Fold (Dallypop)

Chapter Four: The Art of Exhaustion

(Soda's POV)

It was just around closing time at the DX and I was dying. Why did it have to be so hot out? I groaned as I leaned over the counter.

Steve put his arm under my shoulders and lifted me up off of the counter.

"Tired, sleep, hot..." I mumbled.

"I know Soda, we're going home soon." Steve replied calmly.

I was sweating and it was hard to stand. I just wanted to close my eyes and take a big, long sleep. Steve walked me out of the DX and laid me down on a bench. He sighed and sat down next to me.

Steve lit a cigarette and took a couple puffs out of it. I forgot that Steve smoked, I had rarely seen him do it.

"Gimme..." I reached out to Steve.

I wanted that cigarette, maybe it would help me feel better.

"No. Not in a million years, buddy." Steve replied, moving his hand farther away from me.

I whined tiredly. Followed by a yawn. I turned my body so I laid on my back.

It was a nice quiet night and everything seemed still. My eyes closed subconsciously, I felt myself sink into the bench. My mind went back to earlier, the conversation Steve and I had in the truck, Dally smiling at me. Dally...

I woke up to a shaky world. I was laid down across some seats. I was in a vehicle? I yawned, seeing Steve in the driver's seat. I reached out for him but I fell back from my terrible balance. I hit the back of the seat, with a soft boom.

"Ugh..." I mumbled.

"A little beat, ain't ya?" Steve asked with a laugh.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Steve was driving? Wasn't this Darry's truck? Oh he would be pissed if he saw Steve driving his truck.

It took me longer than I'd like to admit to realize that we weren't moving. We were still at the DX. Why? No clue.

"Stevie, where's Darry?" I asked with a hoarse voice.

I cleared my throat and repeated, "where's Darry?"

"He got out, told me to keep an eye on ya." Steve shrugged.

***

We had to be sitting there for a good ten minutes before Darry came back. He didn't come back with anything, which made me a wee bit suspicious.

Darry opened the driver side door.

"Steve, get out." He said sternly.

Steve took a quick glance at me before stepping out of the truck. Darry took his place as Steve walked around to the other side. He was in the passenger seat, with me in the middle.

Darry seemed upset... no upset wasn't the right word. What's a word that combines sad and mad? Smad. Yeah, Darry looked smad.

"C'mon, lighten up Darry, we're going home!" I exclaimed, punching Darry lightly on the shoulder.

He didn't take it too lightly. Darry glared at me with cold eyes. What was up with him. His focus quickly went back to the road as he started the truck.

"What's wrong, Darry?" I asked, no answer. Not even a glance.

"Darry-" My tone went softer.

"Soda, stop." Steve warned as he put a hand on my shoulder.

"Oh..." I mumbled quietly, "okay..."

The rest of the drive was quiet. No one spoke. As soon as Darry parked in our driveway I pushed Steve out of his door and quickly followed him out.

I ran inside, my hand gripping to the collar of my DX shirt. I turned into the kitchen and looked at the clock above the stove. 10:00pm!? It was so late.

I went right to mine and Pony's room. I was exhausted. Pony wasn't in bed yet, that was weird. But I didn't have time to worry. As soon as I collapsed on the bed I felt tears run down my face.

I curled into a ball and sobbed into the pillows. Darry ignored me, he looked at me as if he hated me. I didn't want him to hate me. As I began to cry, I fell asleep almost immediately.