Disclaimer i own nothing but Em,Matt ,Erick and Claire so far
ok everyone that likes this story i will be putting up all the chapter i have done so far beacuse i'm moveing very soon i will be stay at my husbands grandparents for awhile and will not be able to get any writeing done and then i'm driveing across the country so it will be a while till i update again
Crash
Two days had passed since Em's birthday and much to Em's disappointment, Claire was leaving the next day. Em had hoped she would stay longer. Such a short time was not enough. She missed the girl time with her best friend. However, Claire had things she needed to do and could not stay.
Em and Claire were sitting outside on the front step. The two were just talking when Erick opened the front door and peeked out at them. "Hey Em's, phone," He said, gesturing behind him towards the phone.
Em got up off the grass wiping her hands on her pants. She shrugged her shoulders at Claire's curious glance and walked in the house. "Who is it?" She asked looking at her brother.
"It's Kathy," He answered before turning away from her and disappearing into the kitchen.
Em shook her head and walked over to the phone. She picked it up, "Hey Kathy," She greeted before sitting down on the chair next to the phone.
"Oh Em! I am so sorry that I missed your birthday! I feel so bad, like I am a terrible friend for missing it," Kathy confessed. From the tone in her voice, Em could tell that Kathy was a little upset over this.
She chuckled in amusement, "Kathy its Ok. I had a pretty good day," She admitted assuring her friend that she hadn't really missed too much. "But on the plus side," She began leaning back against the chair. "I met that Two-Bit of yours, and some of his friends too," She stated thinking back to the night before.
"Great!," Kathy exclaimed excitedly. "Well, what did you think of him?" She asked enthusiastically.
Em laughed, "He's a funny guy Kathy a real smart ass," She replied.
Kathy couldn't help but laugh at that, "Don't I know it hon," was her amused and happy retort. "I still feel bad that I missed your birthday though," She pressed on.
Em sighed, "Seriously Kath, it's no big deal."
"Still, I want to make it up to you somehow," She continued on. "Oh I know!" She cried out suddenly. This made Em pull the phone away from her ear from the sudden loudness of her voice. "How about I take you out for dinner, my treat!" Kathy exclaimed excitedly.
Em could tell in the tone of Kathy's voice that she was smiling. She chuckled, "How can I resist an offer as generous as that," She replied with amusement in her voice. "But I have a small problem."
"Like what?"
"You see, my best friend Claire came down to visit me for my birthday and I can't just leave her here with Erick. Who knows what will happen," She explained running her fingers through her hair.
"No problem! She can come too!" She cried enthusiastically. "It will be nice to meet one of your friends from Little Rock."
"Alright then, what time do you want to meet up, and where are we going?" Em questioned playing with the phone cord.
"Hmm, what would be the easiest way to do this?" Kathy began thinking for a moment. "I know!" She cried after a moment or two. Em heard her finger snap as well. "I'll come and get you guys around eight."
Em nodded even though she knew Kathy could not see the gesture. "Alright, we'll see you then."
"Great! Bye Em's," Kathy said hanging up the phone.
Em hung up the phone just as Claire had walked into the house. Em looked over at her friend and smiled.
"What?" Claire remarked noticing the smile on her best friend's lip. "There's nothing on my face is there?" She asked running her hands over her palish skin.
Em laughed shaking her head, "No Claire, but we are going to go out with Kathy tonight," Em explained pushing herself out of the comfortable chair.
Claire smirked, "Well it's about time that I met her! " Clair stated flopping down on the couch. "Good!" She replied walking over to the linen closet and pulling out a few towels. "I'm going to take a shower. She will be here around eight," Em called out as she was walking in to her bedroom.
Claire was close behind her, "Hey Em's," She began gaining her best friend's attention.
Em turned to look at her, "What?" She asked suspiciously. Claire was rather mischievous at times.
"I need to get a pack of smokes. Can I take your car?" She asked with a smile trying, and failing, to look nice and innocent.
Em raised an eyebrow at her. Then she shook her head,"No way Claire. Unfortunately for you, I remember what happened to your last car," Em said picking up a pair of her jeans and a t-shirt to wear.
Claire rolled her eyes at her best friend, "It wasn't that bad!" She cried crossing her arms over her chest.
