not another story about love...

chapter 2

Sophia's POV

for both my and Sime's sake, i call the school, and before i even explain, the principal is giving us a few days off, to mourn and pull ourselves together once again, as he can hear Sime still sobbing steadily in the background. i thank him, then hang up. "Simon, I know crying feels good, but it doesn't do anything in the end." Simon nods, wiping his face on his hoodie sleeve. i sit up in his lap, gently tucking my head under his chin, my back to his chest. he loosely wraps his arms around me and we sit there for a few more minutes, just peacefully listening to the birds outside, and staring off into space. surprisingly, it's him who puts us in action.

Simon's POV

i gently stand up, pushing Soph off my lap; she also stands up looking at me questioningly. "well, you said you wanted to go see her, right?" Soph nods, her ears and buns bobbing as she does. "well, let's pack some food and see if we can find the wagon, alright?" Soph nods, and, now given a purpose, digs through the fridge, looking for food. i walk into the small garage, where my old beat-up Harley is and Soph's 10-speed mountain bike sits, still upside-down, in need of tire reinflating.

~~flashback~~
i look up at Mom as she pulls me in the wagon neither of us thought would fit me anymore, having been 5 the last time I rode in it, 15 now. me and her are laughing away as she pulls me around the backyard, Soph and Dad inside, most likely working on a puzzle together or reading the first book of The Hunger Games for the millionth time.
suddenly, my world is jarred as I think if this as the last time is saw everybody, in my mind, as one cohesive unit. after this, things started to fall apart, and Dad left Mom to take care of both of us.
~~end of flashback~~

Simon's POV

i smile sadly at the memory, then begin to walk around, poking in corners, looking for the worn wagon, eventually pulling it out of the tangles of a few pieces of netting, used to repair window screens. Sophia chooses this perfect moment to show up, holding two paper lunch sacks and a thermos.

Sophia's POV

i look at Simon as he holds up the wagon, beaming, as if this is the solution to all our problems. i laugh, then walk over to him, lightly tousling his hair. "put it down Bro, or else I'll be carrying these all day!" Simon sets the wagon on the cement garage floor. i carefully set the lunches into it, then pull out my wallet and set it in there. "if you're gonna ask what that's for, it's so we can buy mom some flowers." Simon nods, then grabs my hand with his, squeezing it gently. i take the handle of the wagon in my other hand, then walk out if the garage door, and into the sunlight.