Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me. They belong to S.E Hinton.

Chapter 2: A Greaser Confesses

The rumble was set. Word was out just like Dally had said. It was Soc against Grease. Cherry Valance confirmed no weapons. Ponyboy and her met at the park and had a few words. Pony really liked Cherry, but her emotions still ran high for Bob. He couldn't understand it. That bastard Soc was the reason why Johnny was laid up in a hospital bed. He was the cause for all this trouble 'round the neighborhood. Bob Sheldon and his buddies were at fault for him and Soda having one foot in a boy's home. She said Bob could be real sweet. How touching. She said with tear filled eyes that he was someone people followed and that he was better than the crowd because he was different. Pony snapped. He stomped off, but Cherry's fiery temper called him back.

In the end they were smiling. Pony left her with some words of wisdom, "Can you see the sun set from the South side very good?"

Cherry nodded, "Yeah, real good."

"You can see it from the North side too."

By the time Pony made it back, the house had an air of tension within it. Darry was not happy with the idea that Ponyboy was to fight along with them all. But the number of Greasers was low. Dally was still in the hospital, Curly Shepard was stuck in the reformatory, Johnny was knocking at death's door...Darry shook his head. Pony looked too weak to fight. The rumble wasn't for a few days. Maybe the kid could put on a few pounds? He tried to talk to his little brother, but Pony shook his head strongly against stepping down. He wanted to fight. He knew the Socs expected him to be there. He wasn't going to let them think he was scared. No, Pony had to do this.

The early morning brought another hectic day at the Curtis house. Pony attempted another breakfast, but yet again Two-Bit happily jumped the boy and Pony's breakfast ended up on the floor. Pony gave up and dumped some cereal in a bowl. He shoved a beer in Two-Bit's hand to keep the guy occupied while he tried to eat. Two-Bit was content to chug the beer and stare at Mickey Mouse on the television.

Steve came in shortly after and patiently waited for Soda on the couch. He sighed as he saw Soda walk by every once in a while. As usual Sodapop looked great. He was always running around the house in bare feet or his socks. Soda hated shoes. He'd come into the living room looking exhausted from getting ready. His hair would fall into his eyes slightly and he'd grin at Steve playfully. It was the normal routine. Only difference this time was Steve's heart took a giant leap when Soda grinned at him this morning. Steve gave him a half-assed grin back and forced his eyes to stare at the television. Donald Duck was snorin' away deep in sleep.

Soda announced happily, "Hey, I tell you what, after we stomp those Socs real good, me and Steve are gonna throw a party and everyone's gonna get ripped!"

Two-Bit lifted his beer.

Steve responded with a hoot and holler.

Darry leaned over from reading the sports page, "Where you gonna get the dough, little man?"

"Oh, I'll think of somethin." Soda replied.

Pony smiled at Darry.

"Think of somethin," Darry repeated under his breath. He then looked at Pony with a sigh, "Maybe I should stay home today? You ain't lookin' so good."

Pony rolled his eyes, "I'll be alright. I've stayed home by myself plenty of times. Besides, we can't afford it."

Two-Bit chugged down some beer and belched. He then wiped his mouth with a serious expression, "Don't worry 'bout it Darry, I'll baby-sit him."

Pony picked up the bottle cap from Two-Bit's beer and threw it at Two-Bit who ducked it.

Darry frowned, "Why don't you get a job? Ever think of getting' a job for a livin' Two-Bit?"

Two-Bit smiled, "Work would ruin my rep!"

Darry shook his head and turned his attention to Sodapop, "Hey Soda! C'mon you gotta' get to work!"

"I hear ya," Soda replied entering the room looking already tired with hurrying. Steve's eyes shifted to his buddy. That feeling came back again. Soda smiled big at Steve, his eyes twinkling with activity. Steve automatically winked thinking to himself, "His eyes are so beautiful." Steve then snapped out of it and came to his senses when he saw Soda staring back at him in a funny way. Then as usual, Soda shrugged it off and then turned away to look at the TV for a second.

"Soda…" Steve said realizing that sooner or later Soda was going to get suspicious by his recent behavior.

Soda looked at Steve, "Yeah?"

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell him everything. The emotions going on in Steve's head were driving him crazy. He looked around the room and noticed Ponyboy shoving cereal in his mouth and staring back at him. Pony raised one eyebrow, a trick he learned from Two-Bit giving Steve the urge to say something rude to the kid. Nah, this isn't the place to blurt all this stuff out. Change the subject.

Thinking of a way to blow off the moment, Steve pointed to Soda's feet and said simply, "Shoes."

Soda looked down. Noticing his bare feet he sighed aloud and ran off. When he returned with his shoes in hand and his socks on his feet, he and Steve made way for the front door. Sodapop cheerfully said "Let's go! See ya, Ponyboy!"

"See ya," Pony replied and drank the remaining amount of milk left in the bowl.

Soda and Steve got into Steve's car. Without a word Soda hopped in the driver's seat. Steve did not protest. He didn't mind if his best buddy drove his wheels. He trusted Soda. They chit-chatted about this and that along the way, hollered at a few girls walking down the street and blasted a great Elvis tune on the radio as loud as the speakers could stand it. When they got to the D-X station they opened up the garage and unlocked the office just like every day.

After five minutes of silence, Steve was the first one to say something. "So, did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, actually I had a great night's sleep. You?"

