Random Outsiders Thingies

The Art Competion (Steve Randle Birthday Tribute)

"Hey," Ponyboy waved meekly as he stepped into his house. He was instantly greeted by the rest of the gang.
"Hiya Ponyboy!" Two-Bit exclaimed.
"How was your day?" Sodapop questioned.
"Do you have any homework?" Darry asked.
Ponyboy glumly answered the following questions. "Hi. Good. No." He slowly walked up to his room sulkily.
"Wonder what's up with him." Dally muttered as he picked he nails with a switchblade.
"Let's go find out!" Two-Bit cried as he grabbed Dally by the wrist and yanked him upstairs to Ponyboy's room. The rest of the gang followed.
As they approached the room, the saw Ponyboy laying on his bed, smoking a cigarette.
"Ponyboy Michael Curtis! What did I tell you about smoking in bed?" Darry called from the doorway. Ponyboy sighed heavily and put out the cigarette.
"What's wrong, Pone?" Asked Sodapop, noticing his brother's dismay.
"Well...there's an art show at school."
"Wow, Pony!" Sodapop exclaimed. "That's great! You should enroll! We all know you'd win."
"But that's the thing!" Ponyboy suddenly exclaimed, sitting up. "I can't enter!"
"Well, why not?" Two-Bit asked.
"It's cause I'm a Greaser." Ponyboy explained miserably. "The art teacher is a Soc, and she won't let me enter."
"She can't do that!" Darry cried. "I'll go call the school-they have to have some explanation for this."
Ponyboy shook his head. "I talked to the principle as I was leaving school today. He said that Ms. Kenicks organizes the entire competition, and that he can't do anything."
Everyone in the room broke out into shouts of outrage. All except one-Steve Randle stayed quiet in thought while the rest of the Greasers swore and yelled. In the chaos, he was able to sneak out of the room unnoticed.
-:-
"Excuse me,"
The middle aged lady turned to face Steve. He saw her eyes shine with fear-she knew he was a Greaser. And she was frightened of him.
She smiled a fake smile. "Yes, son?"
"Are you Ms. Kenicks? You work at Will Rogers High, right? The art teacher?"
She visibly gulped. "Um, yes-"
"And you didn't let one of your students-Ponyboy Curtis, enter an upcoming art competition merely because of his social class?" He continued to question.
"Well, yes, but-"
"Ma'am, please listen to me. Ponyboy Curtis is one of the best kids I know. And art...art is his passion. He loves it, and he's real good at it, too. I'll do anything for you, just please let him join the competition." Steve begged.
"I can't just-" She started protesting, before stopping abruptly and giving Steve an evil grin. "Did you say anything?"
-:-
Ponyboy trudged into art class, depressed as ever. The entire school was buzzing about the competition. He even knew what he would've entered, if he could; a drawing of Sodapop's old horse, Mickey Mouse. He was sure he'd at least get third place if he even got the slightest chance to show it to the school.
"Ponyboy, can I talk to you?" The tight voice of Ms. Kenicks broke him from his thoughts. He nodded forlornly and walked to meet her.
"Listen," her icy blue eyes met his greenish-grey ones. "There's been a...change of circumstances. I've decided to allow you to enter the art competition."
Ponyboy's face lit up with a smile that had been near absent for a week. "Really!?!" He gasped. "Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, Ma'am! I won't let you down, I promise!" And after shaking her hand, he sat back down at his seat, where he drew smiley faces for the rest of the period.
-:-
Steve sighed as he adjusted his bow tie. It was going to be a long night.
He slowly walked on to the stage and introduced himself.
"Hello. I'm Steven Jacob Randle, but you can call me Steve. And tonight I'll be singing Wouldn't It Be Nice, by the Beach Boys.
He cleared his throat and started to sing. It wasn't long before the audience started getting annoyed at his horrible voice. He continued to sing throughout the high notes until the song was done.
As he finished the song, boos and jeers resonated from the audience.
"Hey!" Steve yelled into the microphone. "I know I'm not the best singer, but is all this really necessary?" A rotten tomato splattered on his clothes.
He sighed, gave the audience a rude gesture, and ran off the stage, making a noise that sounded somewhat like, "BLOOBLOOBLOOBLOOBLOO!"
He ran all the way to the Curtis house, and pounded on the door. Even though he knew that it was unlocked and that he could enter it whenever he pleased, he liked scaring his friends into thinking that his hard knocking was the police or some form of authority.
"Steve?" Sodapop gasped as he opened the door. "What happened to you?"
"Long story." Steve said. "Uh, can I spend the night?" He asked, panting.
"Sure, come in!" Soda exclaimed, letting Steve in and slamming the door shut.
"Thanks." Said Steve, breathlessly.
-:-
"Guys, look!" Ponyboy shouted as he rushed into the house. "I won the competition! First place, too!"
The house broke out into cheers and laughter. Darry and Sodapop hugged Ponyboy, who was still gripping tightly to his piece of winning artwork and the certificate that stated he'd won.
"Look!" He showed everyone the drawing. Darry got the chocolate cake out of the fridge.
" I think this calls for a celebration!"
Everyone crowded around Ponyboy to see his drawing-all except Steve.
Once everyone was presented with cake, Ponyboy presented the drawing to him. "Steve, did you see?"
Steve rolled his eyes. "Why should I care about your silly little drawing?"
Ponyboy looked hurt for a minute, before his face hardened. "You don't." He walked away to continue joining in the the celebrations.
When no one was looking, Steve gave a small smile. He had secured Ponyboy the art show, and made sure to keep his reputation of hating Ponyboy.
But if Steve really had to admit it, as much as he pretended to hate him, in his heart of hearts, he really loved the kid.

A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
STEVE RANDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Stevie, um, I mean Steven.
On another note, if you're curious what Wouldn't It Be Nice by The Beach Boys sounds like, you should look it up! I would've attached a video, but I couldn't find any good ones, because it's an old song. It's really good, though! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVE RANDLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay Gold, Tucker, Stay Gold.

Orange_Elephant a.k.a. SCR