Sunburn (Stevepop)

Ch 14- A nice car with a beautifully fixed tailight

Steve pov
I sighed and admitted to Two that last night was hell for me.
Every second that I was staring at Soda's face I became more aware of my rejection. I remember the tears rolling down his cheek, the shaking of his words. The fact that I made him cry, that I tried to pressure him into it, that he had to beg me to leave, that I yelled at him before I went... That hurt infinitely more than the rejection, the broken heart, even this damned sunburn.
I tried to explain any part of that to Two-bit without revealing what I was actually talking about, but he giggled like he already knew.
I heard Johnny yell in a greeting to Pony somewhere close by. Two stood to join them and asked me to come with him.
"Na, I'm supposed to meet Evie here," I explained, "I think after last night she just wants to make out s'more," I said with a slight smirk.
"Didn't Dal break up with her for ya last night? I can't believe you're still seeing her," he laughed.
"Neither can I."
"Hey buddy," he put an arm over my shoulder, "I getcha don't wanna have to break it off, even if ya don't like her so much. So guess what? I'll take care a this, you go hang out with Johnny 'n' Ponyboy. Relax baby, don't you worry."
I sighed and looked at him doubtfully.
"C'mon Steve, I'd never sabotage you?"
"Yeah!" I punched his arm and laughed, "Those peppers were hot, you dick!"
Finally I just decided to trust him, mostly because I didn't mind how it happened just so long as I didn't have to see Evie again. I patted Two on the shoulder and walked to the climbing structure that Pony and Johnny were talking by in the park. I mentioned that Two-bit was doing me a favor, and might not come by for a while.
"What's he doing?" Johnny asked.
"Uh, Two-bit's breaking up with my girlfriend for me," I couldn't help but chuckling, because it sounds completely ridiculous.
Ponyboy perked right up, a startled look on his face, while Johnny laughed.
"Y-you're leaving Evie?" Pony asked, "Why?"
"I guess I got better options..." I muttered.
He sighed suddenly and smiled at me, "He loves you, Steve... I got no damn clue why, but he does."
A big smile forced itself on my face and my cheeks got warm. I couldn't think of anything at all except Soda.
Johnny's eyes widened, "Wait, Pony, are you talkin' about Soda?"
He nodded. I had to hold my face in my hands just so my toothy grin didn't look so big and corny. He loves me back, I thought over and over, I might die just from being so happy.
"Man, that's great!" Johnny hopped up, "I'm happy for ya!"
"Thanks Johnny," I said joyfully.
For a while we just talked, Johnny said he could tell I liked Soda for years and was just dying to see us get together, and Pony's probably just glad his brother is happy. He suggested I start heading home, his home, pretty soon.
I hopped up and ran, waving to them and shouting my thanks as I went. I made my way to Soda's house with a skip in my step. I kept adjusting my hair, peering at windows of buildings and houses that I passed for my reflection. I was sweating like hell in a denim jacket, but it was better than showing up with a peeling sunburn. Once the Curtis house came into view, I had to fight the urge to sprint up to his doorstep. I don't want to be panting like a dog either.
I knocked eagerly on the door.
"Oh, hey Steve," Darry said with a stern look, "Say, were you the one slamming the door all loud last night? It was nearing midnight, you know-"
"Yeah yeah yeah, whatever, sorry. You know where your brother's at?"
"Pony? He's at the park with Johnny-"
"Not Ponyboy, dumbass."
He laughed at me, "Yeah, he left for Sandy's a while ago."
Darry offered to let me hang around the house until he got back, but I just felt sick. If Ponyboy said he loves me, what was he doing there? Unless he lied... Is this what I get for being rude to him all these years? Low blow, kid...
I continued to walk in the heat. Before long I'm sure I will have walked around the whole town, and I'll probably run into Sodapop one way or another. Then at the very least I could try and apologize for last night.
As I walked and scanned the area, I suddenly recognized a really nice shiny car a ways behind me. I fixed the taillight on it yesterday, the one I took my sweet time on.
The car rolled up, three socs were sat in it.
"Whatcha doin' walking around in this weather, greaser?" The one in the front hollered, "Must be real hot in that there jacket, especially with those beet-red arms!"
I didn't wear a jacket over my sunburn when I was fixing his car yesterday-a big mistake. These guys will grill you for anything and everything they can.
"I'm looking for a buddy, Sodapop Curtis, you seen him?"
One of the socs in the back seat jumped up with a laugh, "Did this kid just say Sodapop?!"
He hopped out of the car and slapped my arm, which hurt whether I had the jacket on or not.
"Yeah, I did, what of it?"
He turned to his buddies in the car, "Soda's the dirty grease that's been messing with Sandy behind my back!"
My jaw dropped, I gave him the blankets stare I ever have.
I'm not sure if I should beat his ass for making Soda cry, or if I should buy him a beer for involuntarily getting him to realize Sandy's no good.
I stared in astonishment for a while, at one point muttering "You're the....." and trailing off there.
A few socs laughed at me, and I snapped out of it. I decided any beating or drinking I could treat him to would be unwarranted, considering everything that happened to Soda only hurt because he loved Sandy.
I pulled the switchblade out of my pocket and threatened them to defend myself. The only reason I survived was my mean look though. I think they knew they could take me and my switch, but I was angry and I screamed my heart out for them to back off.