Chapter 19; read&review(:
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Late that night, 'round about three AM, Steve did not sleep. He'd been tossing and turning for hours now, and had finally given up on trying to get some rest. Instead, he stared at the middle of his ceiling and thought about what had occurred at the Dingo.
Soda wanted Steve to accompany him to Vietnam. Didn't Soda understand that that was a huge favor he was asking for? Although Steve had considered it before, he now doubted whether he could even handle training, let alone the literal battlefield. Also, he now cared deeply about Friday, which he hadn't a month or so ago. Things were going well with her, and frankly, Steve didn't want it messed up.
But Soda's your best friend, whispered a little voice in his head. Startled, Steve covered his ears with his hands. Yes, Soda was his best friend. But… but…
But what? urged the voice.
Steve didn't know. Soda was his best friend… had been for years now. And Friday he'd only known for about a month or so. Clearly, his and Soda's relationship was more valuable. But, not only did Steve not want to go to Vietnam because of Friday, but also, he was scared, although he hadn't told Soda that. Weren't fatalities high in war? Steve didn't know for sure, but he could imagine. And Soda literally asking Steve to come along with him was bigger than anything Soda had ever asked for before.
Eventually, Steve slipped into a quiet, troubled rest. He had no nightmares - none that he could recall, anyway - but was shaken awake near four-thirty. At first, he was startled that someone had entered his room. But he calmed down when he realized who it was.
"Friday?" he said hoarsely, sitting up. "How… how did ya get in my room?"
Friday sat on the edge of Steve's bed, her cheeks tear-stained. "Window was open," she muttered, picking at her fingernails. "I'm s-sorry. My dad… he made me leave."
Steve thought for a moment, then said quietly, "…thought your dad didn't live with you."
"He doesn't. Not usually," said Friday, sounding scared. "But he stayed with us tonight, and he got real angry, ya know? Mad at Randal 'cause of something, I dunno what. But Randal stormed out, so he took it out on me… told me to leave for the night. My Ma, she didn't know what to do, so… so she told me to come to your house." Friday's lower lip quivered as she stood up. "I'll leave if ya want…" she promised, starting toward the wide-open window.
"What?" Steve shook his head, feeling drowsy from sleep deprivation, as well as furious with Friday's father. "C'mere," he said, gesturing to the spot beside him. "But close the window first," he added.
Friday shut the window tightly, then wandered over to Steve's bed. She sat beside him and hugged herself, so Steve took her hand. He was seriously worried… he'd never seen Friday so upset before. She was even crying, though she kept rubbing the tears from her eyes in an attempt to not let him see.
"Ma says he's gonna be staying with us for a while…" said Friday suddenly.
Steve's anger bristled. "Ain't he abusive?" he snapped.
"Doesn't hit me…" muttered Friday. "But…" she bit her lip, drawing a bit of blood, "he scares me. He yells a lot. And this isn't the first time he's kicked me out."
Steve bit his lip as well, but in fury, rather than fear. "So why doesn't your mom make 'em leave?"
Friday considered this. "I reckon she's scared to kick him out," she assumed, wrapping Steve's blanket around her stomach. "He ain't ever hit me before… but her? I dunno."
Steve, through Friday's explanation, was both paying a decent amount of attention to her - but also, he was thinking hard. His mind had wandered back to Soda's request, and Friday's current situation just gave him another reason to not go. If her dad was going to be around for a good while, then Friday would likely need Steve's support. He couldn't abandon her to optionally sign up for Vietnam.
But Soda is your BEST FRIEND. You gonna abandon him instead? The tiny voice had returned, so Steve quickly shooed it away. He gave a tiny squeeze to Friday's shoulder, then laid down. Friday mimicked his lead, making herself comfortable beside him. Soon, and wordlessly, she went to sleep. Steve did, too.
Morning arrived shortly, and Steve was the first to wake. Friday was still by his side, her arms curled around her stomach and her eyes closed tightly. Steve tapped her shoulder, and she woke easily, but tiredly.
Friday gazed around a moment, at first not realizing where she was, but she recalled quickly. "Mornin'," she grumbled, pressing her face into Steve's mattress. Steve touched his girlfriend's hair lightly, then left the bed. Friday sat up after a minute, and Steve grinned at her.
"You got anything planned today?" said Steve, rummaging through his closet.
"Nah," yawned Friday, rubbing her eyes.
"Good. Me neither," said Steve. "Well… actually, I should probably go talk to Soda."
Friday rubbed her hair messily and looked at Steve. "You two doin' all right?"
"We got in a fight," said Steve grumpily. "He wants me to come to Vietnam with him," he continued slowly. "I… I said no. That's just… too much." Steve shook his head, and Friday patted his shoulder at an attempt to comfort him. "So… I'm gonna head to the DX pretty soon to talk to 'em. You can stay here and-"
"Can't I come with?" interrupted Friday, scratching the back of her neck.
"I, um…" Steve shook his head, then shrugged. "I dunno. I can't see Soda bein' real happy to see ya after our fight…"
Friday raised her eyebrows, not understanding. "I was involved?"
Steve looked into the mirror on the wall of his bedroom as he spoke. "You were part of the reason I said I wasn't gonna go," he admitted.
"Oh, gosh…" said Friday, her ears going red. "Ya know I don't wanna get between you two. If ya really want to go to Vietnam, then go… I ain't gonna stop you," she explained.
"It's not just that," said Steve slowly, twisting his shirt between his fingers. "I don't wanna go. Guess I'm scared," he sighed, blushing hard.
"Oh…" said Friday, leaning toward Steve to kiss him. "Still, I wanna go. I think… well, I don't want Soda to be mad at me, I guess."
Steve considered it. "All right," he agreed, finally relenting. "But you gotta get dressed, don't ya? And so do I. You can borrow my clothes… I'll get changed in the bathroom." Steve tossed Friday an undersized shirt of his, as well as a pair of pants, and vanished into the bathroom for a good few minutes. Then, he gave Friday about twenty minutes to fix up her hair and such, and they started off to the DX, which was only a short few blocks from Steve's own home.
At the DX, Soda stood outside, servicing a car with gasoline. When he noticed Steve coming toward him, Steve sensed a trace of malevolence in his expression, which surprised him. Soda didn't generally get angry, but right now, he did seem mad. Or disappointed. Or upset. Or, most likely, a hybrid of the three.
But then, when Soda noticed that Friday was also with Steve, he made a face that resembled a shriveled-up lemon and hurried into the convenience store.
Suddenly, Steve was wishing that he hadn't brought Friday along.