Sophie And Lane

Chapter 4

Sophie's POV

I hadn't been waiting long when I saw a guy enter the bus station.  His brown hair was the same shade as mine.  He was tall.  He walked toward me with a cocky, arrogance about him.  I stood and swung my backpack over my shoulder, "Hey Sophie; it's, uhh, been a long time," he raked his hand through his hair as he stumbled over his words.

"Yeah, a few years," I mumble.  This was totally awkward.

"Umm, yeah, c'mon," he started walking away.  Damn, he had long legs.  I had to practically run to keep up with him.  I followed him to the car and silently got in.  "So, I can't take ya home...the ole man kicked me out...again."

Guess this won't be better than Houston, I thought to myself, "Ok."

"Don't worry, we can go to Soda's house.  We can stay the night there until tomorrow.  They ain't gonna mind."  He put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot.  "So, whaddya doin' here, by yourself?"

"Ma got remarried," I didn't even attempt to hide the bitterness in my voice.  "Douche Canoe didn't want me, so she put me on a bus.  I thought she would have least called and said I was comin'."  I snarled, "guess I should be grateful that she wrote down your phone number."  He didn't say anything and I didn't continue.  We drove through the quiet streets of Tulsa.  We crossed the tracks and I quickly noticed the houses becoming more run down.  He pulled the car in front of a house with a rusted chain link fence and a broken gate.  The railing on the porch was broken.  "We're just gonna barge in?" I hissed.

He smirked at me, "yup, doors always open."  He opened the door with a creak and led me inside.  The house small, but clean.  There was a couch and an arm chair in the living room, "kitchen's there if you're hungry, bathrooms down the hall."

I silently made my way toward the bathroom.  I changed into my pj pants and a tank top.  I brushed my teeth and put my hair up in a messy bun.  Once I finished up, I headed back out to the living room when I heard a voice say sharply, "Who the hell are you?" 

I jumped and spun to see a girl about my age.  She was a little shorter than me, but not much.  She had shoulder length blonde hair and the darkest blue eyes.  "Sophie Randle.  My brother brought me here." I spoke coldly.

She sized me up, "since when does Steve have a sister."

"Since I was born." I snarkily replied.  I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes.  "Who are you?"

Lane's POV

"Lane," I spoke in the same tone, "why'd Steve bring you here?"

"Something bout the ole man kicking him out." She drawled.  She wasn't from around here.  I could tell by the thick accent.  "Look, he's in the living room. Go ask em yourself."

I pushed passed her and headed into the living room, "Steve!" I barked loudly.  I was hoping to wake up Soda, "the broad say she's your sister."

"She is," he was annoyed, "keep it down, kid, you're gonna wake your brothers."

I looked over from Sophie to Steve.  There was definite family resemblance, "what happened to your face?"

"Walked into a door."

I rolled my eyes, "I'm sure," but I kinda felt bad for her.  She's obviously been hurt AND she's related to Steve.  "You wanna sleep in my room?  It's more comfortable than the couch, but ya gotta sleep on the top bunk."

She shrugged but started to walk down the hall.  I went into the kitchen and made her a sandwich just in case she was hungry.  "Laney," Steve stood in the doorway, "thanks for letting Soph stay in your room."

I handed him the plate and grabbed a glass of water, "just remember this next time I need a favor."  We went back to my room.  Steve handed Sophie the sandwich, which she practically devoured.

Steve put a hand on her shoulder, "night Sophie.  We'll talk more in the morning."  He went back to the living room.

I crawled into bed and Sophie climbed up the ladder to the top bunk, "how long you in town for?" I asked.  I was curious about her.

"A long time," she sounded bitter, "I don't think I'll be welcomed back home anytime soon.

"Yeah," I got the feeling that Sophie's mom was just like Steve's dad.  Why did my parents get taken? I thought to myself.  My parents wanted us, loved us, actually gave a shit about us and they're dead.  Johnny's parents beat the tar outta him, Dal's dad doesn't care about him at all.  No one knows where his mom is.  Two-Bit's dad walked out on him, his mom, and his sister.  Steve's dad beats him up and kicks him out whenever he's drunk. 

"The big guy upstairs is a twisted asshole." I muttered angrily.

From the top bunk I heard, "totally agree."