ch2

“I’m glad it’s the holidays,” Sophie said, hugging herself.

“I’m just glad I’m coming home. I haven’t been sleeping for forty-eight hours,” Dominic said nonchalantly.

Sophie craned her neck at this announcement, heavily concerned.

“Why?” she inquired curiously, even though she thought she knew what this was all about.

“Well, you know…I’ve been something like a father figure to the boys at the hostel. I’ve been organizing everything—going out here and there, getting all the foodstuff, listening to their freaking problems…I don’t know. I’m just freaking exhausted,” Dominic replied, his eyes still carefully on the road. Being neighbours, they were on the ride home together.

And still have the time for me, Sophie smiled inwardly.

“Oh. That’s quite funny, you know. You being a father figure.”

“Yeah well…maybe it’s due to the fact I brought the car over to the hostel. You know…since I’m the one with transportation.”

Silence. Sophie wondered how she was supposed to bring up the other night’s topic. She had wanted so much to talk to Dominic about it. Now it was two days after that unfortunate outing, and even though she was feeling better, she still wanted to talk. Simply because talking to Dominic had always made her feel better.

“You know Dom. I feel stupid.”

“Why?”

“Because of the other night.”

“Uh huh?”

“The fact I didn’t say a word to him.”

“Oh, that.”

Silence.

“You are stupid, Soph.”

“Don’t think I don’t already know that.”

“I mean, really. He was there the whole time and you didn’t do anything. Honestly, I wasn’t surprised you decided to just stick around and not even try to start up a conversation. To you, if you like someone, it’s just enough that you get to see him. That’s how you are.”

Sophie gulped. It was all true. She admitted it all silently to herself.

“I guess I just needed to hear that from you.”

Truthfully, Sophie was tired of making herself think about what happened. To her, it was dangerously emotionally exhausting. She had been thinking to herself these past few days. Conversations with Ingrid had made her come into a few conclusions. She would just have to tell him. Yup. One day she would. Hopefully as soon as this one-week holiday ended. Then she wouldn’t have to burden her mind fretting over stuff that has happened. It was all totally pointless. Worthless. Enough.

“Did he say anything?” Sophie asked timidly.

“There wasn’t time.”

Short, simple answer. Clearly he wasn’t Dominic’s favourite topic at the moment.

“I guess there’s nothing much to say.”

Dominic blinked. “He did say he liked hearing your voice.”

“Really?” Sophie said, lighting up.

“Uh huh.”

Then there is hope, Sophie thought. But then, it could mean nothing at all.

Me: so how was the ride?

You: quiet.

Me: did you ask him anything?

You: yeah

Me: you’ve gone monotone. I’m guessing it didn’t go well, huh?

You: yup. Uh huh.

Me: so how do you feel?

You: stupid.

Me: stop it

You: what?

Me: stop saying you’re stupid

You: unfortunately darling, I freaking am.

You’re not stupid: okay?

I am stupid: okay?

Cut it: it’s not helping you

You: okay okay. I’m not stupid.

Me: geez thanks.

You: so anyway. I met up with Claire.

Me: yeah?

You: yup. She says hi (:

Me: how’s she?

You: sleepy. Haha

Me: lol. Did you tell her?

You: yup

Me: so?

You: well, she said I had to apologize to him

Me: huh?

Me: why?

You: because I was supposed to say something to him. Who knew he was expecting me to.

You: well, I wish

Me: so did you?

You: yeah. I did.

You: took me fifteen minutes to type the whole thing

Me: haha

You: so anyway

You: I’m actually feeling a whole lot better.

Me: good. I don’t have to really deal with a negative Sophie then

You: say thank god

Me: thank god (;

You: talking to Claire made me think about some stuff

Me: like?

You: I deserve someone better?

Me: oh wow. Something like a rebound?

You: …

You: don’t you think so? Think. He’s just another version of Dominic. Minus the player part.

Me: well. I can’t say for sure, Soph. I hope you’re not lying to anyone.

You: I don’t hope so either. That would suck.

Me: definitely. What did Claire and you talked about?

You: boys

Me: duh

You: do you remember how the Kingston boys had always been some kind of a rival to our school and how we vowed never to fall for anyone from Kingston?

You: Ingrid?

Me: oh no

You: oh yes

Me: what are you saying?

You: I’m saying

You: that

Me: Sophie

You: I think I’m falling for one

Me: so you’re getting over him?

You: like I said, I deserve someone better

Me: and that someone better is a Kingston boy?

You: I hope so

Me: Sophie

You: I know it’s too fast. But what the heck. I know who’s been checking me out

Me: …

You: oh come on. You know it’s true

Me: I’ll just say be careful

You: you’re the one who said I had to gamble

Me: safely.

You: oh. Okay.

You: I’m just worried about one thing. The fact that he hangs out with the Kingston boys…

Me: isn’t gonna help. And the fat that his friends are in the know that you’re into him isn’t gonna help either

You: it’s gonna help them in thinking I’m a slutty flirt

Me: exactly

Me: so?

You: well. It’s time to gamble.

Gambler: don’t you think so?

Me: now I have to deal with Gambler Sophie. Why do I stick with you?

You: because, dear Ingrid. I tend to make stuff happen. Not wait for them.

Me: oh. I see.

You: so how’s stuff between you and your so-called casual love interest?

Me: well, let me call myself stupid now, can i?

You: more like chicken. That’s what Claire said.

Chicken: okay. I am a big fluffy yellow chicken. Happy?

You: oh come on darl. Make it happen already

Yellow chicken: nuh uh. I don’t exactly make stuff happen. I practically wait for them.

You: chicken

Yellow chicken: pak3!

You: haha. You are crazy

Yellow chicken: the more reasons why you are friends with me, Soph.

You: haha. You are crazy

Me: so we have a new target?

You: looks like it. We’ll see (: