DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Outsiders. Mike, John, and Sully are mine though, as they are not in the book. Jeez … I just realized … Mike and Sully? I should stop watching Disney. Anyway, on with the story…
Steve had a shift at the DX immediately proceeding the school day, so when the bell rang at three-fifteen he headed straight for work without stopping at home. He was actually glad to be going to work, surprisingly. He needed something to focus on, even if it was just trying to pawn off car parts at the cash register.
He arrived at the DX, waved to Soda, glared at Mike, and went to the back room to change into his blue-collared work shirt.
As he emerged from the room, ready to perform his register-operating duties, John, the boss, stopped him.
"Randle—do me a favor, will ya? Go replace the carburetor in that Oldsmobile in the garage, will ya? The parts are already in there, you're set. Sully here," he pointed at the burly, mustached man standing beside him, "will take over the register and floor management."
Steve could have jumped up and clicked his heels together like Fred Flintstone, but he played it cool, like he always does.
"All right, I'll get on that right away, sir."
"Good boy."
Steve turned around and walked outside, a big grin now formed on his face. He went straight for the garage; changing out a carburetor was an easy job, but it was a job that involved fixing cars and not fixing the vending machine when it stole a kid's pocket change.
He walked into the garage, grinned at Mike, and got to work on his assigned vehicle. He intended to have his time alone with Miss '55 Bel-Air, but for now this hunk of junk on his side of the garage would suffice.
Though hardly when he had his tools in hand, Soda bounded into the garage to congratulate his friend.
"Steven Randle, I told ya you'd be in here sooner than you thought."
Steve smirked. "Yeah, it's my majestic ways with auto parts that got me here so quickly."
Soda smiled. "Cocky, huh? Well hey, you comin' with me to the movies on Friday? You asked that girl, right?"
Steve rolled his eyes. "No, Soda. I've never even seen that girl before yesterday. It'd be a little creepy if I was askin' her out to the movies before I've even met her. Besides, why go to a movie when there's a baseball game at school to attend?"
Soda's brown eyes lit up. "You're a genius, Steve! Now I've found my way out of the movies. 'Sandy, we can't go to the movie tonight, Rogers is playin' Washington. We can't miss that, can we?' Thanks, man."
"Thrilled to be of service."
Steve lifted the hood of the car, figuring Soda had forgotten about Evie. He pondered a moment; he liked that name. Evie. He wondered what it was short for.
"Now back to this girl of yours," Soda began again.
Steve sighed; Soda was damn persistent.
"What do you mean you've never met her before? She came and bought cigarettes from you! Haven't you seen her at school? Hell, I've seen her at school, and I don't go to school!"
"I saw her today, with Kathy," Steve told him.
"You did? Well there's a sign from God if I've ever seen one. You had her there at school and didn't ask her out? What are ya, chicken? Too embarrassed?"
Steve looked at Soda with a mix of disgust, indignation, and toughness.
"I don't get chicken or embarrassed, you fairy."
Soda laughed. "Yeah, I know. So why don't you ask her out? I mean, if anything she might be good for a bull session, huh?"
Steve wanted to tell him that he wouldn't be shooting the bull about this particular girl, but that'd be giving up a little too much. He sighed.
"I'll see about askin' her out, all right? Jesus, you can be damn annoying, ya know that?"
"Yes, I do. But it's only for your benefit, buddy. Now get to work, you're wastin' daylight."
He grinned and walked out of the garage; Steve shook his head and got to work on his Oldsmobile.
So there's the end of that chapter. I'll try to start updating quicker, I promise. I've just been rather busy. But I hope this was enjoyable; please leave reviews, constructive criticisms, etc.!