cloaked lust

chapter 9- just say yes

"Nova!" someone yelled. "Nova!!" someone yelled again. I opened my eyes and saw Johnny. "What?" I groaned.  "Get up!" he said and dragged me off the couch making me land on someone waking them up. I looked down and it was Soda. "Sorry," I said and stood up. I held out my hand to help him up and he grabbed it. "What time is it Johnnycakes?" I asked

"7:30," Johnny replied. "I gotta get ready for work," I said rubbing my forehead. "I'll see you later," I said and walked across the street and into my house. I walked upstairs and brushed my hair. I put in my bandana in and put new clothes in with my dx shirt.

I walked downstairs and grabbed a yogurt then walked out the door. I decided to walk to work to clear my head. I felt guilty for lying to Steve, but I also really like Soda. I'm afraid if he finds out we went on a date behind his back he'll make me choose between them. I'd choose Steve, I love Soda but I need my brother.

I finally got to the dx and walked inside to see Steve and Soda arguing. "Hey what's going on?" I asked. "Neither of us wanna work the register," Soda said. "I'll do it stop arguing," I said and sat in the seat at the register. "Uh Nova?" Steve said. "Steve?" I replied. "You never work the register everything ok?" He asked. "Yeah I just don't wanna hear y'all argue," I said. "Uh ok, I guess i'll do the gas pumps today," Steve said and walked out the door. "You ok?" Soda asked. "Yes I just told Steve I'm fine," I said sighing. "Alright, if you need anything holler," He said and I just nodded. I don't think he saw though.

I don't even know why i'm in a bad mood. I just think if Steve does find out that they're gonna argue that times two. I really hope that doesn't happen. "Hey! lady!" someone yelled and I looked up to see a blonde. "Sorry! how can I help ya?" I said. "Is Sodapop Curtis here?" she asked. "Uh yeah I can go get him," I said furrowing my eyebrows.

I walked to the garage and saw Soda was under a car. "Hey Curtis," I said and he slid out from under the car. "Yeah?" He asked tilting his head. "Some blonde is here for you," I said rolling my eyes. "Is someone jealous?" He said smirking and kissed my forehead. "Shut up I am not," I said. "Keep tellin' yourself that," He said and walked to the front. I trailed behind him.

"Sandy?" Soda said and my jaw dropped. I never met Sandy. I was always coincidentally gone when she was there. "T-this is Sandy?" I asked. "What's it to you?" She said. "I wouldn't have gotten Soda if I knew," I said crossing my arms. "Whatever I need to talk to you Sodapop," Sandy said turning back to Soda. "Why?" Soda asked. "Because I want you back," She said and I snickered as did Soda. "No thanks I like someone else," Soda said to her. "Who?!" she yelled causing Steve to run inside.

"That is none of your concern," Soda said. "Is it her?" she yelled pointing at me. "That's my sister," Steve said. "No, It isn't her," Soda said. "Ma'am i'm gonna have to ask you to leave you're distracting my workers," Dave said walking out. Sandy scoffed and walked out. "What was that all about?" Steve asked. "She wanted me back I dunno," Soda said. "Oh ok," Steve said and walked back out. As Soda was walking passed me he whispered "Don't worry, it is you," and walked to the garage.

~

"Steve where are you going?" I asked as he was walking out the door. "I'm staying at Evie's for a couple days," He said and Dally high fived him. "Gross," I said rolling my eyes. "Why is that all guys want?" Rory asked. "I don't know," Dally said. "It's not all guys want," Soda said. "Bull shit it is," I said. "Not every guy," He mumbled. "Keep telling yourself that," Raven said. "New topic please," Levi said. "I'm out of here," Steve said and walked out the front door.

"Hey Darry," Dally said. "What?" Darry asked looking up from the food he was mixing. "I wanna ask your permission for something," Dally said and everyone looked confused.

Dally went up and whispered something in Darrys ear and Darry nodded. Dally went up to Rory and grabbed her hand. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me?" Dally asked. "I'd love to!" Rory said. "HA SUCK IT SODAPOP GIVE ME MY MONEY," I yelled. "Damn it!" Soda said and threw a twenty dollar bill at me. "What?" Sawyer said. "I bet Dally would ask out Rory, Soda bet Rory would ask out Dally," I said. "Soda you know I would never have the guts to ask anyone out!" Rory said and we all laughed.

"Hey I think I'm gonna go on a walk just, clear my head," I said standing up. "Alright don't be to long dinners almost ready," Darry said. "Yes sir," I said and walked out the door. I walked where ever my feet took me. I didn't care. I ended up at the park. I got up on the monkey bars and just stared at everything around me. I didn't know why I was so stressed. It's just a little crush I can't take it any further even if I so deeply want to.

Why can't love just be easy? I don't know why it has to be so damn complicated all the time. But when I'm with Soda, it feels as if everything around me is frozen. Like we're the only two people in the world. I always feel complete around him, yet I feel so guilty always lying to my brother. I don't know what I'm gonna do anymore.

"Hey," Someone said and touched my shoulder causing me to jump and almost fall. They grabbed my arm so I didn't fall and I turned to see Soda. I sighed and repositioned myself on the monkey bars. "Sorry didn't mean to make you almost fall," He said smiling. "It's ok," I said smiling slightly. "Everything ok? you've been off today," He said putting an arm around my shoulder.

"I'm sorry I've just been thinking a lot today," I said laying on his shoulder. He laid his head on mine and said "Don't apologize it's ok," "Whats got you upset?" He asked. "Oh nothing i'm alright," I said. "I wanna ask you something," He said. "What is it?" I asked. "I know we've only been out once, but, will you be my girlfriend?" He asked. "I- uhm," I stuttered and sighed. I want this more than anything. "Yes," I said.

(Word count: 1,159)