"You hit a tree because you dropped your lipstick under the seat," Em countered leaving the room with towels and her clothing in hand.
Claire sighed in frustration,"How else will I get smokes?" Clair asked throwing her arms up in the air.
"I don't care Claire!," She then thought a moment before speaking again. "Well you can't walk, it takes too long. You could ask Erick if you could borrow his car," She suggested heading towards the bathroom.
" Ask me what?" Erick piped up from the kitchen.
Em chuckled," God luck Claire," Em stated as she closed the bathroom door.
Claire sighed in annoyance. She ran her fingers through her hair before walking into the kitchen to sweet talk Erick into letting her use his car. He was standing at the sink, washing the few dishes that had collected over the last couple days. She bit her bottom lip, checking her 'assets' before casually walking over to him. "Oh Erick, I have a question for you," She stated as she walked towards him.
"What is it Claire?" He asked not really looking up at her.
She leaned against the counter, tilting her body forward a bit so that he could clearly see down her shirt. A tactic that usually got her what she wanted. "I was wondering, can I borrow your car?" She asked playing with the ends of her hair.
He turned to look at her, eying her suspiciously. Her eyes glanced down before quickly fixing back onto her face. He knew her tricks. "No Claire," He stated gruffly before turning back to the task in front of him.
"But I need to get smokes," Claire whined looking up at him, a pout forming on her painted lips.
Erick shook his head, "No. Not ever going to happen Claire," Erick stated flatly.
Claire was annoyed, but thought she could play up that she was upset. She contemplated crying. That always got her what she wanted. But, unfortunately, Erick knew her way too well for that to work. She sighed, "Fine! I'll walk," She muttered walking towards the front door.
Claire's eyes caught the sight of Em's keys on the table. A mischievous plan began to form in her mind. If she drove fast enough she could make it to the Dx and back before Em was out of the shower. Claire couldn't help but smile as the thought took shape in her mind. She took the keys from the table and walked out the front door. She got into Em's car and started it up. She slowly drove down the road. She wanted until she was half way down the street before speeding up. After that point Claire dove as fast as she could with out losing control of the vehicle. She made to the Dx in five minutes, which was probably some kind of record. She knew she had about ten minutes to make it back before Em got out of the shower. Claire parked the car and quickly walked in. She spotted Steve behind the counter and she smiled.
She pulled her shirt down a bit, showing off more cleavage than before. She fluffed her hair up before walking over, "Hey Steve, hows your day going?" She asked leaning down against the counter.
Steve looked at her, his eyes lingering on her chest before settling on her face. "Its going fine Claire, a bit better now," He stated with a wink. She couldn't help but let out a small giggle at the gesture. "What can I do for you?" He asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"Well Stevie, I came to get some smokes. But, I thought since you're here you could do me a huge favor," She hinted with a flirtatious smile.
Steve looked her over checking her out a second time. Claire seemed nice enough. "And what would that be?" He asked curiously.
"Well," She began tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Don't tell Em's that you saw me with her car. She will murder me with her bare hands," She explained with an innocent smile.
Steve smirked, "Well alright, I didn't see you with her car," He agreed with a nod.
"Thanks Stevie. Now how about that pack of smokes?" She suggested standing up straight, cutting off his view down her shirt. She had got what she wanted.
Steve reached under the counter and handed her a pack. Claire smiled and gave him the money. "Bye Steve," She called as she walked out, swaying her hips the whole way. She got into the car and looked at the time. She was in there for no more then five minutes. She still had time. With that thought, Claire sped off .
Em walked out of the bathroom just as Claire put the keys back down on the table.
Em smiled at her friend. "So did you get your smokes?" She asked rubbing the towel over her dripping hair.
She nodded her head vigorously, "Uh huh, sure did," She stated walking over to the couch. She flopped down on the softa upholstery. "So when is this Kathy chick coming?" Claire asked crossing her legs.
Em looked up at the clock, "In about five minutes," She replied with a shrug. She tossed the towel into the hamper in the laundry room before running her fingers through her damp hair. Before Claire could comment, there was a knock at the front door. Em smiled, "And that would be Kathy," Em stated walking over to the door.
She opened it, revealing Kathy standing their with her usually friendly and carefree smile plastered on her face. "Hi Em!" She cried skipping into the house in her excitement.
