Chapter 4: I'm Dumb
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own "The Outsiders" or any of the Curtis' Gang. Sigh. The real owner of "The Outsiders" is my favorite author, the fabulous S.E. Hinton. I also do not make a profit from the stories that I write here on this site.
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Third Person POV (large time lapse)
Steve sighed heavily in annoyance as Soda refused to flirt with any of the girls that came in. Steve knew that Soda was having a hard time with his parent's deaths, which Steve blamed on Ponyboy, but he never expected what Soda laid on him during break.
"I'm dropping out, Steve," Soda told him, "I'm dumb, I'm not going anywhere, and Darry needs help with the bills."
"You are not dumb," Steve said firmly and maybe a little too loudly because the people around them began to stare curiously.
"Yes I am," Soda argued defiantly. "I already gave Mr. Sanders the paper. It's a done deal, Steve."
"Come on, man, don't do this," Steve begged, but Soda was adamant. Steve sulked for the rest of his shift, but he secretly knew that Soda was doing the right thing for his family. But sometimes Soda did what was best for others, not what was best for him.
X
Steve walked into his Science class and sat down. To the right of him was Two-Bit, in front of him was another hood, William, and to the left of him was an empty seat.
Evie and her girlfriends walked into the classroom, late, and Evie was forced to take the only available seat next to Steve. He scowled for a moment before glaring at Two-Bit, who was cackling obnoxiously next to him.
"Hey Evie," Steve greeted. If Sodapop was going to date Sandy, he might as well try and get along with Sandy's best friend.
By the end of the week Steve agreed to hang out at Soda's place with the girls, just to keep his mind off of his parents and Pony.
X
"Soda, I know you're hiding an ace!" Steve shouted. Sodapop smiled innocently at Steve. Sandy quickly slipped the ace out of her shoe while Steve was distracted.
"Flush," Steve called out. Sandy smiled widely.
"Royal flush boys," she announced triumphantly. Steve gaped.
"No way," Steve said. "You were hiding an ace, learnin' from Soda I see," he accused. Sandy merely shrugged, not denying it.
"Scared of us yet?" Steve whispered in Evie's ear. He was actually proud of himself for trying to get along with Evie, but it wasn't always easy.
"Naw, you two are easy," she jabbed.
"Oh really?" Soda questioned before Steve couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Come on, one more hand," Sandy begged.
X
"You dig okay," Evie admitted at the end of the night. It was actually a lot of fun, Steve thought.
"Yeah," Steve didn't really know what to say, but luckily Soda came up behind him.
"Thanks Steve," Soda said after the girls leave. "You know Sandy and I haven't been getting along too good lately, but tonight was like old times." There was something more in Soda's voice, but Steve didn't press. Lord knows he already has too much on his plate.
X
"Sandy, how could you do this to me?" Soda asked, hurt evident in his husky tone. "I'll marry you anyway, Sandy. I'll raise the baby like mine, just don't go," he begged.
"No, Soda, I'm sorry. I need a man who will take care of me," she told him.
"When have I never done that?" Soda asked.
"The past few months," she snapped. "It's either about Steve and his dad or Pony and Darry, it's never been just about you and me. I never meant to hurt you."
Soda didn't know what to say. She always was supportive of him and his family, never demanding like this, but Soda could see where she was coming from.
"I know. I'm sorry, but I love you Sandy," he promised.
"It's too late, Soda," she told him. Soda watched as she walked out of his life forever.
Aufenthalt Gold,
~Alee