Scars | Johnny Cade Fanfic

11 - Jealousy

Triggers: Swearing

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It took Tru quite a while to cope with the news of her mom. Right when her life couldn't get an better, life hit her was something to deal with. Life does that sometimes. It can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. None the less, you have to get through the rough times and focus on the good in the situation. Tru didn't see any good in this.

Mrs. Trumen told her eleven year old daughter to not tell anyone, not wishing to worry them, and that they would tell everyone soon. The only people that knew about this was the Curtis parents, and Mr. Trumen of course.

It was one of the hardest secrets she'd ever kept. Usually, if something bothered Tru, she would tell the boys (especially Darry) to comfort her. But that wasn't an option. 

The child was scared. Nervous. Miserable, and ever so confused. She often asked questions, skimming each one through her head, trying to find an answer, but always failing.

What are the symptoms?
How much time does my mom have left?
Is there a cure for cancer?
Will my mom survive it?

"You okay, Tru?" The sweet, thirteen year old, Sodapop, asked. She had been sitting on the couch, pillow in lap, reminiscing at the Curtis' house. 

"Huh?" She asked off guard, snapping her head up. When she realized it was just the boy, she started back. "Oh. Hey Soda. Yeah, I'm fine."

"Listen, Tru. I've known you for 'bout my whole life. I know you enough to see you aren't fine. You've been quiet, and spend most of your time on this couch, or at your house in your room." He pleaded to Tru once more. "Please, whatever it is, you can trust me. You can trust the gang."

Tru looked at him closely. She knew she couldn't tell. Her mom said not to. But the secret was almost eating her alive, and all she wanted was to tell someone she knew would comfort her. Tears rode down her cheeks as she contemplated whether to tell Soda or not.

"I just-" Tru's voice cracked. "I-" She tried once more but couldn't speak. If she attempted again, she knew she would start to cry, so she just sat there, putting her head back, and looked at the ceiling so the tears wouldn't fall out.

"Tru..." Soda said calmly, rubbing her arm. "If- if it's that bad, you don't have to say anything now. Tell me when your ready. Okay, kiddo?"

Tru looked at the boy, nodding her head. He then held his arms out, and pressed Tru against his warm chest. He tightly hugged her for quite a while before letting go. He knew she was going through something, and if she didn't want to tell him, she didn't have to. Soda just wanted her to know that he was always there for her.

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Tru's POV 

Friday 3:57 p.m.

It had been about three days since we told the gang about Sandy, and Soda was getting better every single day. On Sunday, it would be Christmas Eve, and Monday would be the actual holiday. This meant that Pony, Johnny, Two-Bit, and I had a full week of no school because of winter break, and I was as excited as ever!

I just finished work at the DX, and I was walking back to the Curtis' house with Johnny and Pony. Two-Bit had left us to a high school party the 'popular kids' go to, so we had no choice but to leave him. 

"Hey guys!" Pony suddenly said mid-way through our conversation. "Christmas is coming up, so should go out and buy some presents for the gang?"

"Good idea." Johnny adds, his face brightened. Christmas was his favorite holiday, and every single time it rolled near on the calendar, he beamed. I think his favorite part of the time was giving gifts to everyone. "Let's go to that thrift store down the street. Heard they got everything. What's it called again, Pony?"