Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THE OUTSIDERS OR THE GANG. I OWN ONLY THE STORY IDEA. THAT'S IT. AND I DO NOT OWN THE ONE QUOTE OR OTHER BOOK THAT IS IN THIS CHAPTER.

Chapter 2

I wave on last time to Sodapop and Darry as they drive off. I shut the front door and then head to mine and Soda's room to change. I pull out an old pair of jeans and one of Soda's flannel shirts. As I am finishing getting dressed I hear the front door slam shut and seconds later I hear Two-Bit's voice yell up at me.

"Hey Pony. Come on, we've got to go. Remember? We are gonna play football with Tim's gang today." Great. I really don't want to go.

"Sorry Two-Bit. I ain't goin." He comes into my room.

"What? Why not? This might be the last chance we see Curly for a long time before he goes back to rehab. Let's go play." I think about it for a minute then decide it will be ok. As long as I don't forget my coat again. Maybe my oldest brother was already in a bad mood before I got home. No, that ain't it. I can't do anything right in his eyes. I put on my shoes and we head out after grabbing my coat.

It took us about fifteen minutes to get to the field, where we were meeting Tim Shepherds gang there. We finally got to the field and as we were walking over to them, Curly comes running up and tackles me to the ground. "Easy man. We ain't playing yet are we? Dam Curly. You should have gone out for football or something."

"Right. Like I'm gonna walk in there after two years and say 'hi I would like to graduate please.' No thank you bub. I ain't ever going back there. Beside, you're the smarty pants out of that place."

As much as I hated to admit it, I was. The school put me ahead a grade and for the most part all my classes are with Socs. Not fun for a greaser like me. Darrel is always worried that I will get jumped again and always asks the other two members of our small group, Steve Randle and Keith 'Two-Bit' Mathews, to watch over me at school. They try to deny it and say they just want to hang but I know different. I guess I don't mind it too much. I can sort of understand why they worry what with the Windrexville last year and all. I just can't get over the idea of them being gone. I miss them dearly. "Ok. I choose Pony then." I was on Two-Bits' team once again. This was going to be interesting.

We decided to walk back to the house after we were done. I looked at clock on our wall and saw it was almost two. I knew Darry would be home around four and Soda had to work late tonight. Apparently Steve was out sick with a cold, so Soda was taking his shift. He wouldn't be home till around seven or so. Hope Darry lets him have the truck. I decided to work on dishes so they would be clean when Darry came home. Two-Bit was watching a Mickey marathon; he loves that mouse almost as much as he loves blondes.

As I was finishing up the dishes the door slammed shut and I thought Two-Bit left. But then I heard Steve shout "Hey Bit. How are ya?" "Good Steve. Man dude you look like shit. Your old man hit you again?" Steve shook his head no. "I'm just sick. Think I have a cold or something man. It sucks." Two-Bit gave a smile. "You sound like it too. I take back the look like shit comment. Forgot, you're always that ugly man." Two-Bit ducks as Steve aims for his jaw. Only Two-Bit or Soda could get away with saying that about Steve to his face. I would be on the ground in no time flat.

I get done with all the chores around three. With an hour to go before Darry came home I decided to read my book Soda gave me for my last birthday. It was called Where the Red Fern Grows. "Hey you dumb shit. No cheating. I see that card Two-Bit." Should of known I couldn't read while they were here.

"I don't know what you mean ol' Stevie. I would never cheat you." Two-Bit was trying to get a card out of his sleeve without Steve seeing and was failing miserably. I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"Yeah right man. I know you to well and beside I see it right there Two-Bit, in your left sleeve."

"Prove it Stevie-Boy." I knew what was coming next. No one, OK maybe Soda, could get away with 'Stevie-Boy' without becoming a victim of Steve. I bet Darry could get away with calling Steve that but he never tried. Said he didn't feel like it. And I was right. Without giving a warning, Steve had Two-Bit down on the ground and they were rolling on the floor wrestling. They stayed that way till Darry came in and broke them up by 'lightly touching' them with his foot. Steve gives him a dirty look and Two-Bit apologizes. My oldest brother says hi to me and I just wave as I get up and walk to the kitchen to get myself a soda. I don't know why but man, Darry scares the hell out of me.