my locker. "Seth, why don't you-" my voice trailed off. He had a black eye and his lips were swollen. "What did you do to yourself?"

"Guess what! Your dear boyfriend hit me. In a rumble, Saturday night." Saturday night…Soda had told me he was busy Saturday night. Why hadn't he told me about the rumble? "Sodapop, that's his name, right? It's ridiculous. His parents weren't right in their heads. I don't know if the worst name is Sodapop or Ponyboy, though. They both suck. But…I have to admit he doesn't look like a Greaser much. That's probably why you like him…anyways, we had this huge fight and this is the result. There were his brothers, too, and other friends of them. Fabian's hurt pretty bad, too, and the other friends of us."

I smirked. "Serves you right."

He glared at me. "Sybil, you don't know how violent Greasers are. They like picking fights just for fun. Look at me."

"Soda's got a bruise on his beautiful face, too. That's a shame, but it'll go away soon. Your face…well, you look better with a black eye." I ironically said. But Seth didn't find it funny. He kept glaring at me and I could tell he felt like hitting me. But he didn't. Instead, he went on speaking: "I've found out something about him that should be of your concern."

"Really?" I looked away, bored, as I started walking down the school corridor.

"Don't know if he told you about his past girlfriend, I think her name's Sandy or something like that…"

I listened. At least he got her name right.

"Well, she had to leave for Florida..."

"So?" I snapped at him.

"…because she was pregnant."