Until Then : Book 1 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  “My Nan.” I finally gave in, pushing my inner argument with myself away.

  “Your what?”

  “My Nan...Grandmother.”

  “Oh, she lives there?”

  I leaned back against the window, “Yes.”

  “Is she American?”

  “No, she’s from London. She had a falling out with my parent’s. So, she moved to the most non eventful place she found.” I instantly regretted my choice of words. Not even two seconds into the conversation and I was already insulting her.

  “Thanks.” She pursed her lips together forming an uncomfortable smile. “Do the others not know about her? They seemed to not know anything about your trip.”

  “No, they don’t.”

  “Is that why you lied about where you met me?”

  “Yep.”

  “Why don’t they know about her?”

  I laughed, “You ask a lot of questions.” I looked over at her, and saw a hint of a smile.

  “I like to know things.”

  “I’m sorry about your dad.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. “She shouldn’t have said that.”

  She let out a small sigh, “It’s fine.”

  I hesitated for a moment, “Can I ask how he passed?”

  “Car accident.” She said softly. “I was in the car, he was picking me up from school. I remember it like it was yesterday. I saw the blue car coming toward us, but I didn’t know any better. It all happened so fast. I remember everything about that day. That’s why I was so weird that day on the plane when we took off. Cars, planes, even the subway freak me out a little.”

  “I’m sorry. Even if she’s not; I am.”

  “Thank you...I’m ok.” She paused for a moment and looked down at her shirt. Even with the makeup running down her face, she was almost sinful. She examined her white drink stained shirt, trying to avoid the fact that she was trying not to cry.

  “Here,” I stood up, and grabbed a shirt out of my dresser. “Put this on. You don’t need to stay in that.”

  She took the shirt from me with an uneasy look on her face.

  “Don’t worry I’ll turn around while you change.” I laughed, and turned my back to her.

  “Why are you being nice to me?” She asked.

  “I’m not a jerk.”

  “But what about your girlfriend?”

  “Jess? We haven’t dated in over a year.”

  “She’s around a lot.”

  How do I explain my life? How do I explain Jessica? The fact that my family gave me a big fuck you, the fact that my family controls everything, everyone.

  “I’m done. You can turn around.” Her voice was sweet, far from the anger that had filled her a few minutes ago.

  I turned, and took in the sight in front of me. Her brown hair draped over my grey shirt. It suited her. Reality hit me when I realized my gaze lasted longer than I intended. I made my way back to the window seat.

  “You don’t have to babysit me, you know.” She followed, and sat down next to me. I could feel her nerves radiating off of her.

  “I know, but do I really want to hang out with a bunch of intoxicated people, or sit here and talk to you?” I nudge her side. A small laugh released from her, and a sweet smile followed.

  “See that’s better. No more tears, ok?” I wiped away a remaining tear that was resting on her cheek.

  “Ok, but no more being a jerk either.”

  I smirked, “I think I can make that work.”

  Sophia

  Someone clearing their throat by the door caused me to jerk my head in that direction. Jess was standing there staring at us, probably plotting my death.

  “What’s this?” She walked over; anger was plastered on her face.

  “What do you want, Jess?” Stefan's voice was stern.

  She folded her arms across her chest. “Well I came up here to see you, but apparently you are preoccupied with this cry baby.”

  He stood up, almost as if he were challenging her. “First off being rude is the opposite way to make me not pissed at you.”

  “I’ll go, it’s fine.” I tell them.

  Stefan waved his hand in my direction. “No, you don’t have t...”

  “Um what are you wearing?” Jess asked me, cutting him off before he could finish his sentence.

  I looked down at the stained shirt in my hand, and then back at her. I didn’t respond. She didn’t deserve it. I walked toward the door, and left them both standing there. Half way down the stairs I could hear her start to yell at him. Part of me wanted to stay to see how it was going to end, but I knew better. Jess had it out for me, and if I stayed, she would have sunk her claws in deeper.