Em laughed, "Hey Kathy. This is my friend Claire," Em introduced pointing at Claire who was still lounging on the couch.
"It's so nice to meet you Claire. Em has told me so much about you," Kathy said walking further into the room and reaching her hand out to shake Claire's.
Claire eyed it curiously before shaking the other girl's hand, "Charmed I am sure," She stated in a fake British accent.
Em rolled her eyes, "Oh knock it off Claire."
Claire rolled her eyes and smiled at Kathy, "She's no fun," She remarked with a wink. Kathy laughed at this. "Anyways, sorry to hear about your brother hun,"She continued earning a smack on the back of her head from Em.
Kathy chuckled at the dirty look that Claire shot Em. "No really it's ok. I don't mind," Kathy said with a shrug. "Things like this just happen sometimes. Can't pretend it didn't."
Claire slapped her leg and gestured to Kathy, "See! You're such a bitch 'cause you hit me for nothing,"| Claire retorted.
Em rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore her friend. "So Kathy," She began slipping on her shoes. "Where are we going anyway?" She asked tossing Claire's shoes in her direction.
"To the Dingo and then to the bakery. After all what's a birthday without cake?" Kathy replied tucking her long hair behind her ears.
Em smiled, "Kathy you are really starting to sound like Matt," Em remarked.
Kathy's smile grew at this, "Well great minds do think a like after all," She stated.
Claire stood up and walked over to the door grabbing her jacket. Em mimicked this action and the three girl's walked out the door. They made their way over to Kathy's car and they all got in. Within moments, they tore down the street on their way to the Dingo.
The next morning, Em woke up early. She got up at seven, which was much earlier than usual. Too early in Em's opinion. But she couldn't find a cause for sleeping in. Claire was leaving at eight to get back to Little Rock at a decent hour. She didn't want to get home too late. Her mom hated it. Em got dressed and went into the kitchen. Claire was all ready awake and dressed. To Em's surprise, she had also packed her stuff up. Claire was a procrastinator and usually left everything to the last possible second. This was a welcomed change.
Em walked to the fridge and got out two eggs, her desired breakfast. She grabbed a pan from the cupboard and turned on the stove so that she could cook them. She then turned to look at Claire, "Erick's driving you back right?" She asked breaking the eggs on the edge of the pan.
Claire looked up at her, "Yep. Just me and Erick for five hours," She stated placing a smoke between her lips, "It's going to be fun. Not!" She scoffed lighting the end of her smoke.
Em laughed at this, "Oh yes, good old boring Erick," She stated poking at the eggs with her flipper. "Speaking of Erick, is he awake yet?" She asked gesturing to Claire to hand her a smoke.
Claire shrugged then reluctantly, she leaned over and handed her one, "I haven't seen him."
Em nodded leaning down to use the stove to light the end of her smoke. It flared up instantly. She blew the flames off of the top as she turned off the stove. She scooped the eggs out onto a plate, leaving it on the counter before turning to head up the stairs to Erick's room. Halfway up, she stopped and turned back around. She walked back into the kitchen and grabbed a mixing bowl from the cupboard. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she filled it with water.
Claire stared at Em with confusion but laughed once she realized what her friend was up to, "Em you are pure evil," Claire stated coughing slightly as she inhaled the smoke flowing off of the end of her cigarette.
Em looked at her, "I know right?" Em replied with wink, that smirk never leaving her face. Before she left the kitchen, she put her smoke out in the ash tray, leaving the rest of it for later.
She walked back up the stairs, careful not to spill any of the cold water onto the floor. With minimal difficulty, she opened up Erick's bedroom door. She spotted him still sound asleep on his bed. She shook her head in disapproval before taking a couple steps inside. She watched him for a minute before throwing the entire bowl water on him. Erick jumped out of bed, falling onto the floor with a loud thud. Em just laughed at the shocked look on his face.
"Good morning Erick," She greeted in a sickly sweet manner still trying to contain her laughter.
Erick glared at her, and pulled himself back up onto his feet. He wiped the moisture off of his face before pointing at her, "I am going to kill you," He stated as he took a step in her direction.
Em smiled still laughing, "No Erick don't," She pleading taking a step backwards.
Erick took a other step towards her, and she turned running out the door."You're dead little girl!" Erick yelled as he began running after.
