But I don’t answer. Not with words. Instead, I tilt her chin up and kiss her like it’s our last time.
37
SOPHIE
Ibrace myself, ready to face the wrath of my parents when I step through the front door. I’d wanted to spend the whole day at Theo’s, but the longer I’m there, the higher the likelihood of my parents having heard from Mrs. Crenshaw and then coming to look for me.
That’s the last thing I need.
I square my shoulders and take one last deep breath before walking through the entrance and into the house that feels more like a prison than a home. The familiar silence stretches too far, pressing on my ears. I hear my parents in the kitchen, discussing something work-related, and just a bit of the weight falls off of my shoulders. At least they weren’t sitting there waiting for me, ready to pounce.
I walk into the kitchen, my stomach a knot in my belly, my whole body tense like a live wire. They both glance at me quickly, then away again, clearly disinterested in me at the moment. My whole body relaxes, shoulders dropping just slightly. They haven’t heard anything.
Maybe Mrs. Crenshaw didn’t realize it was me. Maybe I got really damn lucky last night. Thank the stars, or whatever is outthere, for that fact. I slip by them, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, the cold plastic grounding me, and then turn to head up to my room.
“Sophie, where were you last night?” My father calls out, his voice devoid of any emotion.
My blood runs cold, pooling in my stomach. I refuse to turn around, afraid to see the expression on his face. “The fair and then Sal’s,” I say, hating how smooth the lie rolls off of my tongue. “Why?”
“Hm,” he grunts out.
I hesitate, waiting for anything more, bracing for it, but it doesn’t come. Relief rushes through my whole being. I rush up to my room before he changes his mind about ending the conversation there.
When I shut the bedroom door behind me, I sigh in relief, letting myself lean against it for a moment. My body stays tense, as if it’s coiled and waiting for a bomb to drop. The feeling of impending doom sits heavily in my chest, pressing on my lungs.
I am so close to graduation, so close to not having to worry anymore.
We just have to make it a little bit longer.
I pull out my phone, sending Theo and Sal both texts, letting them know I’m home. The two people I love most in the world. My safety nets. Sal hearts my message, her typical response, short and sweet.
Theo:Wish you didn’t have to leave. Now what am I supposed to do all day?
I chuckle, rolling my eyes.
Sophie:I’m sure you’ll find some way to keep yourself entertained.
Theo:Sure, but nothing is as entertaining as you.
A smile stretches across my face, my heart fluttering in my chest. Warmth spreads through me like sunlight. How in thehell did I get so lucky?
Theo:Also, don’t think I didn’t know your birthday is coming up.
I groan, laying back on my bed. My muscles sink into the mattress. I don’t enjoy my birthday and hadn’t planned on mentioning it to him at all. For my entire life, my mother has made birthdays so incredibly stressful, along with holidays and pretty much any and every special occasion.
It’s never really about me. It’s always abouther. In fact, she’s told me many times that I’ve ruinedmybirthday for everyone else. For not having the attitude she’d like, or some other imagined offense. Now that I’ve gotten older, I’ve become someone who minimizes them and pretends they don’t exist.
I’d rather just go on about my day than be under the pressure of ensuring everyone else enjoys themselves on a day that’s supposed to be celebrating me. I can do without all the stress. I can do without the fake smiles and the guilt trips.
Sophie:It’s not a big deal, I’d rather not celebrate.
Theo:Well, it’s a big deal to me. You deserve to be celebrated. We can do anything you’d like.
Theo:Within reason.
I smirk at that, imagining asking for something totally outlandish just to get a rise out of him.
Sophie:That’s alright. If I get to choose, I’ll just spend the day in bed with you.
