Disclaimer: I own nothing.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Sunday, February 4th, 1967

My friends are so depressed,
I see the question of you loneliness.

Anna watched her best friend pace the front lawn, sure she had never seen Kathy so angry. Her fists were balled up at her sides, her curls were messier than usual due to the constant running of her fingers through them, and her eyes were wide and wild looking. She'd seen Kathy in a lot of moods, but never anything like this.

And there wasn't anything she could do. She had tried - more than once - but Kathy was pretty much unreachable. It wasn't what Anna was used to. Usually when Kathy was upset, she would mope, cry, bitch and moan. She didn't get truly angry very often, and when she did, it sure wasn't like this.

"Kathy?" she tried again, repeating the same words from a few minutes ago. "Is this about Two-Bit?"

Kathy said nothing, and Anna wanted to shake her. Even on the odd occasions Kathy had been angry and pacing, she had always been bitching and moaning at the same time. The silence was a little unnerving. It worried her.

But there was no doubt in Anna's mind that it was because of Two-Bit. After everything he had pulled the last few months, it wouldn't surprise her if he had done something to finally make Kathy see red. She couldn't think of anything bad enough that Two-Bit would actually do, but with the way he had been running his mouth off, anything was possible.

Sitting on the porch steps, Anna continued to watched Kathy. She had turned up half an hour ago and hadn't said one word since; she had just started pacing, and Anna just had to wait it out. Finally, as though realising just what she was doing, Kathy sighed, ran a hand through her hair again, and sat next to Anna.

"I'm late," she whispered.

"For what?"

"You know. My period."

Anna was on her feet in an instant, taking up Kathy's place pacing on the front lawn. "Oh my God."

"I know."

"Holy crap." Anna ran a hand through her hair.

"My thoughts exactly."

She looked at Kathy. "Shit!"

Kathy stood. "Not helping."

No kidding. Anna could only stare at her friend with wide eyes. There was nothing to say, and she could barely think straight. There were a million thoughts and a million words of shock running through her mind, but none of them would help. She wasn't sure anything would help. Swallowing hard, she took a step forward.

"What're you gonna do?"

"I dunno. Go to the doctor, I guess."

Anna said nothing. Kathy sat back down on the step and Anna watched her silently. This was huge and probably not a good thing. Kathy wasn't stupid. Unlike Anna, she didn't have to try at school; she was naturally smart, she studied because she liked to study, and she had plans. Plans for something more - something real.

This could change everything.

Sitting next to her, she thought aloud. "Maybe it's a false alarm?"

Kathy shrugged. "It could be."

"You don't think so?"

"I'm never more than a few days late. It's been two weeks."

"Oh."

"Plus … I don't know if it's all in my head because I'm freaking out, but I've been feeling kinda sick."

Anna sucked in a breath. "Wow."

"Yeah. And … this isn't supposed to happen, you know? I have my whole life ahead of me, I get really good grades, I have a chance for college. This isn't supposed to happen."

Silence followed, and Anna realised she wasn't exactly being the best friend she was supposed to be. Nothing encouraging had come out of her mouth, but she wasn't sure anything would. She didn't know what to say but she had to try.

"Do you want me to come with you? To the doctor?

"Would you?"

"Of course." Anna grabbed Kathy's hand and squeezed. "I'll do whatever you need me to do, okay?"

"Thanks.

"Have you told Two-Bit?"

It was then, after the anger and pacing and calm conversation, that Kathy started crying. Real sobs that Anna had only heard from her a few times before wracked her body, and Anna felt another surge of hatred toward Two-Bit Mathews. It didn't happen often - not as often as he made Kathy cry - but when he truly upset her like he had this time, Anna couldn't stand him.

"He was so horrible," Kathy finally said.

Anna hugged her, pushing Kathy's blonde hair away from her face. "You wanna tell me what happened?"

