#...hehehe

Eventually the conversation between the Shepard brothers and the Curtises calmed down after Soda and Tim both talked their ears off, making fun of the two kids for being stupid and getting caught.

Thankfully, they weren't caught by no cops or socs yet.

“What are you doin' anyways, Curtis?” Tim Shepard leaned over the counter, pointing to a pack of cigarettes on the wall.

Soda didn't even have to ask what he was pointing to, he just grabbed them and checked them out for Tim, sliding them over to him. “Well, I'm supposed ta be workin'.” He grinned, glancing the three over accusingly.

Ponyboy huffed, now sitting behind the counter after being put in what Soda referred to as "time-out", when in reality it was just a second for him to sit and cool off from running around so much outside. “Ain't our fault Tim dunno when to save it fer later.”

“Ey! Don't make me come over there, boy. I'll pop you one if Soda's too damn scared to do it.” Tim glared at Ponyboy. He wouldn't actually. Maybe.

Soda giggled, before picking up the next note, and then his face slowly dropped. His brows furrowed and his face grew taut. Ponyboy looked over, noticing the quick shift in his mood.

“Hmm?”

“Uh. I'm gonna, run out for a bit. Apparently Steve's ran off somewhere and mighta got hurt. I'll– can you guys keep watch on the store for me? Lottie will be coming in, here in like—” Soda was grabbing his keys and his other things from behind the counter. “—30 minutes if less. So, you shouldn't need to bug around long. Just– uh. Yeah.”

Tim raised an eyebrow but said nothing, he just lit his cigarette. “Yeah, I'll babysit. Ain't nothin' I ain't used to.” He pushed Curly again, nearly knocking him into a shelf.

Soda smiled at the interaction, before running out the door. “Be back in a bit!”

Well you know what they say about facing your fears.

You just went and made a new dinosaur?