I have a huge list of chores to get done today before I can escape from my prison, and I’m committed to getting them done quickly. The plan is to meet Sal at her house and ride with her and Jace. I’d talked with Theo about going with me, but even though the fair is an hour away, he’s still nervous that someone we know will see us.
I don’t think that’s the case, but maybe that’s wishful thinking. The fair is huge and goes on after sundown. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd. I just want this part of my life to be over already, to graduate and be free to spend time with him.
We’re almost there. Only a month and a half to go and then freedom.
I race around the house, vacuuming and mopping at top speed. Nothing motivates me like getting the hell out of this house for a night of fun. My mother decided to flip on me last night, declaring I don’t do enough around here to help out. So here I am, completing the long list of chores she scribbled down on the back of an envelope before she left the house this morning. When I finally finish, I race upstairs to shower and do my hair. I want to get to Sal’s with plenty of time to let her pretty me up before it’s time to go.
I get caught up staring at my reflection in the mirror, every tiny imperfection glaring back at me. I tug at my shirt like maybe it'll hide me better, rake my fingers through my damp curls only to huff and yank them into a messy bun. As much as I know Theo is telling the truth about everything with his ex, and as much as I trust his loyalty and love for me, it’s hard not to compare myself to her. She’s a fully grown, independent woman, with an entire art gallery to her name. She’s stunning and creative and probably smart, too.
In comparison to her, I am not much at all.
I believe him, though. When he said those words to me... the honesty in his voice was too raw not to be real. He meant every word.
I shake off the self-doubt trying to edge its way in. Not tonight. Tonight, I’m going to have fun.
When I finish up, I stuff my makeup into a bag, grab a few outfits to choose from, and head to Sal’s. The drive is a blur, streetlights smearing across my windshield as my mind floats somewhere else. I almost miss the turn into her neighborhood.
She texts me to let myself in, so I do. I climb the grand staircase and barge into her room, throwing my bag on her bed likeI own the place. Honestly, I should have my own bedroom here at this point.
Sal is at her vanity, expertly applying her eyeliner with a practiced hand. She does the best wings, and despite her efforts to teach me, I’ve never been able to master it. Anytime I try, they end up so wonky I just give up and wipe them off.
“Helloooo,” she says in a sing-song voice.
“Hi!” I throw myself onto her oversized bean bag chair and get comfortable.
“Is Theo coming tonight?”
I shrug. “I don’t think so. He’s nervous to be out in public with me like that.”
“Well… can’t say I blame him.”
I drop my head back and sigh. “I know. I just want to have fun with him. I hate that we have to be sneaky. Life is so unfair.”
She laughs. Actually, cackles is more accurate. “You snagged a ridiculously hot teacher. Don’t want to hear how unfair life is for you.” She turns, sticking her tongue out at me.
“Yeah, yeah. Maybe you can try and get with Mr. Jones if you’ve got a teacher kink.”
She throws a mascara wand at me, but it soars over my head and smacks into the wall behind me. Thankfully. That would’ve hurt.
“Mr. Jones is, like, eighty. No thanks!”
“He could be your sugar daddy...” I waggle my eyebrows, and she glares at me.
“I hate you,” she says.
I blow her a kiss.
She finishes my makeup and we get dressed, the time flying by as we dance and sing along to the playlist blaring from her speaker. As the sky begins to dim outside her balcony doors, I check the time. Seven o’clock, time to go.
I shoot off a quick text to Theo.
Sophie:Hey, we’re about to head there. I wish you were coming.
Theo:Drive safe and have fun. I wish I was, too.
I grin down at my phone, my cheeks aching from smiling so hard. I tap the screen lightly, hugging it to my chest for a second before stuffing it into my pocket when Sal clears her throat at me.
“Let’s go!”
