Soda couldn't get himself to leave. He knew if he left now, who knows what he would do. The anxiety would only get worse, and he'd drive himself crazy, possibly as far as drinking.

"Steve, wait!" Soda rushed out of the garage before Steve could get too far. "Please, just come back! I can't leave here on that."

Steve seemed hesitant, slowly shaking his head as it lowered towards the parking lot. As confused and on edge as Steve was feeling, he slowly turned around and walked back towards Soda. He did not want to talk to Soda. He didn't even want to be near him, but he continued on back anyway. The two greasers walked into the garage to continue their conversation.

Soda didn't say anything right away. He could feel how tense Steve was feeling, and it made him nervous. "You really feel this way, don't you?" Steve asked.

"Yes I do."

"Like no turning back, you just ain't into chicks anymore," Steve added on.

Soda's mouth hung open for a second, finding the right words, "I guess so. It's you though, not just anyone. You've given me so much and I...I just fell..."

Steve shook his head and spoke quietly, "How can this happen?"

"Look Steve, I know you may not feel the same way. I'm not assuming you'll want this like I do, but we can still..."

"We can't still be friends Soda!" Steve suddenly barked.

"Wha-What?"

"How do you expect us to still be friends? I can't walk around town knowing how you feel about me..." Steve crossed his arms and looked away, avoiding eye contact with Soda, "Why couldn't you just keep it to yourself? I didn't have to know."

Soda felt a stab right in his stomach. How could his best friend be saying these things to him?

"Maybe you just need some time to think," Soda quietly said, "You're mad and just talking crazy."

"No I don't," Steve said firmly, "How could you think I'd want anything like that? You've seen me or Dally or Tim or other greasers rag on guys that come out as faggots. You think just because you're my best friend, I'd change my mind how I see them all?"

"No, I mean...I don't know. I'm not even thinking about anyone else. But I wouldn't think you'd treat me like them," Soda argued.

"Soda you're being crazy, you know that?"

"I'm not crazy Steve!" Soda cried out. He knew Steve was feeling uncomfortable the further the conversation went.

"You need to stop it. You need to get it out of your head right now," Steve demanded, "You need to drop the pity gay feelings for yourself."

"Steve, it's not pity!"

"You need to stop it, things need to go back to normal, and we need to...somehow forget this conversation ever happened."

"Steve, you don't..."

"Soda enough!" Steve barked.

"You're not listening to me!" Soda begged.

"No, you're not listening! Just get rid of these feelings, and..."

Before Steve could finish his sentence, Soda grabbed him by the arms and pulled him closer, pressing lips against his. The first feelings that came upon Soda were warmth and happiness.

As quick as those feelings came, they left just as fast. Soda was shoved off and connected with a fist. Falling back, Soda landed against a car and fell onto the hard, cold garage floor. He looked up at Steve's eyes. He didn't know what Steve was thinking. His eyes were full of confusion, anger, and other emotions Soda hadn't seen before.

"Don't hate me..." Soda practically whispered. Steve opened his mouth a few times trying to find the right words, but ended up marching out of the garage.

Soda laid his head against the car as he felt his cheek swell up. His eyes grew hot as tears slid down his cheeks, dropping to the floor. "What did you expect to get out of that huh?" Soda asked himself.

Almost an hour had passed. Soda was still crying against the car. Steve was still gone. 'Everyone in town probably knows by now,' Soda thought to himself. He wanted to get out. He didn't want to be alive right now. Clearly, Steve didn't want Soda back, not even close to the same feelings.

'How am I suppose to live with this?'

Soda began hearing footsteps approach the garage. They were getting closer and closer. He clenched his body as he expected another blow to the face or even the back of his head.

"Go."

Soda slowly turned and looked up at Steve. He didn't appear angry, but disappointed for sure. That killed Soda. Slowly, unsure what else could happen, he stood up and wiped at his eyes. His cheek had a large bump, but Soda wasn't feeling that pain.

"I don't want to see you tonight, you hear me?" Steve said looking Soda straight in the eye, "I'm telling the boss you aren't coming in this weekend since you clearly aren't feeling well at all." Soda tried breaking the eye contact, but Steve was serious. Maybe he was going to quit working here if things weren't going to be the same. Maybe he'd have to runaway. Soda wanted to begin bawling at Steve's words.

"Go home Soda," Steve said brushing past him. As much as the words hurt to hear, Soda didn't hesitate. He wasn't worried about himself getting hurt, he just didn't want to hurt Steve any longer. He hurried out of the garage and got past the parking lot. Still unsure if Steve had told anyone what had happened, Soda knew he had to hurry home.

