I can't believe it's been almost fourteen months since this story has been updated... I'm sorry for the absence, but I have exciting news. I found a ton of story ideas that I had thought up, and I got a couple reviews last night. I read through a couple chapters and found inspiration to continue this.. I graduated from high school on Friday, so I'm thinking about working this story into my writing schedule!

If you're still with me, thank you. I really appreciate it, and I love you all.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders or Freaks and Geeks


"He's bein' stupid," Steve grumbles, rolling onto his stomach. He kicks his comforter onto the ground and rests his head on my chest. "I wish he'd think this thing through. He don't realize that he's close to bein' done. He can get a better job if he finishes high school." I wrap an arm around him, gently rubbing his back. I sigh quietly, unable to provide the comfort and assurance he's craving.

"I don't know," I admit weakly. "Steve, things have gotten extremely hard for them since their parents passed. Darry picked up more hours, right?" He nods his head, draping his arm over my waist. "I'll admit this isn't what you want to hear, but have you ever thought that maybe Soda is doing this because he thinks it's what's right?" Steve sighs loudly, and I can tell he's rolling his eyes because of me.

"I really hate when ya decide to be all fuckin' logical."

"But I'm serious, Steve. I agree that he could get a better job with a high school education, but that's also a couple years away. Steve, those boys might not make it until Soda graduates. If they're struggling for money as badly as you say they are…"

"If we were nearly as lucky as the soc, we wouldn't hafta worry 'bout this," he grumbles. I stroke his greased hair, forcing a small smile. But there's nothing happy about this. It's still hard discussing finances with Steve because I can't do anything to help. I hate feeling so useless. "I hate bein' poor so much. I hate everything – 'cept you. I really like ya."

"I really like you too, Steve."

Steve sighs, giving me a gentle squeeze. "I hate the soc so damn much," he continues. "I really hate this fuckin' town too. It's hell."

"On a bright note, once you graduate, you can leave Tulsa behind and never look back. You can start over in a new town and do whatever you want! You can make a better life for yourself, and you can have a nice little house and a nice job. You won't have to worry about the soc picking fights and raising hell."

"I can't wait," he separate from me and flops onto his back. "I hope you're with me when I start this new life you're talkin' 'bout. I love ya, Eileen." A smile splits my face, and I can hardly believe my ears.

"I love you too, Steve."

Steve Randle wants to start a new life with me.

"Man, I need a drink."

XxXxXxX

It's Friday night, and Buck is insanely crowded – a little too crowded for my liking. "Do you plan on drinkin' Doll Face?" Steve inquires, guiding me over to the bar. Buck stands behind it, dishing up an assortment of drinks for his guests. I feel uncomfortable.

I shake my head in response to Steve's question.

"Oh, c'mon, take a lil sip," Steve grins. "I ain't gonna tell your parents, so ya secret is safe with me." But I shake my head again.

"Steve, I'm not 21." He snorts, shaking his head.

"So? You think these greasers care 'bout being the legal age?" I glance around the bar; through the haze and red lights, I notice that 99% of everyone here are, in fact, greasers, and I realize that Steve's right. "A majority of the kids here ain't old enough to drink, but Buck don't care."

"Maybe I'll consider taking a little sip."

Steve flashes a toothy grin and ventures towards the bar. He snags an open barstool and pats the top, offering it to me. I smile and claim it as my own. "I ain't see you 'round here in a while, Randle," Buck comments, approaching us. "What brings ya back to this side of town?"

"Life is shittier than usual," he answers with a shrug. "My girl and I decided to come for a visit. Can I get a couple bottles of beer down this way?" Buck nods his head. He wanders off to retrieve our drinks.

But my heart starts pounding against my chest.

"Steve, I don't want an entire bottle," I panic. "If I drink more than a sip, my parents are going to know. They're really good at finding out about this stuff." He sets his hand on the small of my back and leans against the bar.

"Relax, Princess," he replies. I throw him a dirty look. "They ain't gonna find out. If ya want, you can come back to my place and spend the night."

"Is your dad going to be there?"

"I sure as hell hope not."

"Oh, that's reassuring."

Buck returns and sets a bottle in front of each of us. Without a word, he walks off to tend to more customers. Steve takes a swig almost immediately; I stare at the bottle, wondering what I'm about to get myself in to.

I nervously grab in, and unlike Steve, I gingerly bring it to my lips. It stinks. I take a small sip, and it takes everything I have in me to not gag. It burns my throat and tastes awful. Steve watches with a look of amusement on his face. "How is it?" He asks teasingly.

"Shut up." I answer, coughing once.

I take another drink to prove to him I'm not weak. One more drink quickly becomes two; two becomes a bottle; one bottle becomes three.

Once I finish the third bottle, I'm down.

Steve works on his fourth and casually slings his arm around my waist. As soon as he touches me, I get incredibly giggly. "Stevie," I lean into him, looking up at his face. "I love you." I whisper. He grins, taking another drink. "I love it a lot when you touch me too – a lot more than when James does." He chokes on his sip and quickly looks at me.

"What the hell are ya talkin' 'bout, Eileen?"

"James likes making icky comments about me at school. I don't like it, but he does anyway. He likes staring at me too. I wish it was you staring at me. I like it a lot more when it's you. You're a lot cuter than James too, did you know that? I've never seen anyone as cute as you – not even Soda. He doesn't even compare…"

Steve's grip around the neck of his bottle tightens, but I don't think anything of it.

He hoists me to my feet. Steve keeps a secure arm around my waist and nearly drags me out of the bar. But I don't think anything of it. I can't think clearly, so I take the situation lightly.

But if only I was aware of the hell that's about to break loose.

