.::I do not own The Outsiders::.

7. Oh yeah, you've changed...

Ponyboy had arrived home with the phone ringing non stop. He snatched it up swiftly hearing Darry's not too calm voice over the line, he sighed running his hand through his hair waiting for his ranting of why he hadn't answered the phone sooner.

"Twobit didn't show up Dar. It wasn't my fault. I'm here now ain't I?"

Darry exhaled angrily, "I'm gonna kill Mathews...Ok Pony, just do your homework. Left overs are in the fridge. I'll be home around eight... I love you kiddo. Bye."

"Love you too Dar. Bye."

He hung up the phone. There wasn't really any homework to do, it was the first day anyway. He got out the left overs Darry was talking about. Minutes later Pony started munching away even though he wasn't too hungry. Ponyboy grabbed the bottle of vitamins kept in the cabinet of the kitchen swallowing them with no hesitation, he heard the front door open with two pair of feet walking inside.

"Hey kid." Dally greeted.

Johnny smiled, "Pony, how'd you like the first day?"

Ponyboy shrugged, "It was ok."

His friend looked around, "Where's Twobit?"

Dally turned on the television bored with the conversation, Pony scowled looking down at the ground, "He forgot about me. Never showed up, kept me waiting for nothing."

Just then walked in Mathews grinning sheepishly, "I-I can exlplain..."

"Speak of the devil." Dally snickered.

Curtis folded his arms, "What? That you obviously forgot?"

Twobit shook his head, "No! Really I didn't! It's just that well...Ya'll remember about the cute blonde I was talking about?"

Johnny rolled his eyes, "I think I don't wanna know anymore."

"No wait! It's not what you think."

Dally snickered again, "Just admit you were fucking this girl after school, geez!"

"Oh brother..." Johnny muttered.

Pony's ears were getting red disturbing images filling his head.

Twobit shook his head frustrated, "Look! This is what really happened. At the end of class it was just me and her so I took the opportunity to make my moves. So I told her how pretty she looked, took her hand and kissed it. At first I was like, 'Hell yeah! I got this.' And just as I was going in for the kiss on the lips ... she slapped me! Can you believe it? Slapped. Me."

There was a moment of silence except for the television. That is until laughter broke loose. Johnny plopped himself on the couch chuckling. Ponyboy clutched to his stomach breathing for some air after listening to his story. Dally stopped laughing seeing Twobit frown not really amused at his failure.

"That another one of your signs Twobit?" Pony asked.

Johnny bit his bottom lip not wanting to laugh anymore knowing Twobit was getting mad.

"Ha ha very funny."

"But-but how did that get you late?" Pony asked controlling himself.

Twobit went red, "I-I got sent to the principal's office. Ya know, giving me a lecture on how to treat ladies right. Psh, like I don't know..."

"Sure Twobit, sure. Next time try and take her out on a date instead of just wanting to kiss her all up. Sheesh." Dally 'tsked' at him.

Hours later after horsing around they all left to their daily doings. Ponyboy followed them out to the bottom of the porch stairs. Johnny waved goodbye behind him leaving with Dally. Twobit headed another direction thinking of a new strategy to get this new girl and not get into trouble again. The three of them disappeared down the blocks of the street. He sighed looking up at the sky, it was getting darker. The moon was in its waning quarter looking very beautiful even though it wasn't exactly full. Taking out a cigarette from his back pocket his lighter fell to the ground. Cursing slightly Pony crouched down to pick it up.

Standing back up he saw someone coming closer, someone who looked as if having difficulty walking. He squinted his eyes to see better but still he couldn't see the face to recognize the person. The darkness got heavier, a moan escaped from the figure who seemed to be a man then he fell down into some bushes near him. Ponyboy gulped as his heart raced, Maybe i-it's Soda. Maybe he's hurt! Could he...Is he really? Should I go? What if it's someone hurt?

Young Curtis stood frozen on the spot not really knowing what to do. The bushes shook letting him know that this guy was struggling to get up. In the end Pony decided to go and help out. If he was a greaser there wasn't going to be any harm unless he was really out of it. Pony squatted trying to see who it was.

"S-Soda?"

A groan then, "Damn wrong."

That voice was Steve's. The boy sighed again disappointed of his discovery, not only because it wasn't who he thought it was but also because his friend was drunk, almost passed out, on some bushes stinking of booze mixed with the smell of cigarettes. Steve laughed in a very mocking manner asking hoarsely, "Not what you expected right? Ha. Dumb kid."

"Fuck you Steve." Pony stood from his squat, his face dark from his harsh attitude.

