The next few days, Darry and Soda spent time looking at houses to move into. It wasn't hard for Soda to say no to the ones they had seen, because Darry wasn't interested either. On the third day of looking, Two-Bit went along to support Soda.
"What do you think of this one?" Two-Bit asked Soda as they stood outside.
Soda sighed, "I still feel angry about selling. This is just too hard Two-Bit."
"I know, I know. That's fine. Just try to be open-minded though about all this. This house is pretty nice. It has an extra living area, so Darry could have his own and not deal with us," Two-Bit laughed.
"Yeah," Soda looked down.
"Darry really likes this place," Two-Bit commented, "I can tell."
"I can too."
"Think of it this way," Two-Bit went on, "You don't have to live here forever. Darry is looking at these places with the plan to raise his own family someday. You'll get to figure out your own life still. The house that you're in now, you would've moved out eventually as well to start your own life. Then Darry would have, because he wasn't going to get married and have kids in that house. Just think of this as Darry is moving out sooner than he had planned, because life threw him different cards."
Soda didn't like to admit it, but he knew Two-Bit was right. "I guess I hadn't thought of it that way."
"I know. It makes a lot of sense, but it's hard to think logically when a lot is going on."
"It is."
Darry walked out of the house and walked towards Two-Bit and Soda. "Well, what do you think Soda?"
Soda looked up at his older brother with Two-Bit's words in mind, "You really like it."
"I know I do, but what do you think?"
Soda looked up at the white house. It had a nice yard and nice fencing. It wasn't in middle class territory, but it wasn't in the worse part of greaser territory either. Darry didn't want to get out of where they were from, although he could have afforded to go out of the lower class area altogether. He looked at Two-Bit, who gave him a hopeful look. He knew Two-Bit wanted him to be honest, but to be fair and logical as well.
"I know it'll take some time for me to get used to it."
"I know buddy," Darry said.
Soda took a deep breath, "Well, it looks like this is the one."
Steve was spending the day with Lexi. He felt bad he didn't go look at houses with Soda for the day, but Two-Bit insisted he could handle it as Steve had went the past couple days. Although, Steve was sure Two-Bit was also just hoping Lexi would end up at the Curtis house that evening. Steve wasn't so sure about that yet. Even though Soda was supportive of him hanging around a new girl, Steve didn't feel like Soda would be jumping for joy to be meeting her. He wouldn't be his usual energetic self, and Steve wanted Lexi to meet the true Soda. It just wouldn't be a happy occasion, especially for how much Steve liked Lexi.
"Okay that's enough of this," Steve said closing the hood of the car.
"I agree," Lexi said, "We got a lot done today."
"Yeah we did," Steve said, gathering the tools, "Do you mind if I go inside and wash up?"
"Not at all."
"I guess I haven't had to ask to go inside yet since I've mostly watched you do the work."
"Yeah, you did pretty good about that, but I could tell you just wanted to get your hands on this car."
"You're right about that," Steve smiled.
Lexi brought Steve inside and showed him to the bathroom. "I'll go to the upstairs bathroom to wash up a little. Just meet me in the kitchen when you're done."
"Alright, thanks."
As Steve walked back out into the kitchen, Lexi came up from behind him, spun him around and pressed her lips against his. Steve groaned against Lexi's lips, wanting more. Grabbing Lexi's hips, Steve lifted her onto the counter and deepened the kiss. Lexi wrapped her arms around him, softly playing with his hair. Steve ran his hands down her legs lightly, causing her to giggle.
When they finally broke apart, Lexi was out of breath. "You...want to go upstairs?" she managed to get out.
"Yeah, let's go," Steve quickly responded. He grabbed her hand and helped her off the counter. They walked upstairs to Lexi's room. Steve pulled her close as he kissed her lips. He slowly backed her up, laying her on her bed. Taking his shirt off, Steve began climbing onto Lexi. Before he could kiss her again, he felt her tense up. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Lexi said softly.
Steve lowered down and kissed her lips, but could tell she wasn't as into it anymore. He lifted himself up and looked down at her. "What's wrong?"
"I...I don't know."
Steve sat up completely and sat at the edge of the bed, "Lexi, what's wrong?"
"Oh Steve, I'm sorry," Lexi sat up and brought her legs up to her chest.
