Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders. It sucks.

A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews! This chapter explaina a lot-at last, so enjoy! Sorry for the puntuation errors, but I am trying harder. As for the title, someone (a wonderful and faithful reviewer) pointed out that as Pony said in the book that adults were not familiar with the terms "greaser "and "Soc" the headline wouldn't read that way. I just took that headline from the movie scene where Dally is talking to them about it in the church. Maybe it wasn't literal. Aw well. It great you pay attention!

Babygirl

"Yep, it's an original name, but my dad was an original person..."

Chapter 8: Eugene

I had once decided that if I were Nelly, I wouldn't want to be adopted. I had said that if no one wanted me, I wouldn't want them either. So if my brothers did not want to come and get me, then I just wouldn't want them either.

Some things still bothered me though. Why did Darry risk getting in trouble just to see me if he didn't care? Why did he look sorry and so glad to see me? The other thing bothering me was the map on the table. Were they moving to Texas? Would I ever see them again? Was Pony really a killer? Part of me said no, but the other part asked if I really knew them at all. All in all, it was a pretty miserable week.

As is Curtis law, it only got worse. It all started when I told Miles he did well in the game. He said, more than a little red, that his father had said so too.

"I bet your mom was proud."

Nelly looked at me like she was gonna kill me. Miles didn't answer.

"What?" I asked, oblivious. "She doesn't like baseball?"

"I don't really know. She left home when I was four." Miles looked so miserable that I wanted to melt into the sidewalk right there.

"Miles, I"m so sorry. I wouldn't have mentioned, but I didn't know."

"That's okay." he said. My God, poor Miles. "We got creamed anyway." he changed the subject back.

"Only because you were playing against Sam and you didn't have Mark. Where was he?"

"I dunno. Sick, I think."

The rest of the day went without me making a complete fool of myself again. Nelly and I mainly argued over who was cuter: Sam or Mark. Nelly agreed with Emily that it was Sam but I thought it was Mark.

Later that same evening, a week after the incident at the house, I was sitting in the kitchen sighing heavily.

"What's on your mind, little one?" Eugene asked, handing me an orange slice. I didn't want to talk about. I really didn't. But, sometimes, when you have to much inside and someone pokes you all your stuff come pouring out and you are powerless to stop it. Thank god it was Eugene I had spilled it to. I told him everything and ended with: "My brother's like a killer that doesn't want me and I'm gonna turn into a Soc and-"

"Hold it. That's what Mr. John told you?"

"Yes." I answered simply.

"Let me tell you the truth about this mess, or some of it at least. Now, sit down and shut you mouth for a few minutes." I did.

"When you parents died, Miss Milly heard about the tragedy in the paper, you know, and decided it was her Christian duty to take you in. She told the police so, and they offered to take you away, but your brother wouldn't have anything to do with it."

"How did you-?"

" Now, I heard all this going on and saw some of it with my own eyes. I've been working here 20 years, and I know those two like I know this kitchen and that drive from town to this house. Now don't interrupt."

"Anyway, she persisted and Mr. John went to your brother and offered him some money to help out with the finances, promising you'd have the kind of future for you that he'd wanted for himself. But your brother told him no. Well, you can imagine, with things not going her way Miss Milly was pretty upset. So John figured a way for them to gain custody. Now, Mr John really ain't a bad man so don't you go thinking I said that. He thought what he was doing really was best for everybody I guess. Plenty of folks thought it was best for your brothers and best for you. It's just that he hoped this might cheer Miss Milly up and John's been trying to fix her for years."

"What's wrong with her?"

"Well," Here he hesitated and answered in a lower voice, "She has some good days and some bad. A few days ago, when you went to the ball game, that was real bad one."

I was confused. Didn't everyone have good days and bad. I knew I did. Maybe it was a greaser thing. I didn't interrupt to ask though because this was getting interesting.

