Sophie And Lane

Chapter 14

Sophie's POV

Nobody said a word as Darry cleaned my cuts.  I couldn't even look at him.  It's my fault Lane was so sick.  They all hate me.  When Darry was done, he went into the kitchen and handed me a glass of water.  "Thanks," I was all raspy from crying.

"Soph," Darry ran his through his hair, obviously uncomfortable, "I'm trying to comprehend what is going through yours and Lane's head."

I shrugged, keeping my head down, "I dunno."

Pony put his arm around me, "will you stop? I'm scared for you...and Lane." He added as an afterthought.

"I don't think I can." I whispered, "it'd be like askin' you to quit smoking.  I need to do it."

"But why?" Darry implored, "what are you getting out of it?"

"I don't know."  I could tell Darry was getting perplexed, "it makes me feel better.  I can't explain it."  I got up and went into Lane's room.  She was sleeping again.  I climbed onto the top bunk, curled up into a ball, and cried myself to sleep.

Steve's POV

I stormed out of the house, slamming the door as hard as I could.  When Soph said she needed to tell me something, I figured she got in some kinda trouble.  When she rolled up her sleeves, I felt like the wind got knocked outta me, then her legs and stomach; I saw red.

The last straw was hearing that her and Lane had a pact.  I dragged her over to the Curtis's and made her tell them.  I screamed at her, shoved her away from me.  I walked out on her, just like everyone else in her life, I thought miserably. 

"Steve," Soda snapped me out of my thoughts, "you ok?"

"No.  I'm pissed and I ain't sure if I'm more pissed at Soph, Lane, or myself."  I buried myself deeper into my hoodie.  I was so mad when I left, I forgot to grab my coat.

"I get it," he said, falling in step with me, "I'm scared too."

I glared him, "I'm not scared, I'm angry."

Soda let out a dark chuckle, "ok...I'll let you think that."

We walked around the block a few times before we felt cooled of enough to go home.  I lit a cigarette and handed one to Soda, he took it without hesitation.  "What are we gonna do Soda?"

"I don't know Stevie," that worried me, Soda had an answer for everything.

Darry's POV

I checked on the girls, both were sleeping soundly.  Lane's arm looked a little better than it did a yesterday.  I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that Sophie and Lane were hurting themselves on purpose.  Before I knew what I was doing, I picked up the phone and called our social worker.  I was in over my head.  I knew my sister needed help, but I had no idea where to start.

"Hello?" She answered.  She always sounded annoyed.

"Mrs. Waterton?  This is Darrel Curtis.  I need to speak with you.  It's about Lane."