Part 6 – Racing and challenges

The weeks flew by and Steve and Soda just got closer and closer. Steve hadn't told Soda anymore about his life in Chicago, or his home life for that matter. But what made Soda even happier was that Steve had started to talk more than one word to the others, except Dallas, Johnny and Pony. Dally because they both disliked each other and Johnny and Pony because he hadn't met them so much. Darry walked into the DX to pick up his brother and offer Steve a ride home. When Darry came in all he found was Steve sweeping the floor.

"Hi there Steve."

"Hi Darry."

"How's it going?"

"Just fine thanks and you? I heard ya made a big hero in the latest game."

"Well I wouldn't have if one of the guys hadn't passed me the ball."

"Bullshit you're really good, I've seen ya. It won't surprise me if ya get a scholarship or even getting voted Boy of the year."

"Ya really think so?"

"Why wouldn't I? You're a great footballer, you're smart, you're popular and the girls think you're hot."

"Ya know I think you've never spoken this many words to me since I met you."

"Well what can I say", Steve said and shrugged. "I only talk when I feel the one listening deserves or needs to hear it."

"Oh… And which is me?"

"A little of both I think."

"You're a strange guy Steve ya know that?"

"Rather strange than being like everybody else."

Darry chuckled. "Ya want a ride home?"

"Ah so that's why you're here? And here I thought ya just wanted to chitchat."

Darry chuckled again. "Is that a yes or no?"

"Neither."

"Hi Darry", Soda said as he entered.

"Hey little buddy ready to go?"

"Yup. Do ya want to hitch a ride Steve?"

"Nah I gotta go pick up my lil' sis at Alan's house", Steve answered.

"Hey what about coming with us to the drag races tomorrow?"

"Yeah sure, I'll pick ya up at your house?"

"Ya got a car? Ya never told me that!"

"Ya never asked."

"You're too young to drive anyway", Darry pointed out. "I pick ya up."

The next day the whole gang was gonna go to the drag races. Pony, Johnny and Dallas were going in Two-Bit's car while Soda went with Darry to pick up Steve.

"Darry", Soda said while they drove. "No offence man but we can't show up in your truck at the races. Remember what happened last time?"

"I know but what choice do we have?" Darry stopped the car and Steve strolled over.

"Hey why the long faces", he asked as he opened the door.

"We would like to show up in a tuff car just once", Soda said.

"Why don't we take my car", Steve beamed. "Darry can drive it over, but I'll be the one to race."

"Why not", Darry said. "What kind of car is it?"

Steve smiled. "A black Dodge Coronet 1965." (search for Dodge Coronet 1965 on Google)

"Ya kidding?" Soda said and beamed. "Man that's one tuff car!"

Darry laughed and got out of his truck and Steve threw him the keys and they were off.

"Whoa what's with the engine?" Darry asked.

"I made some readjustments", Steve said from his place riding shotgun. "It goes quieter, smoother and don't pull as much fuel."

"Okay then... let's go!"

Dallas and the others were already at the races waiting for the others. Dallas was annoyed that they were late and Tim had been bugging them about Two-Bit's old hunk of junk.

"Why can't ya show up in a decent car just once", Tim said and smirked. Curly was at his side talking to Pony and Johnny.

"Because they don't have one", George, the River King's leader said and laughter erupted.

Suddenly Darry and the other two came walking towards them.

"Hey Darry where's your car", Two-Bit yelled.

"Parked a bit down", Darry explained. The three of them wanted to surprise the rest at the races. "So who's gonna start the races?"

"We've been going for a while", Tim said with a shrug. "Not much of competition left. Ya interested?"

"Not me."

"How about you Dally?"

"In what", Dallas growled. "Two-Bit's hunk of junk?"

"If that's the only car ya got."

"Over my dead body."

"I'll race ya", Steve said and everyone turned to stare at him.

"You", Tim asked.

"Problem?"

"No I was just wondering in what."

