Part 11- Joining the gang?

Mrs. Curtis stroked his hair soothingly and Mr. Curtis sighed.

"Son we won't let you die on us", he said. "Do you think your mother and sister would've wanted that?"

Steve just shook his head.

"Now rest a little hun", Mrs. Curtis said as she rose. "We'll check on you tomorrow."

The Curtises left the room and Steve drowsily whispered:

"I'm sorry mom… I'm sorry Miley." Before falling asleep.

In the living room they found the boys watching TV in silence but when they entered Darry rose.

"How's Steve", he asked.

"He's fine", Mrs. Curtis said feeling like crying after hearing Steve's story. "He's sleeping."

"Mom are you alright", Soda asked as he saw her red eyes.

"Oh I'm fine Soda."

"You don't look fine", Pony said.

"It… I was just a bit touched."

"Why", Dallas asked.

"Because your friend told me and Darrel his life's story… Excuse me", she left them and disappeared into her and her husband's room.

"Don't worry boys", Mr. Curtis said. "Steve will be fine in no time and your mother is a bit touchy."

"I hope so", Soda mumbled.

Steve stayed at the Curtis house for a week then left again. No one knew where he was or if he was ever coming back… that was until school started after a small break...

Soda was trying his best to open his locker that never seemed to work for him.

"Damn why doesn't this thing open", he asked and pulled. Nothing happened then a hand slammed into the door and it slid open. "Thanks Steve…. Steve!" Soda hugged his friend. Steve looked better, he looked healthier and happier.

"Hi Sodapop."

"Where the hell have ya been", Soda said. "It's been two months since I last saw ya!"

"I had to get away to collect my thoughts… and talk to someone."

"Who?"

"My mom."

"But I thought-"

"Yeah she's dead… I went back to Chicago to visit her grave then took a long detour back. I didn't mean to worry you Soda. I just had to get away for a while."

"I can understand why", Soda closed his locker and they started to walk down the hallway. "But you're here to stay now?"

"Yeah I'm not going anywhere… until I finish school anyway."

Soda smiled and they parted ways.

Steve had managed to go by unnoticed from the rest of the gang until lunch. He met up with Soda and this grabbed his wrist and ran towards the cafeteria. They saw Darry, Dally, Tim and Two-Bit at their usual table and Soda pulled Steve over with him.

"Hey guys look who I found wandering the halls", he said happily. Dally choked on his coke, Two-Bit laughed at him and Darry smiled.

"Hi there Steve", he said and motioned for the guy to sit beside him. "Long time no see."

"Hi Darry."

"Where the hell have ya been", Two-Bit said cheerfully. "We've been worried about ya."

"I've been… around."

"Can't have", Tim snorted. "I haven't seen you around."

"I've been around… but not around here."

"Okay", Tim said and shrugged. "Well see you guys later, I got some business to attend to."

"We don't want to know", Darry grinned.

Soda and Steve sat down and Darry clapped Steve on the shoulder before continuing his lunch.

Steve walked down the hallway when three socs appeared and grinned wickedly at him.

"What?" Steve asked annoyed.

"You're on our turf now greaser", the leader grinned. "And we don't like trash on out turf."

"Then leave."

The socs stared at him before it dawned on them.

"You cocky little shit", the leader roared and grabbed his collar. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Me", Steve grumbled and brought up his knee into the leader's stomach and the boy fell to his knees holding his stomach. One of his friends grabbed Steve's shoulder and Steve grabbed his arm and flung him over his head and slammed him onto the floor. The other soc flicked out a switchblade and Steve just grinned as they started to circle each other. Unnoticed by them was the gang leader watching them from the other side of the hallway. The soc growled and lunged at Steve. Steve sidestepped him as the guy tried to stab him a few times. Steve even had his hands in his pockets and looked really cool the gang leader thought. Steve had his back towards a locker and when the soc lunged again he ducked and the guys flew head first into the locker. Steve rose and brought up his knee in the guys chest. Then he locked at the three of them lying around gasping. He grinned, righted his collar and started to walk. He heard laughter behind him and saw Tim Sheppard applaud him.

"Good job", he said. "Damn well good job Randle."

"'s nothing."

"Oh it was. You know I could use a guy with your talents in my outfit."

"Uninterested."

"Aw come on man", Tim ran up to walk beside him as Steve walked towards his next class. "See these fucking socs? They think they're better than us. We just want to prove them wrong and to have some fun too."

"Lawbreaking."

"Yes some stuff we do is illegal but come on! Where's the fun in being a goody goody?"

