Chapter 8

Darry and Two-Bit reached the Curtis household with positive feelings. The talk that the two young adults had really did well to the both of them. No one knew exactly what was making Two-Bit so quiet, which slightly bothered all of his friends even if they didn't show it.

As the Ford pulled up to the house, the two noticed Steve's car in the driveway. Both Darry and Two-Bit looked at each other. School wouldn't be out until another 3 hours. What was Steve doing here? And also, why wasn't Sodapop at work?

The two got out of the car and walked into the house and their predictions were right. There were the two best friends, sitting right there on the couch.

"What are you two doing here?!" Darry asked, nearly in a commanding tone.

"The boss just told us today that he had jury duty. And he doesn't trust any of us to work the place while he's gone."

"Okay…What Steve? Decided to skip school?"

"Yeah," he answered simply and walked towards the back to use the restroom.

Darry just sighed and dropped his tools down near the door, knowing that he'll have to pick them up again when he goes for his second job. He took a seat in the armchair and relaxed. A grin spread on Two-Bit's face as he took a seat on the sofa next to Soda.

"You act like that's your chair," laughed Two-Bit and everyone else followed.

"Oh yeah!" said Soda scooting to the side opposite Two-Bit to get a full look at him. "You told me and Steve that you had something to tell us. But you never showed up."

"That's right," yelled Steve. "Spill it."

Two-Bit looked around for a moment and then a smile cracked on his face.

"It's actually kind of stupid that people think this…"

"Think what?" said Sodapop sitting up.

Two-Bit glanced at Darry, who had his eyes set on Two-Bit. He turned his head to Sodapop, then to Steve and told the news that he heard.

"I was walking by some greasers when we were trying to figure out where you were that night. And I heard them talking…"

There were all eyes on Two-Bit, but he didn't feel nervous at all. Previously he would have because of all of his worry about his mother, but now he felt like his old self again. And he would make the best out of the situation.

"They said that they you two rented a motel room and made out with each other. Then they went on to say that you too attempted to have sex."

"What the hell!!!!!" yelled Steve and Soda jumped up, nearly reaching the ceiling.
"That's why those girls were laughing!" concluded Soda. Steve turned around to him.

"You mean that broad was giggling at me because she thought that we were making out. What the hell! No wonder Evie hasn't called me back. What kind of bullshit is this?!"

"You two need to set this straight," said Darry, with lowered eyebrows.

"Damn right," said Sodapop. "C'mon Steve. We're getting to the bottom of this."

With that, the two best friends (rumored couple) walked out of the house to set everyone's thoughts correct. Two-Bit turned back to Darry.

"I know it's slightly serious. But it is kind of funny," pointed out Two-Bit and Darry merely cracked a smile.

The two relaxed at the house. By the time 3:30 rolled around, Darry started getting ready for work. As he looked at the clock, he wondered where Ponyboy was. He usually comes home straight from as what Two-Bit and Steve told him once. He had to reassure.

"Two-Bit. Does Pony usually come straight home after school?"

"Yeah. Straight home."

So he was right. What could Ponyboy be doing?

"He's probably out with his little girlfriend," answered Two-Bit.

'Oh yeah,' thought Darry. That girl he had been going head over heels about. It was just something about that girl that made Darry suspicious. Two-Bit got up to go smoke a cigarette outside and just at that moment, Pony came walking through the door with a smile on his face.

"Hey, Darry. I'll be right back. I've got to go meet somebody."

With that Ponyboy started to head for the door but Darry stopped him with his voice.

"Go somewhere? Pony. You have to study."

"I've been studying all week, Darry! And my grades have picked up. Besides, I was already accepted to that private school!"

"Still, you have to keep your grades up or they may change their mind!"

"They won't change their mind because I didn't study one day! And even that won't affect me much!"

The two stared at each other more, and then Pony spoke up.

"C'mon Darry. I've got to meet Crystal."

"Crystal? Is this the girl you've been drooling over? Pony, you can't let girls get in your way of studies…"

The rest of Darry's lecture sounded like one of the adults on the Peanuts to Pony's ears. He didn't care what Darry said. He was madly in love with Crystal and he wanted to see her. Finally, his oldest brother stopped and concluded with,

"I've got to go to work. I'll see you when I get home."

The oldest Curtis brother walked out of the house with his tools and got into the truck. As he started up the car, he hoped that he got through to Pony and he wouldn't disobey him. He was wrong.

Seven minutes after Darry had taken off, Pony ran out of the house. Heading over towards the park where Crystal said she would meet him. When he reached the area, he sat down on one of the park benches and waited for his love to reach him. As he waited, he had visions of them going to the Nightly Double. And he was a year away from driving, so he would drive her anywhere she needed. He had completely forgotten about his opportunity to go to private school. But he could get deeper into his vision, he suddenly blacked out, which was lead by a hard hit on the back of his head.