  I looked at the time on my phone. It was already 3 AM. I couldn’t believe Stefan and I were talking for two hours. Tonight I cried more than I ever wanted to. These people probably think I'm crazy. Well honestly, Jess is the crazy one. Stefan is confusing. I am tired. My stomach started to rumble, I could really go for a burger right now.

  Chapter Nine

  Sophia

  Monday morning came fast. I spent the majority of the weekend working at Joe’s and preparing for my first day at my new office job. I haven’t seen Keira since Friday night; she must have stayed at Leo’s this weekend. Sam said Stefan left Saturday morning, and hasn’t been back since. Sam and I hung around the house for the most part. It wasn’t all that bad. He tried to convince me to go out with him Saturday, but I made it very apparent that after Friday’s events I needed a break.

  Rolling out of bed was the hardest part. My stomach was queasy with nerves. This is a curl your hair kind of day. I grabbed my black dress pants and white button down. I debated on black heels or flats, but it was my first day. I needed to make a good impression. I slid on my heels, tucked in my shirt, and applied my staple red lip. I actually thought I looked pretty adult like.

  My office was only a few stops up, it shouldn’t be too hard to get there in time, but just in case I planned on leaving the house early. On my way to the subway, I noticed all the people rushing with their morning coffee. Everyone was in a hurry, which I guess I was too. I walked down the stairs to the subway; the stench was real even in the morning.

  Luckily I got there just as the train pulled up. I swiped my pass, and picked up my pace to make it on the train, which of course was packed. I squeezed next to this big burly man reading a book. The after shave was strong with this one. I tried to refrain from coughing, but a few slipped out of my mouth.

  We finally arrived at my stop. I jumped up, and made my way toward the doors. I knew I would probably carry the aroma of aftershave with me the rest of the day. Instantly I felt overwhelmed from the tall buildings looming over me. I gazed up, unsure of which one was mine. I pulled my phone out to look at the address again, but I don’t even know what floor it was on.

  This way...ok it says go this way. I walked down the street, and around the corner. Standing in front of my building, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. It looked as if the building was laughing at me, because of how nervous I was. I walked through the spinning doors, and scanned the room. Everything was business chic and white; lots of white. Of course there were a million floors. The email didn’t have a floor number on it for some reason; at least I didn’t see one. I didn’t want to make myself look unprepared on my first day. My stubbornness was keeping me from calling. It’s probably a test to see how dumb the new girl is.

  “Hey!” A voice from behind me made me jump. Relief came over me when I saw a well suited Cameron; his hair was no longer the shaggy blonde that I was used to. He had it styled very professionally, to match his well fitted navy blue suit.

  “Hi,” I smiled, trying to compose myself.

  He pressed the up button for the elevator. “Fancy seeing you here. Are you lost?”

  I glanced down to the email on my phone, “Actually, I am.”

  “Where are you trying to get to?” He took my phone to look at my email.

 
“VAS. It’s my first day.”

  “No way, that’s where I work. You didn’t tell me that. It’s on the 10th floor. You must be the new girl.” He stepped onto the elevator, handing me my phone back.

  I don’t know if you have ever wanted to live in an elevator because it was so beautiful, but I did at this moment. It was outlined in gold trim, with walls of mirrors that made you feel like you were in another dimension. Not great for a queasy girl on her first day, but it was beautiful.

  “Don’t be nervous.” He gestured toward me fiddling with my hands.

  I gave him a small smile. “I’ll try.”

  The doors open revealing a room with grey walls, pictures of weird shapes, with sleek tan couches. What I assumed would be my desk was front and center. An odd sculpture caught my attention. It must be their attempt on modern chic. “Cozy.” I mumbled without thinking.

  Cam looked at me, and laughed. A woman of middle age entered the front office with a horrible expression on her face. Cam’s shoulders straightened immediately. Her hair was brown, the same brown as her eyes. Her brow was furrowed, she was in full concentration.

