Blowin' Smoke

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Chapter 17

Third Person POV (Late May, 1968)

"You're doing what, Soda?"

Darry wasn't sure if he was supposed to laugh or be supportive when Soda suggested that he got his GED.

"Look, Darry, I know I ain't that smart, but-"

"You're plenty smart."

"Let me finish. I know I ain't that smart, but Ponyboy can help me study. I need a high school diploma. I gotta do something more. You were right, Dar. I ain't going anywhere at this rate. I can't be useless my whole life."

"You ain't useless... I think it's a great idea," Darry decided finally, smiling. He just wished the kid had thought of that before he dropped out of school. You know, before Darry fought him tooth and nail NOT to drop out.

"Yeah, Soda! It's a great idea," Ponyboy piped up from his location on the couch.

"You'll help me study, kiddo?"

"Sure thing," Ponyboy promised. "You'll get an A."

"We'll see about that," Soda laughed.

OoOoOoO

The last time Elizabeth had tried to ask about anything relating to Vietnam, Steve had shut his mouth. He had said he wouldn't talk and didn't want to about it; that she should move on to something else. It took three more therapy sessions for Steve to answer when Elizabeth asked directly about Vietnam.

"Did you have any close friends?"

"Yeah. I had one guy. His name was Edward."

"Was?"

"Yeah," Steve swallowed hard, looking down. He began to bounce his leg anxiously.

"Let's move on to something else."

Steve was grateful she let him move on. Instead of asking what happened to him, she asked what he was like, and Steve told her all about his obsession for books. He was beginning to breathe easier, when she began to broach the subject again.

"What happened to Edward, Steve?"

The question made him go ridged. Images flashed through his mind, making his head spin.

"This is a safe place, Steve," Elizabeth assured him, and suddenly, Steve didn't want to be alone anymore.

So he did as he was asked. He broke down and told her everything, including about the day that Edward died. And she let him talk and cry, while she just simply listened. By time the whole ordeal was over, it was like a weight that had been sitting on his chest had been lifted.

(June, 1968)

Ponyboy couldn't get home fast enough. It had been the last day of school, and this year Darry had decided to take a week off of work and take all of them to the country after school finished.

If Two-Bit's piece of junk didn't break down, he might have been able to get home quicker.

"You excited, Ponyboy?" Two-Bit joked. The younger greaser was practically running home.

"I haven't been to the country in forever!" Ponyboy exclaimed. He felt like a little kid again with how impatient he was being.

"Hey, Ponyboy!" Sodapop greeted with a smile once Two-Bit and Ponyboy entered the small home.

Ever since Soda passed his GED with a 460 in math, 430 in writing and 420 in reading, with a total of 2,270 points, (the passing score was a 2,250) he has been even more energetic than usual. The whole gang had been so proud of him.

"So I got my report card today, Darry," Ponyboy announced, pulling the piece of paper out of the binder in his backpack.

"Let me see it," Darry said.

Ponyboy handed the report card to Darry, watching anxiously. Darry's eyes scanned the grades; his eyes widening as each A registered in his brain.

"All A's..." Darry felt pride swell in his chest. "Wow, Pone. Good job. I'm real proud of you, kiddo."

Ponyboy's face split into a huge grin at Darry's words. His brother was proud of him. Sodapop reached over and ruffled Ponyboy's hair.

"Good job, kiddo," the blond haired greaser congratulated him.

"Golly, you sappy greasers make me sick," Steve joked, pretending to be disgusted.

"Yeah! And why is no one proud of me. I passed my classes this year too. I'm gonna be a senior!" Two-Bit puffed out his chest triumphantly. Soda threw a pillow at him.

"Only took you three times."

"Hey!" Two-Bit clutched his chest dramatically.

"Whatever," Steve rolled his eyes at the older greaser's antics.

"Alright, guys, lets go. I wanna get out to the cabin before it's too late," Darry said finally. The greasers began to gather their stuff up before loading it all into the car.

OoOoOoO

"We're here," Two-Bit proclaimed happily in a sing-song voice as the car slowed down to a stop. Ponyboy looked up from his book, surprised the time had passed so quickly thanks to Moby Dick.

The greasers filed out of their vehicle, taking in the country scenery. For the Curtis brothers, memories of coming out to the country with their parents flashed through their heads.

"You can breath so much nicer out here, huh, Soda? No pollution, not a lot of cars, just fresh, country air," Ponyboy marveled. Sodapop laughed lightly at his kid brother's proclamation.

"Yeah, you can," he agreed.

"Hey Darry, since it's only five, can Sodapop and I take a hike?" Ponyboy asked.

"Sure," Darry responded, "just be back by six for dinner."

"Thank you, Darry," Ponyboy said, just loud enough for Darry to hear, but no one else did.

"For what?" The older man asked, confused at Ponyboy's sudden proclamation.

"For everything."

A/N: This is the last chapter, sadly. I want to thank every last person who read, reviewed, or followed/favorited so much. You guys are totally awesome. Your support is the reason this story has been finished.

P.S. I want to start another story soon, so if you have any requests review them or PM me. My goal is to have a new story up by April third, if not earlier. However, you can still send in requests, even after that and I'll try to write them.

Stay Gold lovelies,

- Alee XxX