Steve thought for a bit and finally said "Yeah, I guess I slept okay. It's just...I don't know..."

Soda looked at Steve worriedly for a moment, but pushed it aside. Steve had become more agitated lately and quiet. He stared at Soda more then usual. He always wanted to help Soda with things. Steve kept bugging the boy until Soda wanted to snap at him. Sodapop figured when Steve was ready he'd talk to him about what was bothering him. Soda continued to open up the shop and get ready for the first customer of the day.

As the day progressed Soda couldn't help but acknowledge that there was something that just hung in the air within the garage. By the time their shift was almost over, Soda couldn't take it anymore. He nervously counted out the drawer setting things up for tomorrow. He had one eye on the money and the other on Steve.

Slamming the till closed, Soda spoke out to Steve in the garage, "Are you sure you don't wanna talk to me 'bout somethin?"

Steve stopped wiping down his tools that had caked grease and oil on them, "No. I don't think so."

Soda gave his buddy a strained expression. He sighed with a frown and closed up the office door locking it secure. When he reentered the garage he saw Steve pacing back and forth in front of the old Ford he'd been working on. With his back facing Soda, Steve finally took a deep breath and mumbled something under his breath. Soda just watched the boy crossing his arms. Okay, here it comes...

Steve spun around. He was instantly surprised to see Soda watching him. He gathered his senses and took a couple of steps toward his best friend, "Soda, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yeah, it's about time. What's up?" Soda replied and walked even closer to Steve.

"Would you like me even though you knew something about me that was kind of...weird?"

Soda grinned, "Hey, I already know you're weird. Ain't no secret there!"

Steve closed his eyes, "I'm serious, Soda."

Sodapop stopped chuckling. He lowered his eyes apologetically, "Yes, of course I would still like you. Come on man, what ever gave you the idea I wouldn't?"

Steve stood there with sweaty palms and a worried look on his face. He said no words, but looked like he was going to burst if he didn't speak.

Soda walked right up to him, "Steve, are you okay?"

As if coming out of a deep sleep, Steve looked around. Then with a determined gaze within his eyes, he stared straight into Soda's, "You and I have been best friends for a long time."

Soda nodded, "Yes, yes we have."

"And I was wonderin' if you…if you could ever…"

Soda raised his eyebrows awaiting the unknown.

"Ah, hell..." Steve said quickly and reached for Sodapop taking the plunge. He kissed Soda straight on the lips. His arms wove themselves around the boy's waist tightly. Curiosity fulfilled. As their lips were interlocked in a frenzied kiss, Steve was shocked that Soda didn't try to run away. Soda actually was returning the kiss with a welcoming response. Soda's arms wrapped around Steve's neck as if they'd kissed a million times. Steve and Soda stood like that for what seemed like eternity. It was a bizarre luck that shielded them from the numerous cars driving by. No one saw them engaged in this newly discovered passion they had found for each other.

The wave passed and Steve let go of Soda. He stood back wondering what his buddy would say to him. He held his breath.

Soda didn't yell. He didn't spit or wipe his mouth. He merely stared back at Steve with worried eyes. Maybe he was afraid that Steve was rejecting him? Maybe Steve wanted him to be defiant and angry? Soda suddenly felt cold. He covered his arms with his hands feeling exposed and too vulnerable. It was a feeling he didn't care for. He wished Steve would take him again and make him feel secure. This kind of attraction was frightening alone.

Feeling the tension in the air, Steve finally said something, "Are you mad?"

Soda frowned for a moment and then shook his head, "No."

"Do you have anythin' you wanna say to me? It's okay if it's bad. I don't mind."

Soda took a deep breath, "Why didn't you come and talk to me 'bout this?"

Steve shrugged, "Didn't know how."

"How long has this been goin' on? I mean, how long have you felt this way?"

Steve smiled slightly, "Too long."

Soda felt better. It was good to see Steve smiling. Soda grinned back, "Hey, you know what? I had no clue you felt the same way about me as I have about you."

Steve looked at him with a blank stare, "You...you felt this way about me?"

Soda nodded.

Steve laughed, "And why didn't you come talk to me 'bout this?"

Soda shrugged, "Didn't know how."

They cracked up together there in the garage. It was practically pitch black in there and cold. Yet they both felt warm and happy. Something new had begun. Something wicked and wrong to the outside world, but it was their secret. A warm, wonderful secret that only the two of them would share in the quiet confines of the DX Station. Steve and Soda looked at each other and shared one more kiss before they went home for the evening.

When Steve dropped Soda off at home he leaned over and whispered, "Hey Soda, I think I love you."

Soda laughed softly, "I love you too, but I think you're movin' too fast there Greaser."

"I've always liked speed," Steve replied nibbling on Soda's earlobe.

The millions of chills Soda felt down his spine sent the boy in a whirlwind. He didn't mean to, but he giggled and jumped out of the car. He spun around with a grin, slamming the car door, "You're too fast and dangerous, boy!"

Steve was practically lying on his stomach as Soda tore out of the car. He looked up playfully and hollered, "And don't you forget it!" He sat up quickly driving off at high speed causing the tires to squeal and Darry to yell from the living room. Soda laughed watching his new 'playmate' race down the street. It suddenly occurred to Soda that he couldn't wait to get to work tomorrow morning. From that moment on Soda knew his life had changed forever.