Bloodstained Hearts
Chapter 2
Soda
I sighed as I rounded up the walk to my best friend's house. He didn't show up for his double date that he made me go on. I was fuming. I didn't want to go on this date and I only said yes to shut him up. In reality I had my eyes on a perfect girl; she haunted my head like a clingy ghost. Not that I minded. I often found myself imagining her when I was supposed to be working. Now I knew what Pony meant when he drifted in thought.
I dreamed of her running into my open arms. I dreamed of her giggle as I kissed her. I dreamed of holding her tiny frame in my arms as I played with her hair. I imagined her soft and angelic voice go on to tell me about her day. I imagined her blush as I told her how beautiful she was. Imagined her smiling that gorgeous smile she had. I hoped for a chance with her.
The thought of Katie calmed me down some. I knocked on the door. In a moment Steve stood there; one hand on the door and the other on the frame. My anger slightly came back, "where were you?" Then I noticed his knuckles were bruised. "Steve who did you kill?" I pointed at his bruises and he tried to hide them.
He sighed, "I did something to Katie's boyfriend." His eyes went wide realizing what he said.
My anger softened. Something happened to Katie? "What happened?"
"Nothing." He said looking down. "Hopefully he'll never tried talking to her again." He looked up. "Sorry about the date."
"It's okay, as long as Katie's okay."
Two weeks later I was working alongside Steve. He seemed different; I decided to leave him alone. But, today I couldn't take it.
"What happened with Katie?" I asked.
After a moment he looked at me. "I won't tell you what happened it's not my place. But Katie is shaken up."
I nodded. "Let's change the subject." t was a slow day at the DX, no customers or cars. We talked about the cars that came in for a while. "Man, you see that red stingray, that was one tuff car."
"Yeah, and that chick who brought it in wasn't bad looking either." Steve smirked as he nudged me.
Without really thinking I said, "I guess, but she's not as pretty as-" I stopped myself in the nick of time before I said Katie. I could feel a light blush creep up my cheeks as I put my head down.
"Aw, Soda has a crush." I looked up to see him smirking. "You've been holding out on me; who is she? Do I know her?"
I scratched the back of my head, I had really screwed up this time. I had never told anyone about my crush on Katie for two reasons; 1) she had a boyfriend and 2) she's Steve's little sister. The whole situation was utterly pathetic cliché. Here I was crushing on my best friend's sister and neither Steve or Katie had a clue. It's not like Katie would know, she never hung around the gang. I was actually kind of glad no one knew, but it hurt not telling my best friend something.
I finally thought of something to say, "yeah, you know her, but I'm not saying."
Steve looked really confused, "why not?"
"It's, uh, complicated." I looked down again.
Steve thought for a moment. I could see that he thought of a 'good idea' by his expression. "If you describe her I'll leave you alone."
I sighed knowing I should just get this over with, "well she's probably the sweetest girl I've ever met, and the funniest, she's got this smile that lights up a room, she's also very kind and nerdy."
Steve just waved me off, "yeah, yeah, yeah, I meant what she looks like." He crossed his arms and stared.
I sighed knowing he wouldn't give up, "Well, she's got this big green eyes and curly raven hair-"
Steve's eyes widened, "you're describing Katie."
"Surprise?" I turned my head and scrunched my face while keeping an eye open. I waited for him to punch but he just stared with his mouth agape. I soften my expression after a few moments. "Aren't you going to hit me?"
"Anyone else yeah, but you're a good guy and I can tell you really like her." He put a hand on my shoulder.
"Do you think I stand a chance with her?" I couldn't believe he wasn't trying to kill me. I mean I would flip if I had a sister and a guy admitted he liked her.
"In the future maybe, but not right now. She's really struggling right now." He looked me in the eyes and said, "the last thing on her mind is a boyfriend."
The hope that filled my chest deflated. Just thought of her sad brought me down. "Is she okay?"
"Honestly," he paused, "I don't know." I could tell he was about to go on when the door opened. We looked to Katie walking toward us. She had her arms wrapped around her torso and tears in her eyes. It broke my heart to see her this way. Steve jumped over the counter and rushed to her side, "what happened? Did Mark-"
"Dad was home." She whispered as she leaned on his shoulder. I hated seeing her sad.
I was determined to make her happy.