He chased her down the stairs, easily catching up to her small head start. Before she could turn into the kitchen, he grabbed a hold of her arm. She tried to pull away but he was too quick. He wrapped an arm around her neck and trapped her in a headlock. Em then moved her foot behind his and then moved it forward tripping him. Erick fell backwards bringing Em down with him. Em smiled to herself wrestling with Erick was something they both enjoyed. It was something they had done for as long as she could remember. Em took advantage of his fall and tried getting up but Erick grabbed her foot and pulled her back down.
After a couple minutes of them wrestling, Erick managed to get her into another headlock. "Do you give?" He asked his breathing heavy from the activity.
Em sighed, "Yeah, yeah I give. For now," She agreed.
Erick laughed and let go of her. Em got up brushing herself off and straightening her rumpled clothes. After she had fixed herself up, she looked over at Claire. Claire was laughing so hard that she had thick tears streaming down her face, ruing her perfectly done make-up. After her laughter settled down a bit, she took a deep breath to compose herself.
"Oh my god," She began wiping the tears from her eyes, being careful not to smudge her make-up even further. "I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss you guys," Claire stated.
Em shrugged, "Never a dull moment around this place," She stated walking back into the kitchen and picking up her now cold eggs.
Erick chuckled, "No I think it's 'cause we're so fucked up, that it's funny," He said following his sister into the kitchen.
At that moment, Matt decided to make an appearance. " No it's because without us, Little Rock is boring," He said rubbing the sleep from his eyes. It was obvious that Em and Erick's little wrestling match had woken him up.
"You got it kid," Erick stated ruffling up his little brother's hair.
"Yeah, without Erick Phillips and Emily and Matt Thomas my life is so boring," Claire exclaimed stamping her cigarette out in the ash tray.
Matt, Erick and Em all looked at each other and laughed.
Once they all had eaten breakfast, it was quarter to eight. Only fifteen more minutes with Claire for god knows how long. It wouldn't be the same without her. She missed having her best friend around. Sure Kathy was a good substitute, but it wasn't quite the same thing. They didn't share the same kind of bond.
Em sighed as she looked at the clock, a frown on her face.
"What's up Em's?" Claire asked tilting her head to the side slightly.
Em turned to looked at Claire, "You have to leave in fifteen minutes," She explained sullenly.
Claire scoffed,"Oh relax Em's, I'll be back in two weeks," Claire stated patting her best friend on the shoulder. A smile forming on her lips.
Em smiled back and the two girls made their way to the front door. Once they were outside Em looked at Erick, who was putting the last of Claire's things in the back of his car. He had a dress shirt on and black pants. He never usually dressed up for a car ride.
Em scowled crossing her arms over her chest. "He's stopping at Mary's isn't he?" Em asked popping her hip out slightly.
Clare nodded, "Why else do you think would he take me home?" Claire replied. "It's not as if that is anything knew," She continued grimly.
Em just sighed. Neither herself or Claire liked Erick's girlfriend Mary. She wasn't the easiest broad to get along with. Most of all, Em hated the way she treated Matt and her. She always treated them like kids and it drove her nuts. Her eyes followed her brother as he once again disappeared into the house.
She began to recall the last time she saw Mary when Claire whispered in her ear, "The man of my dreams is here," She stated, a dreamy expression creeping onto her face.
Em followed her gaze and was not surprised to see Steve walking passed. Em shook her head. She could never understand Claire's taste in men."You mean the man of your dreams for the last three nights," Em stated raising an eyebrow.
Claire looked at Em. She couldn't help but see her logic. "True," She admitted with a nod, "But still, He is the man of my dreams. Besides, think of it this way, if Steve is coming then that means Soda should be around," Claire pressed on with a wink.
"And your point is?" Em asked, her stance and expression never changing. Sure Em had noticed that Soda was rather good-looking, but she wasn't in the market for something like that.
"My point Emily my dear, is that you like him," Claire teased.
"I do not!" was Em's immediate reply.
Claire scoffed brushing off her friend's answer. "Oh please, you totally do."
"Prove it."
"You gave him a nickname an hour after you met," Claire began having turned back to watching Steve.
"I never said that I didn't like him," Em replied finding herself watching Steve as well.
Claire smiled knowingly, "It's up to you," She responded with a shrug. "Now I am going to talk to Steve before your brother comes back outside," with that Claire walked towards the dark haired greaser.