Kathy wiped beneath her eyes and took a deep breath. "I went to see him. I don't know if he was already drunk, but he was drinking. And … I didn't want to tell him, but I couldn't put it off any longer. So I told him I was late and that I hadn't been feelin' well - basically that I might be … you know." She shook her head. "I've never seen him look meaner than he did right then. I mean, it wasn't nasty, but it was … nothing. There was nothing there - almost as if it wasn't even Two-Bit. He just looked right through me."

"What did he say?"

"He asked why I was even telling him. He said that if I was knocked up, it was probably Danny's."

Anna frowned. "But you and Danny … that was nearly a year ago!"

"Yeah, and we all know it. Glory, Anna, why would he throw that back in my face? It only happened once and … shoot, that's not even the point. The point is, he accused me of cheating on him." She gave a bitter laugh. "Can you believe that? Me being the most likely to cheat."

Kathy was the most loyal person Anna knew. "I'm sorry your boyfriend's such a jerk."

"He's not my boyfriend anymore," Kathy said. "He's just -"

She was cut off as Danny shuffled out the front door, looking dishevelled. His arm was in a sling and his white bandage peaked out at the top of his T-Shirt. As far as Anna was concerned, he looked like he should still be in hospital. Kathy glared at him, as if the whole thing was his fault.

She stood. "I gotta get goin'."

Anna got to her feet. "You sure?"

"Yeah. Thanks for listening," she said, and left before Anna could get another word out.

"What's her problem?" Danny asked, as Kathy drove off.

"Um, it's complicated."

"Huh." Danny wasn't paying attention. "Hey, did Mary-Louise say when she'd be back?"

Anna didn't know when or how it had happened, but Mary-Louise seemed to have taken her place in Danny's bed back. She had been spending an awful lot of time looking after him, and a lot of time hanging around the house. Anna wasn't surprised; they'd been off and on for a long while, Mary-Louise seemed smitten with Danny, and even Danny seemed happier when Mary-Louise was around.

She shook her head. "All she said was that she was gonna go make you some chicken soup."

Danny grinned. "She sure likes to look after me, that girl."

"Don't know why she took you back again. You refuse to make any kind of commitment to her."

"This coming from the girl who strung Phillips along for as long as she did?"

Anna pursed her lips. Danny had won.

"Where's Dad?" he asked.

"Out on another date."

Danny raised an eyebrow. "That's two nights in a row. Think this is getting serious?"

"I dunno. It's a little weird, though."

"Why? Because of Mom?"

Anna shook her head. "Nah, just because it's Dad and he's dating." She giggled. "That's weird."

"You got a point there. Hey, is he here to see me or you?" He nodded toward the road.

Turning, Anna found Sodapop walking over their front lawn. Her heart sank. "Probably me, but hopefully you."

Danny ruffled her hair. "Doubt it, kid. You're on your own." He went inside.

As Soda approached, Anna thought back to the last time she spoke to him, and realised she couldn't even remember. It might have been the night Rex Hamilton turned up at her work, it might have been the night Steve had kissed her at Buck's, or it could have even been before that. It wouldn't be shocking if she had ignored Soda both those nights. She had been ignoring Soda for a while now.

"Hey," he said.

"Hi."

He had been pissed at her for not taking Steve back after he slept with Evie. She hadn't been able to believe it at the time; Soda Curtis - Mr. Sensitivity who understood everyone - hadn't been able to understand why she wouldn't take Steve - the cheating bastard he was - back. She got that he was trying to help his buddy, but there had been no chance of her going back to Steve then.

"Think we could talk?" Soda grinned, and she almost caved. But she knew why he was there.

"If you're here to have a go at me, then get it over with."

He looked confused for a moment, before nodding. "I don't wanna have a go at you, but I don't think you're bein' fair to Steve."

"Because I ain't taking him back?" Anna raised an eyebrow when he nodded. "You know, I really thought that after everything that happened with Sandy, you might actually get it now, but you don't, do you?"

"Get what?"

"What it feels like to have someone you love cheat on you - screw you over so bad you can barely stand to think about them."

