by K. Walker
“Guess you don’t like him either,” Wes replied.
“At the moment, no,” I replied honestly.
“Great. We already have something in common.” Then he stood. “Anyway, I’ll catch you, one way or another.” He winked and walked off, and Stacey grabbed my hand.
“You said no? What the hell is wrong with you?” she asked, her eyes peeled and searching mine for some truth she thought I might be withholding.
“What do you mean? I wasn’t interested.” I sipped my Coke again, and looked away.
“Get interested because he isn’t going to back off. When Wes sinks his teeth in, he wins, or you lose an arm,” Alexi warned.
“You’re all giving me reasons to avoid him. Plus, Chad just happened. Why would I want to repeat that, with his apparent rival at that? And how the hell do the two of them handle being at the same school?” I laughed.
They joined in. “Good question,” Amanda giggled. “They’ve been at each other’s throats since kindergarten, or earlier.”
“Yeah, but I like Wes better than Chad. He’s more…composed. I don’t know what word I want to use, but that’s what came to mind.”
“I know what you mean,” Stacey added. “He’s less of a jerk. Cocky, but less than Chad. Or maybe they’re both the same. I don’t even know. They’re like Tommy and Ghost on Power – you don’t know who to love or hate more.”
“I see,” I mused. “So, in other words, stay away from both. Got it.”
They laughed just as the bell rang, signaling the end of the only part of my day that had made sense so far. We split and headed to our various classes. I, for one, was glad I wasn’t in any class with any of them. Not even Wes. I wasn’t sure what classes he was taking, but I was sure World Literature wasn’t one of them.
I hurried to my locker to retrieve my binder. As soon as I opened it, a piece of paper fell out. I picked it up and opened it.
He’s not who you think he is was handwritten on the white background. I turned it over, but there was nothing else there. I scanned the hallway but there was no one around.
Who wasn’t who I thought they were? What did I think of anyone, anyway? And who in hell had left that note?
All questions I couldn’t answer as I closed the door and crumpled the paper in my hand.
At the end of the day when I stepped outside, the R8 wasn’t there, and somehow, my spirit sank. A part of me still held onto him, which didn’t make sense, and I hated myself for it.
Feelings suck, I thought as I walked down the steps and headed to my car.
Chapter 4
Volleyball was my life, but somehow Chad had managed to ruin that for me. I stood in the locker room, and the cheers coming from the gym were deafening.
Yet the thundering of my heart was above all the other sounds.
“Why the hell are you nervous?” Alexi asked as she stood.
“I don’t know,” I replied and walked around the bench. “New environment. Chad. Callie. I just feel like they’re going to do something to ruin this for me. And he knows what this means to me.”
“Fuck that!’ Alexi spat. “This is all about you. There’s no one else out there but the other team and us. For now, there is no Callie, or Chad, or Wes, or anything else standing between you and that win. You got that?”
I sucked in a deep breath and did a head roll. “Okay, I think I’m ready now.”
“You better be,” Amanda replied, “because they’re ready for us.”
And now, for your resident volleyball champions, the Madison Falls Dolphins, the speaker announced and we jogged through the doors, through the opening in the stands and onto the court.
I was freakin’ afraid to even glance at the crowd. I took my position and eyed the other team. That was all I needed to do – focus on the game and win, like I’d always done.
Serve!
The other team hit the ball over the net, and I tipped it back. Howls and hoots echoed around the gym like I had just made a touchdown on the football field. It had just been a serve and a response.
“Go Sophia!” Someone shouted from the benches.
Shit! Was that Wes?
I wasn’t going to look. I didn’t need any distractions. The game kept on, and half way in, we were leading by six points. We took a break, and I wasn’t surprised to see Wes walking toward us.
“What the hell is he doing?” I asked under my breath and pretended not to see.
“He’s Wes,” Amanda answered and rolled her eyes.
“Good job out there,” he complimented me. Not the team. Me.