Em smiled. Claire was never one to pass up on cute guy that was tall and had dark hair. It was one of her quirks. Em sighed. How she wished life could be that simple for her, but she had too many worries.
"So how have you been?" A voice behind her piped up.
Em jumped in surprise. She turned around. and spotted Soda standing on the other side of the fence. "Shit Soda, don't scare me like that," Em scolded walking over to the fence.
"Sorry Em, I didn't know you were so jumpy," Soda apologized with his typical happy-go-lucky smile.
Em just looked at him. "I'm not jumpy, I just didn't know you were behind me," Em replied with a shrug.
"Are you always this good at not answering questions?" Soda teased.
She couldn't help but smile, "It's one of my many charms Romeo, but I'm good. How are you on this very early morning?" She prodded with a bit of sarcasm in her voice.
Soda smirked, "Well I'm just fine Em," was his immediate reply. "Why does Claire call you Em's anyway?" He asked resting his arms on the fence. He understood people calling her Em, but not Em's there was only one m in Emily.
"Oh 'cause my full name is Emily Thomas. My first and last name both have a m in them so sometimes its Em, Em's or even Emmy," Em explained quickly. She never liked explaining that.
Soda opened his mouth to make a reply, but he closed it almost just a quickly. She eyed him curiously before pointing behind her. Em turned around and saw what he was pointing at. Claire and Steve were kissing. Actually, it was a bit more than kissing. They were making out.
Em turned back around, "Well that is not really something that I wanted to see at eight o'clock in the morning," Em said running a hand through her hair.
Soda shrugged, "Well it's a good thing Evie is not here," Soda piped up scratching the back of his neck, as he watched Steve slide his hands up to Claire's chest. "She'd be pissed."
Em turned back to look at them. She rolled her eyes as she spotted the new placement of Steve's hands. "Oh come on Claire! It is way too early for this," She yelled in their direction. Claire and Steve didn't stop at this. Claire just gave Em the finger. "Oh that's real grown up Claire. If you don't stop sucking face, I will start talking about that guy that you really like. The tall dark haired guy that you had fun with at the lake... shit what was his name," Em rambled on snapping her fingers trying to think of his name.
By this time, Erick had walked back out of the house. He had passed by while Em was yelling all this across the lawn to her friend. "Mike," Erick blurted out as he walked passed.
"Yes that's it! Mike!" She cried in triumph. "I'll tell Soda about the time you and he..." was as far as Em got.
"Shut up Emily," Claire yelled pulling her lips away from Steve's just long enough to say that before shamelessly continuing their make-out session.
Em rolled her eyes, tapping her foot impatiently as the two began to get more comfortable."Ok Claire, that's enough. You have to go in like two minutes. I know you like to move fast, but there is no way you are fast to get done what you want to do in that time frame," Em spat in annoyance. She could only handle Claire's promiscuity for so long.
Claire pulled away from Steve with an annoyed sigh. She turned and gave Em the death glare. The look Steve shot in her direction wasn't that much better either. She mumbled something to Steve before kissing him again and walking to the car. " You're a bitch, you know that right?" Claire spat as she brushed passed her best friend.
Em couldn't help but smirk at this, "Yeah I do Claire bear," She remarked.
Claire gave her the finger again she he climbed into Erick's car. "Eat me!" She called back sticking her tongue out.
Em laughed, "Oh you wish," She replied before turning back around. She couldn't help but notice that Steve had wandered back over and was now standing next to Soda. She shook her head in disappointment as she looked at him. She was sure he could do much better than Claire, but who was she to say anything.
"Hey Em can you watch Matt while I'm gone?" Erick asked as he walked to the car.
Em shook her head turning to look at her brother, "Erick, he's fifteen. He so does not need a babysitter," Em stated crossing her arms back over her chest.
Erick sighed, "Fine Em," He replied in defeat, getting into the car. "Just be good," He called out the window as the engine roared to life.
" I can't promise that!" She called over the sound of the engine.
Erick did not look amused by this. "Just promise me that you won't burn the house down," He continued as he slowly backed the car out of the driveway.
Em frowned, "That only happened that one time! Besides, it wasn't me, it was Claire," Em retorted.