"I do know it feels like, but unlike you, I was willing to take Sandy back."

"Yeah, and look how well that turned out."

Hurt flashed over his face, and she immediately felt bad. She and Soda didn't get along anymore, but she didn't want to hurt him - especially not with something she knew about all too well. She'd felt terrible for him after finding out about Sandy.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I just - I don't get how you can expect me to pretend like nothing happened. Especially now that you've been there."

"I don't expect you to do that," he said. "But I do think you're bein' unfair."

"About what?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You slept with him the other week, didn't you? Went to him when you needed someone? Used him to make yourself feel better? And now you won't even speak to him."

Anna flushed, hoping to God Danny hadn't heard that. The last thing she needed was Danny on her case about Steve. He could pick on her about anything else, but not Steve. She couldn't handle that - not when she didn't even know what was going on.

"That's none of your business."

"Don't worry," Soda said. "Steve didn't go into details - he never really did with you - he just told me what happened. And I think you're takin' this too far."

Pushing away the words she really wanted to focus on, Anna's anger rose. "I'm taking this too far? I might not be too bright, Soda Curtis, but I know a hypocrite when I see one."

He frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you've been leading poor Anita on for a while now. We all get that Sandy hurt you, but it doesn't mean you get to treat that girl the way you have been - upsetting her the way you do."

Soda looked concerned at her words. "What's she said about me?"

Anna opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to think of something to say. She couldn't help but wonder how her day came to this; talking to Kathy about possibly being pregnant, to talking to Danny about his new girl and their dad's new lady friend, to talking to Soda about Steve and Anita.

"She likes you an awful lot," she said, finally settling on an answer. "She's a nice girl and deserves someone good."

After all she's been through finished that sentence, but Anna wasn't sure how much Soda knew about Rex Hamilton getting Anita drunk. She wasn't about to spill those beans.

"She's a nice girl." Soda repeated her words as though testing out how they sounded. Shaking his head, he looked at Anna. "She's not why I came here."

"Yeah, you came here because you think I should be as forgiving as you."

"No, I just think you should stop treating Steve like you have been. I know he hurt you, but you know he's been tryin' to get you back and he's been tryin' hard. He stayed with you all night at the hospital - not out of any obligation, but because he wanted to be there for you."

Again, she tried to think of something to say, but there was nothing. Soda was right, and she'd always known it. Steve had stayed at the hospital in case she needed him. It was just like last year when he had come to Grandpa Joe's funeral.

"You're giving him false hope, and that ain't fair," Soda said. "I know he messed up, but that was one mistake. Steve's a good guy, and he's loyal … and I think you know that."

He turned to leave then, and Anna couldn't even think of anything to say to his retreating form. Well, she could think of plenty, but was pretty sure she would just be repeating what she had already said.

Surprised - both at everything Soda had said, and the fact that he had even come to her, knowing a fight would occur - she sat back on the porch steps and reached for Grandpa Joe's necklace. Soda's words, the ones she had pushed to the back of her mind earlier, came rushing back.

Steve didn't go into details - he never really did with you.

It shouldn't matter as much as it did.

XXXXX

Steve sat on the couch between Soda and Two-Bit, wondering how the hell they'd all become so damn pathetic. Girls were just girls, and he wished Dally was there to kick their asses. If there was one person who'd never sit and mope about some broad, it was Dally.

"What happened, man?" Soda asked Two-Bit.

Partying a little too hard was a common occurrence for Two-Bit - especially over the weekend - but Steve couldn't remember the last time he'd seen him this drunk on a Sunday night. It wasn't even 10pm but Two-Bit looked ready to pass out. His eyes were glassy, his speech was slurred, and his clothes far too ruffled.

"Me and Kathy are done," he said. "For good this time."

"What happened?" Steve asked.

"I dunno. I mean, I know, but …" He trailed off with a shake of his head. "It's all so fucked up."

"You guys are always breakin' up," Soda said. "I'm sure you'll figure things out soon enough."

