I woke up to Johnny shaking me. I have work to today and he has school. I walked into the bathroom and showered, died off, lotioned, brushed my hair and teeth, and then I braided my hair.
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I put my robe on and walked into mine and Darry's room to get dressed for work.
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Once I was dressed, I walked to the kitchen where everyone else was and got a plate of eggs and bacon. I sighed and put my plate on the counter, got a glass of chocolate milk and took my two pills. Once they were swallowed, I took my plate and glass to the table to join the others. I had my shoes and brace on so I am ready for work, I am just waiting to see what Soda will be rushing around for today. There is always something my twin is rushing around looking for.
"Ya ready for work Ro?" Soda asks. I just nod my head and keep eating.
Once I am done, I wash and dry my dishes and walk over to Pony and Johnny who are waiting for Two-Bit at the door. I kiss Johnny and hug my youngest brother. "Bye Nikki! Have fun at work!" the two of them yell as I walk to the truck. I turn and look over my right shoulder yelling, "Have a great day at school!".
Darry walked out a moment later and sat in the driver's seat, I am in the passenger seat and we are waiting for Soda and Steve. "Hurry up Soda and Steve were going to be late!" I yelled. That got their butts moving.
"We're coming, we're coming" Steve said hoping in the bed of the truck with Soda.
The boss isn't coming in today, leaving Steve, Soda, and I in charge. I went to the back of the shop to the garage and started working on cars, I was surprised when Soda started working on cars. Usually Steve is back working on cars with me, so I was surprised by the change.
"Why are you back here?" I asked my brother.
"Need a change, also Evie is here." Soda said shortly.
"Okay." I replied, still not getting his real reason he is back here.
With that I went to one of the cars and began working in silence. It wasn't awkward, it was a comfortable silence. Sure, Soda is acting weird, but that doesn't mean working in the same space has to be. It has been a few hours and my wrist hurts and I can hardly move it, so I took 2 ibuprofen and went to the cash register to switch Steve.
"Hey Steve, can we switch places. My wrist hurts and I can't move it." I ask holding up my right wrist.
"Yeah, we can switch. Just be careful out here, watch out for Socs. Hey, do you know what Soda's deal is?". Steve replied.
"No, I don't. He is acting really weird and is giving short answers. Maybe he will talk to you more than he did me." I said.
I went to get a drink from the break room and then made my way to stool at the register. It is kind of slow today, I helped a few people, but most of the time I just sat there bored. Soon I feel asleep because the next thing I know is my twin is shaking me awake saying that is lunch break.
"Rows, is it that boring out here that it put you to sleep?" Steve asks jokingly.
"Shut up." I said and shoved him to the side, causing him to stumble.
The two were busying laughing and Soda was really quiet, to quiet. Steve noticed, but we didn't say anything. We locked up the store and flipped the sign in the door to say "at lunch, be back soon", and then walked to the Dingo. After eating, we went back to work and Soda and I switched spots. Steve and I finished up the cars that were in the shop and swept and closed the doors. We still had an hour left, so we helped restock shelves and swept in the store. We locked up the place when we were done and walked home.
I changed out of my work clothes into
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and left my braid in. Everyone is here, including Darry. I am curled up to Johnny on the couch, Pony is doing his homework at the table so Darry can keep an eye on him, Darry is starting dinner, Steve and Two-Bit are wrestling, Dally is asleep in Darry's chair, and Soda is in his room.
"I will be right back" I whispered to Johnny, getting up and going to the kitchen.
"Hey Darry? Do you know what is up with Soda? Is has been acting weird all day, he is quiet, gives short answers, he is just off." I whispered to Darry, while hugging him from the side. I whispered because I don't want anyone to hear, mostly Soda.
"No, I don't but I will keep an eye on that kid though. It must be something serious if he is distant. I know your worried and concerned, but right now just try not to think about it too much okay?" Darry whispered back.
I nodded my head and he kissed my head before I went back and curled up with Johnny. About an hour later was done and everyone was at the table expect for Soda. Darry went to get him from his and Pony's room, so I don't know what he was doing. After a while the gang left, so it was just us siblings and Johnny. Soda was sitting on the couch on the other end from me, Pony and Johnny were having a smoke and Darry was reading the paper. Soda had a letter in his hand.
"What's the matter Bubby?" I asked.
Soda just stood up and threw it on the coffee table and sprinted out the door. Darry and I looked at each other before we took off, Pony and Johnny stayed on the porch. I was faster than Darry, so I tackled him to the ground. Darry was a few seconds behind me, so he stopped, seeing us on the ground.
"Why would she do that?" Bubby asked.
"Why would she do what? Who is she?" Darry asked him.
"Sandy, she-she cheated on me and got pregnant. She moved to Florida to live her grandma. What did I do wrong? Was it me?" Bubby cried.
"Bubby, you are one of the most caring, fun, loving, loyal, and friendliest people I know. Anyone girl would be lucky to have you as their boyfriend, to call you theirs. You shouldn't have to cry over someone that never cared, you are way better than her, there could be someone just like you out there. Someone who loves cars, spending time with people they love. It will get better, I promise one day you will find the right girl." I said hugging Soda tight.
Once Soda calmed down we walked back home, well Darry and Soda did, I was on Soda's back pretending he was my horse. I would yell "faster" and "don't drop me". That letter must be why he was distant all day. I'm just glad be got that figured out. Soda put me down when we got inside the house, Pony and Johnny were already in bed. The three of us changed and went to bed, I kept my Mickey Mouse shirt on and I changed into sweats and laid down in mine and Darry's room.