Steve smirked. "A car."

"Why you little", Tim said and was about to throw a punch.

"Tim chill", Darry said. "Settle this on the track."

"You're going down kid", Tim growled at Steve.

"Nope", Steve said and then looked at Soda. "You 'n me." He nodded into the darkness.

Soda beamed and both of them started to walk.

"Where are ya going", George yelled. "Are ya chickening out?"

"We need a car don't we?" Soda yelled back.

"Ya gonna get what you got here with", Dallas asked.

"Hell yeah!" Steve yelled.

Everyone, except Darry and Soda laughed.

"Good luck with that", Two-Bit said.

"I won't need luck."

Soda and Steve disappeared and Darry smirked as he climbed onto the roof of Two-Bit's car to get a better view.

"Why are ya smirking like that", Pony asked and sat down beside him.

"Because Steve's gonna bring the car we got here with."

"So, he can't beat Tim's car with your truck."

"Who said we got here in my truck?"

Pony and Johnny looked at each other with big eyes. Everyone saw Tim roll out on the court with his dark blue car. Then a loud roar was heard and everyone starred as a black Dodge rolled out beside it.

"What the hell", Dallas yelled. "Whose car is that?"

"Ya gotta be kidding me", Two-Bit yelled. "Someone took over Steve's challenge?!"

Darry just smirked.

Tim stared at them from his own car and Steve smirked.

"What's the matter Sheppard", he yelled. "Afraid to drive?"

"No, let's do this Randle."

Soda was fidgeting in excitement and Steve felt the same. He liked having someone beside him when he was competing, it equaled the weight so he would be able to take the curves better and Soda could keep a look out if Tim would try something fishy. The countdown started and off they went. Steve, even though he only was fifteen, was a great driver and outclassed Tim.

"Yahoo Tim got screwed", Two-Bit yelled in excitement as the black Dodge crossed the finish line. The cars rolled up to them and Tim angrily got out and stalked over to Darry and the others. The doors to the black Dodge opened and Steve and Soda climbed out, giving each other a high-five, with both hands.

"Oh yeah", Soda yelled excitedly.

"What the hell", Two-Bit yelled. "Whose car is that?"

"Mine", Steve said and smirked. "It's a Dodge Coronet 1965 with some adjustments."

"Where did ya learn to drive", George asked. "What are ya fouteen?"

"Fifteen."

"Steve learned to drive when he was ten", Soda said. He knew Steve wouldn't talk much around all these strangers.

"Well you're good kid", Tim grumbled. "I'll give ya that."

Soda decided it was time to do some commercial for Steve Randle's hubcap-lifting-tire-slashing-hotwiring-skills.

"That's right and he can lift a hubcap quicker and quieter than anyone in town. He's never gotten caught slashing a tire, lifting a hubcap or hotwiring a car since he was… what like twelve?"

"Eleven", Steve said.

"Really", George smiled smugly. "Then I challenge ya to lift the hubcaps of… say Two-Bit's car faster and quieter than me."

"Sure", Steve said with a shrug.

"Hang on a sec", Two-Bit said. "I'll get them back right?"

"Of course", Darry said. "Now everyone has to be quiet. Okay George you challenged so you're up first."

The River King smiled and shoved Steve roughly to the side.

"Step aside kid and watch the master", he said.

Everyone was quiet and listened and watched as George lifted the hubcaps. It took about one minute and there was just a little noise. Soda looked at Steve who just smirked.

"Final time", Tim said and looked at the clock. "5.12 minutes. Okay Randle your turn."

"Ya sure ya can beat him", Soda hissed. "George is the best in town."

"Have some faith in me Soda, now watch and learn", Steve said. He walked up to the car where the hubcaps had been put back in place again. He cracked his knuckles and waited for the start.

"GO!" Tim yelled. They all stared. Steve crouched down at the first tire and his knee had only touched the ground when he was on his feet again, with the hubcap gone.

