Inconsequential Love // Sodapop / Dallas Winston / Love Triangle

Chapter 9

A week passed. I hadn't heard or seen Soda, nor his family. I didn't hear from anyone either and spent most of my days in my room, sleeping or on occasions - drinking. I had slowed down and practically stopped once I started dating Soda, suddenly not really feeling the want to. But now, I needed something to make the time pass. I needed something to make me feel better.

The only person I had seen was Johnny. Part of me didn't want him to be here, but another part kind of welcomed the company. He seemed a little more nervous than usual, maybe not sure if he was still allowed to come here seeing as I guess I wasn't any longer apart of their group.

It stung. I went from feeling like I finally had a family to being back on my own. I had some girlfriends from school, but they were just that, school friends. We'd never hung out after and the thought of calling them made me feel kind of anxiety-ridden. I wouldn't even know what to say or do with them.

"You okay, Vee?" Johnny had asked as I slunk off back to bed, letting him spread out on the couch.

I nodded, my hair up in a messy bun. I probably had seen better days but I didn't have it in me to pretty up just because he was here. "Doing great." I told him, mustering a smile. "Breakups are just hard." I didn't want him to worry and honestly, he didn't have a reason to. I'd be fine. I just needed some time to wallow.

"Dal always says the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else." He says easily, taking his shoes off. I shoot him a look and his cheeks start to turn red. "I mean, that's what he says. Not me."

I shake my head. "Dally would say something like that. What, is that his excuse to get girls to go to bed with him?"

"Dally doesn't need an excuse to get girls to go to bed with him." Johnny laughs, and I know he's right. "Have you seen him lately?"

"Haven't seen anyone," I tell him, letting out a sigh. "Hey...can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Johnny says, stretching out onto the couch and sliding one of my blankets over him.

"How's he doing? Soda, I mean." I kind of regretted saying it as soon as it came out, but I still wanted to know, I just hated how pathetic I sounded. The only thing getting me by was the thought of him maybe missing me too, maybe regretting his dumb quick decision.

Johnny didn't say anything for a beat, then spoke up, his voice cracking. "You sure you want to know?"

I nod but realize he can't see this. I'm sitting on my bed and he's staring up at the ceiling. "Yeah, just tell me." I say, letting out a fake laugh.

"He's doing...pretty good. He seems more himself. He's smiling and laughing and joking around with me and Pony. He seems kind of happy."

I suck in a breath, feeling like a punch to my ribs. Happy. He's happy? I want to laugh but I hold it in, I hold everything in. Of course he's fine, girls come and go all the time with him. I wasn't any different from the rest of them and suddenly realizing this made me want to vomit. 

I go to reach for the vodka I have on my nightstand but stop myself, not wanting Johnny to think I care. "Has he asked about me at all?" I ask, not even sure why I'm still kidding myself.

"Not to me, but I mean, he could've asked Pony or Darry. They've asked me. Pony misses you, and actually truth be told I think Darry does too. Darry told Soda it was for the best though, after you left the day. He said he made the right choice."

I suddenly feel hate burning towards Darry but try to remind myself that he's good, that he's smart. He probably just saw how his little brother was acting and hated it too.

"I'm going to bed." I tell Johnny, rolling over. "Let me know if you need anything."

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The next day the covers were ripped off of me and I opened my eyes, annoyed, squinting. Dally was standing over me, looking down at my body in an almost pleased way. I was in shorts and a cami and I almost went to cover myself before just realizing I didn't care. He could look. I'm single now, why bother.

"Rise and shine, princess." He said, looking over at Johnny on the couch who was stirring now too.

"Did my dad let you in?" I mumble, reaching back for the blankets.

"Yeah, actually said he hadn't seen me around much. Didn't think he noticed stuff like that." He said laughing and biting his lip. "So, get up. Let's go."

"Dally, not today, okay?" I said, rolling back over.

"Yes, today. You've been in here for what, a week? Longer? It's time to join the rest of the deadbeats and get some air in your lungs."

"I don't want air in my lungs I want to sleep." I say, glaring at him now.

"Hey, Johnny cakes!" Dally says, turning his attention elsewhere. "Spent the night again?" He says, walking over to Johnny and sitting down next to him. Johnny yawns, stretches, and nods. "You're over here all the damn time kid, surprised Soda wasn't jealous of you."

Johnny lets out a snort and I roll my eyes. I go to reach for the vodka, just because I'm exhausted and don't feel like dealing with this already today, but I catch Dally's eye and drop my hand back down. "Hitting it a little early today, aren't we?"

"Oh fuck off, Dal."

He laughs and gets up, walking over to the vodka bottle and picking it up, taking a quick swig of it. "So's this what you've been doing? Laying around in bed and drinking? Doesn't sound half bad actually."

"Good, then let me resume and leave me alone." I tell him, sitting up and taking my hair out. I catch him eying me for a second and have flashbacks to Soda telling me he loved me, but I shake it off.

"Can't let you do that, sweetheart. You need to get out. I can't believe you of all people are acting like some lovesick sap over Soda. Soda!" He says, gripping my arms and shaking me. "We used to laugh at the girls that would cry over him, and now you're being one of those girls." He tells me. I'm pissed he's said that. I'm pissed he's lumped me into Sodas fan club, and I'm even more pissed that he's right.

"So what exactly did you want to do then?" I ask him.

"I'm taking you out. Breakfast. Then...I don't know, maybe we'll catch a movie or just bum around. Tonight though? Tonight I'm throwing a party. I'm throwing you a party." His grin spreads across his face wide and he looks towards Johnny, who looks excited now too.

I laugh. "Sorry, how exactly are you throwing a party?"

"Don't worry about it, doll. Just know that everyone is going to be there. Everyone except Soda." He tells me. "How does that sound, hm? Partying tonight, getting trashed, but with actual people instead of your stuffed animals.

"I don't have stuffed animals." I tell him, rubbing my head again.

"Good, I'll get you some. Let's go."