Digging old dirt

Part 1

Disclaimer // I do not own any of these characters, all are owned by SE Hinton.

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Darry took the phone to his ear. Soda was supposed to be home from work awhile ago, but Darry assumed he had gotten sidetracked with Steve and whatnot, as he held the phone up and sighed.

"What's up?"

"I got jumped- can you pick me up?"
Soda asked on the other line, his voice sounding a bit hoarse.

Darry's shoulders tensed up the second he heard Sodapop say that he got jumped, a worried feeling crossing him.

"...Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just knocked up I guess."
Soda said, trying to keep the wince out of his tone.

Darry's eyebrows furrowed in even more worry from Sodas tone of voice, he could tell that Sodapop was trying to hide the wince in his voice to not sound weak.

"Sodapop, be honest with me. Did they hurt you that bad?"

Soda sighed.

"They- I don't know. They took a blade to my shoulder I think.. can you bring bandage with you or something?"

Darry's eyes widened at Sodas words, and for a second Darry's mind went from worry to anger. How dare those bastards just jump Sodapop for no reason? And for one of them to pull a blade on him? He almost let out an angry scoff, but he held it back, trying to keep his cool for now.

"Yeah, yeah I'll bring some bandages. Just tell me where you are and I'll pick you up."

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When Darry pulled up to the pay phone, he saw Soda with a kinda dazed look, clutching his left shoulder. The shoulder of his work polo stained with blood as he clutched it slightly.

"God damn it, Soda.."
Darry muttered under his breath, as he stopped the car with a hault.

The anger started to bubble up inside Darry as he saw Sodas stained polo, clearly seeing the blood that had stained it. He had a firm grip on the steering wheel as he spoke, his voice stern.

"You should've called an ambulance."

"We cant afford a damn hospital trip.."
Soda muttered.

Darry wanted to argue back, but he knew that Soda was right. He just silently cursed at himself in his head, damn it.. why did this happen? Why couldn't he protect his brothers more?

"Just... get in the damn backseat."

Darry silently tensed in the backseat as Soda sat down, the blood staining his shirt starting to get on the seats. Darry quickly glanced over at Soda for a second before putting the car in drive again, going to drive home.

"What happened? Who jumped you?"

"Some Socs, I don't know.."
Soda sighed.

"Was walking home from the DX and the car pulled up, I tried putting up a fight and they tackled me."

Darry's blood was starting to boil as he listened to Sodas story. Soc bastards... They just never leave you alone, do they?

"Did you recognize any of them?"

"Yeah, actually. It was weird, I don't know who he was, but he just stood off to the side the whole time lookin real guilty, slipped me a $50 after the beating as an apology for them or somethin."
Soda said, handing Darry a $50 bill.

Darry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he was handed a $50 dollar bill. A Soc giving Sodapop $50 as an apology for the beating? That was... weird. A Soc actually feeling bad enough for Sodapop that he felt guilty and had to give him 50 dollars? That was new. But it made Darry curious so he just had to ask.