Fearless | Sodapop Fanfiction | The Outsiders (Editing)

Chapter 14 | "Talk to Me"

When I started the cheer competitions was when I stopped eating when I was stressed. I started the competitions when I turned thirteen. I noticed that I was never hungry the night before. Even multiple nights in a row.

I was always stressed during those times and it took me a few months to notice the pattern. I knew it was because of my parents. If I didn't do good, they would beat me, overwork me, and much else.

Ever since, stress has taken a big toll on me, no matter what it is. I guess I never recovered and it's a possibility I may never will. It's tough, but I have to live with it.

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The next morning, I slept in much later than usual and it took me a while to get ready. Soda and Steve were for once, egging me on to get ready.

I barely did anything other than changing. I brushed my hair and put it in a lazy ponytail. I was just too tired.

At the DX, I was helping Steve fix cars. I would pass him tools and check things out. I was really good at knowing what was wrong. I couldn't fix it very well, but I could tell what needed to be done.

I had trouble staying awake and Steve was starting to notice. He kept glancing over at me while I was struggling to keep my eyes open.

"Are ya alright, Will?" He finally asked.

"Just a little...tired." I said, half trailing off from exhaustion. I started to feel nauseous again.

"I need to use the bathroom." I lied, getting up to go inside, but as I got up, I fell back down. Steve dropped what he was doing and I blacked out as he ran over to me.

*Steve's POV*

Willow got up to use the bathroom, so I was focusing on the car. The brakes kept jamming so I was trying to fix it. I heard something fall and I looked over to see Will barely conscious.

"Shit." I muttered quietly as I dropped the tools and ran over to her. She had completely blacked out at that point and I didn't know what to do.

"Will?" I asked, but she wouldn't wake up.

"Soda!" I called. I knew he would have a solution. He always has a solution.

He said he dropped out of school because he was 'dumb' and needed to help Darry anyway. The truth is, he isn't. He is really smart when he puts his mind to something. I always pick on him, calling him 'stupid' and stuff, but I don't mean it. I pick on him because we are buddies.

Soda ran out of the DX shop and his face turned to shock. He ran over, picking up Will and leaning her against the building.

"Bud, what happened?" Soda asked.

"I dunno, she just passed out." I replied. I saw her eyes flutter and I knew she was about to wake up.

*Willow's POV*

I opened my eyes and I saw Steve and Soda in front of me. Soda immediately bombarded me with questions. I didn't have the brain function to answer. To be honest, I barely heard the questions, I just knew they were questions.

"Give the girl some space, would ya?" Steve asked.

They both helped me into the DX. Steve needed to hurry up on the car so we let him go. Soda sat me down in the back.

"Will, I know you're stressed out, but ya gotta eat somethin'." Soda said. I was surprised he was able to catch on that quickly.

"Soda, don't ya understand? I can't. No matter what I do, I just can't eat." I said.