The older greaser groaned again sitting up rubbing his face, earlier he had gotten into a fight with some Socs letting off steam, what he didn't predict was that they had more friends following them. Although he lost, it was worth it, the angriness inside of him was still there bit at least calmed down now. Many purple spots were left on his chest, three on his face, busted lip and probably a broken rib or two. His wrist was feeling weird, Maybe I sprained it smashing my fist onto that fucker's face.

Steve saw Ponyboy walk away so he yelled after him, he didn't want to admit it but he needed help and the kid was the only one around. Putting aside his pride, "Hey! Aren't ya gonna help me up?"

Ponyboy turned around amused, "Steve? Are you really asking for my help? Me? Ponyboy?"

"Ha ha. Shut up and help me will ya? Do I have to beg?"

Folding his arms, "Sounds interesting, sure why not."

"I swear to God kid-"

Pony laughed helping him get on his feet by grabbing hold of one of his arms, "All right all right, don't get your panties in a bunch."

"Gee thanks."

Both went to the Curtis house, Pony opened the door leading him inside first. Steve laid himself on the couch letting out a breath of relief. It was definitely better than those bushes that scratched his arms. He put an arm on his face wanting to take a nap, a big headache was making it hard though. Ponyboy went to the bathroom for some aspirins then to the kitchen for a glass of water. He poked Steve making him rumble until he saw the water and pills.

"Uh, thanks."

"Sure."

A small uncomfortable silence, Steve gritted his teeth not liking it. Back then Soda used to fill it with his happy personality and funny comments or simply making goofy remarks...only this time he wasn't here. The thought angered him, beer sounded appealing again. Maybe I'll go after this. I could skip school tomorrow. Ponyboy saw his expression change knowing he was heated and he knew exactly why.

"Drinking isn't the way out Steve."

Steve snapped his head to his direction, "What?"

"You can't keep getting yourself drunk just 'cause your angry."

Randle's fists tightened into balls itching for another fight hissing, "Just shut your trap kid, you don't know nothin."

Ponyboy tensed seeing the signs, he was prepared to fight in self defense not caring if this situation was getting out of hand, "Oh but I do fucking know."

"I said shut up."

Even with that warning Pony continued wanting to let him know how wrong it was for Steve to go on like that, "You always complained how your dad was drunk, yelling, screaming at you. How he beat you up real bad. Well just so you fucking know you're turning into him!"

Steve broke, "Why you little shit!"

He launched himself on top of Ponyboy both falling on the floor, then he went on top of Ponyboy who went 'humph'. He quickly pushed him away but still received a punch on his left cheek where a future bruise would form. He swung his right fist on to Steve's face. He fall backwards on his butt since the coffee table was on the way. Ponyboy thought it was over until Steve threw a shoe at his face. Again the fight was on. Grunts, swear words, the sound of two greasers having it out.

"What the hell?!" They didn't hear Darry's truck park or him getting inside.

Darry left his tool belt fall to the floor running to the scene hauling Steve by the waist off of Pony. Ponyboy tried getting back at him, Darry yelled for him to back off or else. His voice boomed in the house warningly, his little brother wiped away the blood sliding down his mouth from a broken lip.

Steve snarled at him completely furious, "You don't know me you little shit so don't you be telling me what to do! Sure I fucking changed, but that's none of your god damned business!"

Pony narrowed his eyes at him, "Oh yeah, you've changed. Believe me you did. But it's nothing to be proud of." With those words said he retreated to his room.

Darry threw Steve to the ground pointing at the front door, "I suggest you leave now Steve before I kick your ass. I don't know what the hell happened but tomorrow we'll talk." His voice was deadly, he didn't really care at the moment. All he saw was his brother being punched by Steve which maddened him. Nobody hurts my brother. Nobody.

Steve had no other choice, he stomped his way out. His dad wasn't around that week. He had gone off to a 'friend's' house. A bitch, he's off with a bitch fooling around. Slamming his door open the smell of something gone bad filled his lungs. He rushed to the bathroom not wanting to vomit right there. Sitting on the floor he sat against the wall re thinking of what had happened he closed his eyes, I know it was wrong. I know, damn it, but that kid had it coming. Who the fuck does he think he is? I mean-fuck...Steve bit on his knuckle, it was true. The reason he was mad was because all Ponyboy had said was true. It just stung so deep that the only reaction was anger. Pony's words echoed in his mind.

"Oh yeah, you've changed. Believe me you did. But it's nothing to be proud of."

I hate to admit it but the kid...Ponyboy is right. I did change, I am changing...into my Dad. The person I probably hate the most. I gotta do something about it. If I keep this up I could end up worse than my Dad. Stupid Soda, if you hadn't run away in the first place this would have never happened.

Steve swallowed the knot forming in his throat, "I hate you too Soda. I really do."

oOoOoOo

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)

Thank you guys for keeping up and the reviews! Anyone who is wondering what happened to Soda you'll find out soon. (: