Chapter 17: It's Over
The next day was the day of Soda's party and Two-Bit didn't go to school.
He was too upset emotionally and he had accidentally slept in too late.
He got up and made himself some toast sadly, his deep frown nearly permanent on his face by now.
When he got the morning paper, Two-Bit was surprised to see the story of him saving Steve and Soda on the front page.
He frowned, taking the paper to his room, sitting down to read the article, not quite sure what to expect.
Right away the Headline got to him. It read:
Local Boy Saves Friends From Potential Armed Robbery
He sighed and shook his head with pursed lips, beginning to read.
The article was pretty straight forward; it said what happened, how Two-Bit came in and stole away the guy's gun and saved his friends.
Two-Bit frowned when they used his name, shaking his head again.
The most interesting part was the interviews of Steve and Soda, telling what happened.
Steve pretty much told what went down as he saw it, saying some pretty tough things about Two-Bit and how brave he was to save him and Soda.
Soda on the other hand, he went a bit further.
"I honestly didn't know what Two-Bit was doing when he burst in like that, starting to yell at that guy. I had no idea he was gonna save us and be as brave as he was, but somehow, he did it. I've known Two-Bit since we were kids, he's a really awesome guy and a great friend. I can't thank him enough for savin' me and my buddy Steve. He was so brave, he wasn't afraid or anythin', didn't back down at all, even when he had that gun pointed at him. I'm real proud of my friend, and even more proud and lucky to be alive. And I have Two-Bit to thank for that. So Thanks, man."
Two-Bit read it over another time and frowning as he read, he began to sniffle, trying his best to hold back tears.
Eventually, he tossed the newspaper aside, angry, believing that all of what Soda had wrote was only lies and nonsense to look good for the paper.
His lip quivered and he glared around his room angrily, scowling, angered and upset all at once.
Why the hell does everything have to be so heartbreaking right now?
Two-Bit moped around the whole rest of the day, miserable.
He tried to eat some food but he just wasn't eager to eat, not feeling like eating.
He knew he couldn't go to the party, but he at least wanted to drop off Soda's present.
But as the day went by, Two-Bit realised he really did want to go to the party, he wanted to there with his friends, and for Soda.
What would Darry do to him anyways? He wouldn't dare do anything to Two-Bit in front of the gang.
Two-Bit had made up his mind; he wanted to make the effort to belong again.
Before it was almost time to go, Two-Bit glanced around his room sadly, thinking, missing his friends.
He picked up Soda's present, looking at it longingly, thinking about Soda and Darry and Pony.
He frowned, thinking of how much his friends meant to him, wanting the best for them.
They meant the world to him.
Two-Bit swallowed and with a frown on his face, he picked up his piggy bank, grabbing Soda's present.
Two-Bit walked over to the Curtis house, Soda's present in his arms, a little nervous.
He had no idea how this was going to go.
He was hardly even in a party mood.
But he wanted to see his friends and hopefully have some fun with them.
He didn't even care about Darry anymore; he just cared about his friends.
Two-Bit sucked in a deep breath, walking up to the house. He could already hear the loud music playing.
Two-Bit guessed he was a little late. He didn't quite mind though.
Slowly and nervously, he walked up to the door, almost holding his breath.
He stood in front of the door a moment, wide-eyed, staring, swallowing hard.
He hadn't been over here in days, couple weeks even. That was sad.
Two-Bit raised his fist, but didn't knock. Emotions ran everywhere in his brain, confusing him.
He glanced over at the window and slowly stepped over, carefully peeking inside.
Two-Bit's eyes went wide.
Everyone was inside, drinking beer and having fun, everyone smiling and laughing.
There was Soda and Pony, both smiling widely, and Steve, who was hollering and bouncing around like a pumped up racehorse, and Darry, shaking his head at the others as usual.
Even Dally and Tim were there, drinking and jamming together to the loud music, smirking proudly.
Two-Bit could see all of Soda's presents on the table, none had been opened yet.