"Hey!" Claire called in outrage, "You promised you'd never tell!"Erick shook his head at the two girl's childish behavior. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Claire yelled half hanging out of the window as Erick switched gears.
"Claire there isn't anything you wouldn't do," She remarked a smirk forming on her lips.
"That my dear Emmy, is the point," She stated smugly. Em just rolled her eyes at her best friend.
Erick leaned over Claire, "Be good little girl," He said sternly, a serious expression on his face.
Em rolled her eyes again. Was he for real? "Ok you old fart!" She yelled in response as they took off down the road.
After the car had vanished from sight, Matt came outside. He was still in his pajamas. Typical fifteen year old. No point in getting dressed before noon. He smiled at Em. She smiled back and walked over to her little brother. Instantly, she ran her hand through his hair messing it up.
"Oh come on Em's! Knock it off with the hair," He grumbled smoothing down his greased hair.
She laughed before turning back to the two guys still standing by the fence. "Matty," She began resting her hand on his shoulder, "This here is Soda, and that grump over there, is Steve," She introduced them, gesturing to each one as she went.
"Hey ," Matt muttered, managing to wave at the older boys. Soda greeted him back, while Steve just nodded in his direction. Matt turned from them back to his big sister. "I'm going for my run," He announced before heading back towards the house.
Em shrugged, "Alright, have fun kiddo," Em said messing up his hair again before he could get too far away. He groaned and smoothed down his hair again.
"Is he shy or..." was as far as Steve got before Em turned around and gave him a death glare.
"Don't even say it Steve!" She barked. "He is shy ok? leave it at that," was her irritated retort before walking away. Behind her, she heard hushed voices before the a grunt and a dull thus. It was the sound of someone getting pushed. Em just shook her head.
She wandered into the garage and opened it without a second thought. She walked around to the front of her car, to make sure no one had tampered with it before she took it for a drive. What she saw, was not what she had expected.
"Dammit Claire!" She yelled, throwing up her arms up in frustration.
She pulled her keys from her pocket and climbed into the driver's seat. Taking a deep breath, she silently prayed the engine would turn over as she slipped the key into the ignition. She turned the key, and was thankful when the engine roared to life. Em wiped her brow, wiping off imaginary sweat. It still worked. If Clair drove anything it was her own car. Even those had a terrible track record. Last time she got a new car, she had it for a day and managed to total it. Em listened hard to her car for a minute to see if she could hear anything rattling or anything to indicate that there was something wrong with the internal mechanisms. It didn't sound quite right to her.
Em sighed,"Fucking hell," She grumbled shutting the engine off and getting out of the car. She walked out of the garage and saw that Steve was standing on Soda's step, a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth. "Hey Steve!" She called getting his attention. "Can you come here for a minute?" She asked waving him over.
Steve eyed her curiously, "Why?"
"'Cause there is something wrong with my car, that's why smart ass," Em stated mumbling the last part. She really didn't want to piss him off, or he might not help her with her car.
Reluctantly, Steve walked over and hoped over the fence with minimal difficulty. He threw his smoke down, stomping on it before following her into the open garage. She walked to her car with Steve close behind her.
Steve walked to the front of her car and his mouth dropped open. "Holy shit Em what did you do to your car?" He asked, his eyes as wide as saucers. Em looked at him
Em sighed tucking her hair behind her ears, "It's not what I did to my car, its what Claire did to it," She stated bitterly.
Steve whistled, "Man, that girl shouldn't have a license," He stated eying the damage.
"Anyways," Em continued changing the subject back to her car, "It will start, but it sounds funny to me," She explained putting the key back in the ignition.
"Well pop the hood," Steve stated walking closer to the car.
Em did as she was asked. Steve looked it over for a couple minutes, touching this and touching that. She couldn't see what he was doing from inside the vehicle, but she had some faith in Steve. After all, he did this kind of thing for a living.
After a bit, he sighed and the closed the hood, "I'll have to take it to the Dx to have a better look at it," He said wiping his greasy hand off on his already dirty jeans. He then held his hand out for the key.
Em pouted at him, "Fine," She stated in defeat getting out of the car. Hesitantly, she handed him the key. "But how will I get there if you take my car?" She asked shoving her hands into the pockets of her jeans.