" He felt a child in the house might, well, might kinda help her be happy with him again. So, he called the his friends in the police department. Then your oldest brother, Darry, got a call to come pick up Soda from the station. Well, he wasn't there of course, but what he didn't know was that meanwhile DSS had arrived at the house and found Two-Bit passed out drunk on your couch, no other adult home, no food other than cake, eggs and beer, and you were curled up in bed with your brother Pony as usual. Well, they took all that to court and when the custody was taken from Darry, Milly and John Densey kindly stepped in and took guardianship. In order as to not confuse you, the court ruled that your brothers couldn't contact you."

I openly gaped.

"As for you brother being a murder, well, he's nothing of the sort. Look here." He handed me another newspaper with Dally, Johnny, and Pony on the front with the heading: "Juvenile Delinquents Turn Hero." I read the whole thing, top to bottom, at top speed.

"Pony's a hero?"

"Wouldn't you know it?" Eugene smiled big. It was nothing like Soda's, but I loved it.

"Eugene how did you know about my brothers?"

"I knew your mother."

"You did?"

"Yeah. I worked with her for a while."

"Where?"

"Here." I gaped yet again.

"You know they're thinking about taking Soda and Pony away too?"

"They won't do that to a hero."

"Johnny's hurt bad."

"He'll be okay. Heard he may not walk again, but he'll live I bet."

"How do you know?"

"I don't. I just gotta feeling." I smiled too and gave him my biggest hug ever. I didn't even care if I looked tough or not. I was, for the first time really since coming to the south side, happy. For some reason, I felt a rock in my throat and I felt like saying something I hadn't said since my parents died.

"I love you, Eugene."

"Oh darlin'...Good. You're far too young to hate the world" A few minutes later I had composed myself and so had Eugene. Now, he was gentleman. As I turned to leave, orange in hand, Eugene went on.

"As for you being a greaser or a Soc..."

"Yeah?" I looked up expectantly.

"I can tell by looking at you, you aren't a Soc. Even if you wear pink dresses and go to preppy schools you have the blood of a rebel in you. You will always be a Curtis and a north side kid. But remember, all greasers ain't the same ans Socs ain't neither."

"You think Milly's trying to change me into a Soc?"

"No. I know she is."

"Don't you think that's wrong?"

"All kinds of wrong."

"Then why do you tell me to do as she says?" He frowned and took a few second to think that one over.

"Its best to let her think its going her way, even if it ain't."

I nodded, but not comprehending. One thing was still bothering me. "Eugene?"

"Huh?"

"How do I know what I am for sure what I'm supposed to be?"

"When the time comes, you'll show it. Now go to bed before you get us both in trouble."

The next day I was in a much better mood. Nelly was no longer angry and Miles was no longer down. Mark was back in school. It was a nice day actually. I just kept thinking about what Eugene said, so much so that I almost missed the whispers around the cafeteria and play yard. They were talking about me and my brother, but I didn't care. I listened to Ivanhoe and played catch and studied like I should.

After school, I waited for Eugene to come and pick me up. He didn't show. I sat on the sidewalk and waited. I didn't ask Nelly to stay because I was determined to stay tough, but she stayed anyway because she was a good friend. A little later, the car pulled up.

"See ya'." said Nelly.

"Bye."

I walked to the car and felt my gut sink as I came closer. Milly had pulled up in the Cadillac, driving! My eyes just about popped out of my head. She looked like she was wearing a lot of make-up. She must have wanted to look nice-and would have too- but it was thrown off by the bandaged hand on the steering wheel. She must have cut herself in the kitchen. Funny though, I couldn't remember her doing cooking apart from baking. I was a little hesitant to get in as I had never seen her drive.

"Get it." she commanded.

"Where's Eugene? Vacation?"

"No," answered Milly mildly, "He had a heart attack."

A/N: I know, I know I'm evil with the cliff hangers, but please review anyway. It really makes me happy! I won't be posting the next chapter for a few days because I'll be gone on a trip and the next night I have a soccer game, so I appologise for the delay in advance. Please look out for up-dates soon after that though. Thanks for reading!