Note- I still own nothing but Carli and the plot.

Chapter 3

On the walk home, Soda and Steve immediately began talking. First about cars then asking me questions every now and then. I wasn't paying attention. I was trying to figure this all out. If I were going to be staying here for a month, I need something to wake me up before 8, so I wouldn't lose my job. And I would need to spend more money on food- money that I am not willing to spend. And I would need a shower. I usually stopped by camping grounds and stuff but now I would also need a place to relieve myself after work hours and- "So where did you come from, Carli?" one of the boys asked. "Texas" I said flatly, flipping the collar up on my jacket. And what about a roof over my head? If it rains again and I get sick… I don't have any money for doctors. And what if- "How long have you been here?" "Two days." "Isn't that when you came in to the DX the first time?" Soda asked "Yep" And Soda and Steve looked at each other. "Where you staying?" asked Steve. I could tell he was the type who asked questions you didn't want to answer. "That small bench at the park" I said, making sure no emotion leaked out. "How are you going to pay for your bike?" "I got a job at Dingo's" I said a little rudely. That gave them the hint I wasn't in for talking. In a little while after that, we were at a smallish, messed up house. It was better then where I was living though. It had a roof and walls. That's more then I can say for the bench at the park. "Well, we're home!" said Soda happily. He opened the door and we just walked in. It looked neater on the inside but louder. There were already 4 people there. Must be a big family. "Hey Soda, Steve" someone with to-long-of-sideburns said, "and who is this? Soda this isn't your new girl?" he said. He seemed like a joking type but I could tell he wasn't joking. They were probably used to seeing Soda with girls more… pretty. I felt everyone's eyes on me and I did my best to look mean. And when I want to look mean, I can. "Hey everyone, this is Carli" Soda explained. I felt like saying 'Hello, I'm Carli and I've lost 16 pounds this month" but I didn't. "This is my older brother Darry" Soda began, motioning to a very tall, very muscular guy coming out of the kitchen, "and my little brother Pony" he said, looking towards a smaller, probably younger kid who was reading "and beside him is Johnny" Johnny was a scared little guy who looked like he had some problems "And on the floor is Two-Bit" he said, Two-Bit must be the one with the side-burns "and on the chair is Dally" he said. Dally looked as mean as I was trying to look. I guess it wasn't a big family. Just a group. "This is your… ummm…. Girl now?" Darry asked. I could read between the lines. He was really speaking for all of them saying 'why didn't you get someone more pretty?' "Nah, this is just a girl we met at the DX who needs her hand fixed up", everyone looked visibly more relaxed. That annoyed me. I jammed my hands in my pockets. "Just make yourself at home and I will be right back" Soda said. Did I mention I liked his voice? He was just so… sweet. "You want to play some cards, Carli, Steve?" Two-Bit asked. I shook my head but Steve plopped onto the floor with him. I looked around. Dally looked like he might kill me if I sat by him. I think I would kill him too. Pony was absorbed in some book, but the space beside Johnny looked inviting. He would let me. If not out of courtesy, but fear. I couldn't blame him. So I sat beside him. He just stared at me. Oh great. Now Im a freak show. I watched as Two-Bit and Steve played poker, and watched Two-Bit pull a few cards from his sleeve. It was very uncomfortable. "So, where are you from?" Darry asked. I noted to myself that Darry was now an ok guy, because he broke the silence. That got everyone talking. "Texas" He nodded. "So Carli, you staying for dinner?" this was from Two-Bit. "Hey I saw that! You're cheating" accused Steve. They began to playfully argue. I would normally not want to stay any longer then I had too but the sound of food was to tempting to resist. I had been living on whatever I could buy or get my hands on for about a month. "You bet I am" I said. I wasn't sure if I should check with Darry or what but right then, I didn't care if I was being rude. I was hungry. Finally, Soda came back I was very relieved to see him. I couldn't understand it, I was almost happy to see him again. "Ok, let me see that hand of yours" he said, setting down a first aid kit he brought back on the couch, he sat on the floor in front of me. I carefully pulled my hands out of my pocket, holding my burned one out to him. He held it in one hand and to my horror, started reaching for the tape with the other. "Oh no, you wouldn't" I could already feel the pain, if touching it hurt, how it ripping something off it feel?!? "You have to, or else you will have a burnt hand for life" he said. I would rather go with the burnt hand for life thing. "Oh just get it over with" I sighed. He slowly began undoing the tape. It felt horrible- like sticking my hand in fire. I bit my tongue and squeezed my eyes shut. After what seemed like hours, he had it all off. When I opened my eyes, I found a cuss word coming out. I let it out mumbled. My hand was red. I mean bright red and where it had been burnt was basically black. I didn't know I burnt it that bad. "Darry, you might want to come look at this" Soda said, I guess it was a little above his doctoring skills. Darry came over and took my burnt hand. Oh great. I felt like a side show. "Yikes! What did you do?" Oh yeah, I was thinking about Soda and burnt myself. Like I would say that. "I burnt myself" I said stupidly, giving him an "are you sure you're not stupid?" look. "I see" he said stupidly. "Well, its worse then I thought but you would basically just do the normal "burn" stuff expect it will probably take longer to heal. You know, you really should go to a doctor for this sort of thing… its really burnt bad and-" "No." I cut him off. I hated doctors. With a passion. "I guess the best we can do is the normal stuff, maybe even replying it every now and then would help, do you have these sort of things at home Carli?" he asked, motioning to the first aid kit. Soda gave him a little kick and I was glad. I didn't want to have to go threw the whole "little bench in the park" thing again. "Well um…then, here" he said and started applying stuff to my hand, the first thing made it sting worse, then the second helped it sting less, and the third didn't really cause anything, then he put a gauze pad on it and retaped it. This time taping my whole hand up. I would have liked Soda doing it better but this was ok. When he was done I leaned back on the couch and cursed under my breath. How was I going to ride my bike, if I get it back, now? I wallowed in self-pity until Darry called for dinner. He set some chicken and mashed potatoes on the table. I figured we would eat at the table but instead everyone got there plates and forks and food and went back to the living room. I did the same too except this time, Pony and Johnny sat on the floor, Dally on the floor facing the couch and Two-Bit sat on the opposite side of the couch. Soda came and sat in the middle, and Steve beside Dally and the four of them played poker. I sat there, watching. I ate my food nice and slow- I didn't know how long it would be since I got food this good again. I didn't feel like overstaying my welcome with seconds. "So what brings you to Tulsa, Carli?" Two-Bit asked. I really didn't know how to answer that. I just felt like going. I was in a foster home, always was and I never really got attached to my foster parents so one day, I just left. So I just stared at him. "Ooookkkkk…." He said. I got up and walked to the door. I had my handle on the knob when Darry came out from the kitchen (a second time, hehe, I didn't even know he was in the kitchen) and said- "Oh wait, Carli, leaving so soon?" I didn't answer. "You can always just stay here tonight. The couch is always open." I didn't really want to sleep on the bench that night so I figured I would allow myself to do so. "Thanks" I mumbled. He just nodded and I went back and resumed my place beside Soda. Soon it was night and Johnny, Dally and Two-Bit were gone. And the others getting ready for bed. When I finally laid down on the couch, I fell asleep immediately. I forgot how soft a coach is, compared to wooden benches.