Ch 43

Sage P.O.V.

Tim read the letter and read the letter and read the letter. If the situation was different, I might have made a joke about him not being able to read. It was taking him that long. Dally and Soda had walked off a little while ago, but I assume they didn't go far. I don't know what kind of headspace Tim has been in, but I knew the two of them didn't exactly trust me to be on my own.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Tim said, "This isn't your fault."

When my heart calmed down, I was able to process what he said, and my mind started to spiral. If it wasn't my fault than whose was it? She felt like she was being the better friend, like she was saving me from her. But I didn't need to be saved. I thought back to the park and that look she had on her face when she first mentioned coming clean. That look of calm should've told me right there something was wrong. She claimed I was this amazing friend, but I couldn't look past my own thoughts to see she was about to jump off the deep end. What kind of friend does that make me?

"Use your words, Sage." Tim's voice brought me back and I felt the first tear fall.

"The signs were there. I should've known. I should've known she was about to do something stupid, but I was too selfish to open my damn eyes." The second and third tear fell as I confessed to him, and it wasn't long until the floodgates opened.

I felt something in me break and it was like the world around me seemed to crumble. I had been surrounded by so much death since I've been back, but losing my best friend seemed to be my breaking point. Dally's words about getting tough ran through my head, but I couldn't pull myself together enough to put on that act.

An arm wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me into a body. I blinked a few times to try and clear my vision from tears and realized it was Tim who was trying to comfort me. I thought that might have shocked me, him showing affection in public, but it was what happened next that did it.

I felt his body shake a little and them something wet hit my head. I glanced up at my dead best friend's brother and saw actual tears coming from his eyes. Tim Shepard, the most ruthless hood on our side of town, had broken. Seeing him like that had me frozen with an emotion I couldn't put into words, but it rocked me enough to halt my own pity party.

I pushed away from his side and knelt in front of him. "No amount of words can begin to explain how sorry I am, but I am going to honor Angela's words and be here for you. You tried to play the hardass, disinterested older brother, but I knew what was really going on. You loved her just like you love Curly, and you tried so damn hard to keep her out of trouble. I cannot even begin to imagine what went through your head when I came back, but I know Angela saw a change in you. You paid attention to her, you stood up for her, and you had so many sleepless nights worrying about her. There is nothing more you could have done to protect her from this world, and she knew that. She knew how lucky she was to have you in her corner even when she screwed up. We are going to get through this, slowly, but it will happen. And I will be here for you, always."

The tears were steadily running down my face, but Tim was my main concern. His eyes were focused on me the entire time and I knew in that moment he just wanted to mourn his sister and not have to worry about putting on this show for others.

His hands grabbed me and pulled me into his chest and the sobs came crashing out of him. The two of us sat there like that for who knows how long, but it was something we both needed.

Dally P.O.V.

I had pulled Soda to the side knowing that the two of them needed to work things out. Tim had told me Angela left a letter but only for Sage. Even though I told him to read it, he could never bring himself to. When Soda brought her over, I saw the folded-up piece of paper in her hand, and I knew she was going to have him read it.

I hadn't spent much time with her since the whole thing happened because I didn't need Tim going off the deep end. No one else could handle him like I could which meant Sage was going to be left alone. The group of us came to a very easy decision that someone needed to be with her at all times. Soda and Steve didn't have a problem with it, at least for now.

I watch them sit down and Tim open the letter. Lord only knows what Angela put in there. "How has the kid been?"

Soda tore his eyes away from the pair, "She hasn't cried since that day. From experience, it's coming. Besides that, she has been alright. She played poker with us last night. Even cracked a few jokes at Two-bit. But I know she is about to hit her breaking point. That letter I think is going to do it."

I asked him if he read it. "No, but she was asking me if Tim should read it. I think it gave her some closure." He went to say something more when movement caught our eye.

Sage got up from where she was and got in front of Tim. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but I knew it was something Tim needed to hear. I watched him grab her and break down, Sage not too far behind him.

"Shit." I have never once in my life seen Tim cry and watching it unfold tugged on something. If Angela hadn't done what she did when she did, Sage might be six feet under as well. And I have no idea what I would do if I let my kid sister slip through my hands like that.

Sage P.O.V

We both managed to calm down some and I watched Tim put on his mask again. He stood up and motioned for me to get off the ground as well.

"I need you to promise me you won't do something stupid like this. I don't care how bad life gets, you do not follow in her footsteps. Understood?"

I nodded my head and heard him sigh, "I know I am not the easiest person to go to for things, but you come find me before you make any hard decisions. Don't put your brother through this. He wouldn't be able to handle it."

His words felt like a knife to the gut. But he was right. After seeing him break down over Angela like this, I know Dally would do some irrational things. Taking my life would result in taking his as well.

A month had gone by, and things had started to get back to normal. Or well a new normal. Angela's words always seemed to pop into my mind throughout the day. She told me I was going to do big things, but right now it seems like I am coasting through life without a purpose.

I was sitting at the kitchen table while Two-bit, Soda, and Steve ate breakfast. Darry was cleaning up the mess Soda made trying to turn the pancakes blue and Pony had just left with Johnny.

Everyone was quiet, caught up in what they were doing, which prompted me to say, "I think I want to enroll in school."

Two-bit spit out his beer and Steve nearly choked on his pancake. Darry stopped what he was doing and asked where I got that idea from. I didn't think they would like me saying I was taking advice from a dead person, so instead I replied, "I feel like I'm doing nothing with my life and school seems to be a decent option."

The boys at the table were staring at me like I had two heads and Two laughed out, "Glory, can you imagine the teachers calling roll and seeing a Winston in their class?"

Soda kicked him under the table but offered me a smile. "I think you'd be great."

Darry put the towel he was wiping dishes with down and came over to us. "While I think it's a great idea to get you enrolled, Two-bit has point."

Two whipped his head around to Darry, "I do? Hot damn maybe school is doing something for me after all!" I shook my head at him and looked to Darry for an explanation. I thought of all people he would be rushing me down to the office to get me signed up.

"What I meant was, those teachers are going to have it out for you because of your brother. Not only that, the Soc's are going to target you like no other. One fight and you are going to be kicked out."

I leaned back in my chair and shook my head. While I hate to admit it, he was right. "We could look at some homeschool options. I am sure the school would be more than happy to do that for you."

Steve snickered, "Anything to keep a Winston out of their halls." It was Steve's turn to get kicked by Soda.

I glared at him but gave Darry a nod. "What do I need to do?"

He went back to the sink to continue washing dishes, "I can go up there after work tomorrow and talk to them."

"Thanks Dare." He gave me a hum in response. If I won't have to go up to the school, I am going to still have a lot of free time. Maybe I could help Darry out somehow seeming that I crash here half of the time.

Soda's voice pulled me back, "What's got you thinking so hard?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I think I want to get a job."

I heard a plate drop in the sink and Darry curse. I glanced over to him, and he was wiping water off his face from the splash. "Sorry. Just caught me a bit off guard."

Man, if this is the reactions I'm getting from them, who knows how my brother is going to take it.

A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry for the slow update! I have been getting all of my ideas in order for Sage and her story to continue on. Updates will be coming faster from now on. Exciting things to come! Thanks everyone!