  “Good Morning Ms. Franklin! This is Sophia. I believe she is the new girl.”

  “Early. Good. I like you already. This is where you sit.” She tapped the top of the desk. “You will be stationed here most of the time.” Her voice was stern, and raspy. Why does she sound like a zombie, and a drill sergeant? Honestly I didn’t understand how she could sound like both at the same time. She was an anomaly.

  “Good luck.” Cam whispered, and walked toward the hall. I could use all the luck that I could get being left here with zombie sergeant. She’s not scary at allllll.

  “This way,” She demanded and walked down the long hall. The horrible green carpet was hard to not pay attention to. It’s like they decorated everything else, and said screw it with the carpet color.

  The room Ms. Franklin left me in to do my new hire paperwork was nothing but an empty room, with a desk and chair. I finished the paperwork pretty fast, I sat there for a moment, not really knowing what to do next. It would have helped if she told me where to find her after I was done.

  I poked my head out of the doorway. No one was in sight and I only knew this room and the front desk. Great. I couldn’t decide which door to walk through as I crept down the hall. Thankfully I saw Cam standing in the doorway of an office.

  I briskly walked up to him before he disappeared, “Where is Ms. Franklin?”

  “Are you done? I can take your paperwork.” He smiled, and took the file out of my hand. “Here I'll show you how the phone and emails work. Better me than Ms. Franklin.” He laughed.

  The next few hours consisted of transferring calls to the wrong person, accepting mail, doodling, an insane amount of pretending like I'm doing something on the computer. Every time someone walked by I forced a smile, and clicked random spots on the computer. The phone rang for the 90th time.

  “Thank you for calling VAS, how may I direct your call?”

  “Cameron Jones, Please.” The voice said.

  I picked up a pen, “May I ask who is calling?”

  “Stefan Edwards” My heart fluttered at the sound of his name, all of a sudden my hands became clammy, and my stomach started to dance. What is wrong with me? Get it together.

  “Oh hi.” I half squeaked out.

  “Hi?” He sounded so confused. I could hear it in his voice. I transferred him before he could say anything else. I put my face into my hands, shaking my head back and forth. I let out a loud sigh. Why am I so awkward?

  A few minutes later Cam came walking out of his office, as he put on his suit coat. He walked up to my desk laughing, “Soph, did Stefan scare you? He said the new girl weirded him out.”

  “Oh no, I'm sorry. He just surprised me. I didn’t know...I...” I felt my face turning red.

  “It’s ok.” He cut me off before I could embarrass myself any further. “He makes all the ladies nervous. I’m meeting him for lunch.” He started walking toward the elevator while straightening his collar. “See you in an hour.”

  The entire next hour I sat there fiddling with a pen. Spinning, and clicking it in my hands as I watched the clock. I don’t know if it's the fact that I haven’t seen Stefan since that night, or that I just embarrassed myself over the phone that was making me more nervous. I shouldn’t care, I didn’t come to New York for a guy; especially not this guy.

  I was finally happy with my pep talk when the elevator doors opened, and there he was. Everything I just told myself went out the window. Was he always that tall? He had on black skinny jeans, loose green t-shirt; laughing. He was laughing. I’ve never noticed his smile until this moment. I didn’t even notice they had walked up to me, until Cam tapped on the desk.

  “Hey, Soph I’m back. You can start transferring calls to me again. Stefan here thought he needed to escort me all the way to my seat apparently.” Cam laughed. “Next thing I know, he’s going to be escorting me to the bathroom too.”

  Stefan walked up to my desk, resting his arms on top of it, “Didn’t want you to get lost.”

  Cam smirked, “Yeah, ok. Whatever you say. I’ll see you later.” He walked toward his office, leaving Stefan and I in awkward silence.

  The silence was dreadful. It felt like 30 minutes, but in reality it was more like 30 seconds.

  “So...” He said. His eye contact was intense. I felt my body shift. Where’s an eject button when I need it? I pursed my lips into an uncomfortable smile wishing for this moment to be over.