XxXxXxX

In the morning, my head is pounding, and I wake with a groan. Beside me, Steve chuckles quietly. I curl up to him, making a displeased face. "I feel like I've been hit with a car." I rest my head on his chest causing him to laugh.

"I didn't think you'd be down after three bottles," he teases. But I ignore him. "I got a question for ya too, Doll Face." I make a noise in response. "How long has James been messin' with ya?" I can feel my heart stop. Suddenly, I'm wide awake.

"Oh God, Steve," I reply. "I told you about that?" He nods his head.

"Yeah, ya did. Will ya answer my question now?" I swallow hard; he's going to be angry when he realizes it's been going on for months.

"Months…" I answer quietly. I can feel him tense up underneath me. "I was going to tell you, but then a bunch of stuff started happening, and I didn't want to make you any angrier. I'm sorry, Steve."

"Fuck, Eileen, I don't care about that other shit!" He groans. "I care more about my girl, and I don't want to be left in the dark if some little bastard is botherin' her! I can't wait to get my hands around that little motherfucker's neck." Steve's voice lowers as he starts to ramble and dwell on threats.

"Steve, please don't do anything. I don't want you to get in trouble…"

"Eileen, I've got to handle this…"

"Steve, please don't do anything." I beg. He thinks it over before sighing.

"Fine." Steve grumbles.

And I'm surprised – surprised that he agreed and agreed so easily.

XxXxXxX

"It feels like it's been a decade since we've gotten to hang out!" Sandy grins, flopping onto my bed. Evie nods in agreement and takes a seat beside her. "I've missed you girls!" Jackie sets her overnight bag in a corner on my room.

"So I'm guessin' you're the infamous Jackie?" Evie comments, watching my friend. She freezes and nods her head slowly. I struggle not to laugh – it's so painfully obvious that she's nervous of Evie and her possible intentions. "Sandy always talks about how sweet you are. It's great to finally meet you." Jackie forces a smile and nods her head.

"I haven't heard much about you, but it's great to meet you too."

Sandy sits upright quickly. She turns towards me with a big smile plastered to her face. "So, have you and Mr Randle gone all the way yet? Or what's new with you two?"

"No, we haven't," I sigh. "And I made him mad last night and this morning. He took me to Buck's, and so I drank a little. I might have gotten drunk and let it slip that James is bothering me, so now he knows, and he's mad."

"I'm not surprised." Evie sighs.

"But I got him to promise that he's not going to do anything," I smile. Sandy and Evie exchange looks; both look as if they're struggling to hold in laughter. "It was rather easy to convince him too." Evie cracks; Sandy soon follows. Both girls laugh loudly.

"He only told ya that, so ya wouldn't worry!" Evie grin. "He ain't gonna leave James alone. He's going to be the little prick up cause he messed with ya!"

"Steve wouldn't do that…" I argue.

"If ya insist, Eileen." Sandy giggles. But then, the more I think about it, the more I realize they're right. Steve loves fighting – he loves fighting without a reason. But now he has a reason. He's going to go behind my back.

"Oh, fuck." I whisper. Evie and Sandy continue giggling and shaking their heads. Jackie looks incredibly uncomfortable with the situation.

"How about we head off to The Dingo?" Sandy suggests. "It'll be lots of fun, and we can take ya mind off things, Eileen. I'm hungry." Evie nods her head in agreement. Both rise to their feet, and I can see Jackie looking towards me nervously.

"I've never been to The Dingo before." She whispers. I smile, opening my bedroom door for them.

"As a couple friends once told me, if you mind your own business, you'll be fine." Both girls grin and lead the way out. But Jackie doesn't look anymore at ease. Her face is a white as a sheet, but she follows silently.

Poor girl.

XxXxXxX

Ten minutes after claiming the biggest booth in the restaurant, I don't regret our decision. Soda enters The Dingo with Steve, Two-Bit and Dallas in tow, and right when Sandy spots them, she waves them over. Soda strolls over with a huge grin etched onto his face. Evie hops out and allows the gorgeous male to sit beside his girlfriend. Evie reclaims her seat before Two-Bit squishes in with her.

I hop out to let Dallas in. Jackie shoots me daggers while silently begging me to save her. But before I can answer her pleas, Steve wraps his arms around my waist and greets me with a kiss. "I missed ya." I kiss his cheek, smiling.

'I missed you too." Steve releases me. I climb back into the booth, and he sits beside me.

It's a wonder all eight of us can fit.

"Look at how comfortable ya friend is, Eileen," Two-Bit laughs. "I ain't never seen no one that afraid of Dallas Winston." Dally smirks and slings his arm around my best friend. She shies away from him, scooting as close to the wall as she can get.

"Oh, I ain't gonna hurt ya, Doll Face." He taunts. Jackie swallows hard, and everyone else finds it funny; I feel bad for her. But there's no way he'll listen to me.

"Dal, leave 'er alone!" Soda scolds, holding Sandy close. He shoots Jackie an apologetic look. "I am real sorry 'bout him. He don't know when to quit sometimes." Our group continues interacting with one another, getting louder and louder with each passing moment, but no one cares.

But what bothers me is how quiet Steve is.

"Is everything alright, Steve?" I ask, watching him. He nods his head, forcing a smile. "I'm really sorry I didn't tell you about what James was doing." Steve shrugs his shoulders.

"I'm over that. I'm just pissed off that he's been botherin' you, and I'm trying to think of how to handle the situation." I lean into him. Steve wraps his arm around my shoulders and holds me close. I love it. I love the contact. "I love you, Eileen." I sigh happily, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"I love you too, Steve."


I'm sorry it's rushed. I really wanted to write and upload a chapter before I go to work. But I hope you're looking forward to Sixtreen Candles again because I'm really looking forward to start writing it ((but I have three other stories going, so I don't know how often this will be updated)).

I would really appreciate it if you all reviewed!