“Thanks, but it wasn’t just me out there,” I had to remind him and took a long swig of my water.
“You’re all I see.” He grinned and reached out to touch my face.
I pulled back and caught his hand. “I’ll catch up with you later, Wes. I have a game to finish.”
“Okay.”
He stood in the same spot as we returned to the court. Our break was over. When I took my position, I saw him out of the corner of my eye, walking back to the stands, but he didn’t go all the way to where he had been sitting before. He stood where I would have to pass when the game was over, like he was waiting me.
The whistle blew after ten minutes and we were back in the game. The longer it continued, the more into it I got until everything else was a blur. We won by twelve points.
“Congratulations,” Callie said smugly as I headed back to the locker room. “I see you have some use after all.”
I turned, my lips quivering to say something bitchy to her smug face as she grinned at me, her pink lips glistening like a snake’s back.
“Let it slide,” Amanda said on my left and steered me back around.
“Sophia!” Wes called, and I turned to see him running over to me. “Hey.”
Callie’s face lit up. “Isn’t this special. What? You into seconds or something?” she asked Wes and rolled her eyes.
Wes’ brows arched. “Seconds? What are you talking about, Callie?”
“Oh, that’s right. You weren’t here, because you had…‘taken a year off.’ Let me update you. This right here is Chad’s leftovers. Two weeks old, right Sophia?” She laughed, whipping her blond hair over her shoulder.
Wes’ head turned sharply to face me. “Really? Damn, he moved fast. I thought you just came to Madison Falls.”
“Wes, I’m not going to stand here and defend myself to you or anyone else.”
“No, on the contrary,” he said and touched my shoulder. Callie scrunched up her face and tapped her purse as she waited for Wes to do something in her favor. Chase me off, maybe? She didn’t know how much of a favor he would be doing me if he did. “I’m intrigued.”
“Ugh!” Callie grunted. “Typical. But don’t think she’s your type anyway. Isn’t that right, Sophia? Couldn’t keep Chad. Surely won’t be able to hold Wes’ interest.”
“What would you know about how to keep Chad?” I spat.
“Ooh!” Wes cooed and laughed. “Now I definitely like her.”
Callie’s face reddened as she turned to Paris, whose eyes looked like a deer’s. “Did you hear that?”
“I did,” Paris scoffed. “Who does she think she is?” She tossed her brown hair over her shoulder and glowered at me, like that made a difference.
“Anyway, ladies, this was fun, but I have to run.” Wes grinned and looked thoroughly amused. “I’ll definitely hit you up later,” he said as he took my hand, and walked off, letting it slide from his as he left.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Callie grabbed me and asked.
“Excuse me?” I frowned, and removed her hand. “What am I doing?”
“Your innocent act isn’t going to work on me, you slut!” she spat. “Just take your slimy hands off of Chad and Wes. You’re not in their league. By the way, doesn’t your mother need help? Maybe you could start hanging out with her after school and leave the fun stuff to me and my girls. It’s not your scene anyway.”
; I wanted to slap the smirk right off of her face. Amanda yanked me back just in time. Again, to my rescue. Or Callie’s. She had no idea what she was talking about, but that’s how girls like Callie were – more wind than rain.
“It’s not worth it,” Amanda assured me.
“That’s right. Go on,” she grinned, her blue eyes flashing as she placed her hands on her hips.
“I guess she didn’t learn her lesson from the last time,” I said angrily as I pushed open the door to the locker room.
“It’s best to just ignore her. She’ll get bored and go away,” Liz said as she slipped off her shoes and tossed them into her bag.
I sank onto the metal bench and slumped my shoulders. “Somehow, I don’t see that happening. And Wes isn’t making it any better. But I can’t help but think I should just play her game and see who comes out on top.”
“No, you’re not doing that,” Stacey said right away. “They’re not in our league. And you’re not like them.”
