1 more chapter for your reader's pleasure...I just can't help myself! ;)
Hope you enjoy...

Soda's POV:

After a good 30 minutes of cheating and whooping Steve's ass he threw his cards down and pounded the table. "Enough of this. Feel like going to the party?"

"You read my mind Stevie," I whooped, getting up and grabbing a jacket. I was antsy and needed something different. Being cooped up with Darry on a Friday night was not exactly what I'd call entertainment.

"Maybe we'll see Pony and Two-Bit there," I remembered. Steve grunted. I hoped my little brother was out having a good time. He had been confusing me lately with the way he had been acting. One minute he was his old self, other times smart alecky or sullen. Not that I could blame him considering all he had been through.

"Want to come Dar?"

His lip curled in distaste at the idea of a high school kegger."No, I'll stay here."

I cocked an eyebrow, "Oh yah, you just gotta stay up to date with the current events," I gestured to his paper, which he rolled up and swiped at my legs.

"Get outta here before I come along and make your night miserable," Darry laughed.

"I bet it would annoy Pony," Steve said his eyes glowing. He still wasn't over Pony's daring insult. "Why deny me my only wish Soda?" he pleaded.

I shoved him into Darry's lap. "Darry take care of him."

Steve looked at Darry and jumped up quickly. He tripped over Darry's legs and almost fell into the TV. He recovered and smoothed his hair trying his best to look suave. I grinned. "Let's go."

Two-Bit's friend'sparty was real fine. There were a lot of pretty girls but I couldn't look too much at them. They all reminded me of Sandy, I told Steve. He pulled at the invisible beard on his chin, grinning sheepishly. "Soda, that's what a party is here for: to meet women!"

"Uh, Steve. Evie?" I said reminding him.

"I see your point…" he said backhanding my chest lightly. "…but I don't know if I feel ya…"

"Steve," I began cautiously. "Don't go messin' up your relationship on my account…"

"Oh look, Two-bit's here," ignoring my comment he loped towards Two-Bit. I groaned at the failed conversation and followed him, scouring the crowd for Pony.

Steve's POV:

Shit. The last thing I needed was Soda starting in on me about that. I knew he was concerned but I wasn't planning on doing anything. I was just trying to hype Soda up for some action. It wasn't any fun going out with Evie all the time without my best friend.

"You're slumming Two-Bit, over here with the redheads." I pushed through the three red headed girls standing around him. Sisters, I noticed with pleasure.

"Steve!" he cried happily, paling slightly as he saw Soda behind me.

"Glory, Two-Bit, you have them flocking around you," Soda slapped him on the back.

"It's all about the deodorant fellas," he joked weakly. Then, regaining his composure he regrouped. I could tell he didn't want the joke to bomb. "I'll share the secret with you one day," he whispered loudly.

"Seen Pony around?" Soda asked, scanning the crowd. I rolled my eyes. I swear Soda never fawned over Sandy this much when they were together. As always, the kid irritated me. I wondered if Soda's brain had a specially marked section dedicated to his brother.

"Well I guess he had some other things to do or something…"

Two-Bit spoke casually, but his eyes were on his beer can. Soda's soft face stiffened slightly and he narrowed his eyes. Lightly, he asked, "Like what?" I wanted to help Two-Bit out seeing him so uncomfortable but I also was curious. Besides, better to get it out now than having Soda obsess all night over Pony.

"He uh, went to Curly's," Two-Bit mumbled.

"As in Shepard's!" Soda yelped. Here we go. The chase for Pony begins, I thought wryly.

"Yah, uh, Curly invited him to a party and uh, ya know to make friends and stuff…" Two-Bit innocently spouted gibberish.

Soda shook his head in agitation. He never got mad, just disappointed. "We should go over there."

I couldn't help myself: I whined, "Soda, we just got here…"

Now it was Two-Bit's turn to shake his head. "No, I'll get him. I let him go. I'll get him. Enjoy the party." Chugging his beer he shot an apologetic glance at Soda and shot out the door yelling, "take care of the women!" Soda looked after him with worried eyes.

"Don't worry. He'll be back later, with Pony in-tow," I comforted. Unfortunately.