As Soda tried to get home fast without drawing too much attention, he heard a familiar voice calling and getting closer to him. "Soda!" Two-Bit yelled as he got in front of Soda, "What are you...oh man, Soda what happened?" Soda rubbed his cheek trying to ignore the question as Two-Bit stopped him from walking away. "Soda what happened?" Two-Bit asked again, "Did you get jumped?"

Soda shook his head, not having the energy to think of any lie or excuse, "No."

"Tell me what happened man. That's an ugly one," Two-Bit said as he inspected Soda's face. Soda shoved past Two-Bit and began walking away again. Two-Bit rushed to keep up. "Soda! Talk to me! What's going on?"

Soda stopped and looked at Two-Bit, "Steve." He wanted to kick himself instantly. He hurt Steve, he fucked up with Steve. He didn't want Two-Bit to get mad at Steve over his own stupid mistake.

"What about Steve? Did he do this?"

Soda looked down at the sidewalk. He didn't want to talk about it any further. His lack of response made it clear to Two-Bit that something was going on though.

"Why the hell would Steve do this? He's been doing so much for you the past few months. Did you guys get in a fight?" Two-Bit asked. As Soda kept looking down, Two-Bit lowered his voice, "You can trust me Soda, okay? If you don't want anyone else to know, that's fine, I'll shut up. But please, tell me what's going on."

Soda swallowed hard. He knew he couldn't tell Two-Bit the truth. If Steve reacted the way he had, how would Two-Bit react? "I...just pissed him off and he hit me. I don't want to say how. He was just having his short temper days and I got at him too much over bullshit with Sandy."

Two-Bit nodded, unsure if he believed that or even understood, "Well alright. Are you going out to the drag races tonight? I can come with you if you aren't sure about being around Steve."

Soda shook his head, "He told me he didn't want to see me tonight."

"What! Why not? Now that really doesn't sound like Steve. I get he gets mad, but he gets over it as soon as he does something like hitting. He shouldn't have done that in the first place. I'm going to talk to him," Two-Bit turned to head back towards the DX.

"No! Two-Bit just leave it alone please," Soda begged, but Two-Bit kept walking. "Two-Bit! Don't go piss him off more please!"

Two-Bit turned and looked at Soda, "You're scared."

Soda swallowed hard. Two-Bit was right. He was scared, he was frightened. He didn't want anyone else to find out the truth and despise him. He wouldn't be able to show his face.

"Why are you scared of me talking to Steve?"

"I...I just can't tell you," Soda looked down, trying to force the tears away.

"Just go home. I'm going to talk to him. It'll be just fine."

Soda watched as Two-Bit walked away. He felt his heart race. He could throw up right there. Soda turned away and began running the rest of the way home.

Two-Bit was confused. Soda and Steve were close, but they had their arguments every now and then just like everyone else. This wasn't an ordinary fight though. Steve actually hit Soda. The worst argument anyone saw those two get in was just loud yelling and a couple of shoves. No one would expect one of them to actually hit the other. Not only that, but Two-Bit could see the fear Soda had. That was very concerning, and it even scared Two-Bit to see it. He could only imagine what had happened. Arriving at the DX, Two-Bit walked into the garage finding Steve shuffling his tools around.

"Hey Steve."

Steve turned. He clearly wasn't in a good mood, but he tried to hide it. "Hey Two-Bit. How are you doing?"

"Doing good. What are you up to man?"

"Finishing up around here," Steve replied leaning against the workbench.

"Cool," Two-Bit nodded, "I ran into Soda. What's up with you messing up your best friend's face like that, huh?"

Steve glared, "Two-Bit, don't even start with me..."

"And then you tell him he can't go to the drag race tonight? You have no authority over what Soda does. What in the hell is wrong with you? Telling him you don't want to see him? What could Soda have done about Sandy that could piss you off this much? Yes, Soda has lounged about her for a long time now, but that doesn't give you the right to do this to the poor guy."

"I said don't start with me Two-Bit! You don't know what's going on so butt out!" Steve said pointing a finger towards Two-Bit.

"We are all friends Steve, this is my business. I'm not your worry though. It will especially be Darry's business when he sees Soda's face."

"Friends fight Two-Bit! It happens. Now get out of here before I give you a shiner too!"