“True,” I replied, but still…
I was starting to entertain the idea of messing with Wes just to piss off Chad and Callie. I knew they hated it. I had seen the way Chad looked at me whenever he caught me talking with Wes. I could only assume it made him jealous. But that was his fault. If he hadn’t blown me off, Wes would have been a non-factor.
“Where are we going tonight to celebrate?” Liz asked and stretched. “I could use a good vibe.”
“Liz, it’s a school night. You won’t be able to get any kind of buzz that will last.”
“Speaking of which,” Liz added. “Deven’s having a party on Friday at his house. You guys game? Cody told me about it, and they know we’re a package deal.” She grinned.
I could already smell the trouble gathering like that would get me into – all of them under the same roof, gunning for me, and no rules between me and them.
“I don’t think I should even go there. It’s bound to be a disaster,” I replied and pulled my sweatshirt over my head.
“Um, hello? Deven’s house!” Alexi replied excitedly. “You don’t even hear that shit on regular school news. Those parties are exclusive, and if we got an invite, I’m going.”
“Got that right,” Liz replied. “And Sophia, you can’t skip every party for the rest of the school year.”
“I know. But I just want to skip this one,” I whined and slumped my shoulders. “Don’t I get a freebie?”
“Nope,” Liz answered chirpily. “Not when I’m around.”
“Liz, you won’t even be with us,” I laughed. “You’ll be in a corner with Cody, exchanging bodily fluids.”
“Ew!” she gushed. “Why do you gotta make it sound so disgusting?”
“But she’s right,” Amanda drawled. “I might need you, though, Sophia.”
“I don’t know, but I’ll think about it,” I told them and held up my hands. “And not a single word about this again. I deserve that much.”
Stacey and Liz pulled imaginary zippers over their mouths and Amanda pursed her lips. “Good. Now I’m going home because I’m tired as hell. Anyone need a ride?”
“No,” they all replied simultaneously.
“See you tomorrow, hun,” Alexi said and hugged me.
“You, too.”
I grabbed my gym bag and headed outside before the others. I felt exhausted, and as I was exiting the building my phone vibrated against my ass.
It was Mom, and a smile lit up my face.
Mom: How are you sweetie? How was the game?
Sophia: It was great. We won! Yay!
Mom: That’s wonderful. Does that mean I need to get you something?
Sophia: Lol! Mom, I’m not ten. I’m good.
I opened the back door and tossed my bag onto the seat. I had decided against telling her the gory details of my and Chad’s breakup – I wasn’t even sure what I would say anyway. I still didn’t know what the hell happened and she had only seen him once.
The phone buzzed on the seat and I grabbed it.
Chad: Where are you?
Sophia: Leaving school now. Want to get dinner with me? I miss having you around. You’ve been so busy lately.
I tossed the phone back onto the seat and turned on the car. I had literally just put my foot on the pedal when a sickening feeling hit me in the stomach and I grabbed the phone.
Shit!
I thought I had texted Mom. I had answered Chad instead.
How to delete? Too late.
Chad: Don’t go to the party on Friday.
Was he really checking up on me and telling me what to do?
Sophia: I’m sorry, but that message was intended for my mother.
I wasn’t sure if I should feel hurt or embarrassed that he had totally ignored the fact that I had inadvertently invited him to dinner. Or grateful he hadn’t responded.
Chad: Did you hear what I said?
Sophia: Chad, you lost the right to tell me what to do the minute you decided to walk out on me. Without even an explanation? You don’t get to say shit to me now!
He hasn’t answered a single message since he broke up with me, and now he has the gall to tell me what to do? I don’t think so.
I had no intention before of going to the party. But just because it would irritate him, I changed my mind right then and there. I don’t know how many messages I deleted without even looking but I honestly didn’t give a shit.
My tires squealed as I exited the parking lot and turned onto the street, this time ignoring the several chimes that followed.
Chapter 5
I couldn’t believe almost two months had passed since I had been labelled new girl at school and nothing had changed.