Two-Bit watched with an open mouth, eyes wide.
Everyone had party hats on, everyone was having a good time, everyone together.
Together, without him.
They didn't look like they were missing him.
They all looked so happy.
He didn't need to be with them for them to be happy.
Two-Bit's frown deepened as he watched, glancing down at his present for Soda, a single tear falling down his cheek, dripping onto his present.
His heart had officially broken.
His friendship with the gang was over.
Two-Bit moved away from the window, crying, frowning deeply, looking down at his present as he stopped in front of the door, reading his signature on the name tag.
Tears falling from his eyes, Two's eyebrows furrowed and he grabbed the name tag, ripping it away angrily, setting his present down gingerly on the doorstep, turning away hurriedly, going home.
Crying hard, swiping at his eyes as he whimpered through tears, he hurried to his room, sniffling as he slammed the door shut, going to his desk, plopping down into his chair as he pulled out some sheets of lined paper, shakingly grabbing a pen, beginning to write with a deep frown.
Meanwhile
Soda stood near the present table, a cup of pop in his hand, grinning at his friends as they all goofed off, shuffling a little on his feet, glancing at the front door.
He licked his lips a little, swallowing, looking over towards the door every now and then as the party went on, frowning softly.
Darry noticed his brother's behavior, coming over. "Soda, what's wrong, little colt?"
Soda frowned, shifting on his feet. "Two-Bit's not here yet. He'd said he'd be here tonight." He glanced at the door again.
Darry stiffened, not expecting this. "Well, it's alright. He's jus' late I bet. You can still have fun at your own party though."
"But Darry," Soda frowned with big eyes. "Two-Bit hasn't stopped by in-in days…..an-an' he hasn't been himself lately. I'm kinda worried about him. I was hopin' to talk to him tonight."
"Soda," Darry licked his lips, swallowing. "It's your birthday. Have some fun, brother."
Soda frowned, glancing at his friends all having fun. "But it ain't as much fun without Two-Bit here…." He said quietly.
He went over to talk to Pony, Darry watching him with a frown.
Soda tried to have fun the rest of that night but as more and more time passed and he kept looking over at that door, he couldn't force a smile anymore, wanting his friend to be there.
"Soda, we gotta eat some cake and open some presents, it's getting late brother, come on…" Darry came over.
"But Two-Bit's not here yet, Dar," Soda frowned deeply, eyes big. "We can't eat or open presents without him."
"Soda," Darry frowned at his brother, letting out a sigh. "If Two-Bit were coming, he woulda been here by now. It's his fault if he didn't wanna show. He's prolly passed out drunk somewheres. We can have the party without him."
"But-but, I don't want to have my party without Two-Bit. I-I'm gonna go out and make sure he's alright." Soda frowned, starting to take off his hat.
"N-No Soda," Darry grabbed his arm quickly. "You ain't goin' nowhere."
"Darry," Soda frowned, pulling his arm free. "I wanna find Two-Bit. H-He could be out hurt somewhere, I know he wouldn't just miss this."
"Soda, if he didn't want to miss this he would be here, now can we just all enjoy the party?" Darry insisted.
Soda frowned at his brother. "Darry…...don't you wanna see Two-Bit? Thank him for saving my life yesterday? You haven't seen him in days either….."
"Well i've been too busy to see him lately and now I just want you to have fun at your party now come on, Little Colt." Darry frowned, lying to his brother.
Soda frowned and glanced at the door with soft eyes, taking off his party hat.
"No. I don't wanna have the party anymore. Not without Two-Bit. I'm going to bed."
"Soda-"
Soda went to his room and slammed the door, everyone looking over, suddenly confused.
Darry swallowed hard, looking at his brother's closed bedroom door with a frown, thinking.
He shook his head and told the boys to have some cake and enjoy the party, that everything was just fine.
But even Darry knew everything wasn't fine.
A/N: Next Update Tonight Guys!