"You wouldn't, because you know I'd fight back. Soda wouldn't because he's your best friend. He told me the whole temper excuse, but I ain't buying it," Two-Bit said.

"Get out of here!" Steve barked.

Two-Bit decided he wasn't going to get anything out of Steve, so he turned and strolled out of the garage. "We'll see you later Steve."

"Like hell you will," Steve muttered.

Two-Bit walked back home to get his car and drove to the Curtis house. He was going to talk to Soda and calm him down. Walking through the front door, he found Pony and Johnny on the couch playing cards.

"Soda here?" Two-Bit asked.

"Yeah," Pony replied, "He's really upset though."

"I know. It seems him and Steve got into a fight."

"What happened?" Pony asked concerned. He was worried about Soda after this morning, and now hearing something happened between him and Steve didn't help matters.

"I don't know exactly. This wasn't some stupid piss off thing though, I can tell. Steve is mad about something. I'm going to try and talk to Soda," Two-Bit said heading upstairs. As he walked into the bedroom, he found Soda throwing things into a bag. "Soda, what are you doing?"

Soda wiped tears from his eyes quickly, "I can't stay here Two-Bit, I just can't." Two-Bit shut the bedroom door. He got very concerned, wondering how bad could things have gotten for Soda to want to leave. He walked over and swiped the bag away from Soda. "Two-Bit!"

"Soda, stop it."

"Put it down!"

"No," Two-Bit shook his head.

"Two-Bit! Please!"

"Soda, I'm not letting you do anything stupid," Two-Bit threw the bag on the floor, "Now sit down." Soda, knowing he was defeated, slumped onto his bed. "Now what is going on? What's happened between you and Steve that makes you want to runaway?"

Soda stayed silent.

"Soda...this is ridiculous. Do you see what you are doing?"

"I have to."

"You don't have to do anything. Now listen to me, we are going to the drag race tonight. We can talk to Steve together. You guys are going to tell me what's going on."

"No. He doesn't..."

"Shut it Soda. I don't care if Steve doesn't get what he wants. He can deal with it. Now we are going and I'm staying here until then to make sure you don't do anything stupid."

Soda looked up at Two-Bit as tears slid down his cheek. He was thankful for Two-Bit wanting to help, but he knew it'd only be time until Two-Bit heard the truth and agreed with Steve.

Dinner was silent. Too silent. It was the most silent dinner that ever took place at the Curtis table, and Darry was the only one dumbfounded by it all. Pony and Johnny had found out what happened to Soda, and quickly ate dinner to leave the table before Darry found out. Two-Bit tried acting normal, but he was too mixed of feelings to speak like his normal self. It had to take a lot for Two-Bit to be out of character, especially quiet. At one point, Darry had enough of the silence. He slammed his fork against his plate and looked at everyone as they froze. "Now who's going to speak up? Who's going to tell me what happened to Soda, huh? If it was no big deal he'd be joking around about it but he's a stiff board. Now someone speak up," Darry said in a stern voice, "Now!"

Pony and Johnny took that as their cue to leave the table. They grabbed their plates and went to finish their food in the living room. Once they were out, Two-Bit cleared his throat. "Steve and him got in a fight. Not a big fist fight or anything. I know that's hard to tell, but it's true. Steve's temper got to him I guess. That's all that happened. Soda and me are going down to the drag races to talk to him tonight."

As Two-Bit talked, Soda sunk low in his chair. No one knew the truth. He couldn't admit the truth to anyone. He watched as Darry opened his mouth to respond, but confusion took over and he closed it. "Trust me, I don't think I know the whole truth either," Two-Bit added as he looked at Soda, "But I think we'll get it eventually." Soda gulped. He hoped Two-Bit didn't mean they'd get it by asking Steve tonight.

Darry sighed, "Alright. Soda, when you get home tonight we're going to talk." Soda just nodded, not wanting to answer any questions at the moment.

"Let's get going then," Two-Bit stood up from the table. Soda slowly got up and followed Two-Bit, unable to look at Darry in the face. He just knew the truth would disappoint and embarrass his older brother.

As Two-Bit and Soda started going outside, Pony ran up to Two-Bit, "I want to come with. Johnny and I both do." Pony was worried about Soda, and just wanted to make sure he was okay.

"That's fine," Two-Bit said, "Just let me handle Steve. Don't get in his face about hitting your brother. If we all know Steve well enough, he feels guilty by now."

Soda sunk into the passenger seat of Two-Bit's car. He knew Two-Bit had no idea how wrong his statement was.