Wait, the freshman who is quirky and—let’s be honest—awkward? I know how guys are, so I would have thought he’d trade a limb for attention from vibrant and gorgeous Sophie. Tall, toned, and feminine. A soft dusting of freckles, contagious smile, and bouncing blond hair. In contrast, I remember when Leo chose to take a bite out of a cicada for his Extended Orientationtask. I try not to shudder. I mean, he’s kind and gentle, but Leo and not Austin? I guess I was light years off on that one.
“You’re just—” Sophie gives a frustrated sigh. “You’re so pretty and … sweet. It gets to be a lot.”
I squeeze my closed laptop. How dare she. I had far more than enough of this last year. I’m not even that sweet. I guess I keep my remarks to myself most of the time, but that’s definitely not “a lot.”
She picks at her nail polish and doesn’t notice the smoke coming from my ears. “I’m sorry I was rude to you the other day. You don’t deserve it. It just kills me that—” She stops. “Well I totally failed trying to talk to some guy—multiple times—and you don’t even care that Sir Levi himself suddenly stopped his bachelor life to chase after you.”
My grip softens. Levi’s behavior makes no sense, and mine must seem equally bizarre. “It’s definitely me who’s doing all the sudden stopping.”
That earns a chuckle. “I shouldn’t take it out on you. I’m sorry. It’s just a bummer, you know?”
“Such a bummer.” What is going on in Leo’s head? He’d be crazy not to like Sophie. My mind is turning, scheming. “Would it be totally over the line if I asked Leo about you?”
She purses her lips again and replies with a wave of her hand. “Whatever. Ask him, ask any of them.” The other Flooders? “I don’t expect it will make any difference.”
If it’s Leo she wants, it’s Leo she’ll have.
“Where are you headed?” I use my friendliest voice, too high-pitched. I hate myself a little for sucking up to her to avoid further conflict.
Sophie checks the time and glides toward the door, posture more relaxed. “Taco Bell with some people from bio.” Her voice holds no snarky undertone. Seems promising. “Safe to say you’re going to bed?”
“Yeah. Have fun.”
“See ya.”
Back to normal. I let out a breath.
Thank you for that.
I’m always here.
God’s presence with me is more palpable than usual, and I sit with him for a minute before pulling out my phone. Nine p.m. isn’t too late to text Levi, but he almost never texts me. I have to scroll way down to find him in my messages, and then my thumb hesitates over his name.
Hey. Have you seen Hitch?
Bloop. Sent.
The gratification of an almost instantdingback.
Hey, friend.
I have.
?
Could you help me with something?
Anything.
I shake my head, enamored and annoyed. How can a one-word text message make my heart beat faster?
He has a class thirty minutes after chapel, so this will be short. I can be brave for Sophie.
Coffee after chapel tomorrow?
Absolutely.
I love that he isn’t playing it cool with a “sure” or a “see you then.” A grin spreads across my face until a chill runs down my spine. What are the odds another chair will fall?