Steve looked at her appearing deep in thought. After a moment, his expression when back to normal, "You can catch a ride to the Dx with Soda," Steve stated with a small shrug, "Just tell him about the car and Darry and Soda should give you a ride," He explained getting into the car and starting it up
"Ok, but be careful," She insisted, worry showing on her face. She absolutely hated having other people drive. It always made her anxious, since Claire always crashed her cars.
Steve rolled his eyes, "I will," He said gruffly before backing out of the garage and onto the street.
Without another word, he drove away. Em watched him until she could no longer see her car. She frowned, looking down at the ground. She shuffled her feet along as she walked into the house. She quickly scribbled a note for Matt to tell him that Claire had fucked up her car and that if he needed her, she would be at the Dx waiting for it to be repaired. Em grabbed her leather jacket from the closet and moseyed her way next door. She knocked on the door and waited.
About a minute later, Soda opened the door. He was clad in only a pair of jeans, giving her a nice view of his bare chest. She forced herself not to get distracted by this, but found it more difficult than she expected. She quickly looked him over before mentally scolding herself. 'Remember your car, you dip shit,' She thought her herself. "Hey Romeo, can I get a ride to the Dx?" She asked forcing herself to look at his face.
He eyed her suspiciously, "Why? Something wrong with your car?" He asked, running a hand through his damp hair.
He had just had a shower. Em found her eyes straying back down before she could reply. She forced her eyes back up hoping that he didn't notice then straying. "Well the front is smashed up, so I got Steve to look at it," She began scratching the back of her neck nervously. He was going to think she was some kind of moron for letting someone smash up her car. Even though that wasn't the case at all. "He said he would have to take a better look at it at the Dx. He said I could catch a ride with you since I have no other way to get there besides my legs," She explained cooly as she could.
Soda smiled his trademark smile. "Alright then, since Steve has already gone, we have some room in the truck for you. You'll have to sit in the middle though," Soda stated.
Em sighed running her fingers through her hair, "Perfect," was her retort. Her voice held a hint of sarcasm in it.
Soda stepped aside and gestured her to enter his house. She shrugged brushing passed him and into the small home. Once inside, Em looked around. It was rather cozy. Not too big, but not too small. A good sized house. The TV was blasting, and cards and crumbs littered the hardwood floor in the living room. It was easy to tell that three or more guys lived there.
"Hey Soda where is Steve?" A deep male voice called from the kitchen. Not even a second passed before he stepped out into the living room. Em guessed that this was Soda's older brother Darry. He looked a bit older than she thought he would. She was also surprised that he looked nothing like Soda. He looked at her suspiciously before turning back to Soda, who had thankfully, found a shirt. "Who is this?" Darry pointing in her direction.
"Oh," Soda said walking over to them pulling his Dx shirt on over his white t-shirt. "Darry this is Em, she lives next door with Erick," Soda stated making the introductions.
Darry walked over held his hand out for her to shake. She shook it without hesitation. "You're his little sister right?" Darry asked buttoning up his work shirt.
She nodded, "Yeah, but not by choice," Em answered crossing her arms over her chest.
Darry chuckled, "Yeah I hear that," He remarked picking up his tool belt from beside the door. "What brings you over here?"
"Seems she's having some car troubles so Steve took her car to the Dx," Soda piped up grabbing his shoes from underneath the couch. How they got there, Em would never know. "Steve told her to catch a ride with us, since we're heading that way."
Darry nodded, "Suppose we could swing that. It's not like it's an inconvenience at all."
"Nope," Soda replied.
Em rolled her eyes. She hated it when people talked about her like she wasn't there. "You know I am standing right here right?" She piped up crossing her arms across her chest.
Soda looked at her, "No really?"
"Yeah, we thought you were invisible or something," Darry added as he slipped on his work boots.
Em shook her head, "Ya'll are so weird," She mumbled turning around, "I'm waiting outside."
"Alright, we'll be out in a minute!" Soda called after her.
After they had all gathered their things, the boys made their way out of the house. Soda, to her surprise, was both sock-less and shoeless. He carried his shoes under his arm as he headed towards the truck. Darry dropped his tool belt in the truck bed before climbing into the driver's side. Soda opened the passenger door and gestured for her to get inside. She made her way over and climbed in. Soda followed, and soon she found herself nearly squished between the two brothers. Darry started the truck and soon they were headed for the Dx.