"Final time", Tim said and stared at the clock. "1.32 minutes!"

Steve had been quick and no sound had been heard.

"Dang the kid is good", Two-Bit said and laughed. "Looks like we have a new master. Good going Randle."

"'s nothing", Steve said with a shrug.

"Are ya crazy", a River King yelled. "Man we can get back at the socs real good with ya!"

"What am I a screwdriver", Steve growled.

"Uh… What ya mean?"

"He means he's not a tool to be used for payback", Soda said and smiled.

"Aw come on", Tim said and smiled. "You're good Randle and greasers will come to ya for help to get even on socs. In a matter of fact I have a job for ya."

"In it?"

"What?"

Steve smirked. "For me?"

"Uh… there is this big time soc, Paul Holden. He and his fellas beat up on my little brother so I want ya to maybe slash his tires and steal his hubcaps."

Steve shook his head. "No, in it?"

"What's he talking about", Pony hissed to Darry.

"I think he's just trying to annoy Tim."

He was annoying Tim and making all around confused, except Soda who were used to Steve way of talking now.

"Give?" Steve asked and crossed his arms.

"What", Tim asked. He was really confused now. "Do ya want more info or what?"Steve shook his head and smirked.

"In it?" he said again.

"What the hell is he talking about?!"

"He mean what's in it for him", Soda said and smiled. "You'll get even with the socs but what will Steve-o here get? Will ya give him something?"

"Why didn't he say so", Tim asked and glared at Steve. This smirked and winked at him. "Fine I'll think of something you can get for the work."

Steve smirked pulled out his switch and made a cut in his hand. Everyone, including Soda stared at him as Steve held out his hand for Tim to shake.

"What's that suppose to mean now", Tim asked.

"Deal?" Steve asked and motioned for Tim to cut his hand.

"What? No way, are ya crazy?! Where the hell does this idiot come from?!"

"The rough parts of Chicago", Darry said.

Everyone stared even more at Steve and this felt really uncomfortable. He pulled his hand back and motioned for Soda to follow him. They walked off a bit from the others, they were still looking at him with big eyes.

"What", Soda asked when they were alone.

"Why the hell are they staring at me like I got two heads or something?"

"Well your customs are a bit different than ours. For example we don't cut in our hands."

"Pussies."

"Nope just not stupid."

"Careful Curtis."

"Yeah, yeah or ya gonna slug me like ya did Dallas. Now listen Steve, they also stared at ya 'cause you're from the rough parts of Chicago. Have ya read the newspaper lately? It's getting even worse over there. The hoods that live there can put even Tim and Dally to shame. Ya don't look quite the type. Ya just look like the average greaser not a terrifying hood."

"Oh that makes so much sense to me", Steve muttered.

"Aw come on I'm trying to explain it. Okay if ya look at Johnny or Pony could ya think they can hurt anyone?"

"No."

"What about Darry or Dally?"

"Darry if he's really pissed off and Dallas yes."

"Two-Bit?"

"Just like Darry."

"Me?"

"Like Pony and Johnny."

"You?"

"I…"

Soda smiled kindly. "Like Two-Bit and Darry right?"

"I guess so."

"Yeah that's what shocked them when they realized you're a Tim Sheppard and a Dallas Winston."

"Oh lucky me then."

Soda laughed and patted his friend's back and they walked over to the others again.

"Who's up for a race", Steve asked and leaned against his car.

Several people volunteered. Steve smirked and walked over to his car door. He winked at Soda and raised his voice.

"Hey Johnny get over here", he called. Johnny stared at him but came over.

"What Steve?"

"Get in the passenger seat."

"But… but…"

"Come on hurry up or I'll leave without ya."

Johnny beamed and hurried inside and Steve chuckled.

"How did Steve know Johnnycakes love racing", Two-Bit whispered to Soda.

"It might have slipped from my mouth."

After the race Johnny was beaming like crazy, Steve and he had won the race and Johnny had loved the speed.

TBC