Inconsquential Love ((Part Two))

Part 9

SODA'S P.O.V.

I flick on the light to the apartment and Vera follows in behind. She didn't say anything the entire drive over, and I didn't try to get her to talk. I can't imagine what this must feel like to her. After seeing her and Dal I'm sure there's something going on there that I'm not quite sure I can grasp or understand.

My heart goes out to her as I watch her slump down onto the couch, staring aimlessly at the wall, lost in thought. I cared about her. She was my friend, and I hated seeing her like this because of him - again. I wish she could just let him go, forget about him, but I guess that's what I was always hoping for back then too.

I slump down next to her, offering her a smile. "That was pretty intense back there, huh?" I say, offering conversation in case she wanted to talk. She has some smears of eyeliner under her big brown eyes and I resist the urge to smudge it away and clean it for her. She's still so beautiful it hurts.

"He tried to kiss me." She says, barely looking at me now and more just talking into the air. "And he's getting married."

I nod, listening, trying to be there for her now. I didn't need us to pick up where we left off, it wasn't something I was striving for when she first appeared. Seeing her again was nice. Scratch that, okay it was amazing, but it didn't enter my head to try again. Years had passed. I hardly knew her now, right? I was just happy to be able to talk to her again. Dally though...I guess Dally never really let it go either. Or he just thought he could have whatever he wanted, that's usually how Dally works. I'd see him flirt with girls at the bar and before I know it he'd be walking them out somewhere to do god knows what. It was almost too easy for him. "You know, Dally's just being Dally." I try to offer her encouragement. "If he didn't try to be with you it'd be out of character for him, he tries to get with everyone." I say, laughing now. I don't think this helps though.

"Soda." She asks, finally turning her attention to me now. "You got any alcohol around here?" 

I smile, because of course I do. I get up and go to the cabinet, stealing a glance to make sure she's not looking, and I open it to look back at nothing but liquor. It was one of the few things I always had to make sure I had supply of. 

I grab a bottle and two glasses and sit down next to her but she takes the cap off and puts the whole thing to her lips, chugging. I let out a low whistle when she finally puts it back onto the table and wipes her mouth, smearing her lipstick as she does so.

I'm already a little wasted but I could definitely drink more so I pick the bottle up too, not using a glass either and giving her a little cheers before I put it to my lips. When I put it back down I glance at her, drenched and a mess and looking like she's out of it. Still in disbelief I guess. "You know, you could stay here tonight." I tell her.

I stand up and pull my wet shirt off over my head, slinging it onto the chair by the door. "I could give you clothes of mine to change into. Sure you'd look good in 'em. Plus it's not like you haven't already stayed here before."

She gives me a small smile and nods, staring at me. Her eyes go down to my torsoe and I feel myself get hot. "I think I'd like that, Soda. I don't...I don't want to be alone tonight." 

"Gimmie just a second, okay?" I ask her while I go off into my room and pull an old band tee out of my drawer and some pajama pants for her. I walk back into the room and she stands up, taking the clothes from my hand. She hesitates for a moment, then slowly lifts her arms up over her head and throws her wet shirt to the floor.

Her bra is soaked through too and I can see the full outline of her breasts, her nipples erect and showing through the fabric. I swallow a lump in my throat, unable to take my eyes off of her. "Vera..." I start, trying to tell her she doesn't have to do this - this wasn't why I asked her to come back here.