  He picked up the pen that I had been fiddling with, “Do you like food?”

  “Yes?”

  He pointed the pen in my direction, “Do you work Wednesday?”

  “No.” I replied, smiling at one of my coworkers passing by.

  “Well, do you want to get food with me?”

  I laughed, “You mean dinner?”

  “Yes dinner. That’s what I meant.”

  “You’re being weird.” Really, Sophia? A guy asked you to dinner and you responded with you’re being weird. Smooth. You hit that right out of the park.

  “So, you don’t like food?” He cocked his head to the side slightly, still showing that sly smile of his.

  I just need to answer. “Sure. I would like to have food with you.”

  He laughed at my taunting tone. “Ok, it’s a date.” He set my pen down, and walked toward the elevator without saying bye, or really even ending our conversation.

  He left me even more confused than when we started. He turned to push the button in the elevator; my eyes darted toward my computer to avoid him catching my gaze. I was relieved once the doors finally closed. A date? I’m going on a date with Stefan? What happened to your pep talk? Your pep talk was shit apparently.

  When 4:50 hit people were already leaving for the day. I was happy that I made it through my first day without having a full on anxiety attack. Even with the weird events from earlier.

  Cam walked up next to me. “How was your first day?”

  “Fine,” I smiled, collecting my things.

  “Did Stefan talk to you?” He asked while he waited on me.

  I looked at him confused, as I stood up. “Talk to me?” Did Stefan tell him about asking me to dinner?

  “About him and Jess.” He said it like it was common knowledge.

  “Him and Jess?” Ok, now I was confused.

  “They worked things out I think? They might be back together. I just wanted to tell you, because she might be around a lot more.”

  “No, he didn’t.” I stood there blinking, and breathing; because that’s all I knew how to do after hearing this breaking news.

  Chapter Ten

  Sophia

  My entire way home all I thought about was how I wanted to tell Stefan off for once again being a complete ass. Cam insisted he would escort me home after work. I guess they had plans to have a guy’s poker night. At least that's what he keeps going on and on about.

  “I’m
the best; smoked them all last time.”

  “Mhmm,” I agreed because I haven’t been paying the slightest attention the past 10 minutes. He continued talking, but I didn’t hear a word of it.

  We arrived at the front door. For some reason I didn’t want to enter. I can’t handle more embarrassment. I could make up an excuse and say I was supposed to meet up with some friends for Happy Hour? No, that's highly unbelievable. I don’t have any friends in the city.

  At that moment the door opened, and there he was. Cam greeted him in that weird way that guys always greet each other. I brushed past Stefan without making any eye contact, heading straight toward Keira’s room, hoping she could be my escape. I was still frustrated with her for telling Jess everything, but honestly I would rather deal with that than having a conversation with him right now.

  Keira was sitting on her bed when I entered; I leaned up against her bedroom wall, hiding out of sight from the doorway. I could hear footsteps up the stairs.

  “Hi?” She looked at me like I had lost it.

  I shook my head vigorously, mouthing hush. Her attention turned toward the door.

  “Keira, did Sophia come up stairs?” Stefan asked. I was praying he wouldn’t step any further into her room; I was barely out of sight of the door.

  “No?” She sat there still holding her mascara wand mid air. I watched as her eyes darted towards me, and then back to him. He left the room, and continued up the stairs. I walked over to the door, and pushed it quietly shut.

  “Are you ok?” She set her makeup down, and shifted in her seat to face me.

  I was hesitant for a moment. The last time I confessed my secrets to her, the lovely Jessica turned it all into a huge joke. My better judgment failed me, and it was as if I couldn’t stop my mouth.

  “I don’t know what to do. At first I thought it was sweet; charming even. Now I think it’s a joke. I don’t know what to believe.” I started pacing back and forth.

  “Whoa, slow down. What are you even talking about?” She stood, and walked up to me. She rested her hands on my shoulders, stopping me from walking.