Disclaimer: I don't own it. Stop rubbing it into my face. D:
As soon as we stepped foot into the movie house Two-Bit charged over to the concession stand. I started chuckling as he demanded a coke, a large popcorn, and three different kinds of candy from the confused looking worker. Soda grabbed a handful of the popcorn and we went to go get seats.
When the lights dimmed and pictures appeared on the screen, Two-Bit and Soda started messing around. Throwing popcorn and candy at each other. Unfortunately I sat in the middle of all of this, and when Two-Bit "pretended" to almost throw his coke on Soda, it slipped and spilt on top of my head.
I let out a loud curse word and socked Two-Bit on the arm, "Gosh dangit Two-Bit, I'm all wet."
"Oops," Two-Bit said, trying his best to subside his laughter. Soda too, had a grin spread across his face.
"Hey you kids! Shut up!" A voice said. I'm not quite sure how to explain it but his voice was rough and gritty, like sandpaper.
Two-Bit whirled around and faced him, "Sorry, sir. We're just enjoying the movie very much. Maybe you should pay more attention."
I sighed, of course Two-Bit just had to start something.
Standing, the guy was about six foot four with broad shoulders and muscles rippling through his tight shirt. He reminded me of a less handsome version of Darry. He had a scar through his eyebrow and no hair.
Two-Bit yelped as he reached out and grabbed the front of his shirt. Before anyone could blink he started throttling Two-Bit. Soda tried slugging him a few times to make him let go, and Two-Bit's legs were flailing around in resistance. But every move thrown seemed to be deflected.
I scanned the scene and for once thought that Darry would be proud of me for not using my head. I jumped up and grabbed the guy around his neck and squeezed, imitating his move on Two-Bit. It was hard, considering neck was quite wide. By this time people were shouting at us to take it outside.
He let go of Two-Bit, and before I could celebrate my victory, he reached behind and grabbed me. It didn't take much to pull me off. He threw me down and punched me. I saw a couple of blotchy spots, and for a moment wondered vaguely why there was a disco ball in a movie theater.
Soda pulled me up off the ground, "C'mon kiddo," he said, leading me outside.
"Hmm," I mumbled, "What happened to the big guy?"
"Got kicked out," Two-Bit laughed, "Actually, we did too, but that's beside the point."
"Glory," Soda said, sitting me down on the bench, "You got quite the shiner there Ponyboy."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," Two-Bit agreed, "Looks like you got hit by a bus."
"Lets go home and get you cleaned up," Soda said.
I don't remember much of the walk home except that the only person that was talking was Two-Bit. He was rambling on about one thing or another.
"And then," he said, laughing in between words, "And then he says 'Hey! Get offa my sister!'"
When we got home Soda gave me a gentle push onto the couch, but I rose impatiently and strode into the bathroom. I studied myself in the mirror. My entire left eye was a big black mess and there was a bruise on my cheek as well as a cut on my eyebrow. I hoped I wouldn't have a scar there like the big guy did.
Soda cleaned up my battle scars and then started laughing, "I still can't believe you jumped on him like that. Man, oh man Ponyboy, I just can't believe you sometimes." He ruffled my hair, "Your hair's all sticky."
"Well, somebody dumped their coke all over me," I said, glaring at Two-Bit.
Two-Bit merely shrugged in response, "You'll survive."
I gave Two-Bit a not-so-friendly gesture and all he did was laugh. "Aww, our little Ponyboy is growing up and learning how to insult people!"
"Shut up," I said, but had a hard time keeping a straight face. It was funny how Two-Bit could make fun of you and all you'd be able to do was laugh. "I'm going to go take a shower and get all this coke out of my hair."
And with that, I got up and went into the bathroom.
After I finished my shower I felt so much better. I came out of the bathroom and Two-Bit was stretched out on the couch, watching TV, but it wasn't his usual Mickey Mouse. I don't remember what it was.
"Where's Soda?" I asked, looping a belt through my jeans.
"In the kitchen, making lunch."
"Oh," I replied, my smile falling.
"What's wrong?" Two-Bit asked, not taking his eyes off the TV.
I didn't respond verbally, just shrugged. I then pushed at Two-Bit's feet, trying to make room for myself on the couch. When he didn't budge I curled up in the huge armchair.
Soda then came out of the kitchen, his face smeared with chocolate.
"That's what you made for lunch?" Two-Bit asked, ripping his eyes away from the TV, "Chocolate cake?"
"Sure, why not?" Soda said.
Two-Bit stared at him in disbelief before getting up and walking into the kitchen, "Sure, works for me."
Soda laughed and then poked me on the forehead, "You hungry?"
"Naw."
Soda's forehead crinkled with concern, "Seems like you ain't been eating a lot lately. How come?"
"Sure I'm eating, I just eat later than you and Darry. And how come? Dunno. I just don't get real hungry until later, I guess."
"'Kay," Soda smiled, licking the sides of his lips.
"You missed some," I said, pointing to a big splotch of chocolate on his lower lip.
"Hey Soda?" I said suddenly when I knew that Two-Bit would be submerged in the chocolate-caked kitchen for a while.
"Yeah?"
"Do you miss Johnny and Dally a lot?"
The concerned look reappeared on his face, "Sure I do. Why do you ask that?"
I shrugged, "I dunno. I guess I just miss 'em a whole lot."
Soda nodded, "We all do."
"What do we all do?" Two-Bit asked, coming into the room, his messy face able to give Soda's a run for its money.
"We all think that you should get a job," I said with a smirk.
"Boy howdy, you do get mouthier every day," Two-Bit said, cocking an eyebrow up at me, "One day it'll come back and bite you in the rear."
"Hey Soda, have you seen Steve lately?" Two-Bit asked, quickly changing subjects.
Soda shrugged, "At work a couple days ago. He said he's been keeping busy. How come?"
"Heard Evie broke up with him. I don't understand, but for some reason he's got a big attachment to this broad. I can't ever imagine just being with one girl, but whatever floats his boat. Anyways, just wanted to see how he was taking it."
The look on Soda's face told me that Steve hadn't said anything about it, and that he was now worried about his best friend. Even after everything with Dally and Johnny Steve and me hadn't become best friends. But it was better than before. We weren't fighting a secret war. We could finally be in the same room with each other without wanting to bash each other's heads in.
"I see him tomorrow," Soda said, "We're both working double shift. I'll talk to him then."
"You're working on a Sunday? Bummer," Two-Bit said.
"No kiddin'."
There was a silence that had seemed to be within the house for a while now, even when people were talking. It didn't seem to be quite bubbly as before. But this was the worst silence yet. It was the silence you got when everyone knew there was something wrong, but no one wanted to be the one to say anything about it first.
"Two-Bit," Soda said, "Mickey's on."