Chapter two
R&R, please.
I do not own The Outsiders.
-
"Try this on for size…." Steve's cocky friend coughed dramatically, bracing himself for a pickup line that would obviously be as moronic as his previous stolen creations. "'Is it hot in here, or is it just you?'"
Steve raised both eyebrows at Two-Bit. His obnoxious friend meant well—he was trying to "instruct" him on picking up chicks. Though the gesture was friendly, it pissed Steve off. He didn't need any instructing. He could pick up broads real well if he wanted to, but he just wasn't feeling it. He'd been sipping some booze for the past hour or so, watching as pretty-looking girls walked by him in the bar, but his heart wasn't really into it.
Two-Bit was smiling expectantly at Steve, so he finally spoke up mockingly.
"You been reading the backs of cereal boxes, Two-Bit?" he sneered. Two-Bit's smirk didn't flicker, but instead, broadened.
"Hey, just tryin' to help you out, buddy. You're having a real tough time with this broad thing," Two-Bit remarked, gnawing on the end of his unlit cigarette.
"I ain't having a tough time," Steve snapped, mimicking Two-Bit's actions and retrieving his own cig. "I'm just not feeling it." Exasperated, Steve lit up the cigarette and popped it in his mouth, inhaling heavy puffs of the smoke.
"Well, starting feeling it," Two-Bit instructed unhelpfully, gripping Steve's shoulders and shaking him. Steve's eyes narrowed into slits as he shoved his friend away. Two-Bit stumbled backwards a step, but emerged otherwise unharmed. He then opened his mouth to comment, but a suave platinum blonde caught his eye, and he wished Steve a simple good luck before striding off.
The irritated greaser finished off his cigarette bitterly before crushing the ashes into the countertop. The bartender eyed him hatefully as his action singed part of the wood, and he spoke up loudly.
"Hey buddy, mind not making my work harder?" he hissed, scrubbing furiously at the spot Steve had left with a damp rag.
Despite the bartender's complaint being so non-threatening, Steve already wanted to punch him. He was so pissed—pissed beyond what words could express, and watching one of his buddies hit it off with some chick from across the bar just greatened his fury. Assaulting a brick wall or the streetlamp outside the building right now seemed real appealing; although Steve knew he'd injure himself in the process. He'd deal with the bruising if it meant relieving a little bit of his anger.
But in the end, he decided he'd better not, no matter how bitter he was feeling. A broken hand would mean trouble a work, and trouble at work would mean possible probation—and if he earned himself probation at work, he'd have hell to pay at home. And Soda would probably have something to say about it, too.
The pestered bartender was still glaring at Steve through venomous eyes, but Steve managed to ignore the "look" and demand another shot. The bartender seemed reluctant, but he retrieved the alcohol in the end—but mostly because it was his job. Otherwise, he probably would've cussed Steve out.
Once Steve was given the beer, he swallowed it fully in a few instants. He would've kept on demanding more, but his right eye managed to catch Two-Bit's from across the room. Two-Bit was smiling noticeably at him, with one arm wrapped securely around the familiar blonde. But although he was focused on his catch, he was muttering something in the ear of another girl—a brunette-headed chick. Steve assumed for a moment that Two-Bit was betting on picking up two broads, but suddenly the second girl nodded her head, and strutted her way right over to Steve. Two-Bit winked at his buddy before returning to his previous distraction, and Steve watched closely as the unexpected surprise reached him.
"You must be Steve," the girl said casually, sitting beside Steve and swaying her hips gently as she twirled one manicured nail through her dark locks.
"Yeah…" Steve's eyebrows found themselves rising slowly. One eye was focused on the broad in front of him, while the other was staring at Two-Bit—although Two-Bit had stopped paying attention as of minutes ago.
The girl giggled at Steve's obvious confusion. She had a cute sort of laugh—chirping, like a bird's tweet. But not obnoxiously high-pitched, like some other girl's accursed chuckles.
"Anyway…" she continued, smiling toothily. Her smile was fake—meaning quite clearly bleached professionally. But Steve didn't mind—why would that bother him, after all? "My name's Lisa." She stuck her hand out, but recoiled it after a moment. This "Lisa" chick puzzled Steve—she was definitely into him, although he'd been a recommendation from Two-Bit. But he could tell her appearance wasn't entirely forceful—because she was sizing him up.
"Cute name," Steve complimented, finally inserting himself into the conversation. He noticed Lisa's cheeks color faintly, although that could've just been his imagination. The lights in the bar were dimmed.
"So…the guy with the sideburns—he's your friend?" Lisa questioned, and Steve offered her a brief smile before nodding.
"Yeah—he's a good buddy of mine," he answered, inching towards the girl a bit. He was sort of surprised—most chicks he met at bars would be grinding themselves against him by now. And to be honest, she seemed the type. Not her personality—but her attire. She was dressed scantily, and Steve knew just by a glance that if he gazed over her from a birds eye view that her cleavage would be clearly visible.
"So…" Lisa went on, drumming her fingers against the countertop. "Why don't we buy some drinks? I'll pay…" She reached into her leather purse, slung around her shoulder, but Steve grabbed her hand to stop her.
"Don't worry, baby, I'll pay," he said sweetly, slithering his hand into his jeans. He slammed the money down on the counter, and the bartender retrieved two booze—both heavily alcoholic. Lisa smiled a little and sipped at it, accompanying herself to the taste. Once she was used to it, she drank in gulps, rather than tiny slurps.
Steve was screaming on the inside. He had a feeling he'd scored—one point for him…and maybe half a point could be given to Two-Bit as an assistance reward.