Inconsquential Love ((Part Two))

Part 11

I don't answer Dally because I don't know what answer to give him. He's looking down at me, waiting for me to say something and I'm standing there like an idiot, completely dumbfounded. Was he being serious? Was this really happening?

I hear a commotion inside and turn, looking toward the funeral parlor and back to Dally. "I have to-" Before I can finish I see Johnny rushing to the front door, clearly looking for me. I take another look at Dally, whose thick brows bunched together, troubled clearly by my lack of an answer to him spilling his heart out here. I open my mouth and then close it again as I gently slip out of his grasp. I walk off, honestly a little relieved I have an out right now. "What is it? What's going on?" I ask Johnny as I grab his arm, whispering. "Tell me Soda didn't-"

"No, no it's not Soda. It's Steve's mom." Johnny says as we round the corner. I can hear a woman yelling and as I enter the room I see Darry standing with Soda placed protectively behind him as this women, who I can only assume is Mrs. Randall, tries desperately to grab at Soda all the while yelling incoherent words of sadness. Darry's holding her back and Soda looks absolutely heartbroken. "She blamed Soda. For Steves's death." Johnny whispers to me and I stare at him in disbelief. "It's not his fault. He didn't do anything." Johnny tells me quickly. "But I think that's what's bothering her. He wasn't there. He didn't do anything, he didn't stop-"

I move from Johnny now to Soda, pushing myself through the onlookers and grabbing onto his arm, pulling him away while she still goes on. "Soda, come on, let's go." I tell him. Partially because he didn't need to hear this and partially because we clearly weren't wanted here anymore. Soda tries to linger for a second as if there's anything he can actually do for this women but Pony's with me now and we both usher him away. 

I spot Dally at the back of the room with Johnny and the two look up as we pass. I want to tell Dally I'll get back to him, let him know, but it just feels so weird I can't bring myself to even fully look at him as we pass. 

We make it to Pony's car as Soda takes out a cigarette and puffs at it anxiously, hands shaking.

 "Man, that was something else." Pony says, breaking the awkward silence.

I stand close to Soda, rubbing my hand on his back in an attempt to soothe him. I can't imagine what he's going through, losing your best friend and then getting yelled at because you weren't there. It must be eating him up inside. 

Soda deserved so much more than this. Soda deserved everything.

He reaches out for me, looping his arm around me as I duck inside his embrace and put my head against his chest. "We're all a little tense today. Try not to think about it too much, Soda." I say gently. "She's just in pain and doesn't know what she's saying."

Soda doesn't answer and I look at Pony, both of us kind of still shaken. After a couple of minutes Darry comes out, looking exhausted and beat. He smooths down his suit as he sees us and comes over, taking Soda away from me quickly and talking to him - their heads close in hushed whispers. I know he's probably telling him not to listen to her, not to blame himself. He was like his father and he was protective as all hell of his brothers. I could trust him to help.

Two walks over as well and gives us a head nod. I smile weakly. "How's he holding up?"

"How are any of us?" Pony answers. "I think it's time to get out of here. Where we meeting up after?"

"Dals." Two says easily. Of course. It made sense. Free location. Perfect for everyone. I sigh quietly, just wanting to head back home and forget this day even happened. Dally and Johnny are nowhere to be seen so they must still be inside together, I'm sure Dallys filling him in.