Chapter 7: Proud

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.

A/N: If you like it, love it, or even if you hate it, you know what to do. Tell me in a review. I would love it if you favored, followed, and/or if you gave me (a) suggestion(s). Thank you. :)

Third Person POV

Evie cracked open one eyelid and then quickly closed it. Her head was pounding so hard in her ears she was surprised that no one else heard it. Come to think of it, her nose felt stuffy and her throat hurt. Evie tried to sit up, but from behind her Debby pushed her down again lightly.

"Just rest up sweetie, your runnin' a bit of a fever from sleepin' out in the rain," Debby told her.

"I gotta go to work," Evie retorted, already pushing herself out of bed again and grabbing clothes out of her bag.

"Because The Dingo is totally open at three a.m.," Debby replied tiredly.

Evie stared blankly at her. "Oh," she mumbled stupidly.

"That just proves that you are sick. Lay back down," Debby commanded.

"No, that just proves I'm a ditz," Evie retorted between a yawn. Despite her protests she was exhausted and didn't have the energy to fight with her friend, so she laid back down and was asleep in seconds.

X

"Hey Evie, you alright?" Of course, Evie thought. Steve Randle and his friends were sitting outside the Dingo smoking cigarettes. She gave an annoyed huff at the sight of them. She still wasn't feeling the best and had no desire to be particularly social.

"Nothing, okay," she snapped. Her nerves were fried and if Steve kept pushing her buttons...

"Is it about Sandy?" Steve asked quietly. Soda stiffened behind him.

"Stop right there," Evie warned. "I don't agree with what she did, nor am I proud of it, but if I am one thing it's loyal. So I suggest you shut your trap."

Steve put his hands up on surrender and repeated his earlier question. Evie was so tired of arguing, she just wanted someone to understand her.

"My stepdad, he kicked me out," she explained. Steve's expression didn't waver, no sympathy no shock. Evie felt her blood boil; did he really not care?

Of course he doesn't care, your best friend just got pregnant, wouldn't he not trust you?

"I understand," Steve said quietly. Evie's anger evaporated immediately.

"Can we take a walk?" Steve suggested. Evie reluctantly nodded and began walking away from the group of boys.

"My dad kicks me out almost every night, beats me too. Darry offers me a place to stay, but I only stay with them sometimes, not every night. Pride, maybe? I don't want to bother them, an' I don't want them to know how bad it really is." It sounded as if Steve was talking more to himself than to anyone, but Evie still listened intently.

"My dad, well, my stepdad, beats both us girls, but I usually try to get in the way, take Eliza's beating, but now, Eliza is in that house alone," Evie stated in a worried tone. She felt the need to tell Steve her story too.

"What about your mom?" Steve asked.

"She's ain't any help either. Fightin' all the time with my stepdad, an' when he ain't home to beat us she chews us out," Evie stated bitterly, "I was an accidental pregnancy, but my mom was okay at first. My real dad took off, and my mom moved back home. Everything was good until I was about five. My mom's dad died an' left my mom alone with my grandma. My mom hated her mom for no reason, but her dad was her everything. Then she met my stepdad and got pregnant again. She thinks us kids ruined her life," Evie's voice was quiet and sad at times, and her face wore a distant expression.

"Wow," Steve said.

"Yeah," Evie agreed in a whisper.

And then she announced, "I'm going to get Eliza tonight, my dad always goes on a huge drinking binge when he gets paid, so I should be safe."

"Don't worry, Eliza will be okay," Steve assured her.

A/N: I am so sorry for not posting earlier! I had heatstroke. :( By the time I could look at a screen without my head hurting I was exhausted. Once again, I am so sorry. Please review.

Aufenthalt Gold,

~Alee