"Dallas?" Steve asked, looking around to see if Dally was home yet. No response. Just wait until he hears what his Sunday night plans are, because there's no way I'll be able to watch that kid all night and not get picked up for murder in the morning. Steve knew it was a cruel thought, but he was annoyed that Soda got to go out and party, and he's stuck inside with a little kid that he can't stand much of the time. He grabbed a beer out of the fridge and sat down in front of the t.v. He needed to cool off, he'd been in a lousy mood all day, anyway. Evie was hacked off at him.
About twenty minutes went by, and he wondered vaguely about where that kid could be. Then, as if on cue, Dally and Ponyboy walked through the door.
"Hi Steve, I found the kid walking home again so I had to trail him with Tim till he noticed. Gosh, Ponyboy, no wonder you got jumped twice in the last month, you don't pay enough attention. Use your head once in awhile." Oh golly, I sound like Darry don't I? Dallas winced at that idea. Darry wasn't any fun anymore.
"Sorry, Dal." Ponyboy said, hoping he sounded more sincere than he was.
"Yeah, yeah. So Steve, you're stuck here too eh?"
"Mhhmmm." Steve drawled, in a sarcastic voice. Ponyboy shot him a look.
"Hey Dally, since Steve doesn't want to be here to help his - best - friend out," Ponyboy had put an emphasis on 'best,' "than we don't we -"
"Hey! Kid, you better watch your smartass comments, I'll beat the tar out of you." Steve sighed angrily, even though he knew Soda would skin him if he did.
Ponyboy smirked at that. "Oh Steve, I thought even you'd be smarter than that. Soda'd never forgive you. Kind of like how Evie hasn't forgave you for kissin' that other girl last week." When Steve looked appauled, Ponyboy went on. "Soda tells me everything."
"Ooooh, Steve, that's dirty, man." Dally chimed in, thoroughly enjoying this little spat. Steve's anger got the better of him.
"I didn't kiss her! She went in on me, and I wasn't expectin' it! But from Evie's point of view, it looked way more wrong than it was! Not that I have to give you an explanation you little ten year old kid. Get a life and stay out of mine, and everyone elses!"
Ponyboy said somethingn extremely rude back to that, and Steve had taken all he could. He lunged for Ponyboy, hitting his knee on the coffee table and toppling over in pain. Dallas was laughing uncontrollably, and Ponyboy tried to stifle a giggle. Steve's knee was bleeding a lot, though. Enough to soak through his jeans.
"Go get a bandaid out of the bathroom - top right cabinet. I think we've got some Popeye or Mickey Mouse ones, in the left though. If that would be what you prefer." Ponyboy couldn't help it, he loved teasing Steve. Besides, he hadn't heard Dally laugh so hard, ever. It was only egging him on more so.
"Shut up, kid." Steve growled and limped toward the bathroom, muttering under his breath. He returned a moment later, holding a towel on his leg.
Ponyboy started to say something, but Steve cut him off. "Shut your trap kid, don't talk to me till you reach puberty."
"Oh, come on you two," a bored Dally stated. "Kiss and makeup now."
_
Over at the party, Two-Bit was having great time. Soda was too, apart from Two-Bit trying to hook him up with one of his many blonds. Soda just wasn't looking for anything that had to do with girls; he'd loved Sandy, and he was still getting over it. Even if she did do him wrong, he needed time.
"But Soda, let me tell you somethin' man," Two-Bit slurred. "You don't really get over someone till you get someone better. And man, there are plenty of pretty girls here tonight. I mean, look at me. Kathy dumped me, and I'm havin' a ball. There's nothing wrong with a little fun, I mean -" he went on to tell a story that disgusted Sodapop, but Soda figured Two-Bit was probably right. What's it going to hurt? Him and Sandy were long over.
"Hi," a young brunette said, interrupting his thoughts. She gave him a warm smile. "Would you like a drink?" It was just then that he realized she was a waitress, but golly was she a stunner. Soda never got nervous in front of girls, so many were around him all the time that he just knew what to say all the time. But here, he stumbled for words.