"For what?"
"I didn't mean to...to get you all worked up and then stop. I just..."
"Just what?" Steve asked.
"I've...I've never done this before," Lexi admittedly quietly.
"What?"
"I've never slept with a guy before," Lexi said, clearly feeling ashamed.
"Oh, well...are you sure you want to?"
"I don't know."
"Lexi, we don't have to do anything. Do you feel like you have to?"
Lexi buried her head against her knees as she slowly nodded.
"Why would you feel like that?"
"You're...clearly experienced."
"I mean...I don't know about that. There's only been two other girls I've slept with. Not super experienced."
"I guess I just assumed you expected this in a relationship. You know, sleeping with girls. I've...oh my God, I can't believe I said it out loud, but I've... really never slept with anyone before, and I really, really like you. So...I feel like I should," Lexi explained as her eyes began tearing up, "Sometimes I feel ridiculous that I'm still a virgin. It seems everyone has done stuff by now."
Steve shook his head, "Okay, first of all, I don't expect that at all. I don't assume I'm going to get action being with a girl. Second, it doesn't make a difference to me whether you've done it before or if we did it right now. I really like you too Lexi, so...if you don't want to, that's fine with me."
"Really?"
"Of course," Steve wiped the tears that slowly went down her cheek and then kissed her, "Is that greasers rep in this part of town? We just whore around?"
Lexi laughed a little, "I mean, I wouldn't put it that way, but kind of."
"Huh," Steve shrugged, "Guess it's better than some of the other reps we have."
Lexi sighed, "To be honest Steve, it just scares me. It scares me a lot."
"Don't worry about it. Really. We don't have to rush anything. I'm perfectly happy just spending time with you," Steve kissed her again, "Now if you take kissing away, I'll have a problem."
Lexi laughed, "No way."
Steve placed his lips along her jawline and kissed towards her ear, "That would literally be a painful tease."
"I'm sure it would be."
"Feel better?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Well then, if you're going to make me keep my pants closed..."
"Hey, you can't throw that at me either."
Steve laughed, "What do you want to do tonight?"
Lexi bit her lip, "Can I meet your friends?"
"What?"
"You talk about your friends so much. They sound like a lot of fun," Lexi said.
"They are," Steve sighed, looking down.
"What's wrong? Would they have a problem with me not being a greaser?"
"No baby, of course not. I've told them about you and everything. It's just...Soda's going through a really hard time right now, and they're looking at houses today. He really doesn't want to move, so I don't know what kind of mood he'll be in," Steve explained, "I just want you to meet the real Soda, the Sodapop I grew up with."
"I understand, but please don't feel like that will change anything. I'm willing to meet Soda either way."
Steve thought for a minute, "Can I use your phone? I'll call over there and see how it's going."
"Sure," Lexi smiled, "By the way...did you call me baby?"
"Um...yes, I guess I did."
"Well, am I your girl then?"
"Oh you most definitely are," Steve smiled.
"Hello?"
"Hey Soda?"
"Yeah, Steve?"
"Yeah, hey. How was it today?"
"Well we found a house."
"You did? That's good. Did you like it?"
"It was a good house, I'll admit it," Soda said, and just left it at that.
"So...how are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. When are you coming back?"
"Well...I had something to ask you. Lexi...she really wants to meet you and everyone. I want you guys to meet her, but if you're not ready, I'll tell her another time."
"No, no. Please bring her. It might help a little. I'm sure everyone else wants to meet her too. We should try and get some things back to normal around here. We meet a girl and bring her to the gang, you know?"
Steve gulped at that statement, knowing how Darry was hiding a girlfriend from Soda. "So it's okay if I bring her over tonight?"
"Yes of course. Bring her over. I should meet this girl my best friend is so crazy about."
"Thanks buddy. We'll be over soon." When Steve got off the phone with Soda, he couldn't help but smile big towards Lexi. "Alright, let's go."
"Okay, I can't wait."
"Oh, just one thing."
"What?"
"I want you to understand something Lexi. Just because we're together now, and you're my girl and everything, doesn't mean we have to do any of that stuff anytime soon. As long as we're together, I'll go at your pace."
Lexi smiled, "Okay Steve. Thank you. You're an amazing guy."