I was still on Callie’s radar and it felt like even more so now than before.
Chad dumped me without a reason, or at least one that made sense. He had been avoiding me like the plague for the most part, until Wes showed up. Now he was a cross between Mr. Jealousy and Mr. Protector? I had assumed the note had to have come from him.
I groaned and tossed the cover over my head. I didn’t feel like going to school. I couldn’t deal with the drama one more day. I needed a break.
So I rolled over in bed and pulled the covers a little closer. I didn’t want to think about anything or anyone. My senses had been bombarded over the last year, and I felt overwhelmed.
But I knew the perfect remedy for that.
The beach.
I felt light right away. There was nothing a day at the beach couldn’t cure. And it would be a day I wouldn’t have to share.
Just me and the waves. At least, Chad had given me something I couldn’t repay – he had helped me to overcome my fear of the water. Which was why none of what he did or was doing made any sense.
There I go thinking about him again.
I sighed and got out of bed. I knew lying there would only stir up memories I had been trying to bury.
My eyes caught the time on my phone display – ten after nine. School was already in session, and I saw the message icons. Of course, someone would miss me by now. Maybe Amanda. None of the others usually saw me before lunch.
I sank onto the edge of the bed and reached for the phone.
Amanda: Where are you? You’re going to be late.
Mom: I left you something in the kitchen. I know you’re not ten, but still, you know me. I might get home early later. Who knows? Sighs. Wish me luck.
Chad: Did you ditch school to be with your boyfriend?
I stared at his message as my jaw dropped and swiped a hand through my hair. Are you kidding me? My boyfriend? Why is he being such a dick about Wes? We aren’t even together. Does everyone blow things out of proportion at Madison Falls High? Or is Chad caving?
The latter thought made me smile. I decided to reply in the order that I had received the messages. I had to – there would be more, and I had an OCD thing going on concerning not answering calls or messages. It would eat away at me if I ignored a call or text, and then didn’t acknowledge it after
.
Sophia: Not coming in today, Amanda. Tell the girls so they don’t text worrying. I’m fine. Just needed a day without all the crap. And no, you don’t need to rush here after school.
Sophia: Hi, mom. I’ll be home today. Don’t worry, I’m not sick. Just one of those days, like after Rachel. I might go to the beach to take a load off. And thanks for whatever you left in the kitchen. You never listen, but I love you anyway
Sophia: Yes!
That last message was for Chad, and I grinned as I replaced the phone. I would have given anything to see the look on his face when he read that. Served him right. He was being a total ass. You don’t get to dump me and then be jealous.
I shuffled to the closet and opened it. Thanks to him, again, I had a couple of bathing suits. And surf gear. I slipped into my swim suit and slung the bag over my shoulder as I headed downstairs. If I was lucky, I would catch a few early waves.
I was pinning my hair at the top of my head when the phone buzzed again. My heart raced thinking it might be Chad.
It was.
Chad: What the fuck are you doing?
Sophia: Excuse me? Chad, what the fuck are YOU doing? This is my life. You’re not in it. Just another ass that I met. You need to stop texting me or I’m going…
I paused in my rage-texting, and my chest heaved. Why was I even giving him the time of day? He never responded to any of my messages, so why should I answer him?
I deleted the message and slipped the phone into my bag. I wasn’t going to waste anymore of my time on Chad. I was out of his life. Period!
Mom had gotten me a white-band, Apple series 5 smart watch, to replace the one I had lost after the accident. I wasn’t in the water much after that and that was one of the main reasons I had it – to measure water depth.
Sophia: Nice gift, mom, but why do I feel like you’re buttering me up for something later?
Mom: Lol!
She didn’t deny it, so I held my breath in anticipation of what I would need to do for her later. Still, it was a nice gift, and I immediately took it from the box and slipped it on. I would hook it up later – for now it would serve its purpose in the water.
