I laugh again, enjoying her teasing. “See you tomorrow?”
She hugs me tightly. “Tomorrow.”
I slide into my car, windows down, the whole world glowing in the golden afternoon light, and I head for home. A smile on my face the entire way.
33
SOPHIE
The next few days pass in a blur of stolen moments. His hand brushes mine in passing, we trade lingering looks across the classroom, a whispered “thinking of you” when no one’s listening. We still talk on the phone every single night, longing for a future where no one expects anything from us. He tells me I’ll have a sunlit art gallery downtown, and he’ll show up with coffee every morning just to watch me paint. We laugh until I cry.
Theo’s confession, his beautiful words, his gentle touch… they are burned into my mind, playing on an endless loop. It’s like a dream, one I never want to wake up from. I glance over at the clock, though, and know it’s time to get up for the day, no more time for daydreaming. I make my way to the bathroom to get ready for school.
I catch my reflection in the mirror while brushing my teeth and immediately scowl. God, I look ridiculous, grinning like an idiot.Stop it. You’re going to blow it.
But I can’t stop. My cheeks hurt, my stomach is doing somersaults, and I swear I’ve been glowing since Monday. I’m doomed. He’s completely ruined me.
Downstairs, Bells narrows her eyes at me over her bowl of Captain Crunch. “You’re acting weird,” she says, spoon halfway to her mouth. “Like… weird, even for you.”
“Thanks, sis.” I roll my eyes. “Love you too!” I grab a granola bar and bottle of water, heading out the door before she can interrogate me further.
When I arrive at school, later than my new normal, I find coffee and a chicken biscuit waiting for me on my desk, still warm, but Theo nowhere in sight. My heart does a little flip. He spoils me in these quiet, careful ways like he knows what I need before I even ask.
I scarf it down, finishing up right as the first students begin to filter in, Theo right on their heels.
He shoots me a quick smile, his dimple making a brief appearance just for me. My chest squeezes tight. I swear that damn dimple gets me every time.
It’s become almost impossible to pretend things are normal between us. Every time I look at him, warmth floods my chest and my fingers twitch like they’re dying to reach for him. I’m surprised no one catches on.
Every glance between us, every “accidental” brush of his hand against me, feels loaded with so much emotion it’s like my skin is on high alert. Every nerve stretched tight and buzzing, begging for more. He tries his best to act normal, but honestly… he’s terrible at it.
Either that, or he’s begun not to care.
Today, as he begins the lecture, his voice cracks so badly that half of the class snickers. My heart stutters in my chest, a laugh rising in my throat as I watch him scramble. God, he’s so endearing when he’s flustered. When he goes to pass out papers, he drops the entire stack, papers floating to the floor.
Our eyes meet across the room as he stands again, gathering himself, and he gives me the smallest, sheepish shrug. I want to laugh out loud. I want to walk across the room and kisshim in front of everyone, just to quiet the ache twisting in my gut and pulling tight behind my ribs.
But I don’t. I can’t.
Instead, I keep my head down, focusing on staying here in my seat where I belong. I throw myself into the assignment, analyzing an excerpt of text, when my phone buzzes in my pocket.
I slowly pull it out, keeping it tucked under the desk.
Theo:I miss you.
Sophie:I’m right here.
Theo:And yet, you are so out of reach.
I glance up at him, finding his eyes glued to my face. I see everything there, in his expression. Love, longing, need. I feel the exact same way.
At lunch, Sal and I find a spot inside, the pollen having become too much to enjoy our spot in the courtyard. We munch on Doritos, Twizzlers, and a half-smashed bag of mini Oreos from Sal’s tote, none of which qualify as lunch, but whatever.
I hunch over my phone, half-listening to Sal as she complains about some guy who ghosted her. We both know he’ll be forgotten by tomorrow, though, so no use in dwelling on the fact. Sal throws away guys like they’re candy wrappers.
My screen lights up in my hand, Theo’s name once again appearing at the top.
Theo:Can’t stop thinking about you.