"Not this time, Soda. This time we're done. In fact, I never should've taken her back after she screwed around with Harris last year."

They were silent, and Steve didn't know what to say about that. Two-Bit had been angry about Kathy a few times, but this was a surprise. His bringing up Danny was even more of a surprise. As far as Steve knew, it had only been that one time, and nearly a year ago. He'd agree with Two-Bit, because Two-Bit was his buddy, but it wasn't like Kathy had cheated on him.

He pushed that away, because he had cheated on Anna. He had cheated, but he still expected her to take him back. Pushing his luck was a definite possibility, but he wouldn't stop.

He turned to Soda. "What happened with Anita?"

"I kissed her."

"Again?"

"Yeah. I kissed her, and she shoved me away. I might've deserved it, though."

Two-Bit cracked open another beer, but said nothing.

"Why would you deserve it?" Steve asked.

"I ain't treated her very well," Soda admitted. "It's just - all those rumours, you know?"

"Anna had similar rumours goin' around about her a few years back." Not quite as bad as the ones about Anita, but Steve wasn't sure that was the point.

"Yeah, but after Sandy …"

He didn't need to finish that sentence; Steve got it. The last thing he wanted was his best friend falling for another girl who would screw him over, and he could even understand why Soda was worried about Anita. She seemed like a nice enough girl, and Soda wasn't the kind to listen to rumours, but Sandy had sure done a number on him.

"I think she really likes you," Two-Bit piped up.

"Yeah?"

"Mmhm. Wouldn't shut up about ya at the Dingo the other night."

Soda ignored that and climbed to his feet. "I'm gonna get an early night. You guys crash here if ya want."

With Soda gone, Two-Bit turned to Steve. "You want a drink, Stevie?"

"Nah."

Two-Bit nodded. "You see Anna today?"

"Nope."

They were silent for a moment, and Steve couldn't help but think about Anna. He wasn't going to give up on her again, despite her words at the Dingo the other day, but he thought toning things down a bit might not be such a bad idea. She had just come out of a - he grimaced - relationship, and jumping into another wasn't her thing. Not pushing her might be his best option for the moment.

"Kathy reckons she might be knocked up," Two-Bit said softly.

Steve looked at him, shocked. "You serious?"

"Yeah. Told me earlier today."

That explained the beer and whatever else he'd been drinking.

"Shit, man. That's a big fucking deal."

Two-Bit nodded, not saying anything. Looking at him, Steve wasn't sure he'd ever seen him so completely messed up. It wasn't just being more than a little soused, it was Dally and Johnny, all the trouble with the River Kings, and whatever the hell had happened with Kathy.

"You should get some sleep, Two-Bit."

He nodded. "You think she loved him?"

"Who?"

Two-Bit looked at him. "Kathy. You think she loved Harris?"

"No."

"She must've really liked him to have slept with him."

Steve shrugged. "Have you really liked every girl you've slept with?"

Two-Bit grinned a drunken, half-asleep grin. "Touché."

The front door opened then, and Darry came in. He didn't seem at all surprised to see Steve and Two-Bit on his couch.

"You guys okay?"

"Just havin' a little pity-party," Two-Bit slurred.

"Where ya been?" Steve asked.

"Oh." Darry rubbed the back of his neck. "I had a date."

"A date?"

"Keep it down, Two-Bit." Darry glared. "I ain't a big deal."

"Was it at least a good date?" Two-Bit asked in a loud whisper.

Darry grinned. "Yeah, it was pretty good."

"Didja get laid?"

Flipping him off, Darry left the living room and Two-Bit and Steve's laughter.

"Who woulda thought? Superman's got a better love-life than us, Stevie."

Steve shrugged. "Well, he deserves it."

"Ain't that the truth."

My friends are so distressed,
And standing on the brink of emptiness.

A/N: Thanks to RileysMomma for beta-ing. I'm updating a day or two early for two reasons. One: reviews cheer me up ;) Two: the next chapter is my favourite, so the sooner I post this one the sooner I can post that one, haha.