"No prison."

"True mate but what the heck? If I can beat some damn socs a trip to the cooler want be too bad. So what ya say?"

"Uninterested."

"Come on! You're too stubborn!"

"Know."

"How come you never talk much when Soda isn't around or any from Curtis' outfit for that matter?"

"Uninteresting."

"Damn you're good."

"What?"

"Just with one word you say what others need whole sentences for. So what ya say? You would fit right in with my guys. You're a fighter, you're tuff, tough and rough, you're smart – most of my guys aren't but heck who cares – you're good with cars and you're from the bad side."

"Bad side?"

"Well Chicago ain't such a peaceful place is it? So you're from the wild side too."

"Fuck off."

"Nope you see you're not the only stubborn greaser in school and-"

"Mr. Sheppard", the English teacher said. "I didn't know you have this class."

Tim looked around. They'd walked into Steve's next class and he was shocked to see the younger boy sit down and smirk at him.

"No I'm not", Tim said darkly and left but when he got to the door he saw Steve grin wide and waved just to tease him. "I'll talk to you later!" Tim called and pointed at him.

Steve was whistling as he walked out of the school.

"Steve wait up", Soda yelled.

"Hi Soda", Steve said as his friend came up to him.

"So", Soda asked as they started to walk again. "How's the first day been?"

"Fine."

"Ya want to elaborate?"

"No."

"Aw come on don't tell me nothing happened today! So what's happening?"

"Something."

"Steve!"

"Yes?"

"Can you please give me some details of your day?"

"Nope." Steve grinned and hurried on his steps across the schoolyard.

"Man come on don't tease me you know I hate it!"

"So?"

"Steve!"

"Yes."

"Steve Randle you tell me what the hell happened to you today and you'll do it this instant!"

"Why?"

"Because I say so."

Steve grinned at him. "Nope."

"Oh you're so asking for it", Soda jumped at him and they started to wrestle playfully.

Some laughter made them both look up and they noticed that Tim and his outfit had been watching them.

"Well this is all very fun to watch", Tim said. "But Randle I'm not done with you yet."

"What's Steve done to you", Soda asked from the ground where Steve for the moment was pinning him.

"Nothing I just want him to join my outfit."

"Uninterested", Steve declared again, rose and pulled Soda to his feet.

"Steve you could be great and famous if ya joined my outfit. You know it's true."

"So?"

"I know you'll love it."

"Nope."

"Tim", a deep voice said and they saw Dally, Two-Bit and Darry stand behind the Sheppard outfit. It was Darry who'd spoken.

"Yes Curtis", Tim grinned.

"Leave Steve alone okay? I told you his first day to leave him alone. We don't need more kids going in and out of jail."

"Darry, Darry, Darry", Tim said and shook his head. "Steve is too smart and so good at what he is doing so he won't get caught."

"Sure", Steve said and grimaced.

"Aw come on mate ya know I'm right", Tim turned back to him.

"No."

"Well can you think it over?"

Steve was quiet for a while. "Done."

"And?"

Steve grinned mockingly before picking up his books and started to walk Soda ran up to him and threw his arm around his buddy's shoulders.

"Damn that kid is good", Tim said and shook his head approvingly.

"Huh", Dally asked and lit a cancer stick.

"One word or one look and ya get what he's saying… don't worry I'll find a way to get him to join my outfit."

"In your dreams", Darry said and started to walk. "Steve's already taken."

"Sweet heart", Mrs. Curtis exclaimed and hugged Steve close.

"Hi Mrs. Curtis." Steve didn't hug back but let the mother of his friend hug him.

Her smile vanished and her face turned serious. She put him on an arm lengths distance and with one hand on his shoulder and the other she used to point at him.

"Where have you been young man", she scolded. "We've been worried about you. Did you even think what could happen when you just left like that?"

"No ma'am", Steve said sincere. "I'm sorry ma'am but I just had to get out and collect myself and my thoughts."

"Where have you been dear?"

"I visited the only person who I could always talk with."

"Sweety you can always talk with me or Darryl."

"Not this time ma'am."

"Oh?"

"I'm sorry ma'am but I had to talk to my mom."

Mrs. Curtis smiled and a single tear fell from her eyes and she kissed his cheek and gave him a soft motherly hug.

"I'm glad you're back Steve", she said before heading out into the kitchen. Steve sat down beside Soda.

"So", Soda grinned. "Tim wants you to join his outfit yeah?"

"Yeah… what an idiot."

TBC