Sophie And Lane

Chapter 18

Sophie's POV

I was already awake when Steve came in to get me. I hardly slept a wink. Lane and I had to say goodbye yesterday. We both cried. It was hard to imagine not seeing Lane for 60 days.

I, slowly, got dressed. I threw on my favorite tank top, my black leggings and my gray hoodie. I stuffed my feet into my black converse, grabbed my duffle and headed out to the car.

"What are you guys doing here?" I was shocked to see Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny in the car.

"Figured we'd go for a road trip!" Two-Bit whooped.

"Yeah, to the fuckin nut house..." I muttered sarcastically, "you sure you wanna go, Two? They may admit you too."

Two-Bit grabbed his chest, "your words cut me like 1,000 knives."  He fell to his knees, pretending to sob.

I looked at Steve, who rolled his eyes the same time I did, "yeah, you definitely belong in the looney bin."

"Or circus," Dally barked out laughing.

The car ride was long and boring.  I sat in between Johnny and Dally.  We smoked, messed around, annoyed Steve...we basically did anything we could to pass the time.  Eventually, I laid my head on Johnny's shoulder.  I was so tired and he was comfortable.

"Soph, wake up, we're here." Johnny nudged me gently.

I bolted up right, "Steve," I pleaded, "please don't make me do this."  I started crying.

To everyone's surprise, it was Dally who threw an arm around me, "listen to me, kid.  I've done a lot of stupid shit in my life.  I've drank and smoked myself into oblivion.  I've gone to jail more times than I can count.  This cutting thing that you an' Lane are doin', that scares the shit outta all of us!"  He stepped out of the car, "if I can handle 6 months in jail, you can handle 60 days in here."

We walked up the stairs to the receptionist, "Sophie Randle.  Guess I'm checking in?"

The receptionist stood up, "let's go to your room, then the doctor will come see you."  She led us down one of the 3 hallways.  "This is your room."  She opened the door and we stepped in.  There was another girl in there, "Rose, this is Sophie, you're new roommate.  See if you can keep this one around, ok?"

Rose blew a large pink with her gum, "yeah, ok."  She sized me up, "Whaddya in for?"

I folded my arms, "what's it to ya?"  Rose had hazel eyes and dark blonde hair.

"Just wanna know if you're normal crazy, or bat shit crazy."  She gestured toward the guys, "these your body guards."

"My brother and some friends."  We stared each other down.  "What're you in for?"

"Don't worry about it."

Two-Bit barked outta laugh, "they're gonna get along just fine." 

A knock at the door startled me.  A tall woman with wavy blond hair walked in, "Rose, you should be in group." She had a no nonsense tone about her.

"Heard that I was getting a new roomie, thought I'd make sure she settled in." She turned toward me, "I'll show ya where everything is later."

"Hi, Sophie, I'm Dr. Coulter," she shook my hand, "and you all are?"

"My brother Steve, and my friends Dally, Two-Bit, and Johnny."

"Your Mom or Dad didn't come with you?"

"Doubt they even know I'm here."

"Well, this puts us in a tricky spot," Dr. Coulter continued, "see I cannot enroll you in the program with the consent of a parent or legal guardian."

"Really?!" I asked hopefully.

"What if you got a verbal consent, over the phone?" Dally asked.  I glared at him.

"That would work," the doctor looked at me, "I can tell she needs to be here."

Steve, Dally, and Dr. Coulter walked away to go get consent.  Two-Bit opened my bag, "we better get you unpacked, kiddo."

I sank into the bed, trying not to cry, "fine."