"No, thanks." He smiled back, he'd tried to sound confident, but he said it too quietly. He noticed again how pretty she was. Especially when she smiled. She was a little on the short side, she must of been 5'4 or 5'5. But she had shiny brown hair that fell in loose waves down past her shoulders, she was tan, and had perfect teeth. Her bright blue eyes shined when she smiled. She was a fit girl, too. She took good care of her body.
"Okay." She turned to leave, but looked back. Soda knew she was into him then.
"How about you take the night off and dance with me," he suggested smiling, he knew girls had trouble resisting a good smile. He must admit, he had good game when he tried to. She looked happy as can be.
"I'll get a girlfriend to cover for me. Be right back!" And she bounced off. She was a cute girl. Real cute. A few minutes later, she returned. She was wearing a little yellow dress. It was a great color on her.
"You look mighty nice," he said, he couldn't keep the awe out of his voice.
"Thanks. I always throw something on under my work uniform, just in case I might a sweet guy like you." She was a confident girl, not shy, Soda realized. Not many girls said exactly what was on their mind. Especially if it had to do with a boy. Most girls just would of said thanks.
"GET SOME!" Yelled someone from across the room, Soda knew it had to be directed at him. He turned to see Two-Bit giving him a thumbs up, while dancing with three blond girls that looked somewhat trashy to Sodapop.
"That's my buddy, he's a little intoxicated." Sodapop explained to her.
"I see. You don't drink?"
"Nah, I'm the designated driver," he winked. "And anyway, I don't see a point in it. If people have to drink or do drugs to enhance their experience, they don't know how to have real fun. And most people I see usually spend a couple hours partying, and the rest of the night and next day recovering from hangovers. I don't think it's worth it."
She seemed to take this in. "You're different." She said slowly, smiling.
"I hope that's a good thing."
"It is."
"GOSH PONY, I TAPPED FIVE MINUTES AGO!" An angry Steve yelled so loud the whole neighborhood could of heard.
"Whoa, Randal, calm it down a notch." Dally said, taking a drink of beer. The boys couldn't settle their dispute, so Dally suggested a good old fashioned wrestling match. When Ponboy started to choke Steve out, things got a slight bit louder.
Ponyboy released, only for Steve to turn on him and put his knees on his chest. He began to poke him hard in the chest. Chinese torture.
"Really? Ya'll are a bunch of girls." Dallas commented, bored once again with their childish "violence."
"On second thought, I've seen greaser girls put up more action than you two do." He added in.
"Dally, just because you've lived in New York doesn't make you capable of taking a bullet," Ponyboy started, then immediatley felt stupid. Dallas just grinned.
"Big whoop. I'm Dallas Winston, and I took three shots to the chest. I'm Mr. Bad. I think I'm a big boy that can handle everything." Steve mocked in a high, nasly voice.
Dally pretended not to hear him and reached for another beer. Ponyboy busted out laughing.
"You've got that right." He agreed, and then started talking in a girly voice. "Me me me me me. I'm Dally, and that's what my life revolves around. Nothing more, no one more. Me, myself, and I. I don't give a yankee dime about nothing!" He teased.
"Okay cut it out, kids." Dallas was annoyed, but all they did was laugh. Ponyboy took a beer from the refridgerator.
"I'm Dallas Winston and I drink until I drop!" Then, he chugged the beer, not leaving a drop. And he felt sick after. He ran to the bathroom, realizing he'd taken it a bit too far. He was about to pay for it.
"Payback's a bitch!" Yelled Dally from the living room. "And as for you Steve, you little punk. Don't dog on me, you piece of shit." Dallas was pretty angry at them.
"It takes one to know one, don't it Dal?" Steve cracked a grin, and Dally shook his head, wondering how much trouble he'd be in with Soda and Darry if he killed one of them.