Sophie: You wouldn’t know him, but his name was Collin. I was so grateful when I graduated and could move on!
Jack: Yes, I can see why. It seemed like Ashton was a complete jerk. Though, it doesn’t seem like the Ashton he is now. Maybe he has changed. Maybe you should give him a second chance.
Sophie: Never! Let’s not talk about Ashton anymore. He is your friend and I don’t want to come between you.
Jack: I told you we aren’t that close. Besides, I like you more. I’m curious about your history.
Sophie: Okay but only because you shared your secret with me. Ashton was the first boy that I had feelings for. I thought he was the most beautiful boy in the world and he hated me from the first moment he saw me. I was pathetic!
Jack: No you weren’t.
Sophie: That was the only time that I will ever admit I have feelings for Ashton BTW.
Jack: Have? Is Sophie in love with Ashton?
Sophie: HAD! I HAD feelings for Ashton on some tiny miniscule level when I initially met him and it lasted like 5 seconds. I found a quote one time that sums up my personal take on love: “Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.”
Jack: Sounds like the words of a scorned lover.
Sophie: Love is just not for me. It’s a fairytale. I am crawling into bed now. Tired from work. Next time we talk about you.
Jack: But I like talking about you more. You are far more interesting.
Sophie: Trust me I’m not and I don’t like talking about me. You’re lucky you got this much.
Jack: I like talking about you and I appreciate you opening up.
Sophie: Did Ashton tell you he is a nude model for my art class?
Jack: No. How does he look naked?
Sophie: No comment.
Jack: No comment? How disappointing.
Sophie: Fine…he is not disappointing. Happy?
Jack: Not disappointing…you can do better than that. Give me something else.
Sophie: No and no more talking about Ashton. Goodnight.
Jack: Night. xox
Sophie: xox
Chapter Six
Sophie woke with a start the next morning. She had slept in and was going to be late. “Oh no,” she whimpered as she scrambled out of bed and stumbled to the washroom. She couldn’t afford to be late for her art sitting this morning. It was the last session, and the painting was worth a substantial portion of her final mark. She flew through her morning routine and settled for running a brush through her hair before twisting it up in a messy bun. She pulled on her favorite oversized T-shirt and jeans before grabbing her supplies and running for the door. She had only a few minutes to make it to the bus stop.
As she rounded the corner, she saw the bus pull away. She cursed the punctual driver and herself for staying up late. She’d given up on the prospect of sleep and did some late night painting of a particular image she could not erase from her mind—Ashton.
Sophie turned when she heard her name called down the street. Mel was leaning out of the upper window of her apartment with a cigarette in one hand and the other waving at Sophie frantically. Sophie sighed as she made her way back toward their apartment.
“I have my boyfriend’s car. I’ll drive you!” Mel hollered down. “Just give me a sec.” She took a long pull on her cigarette before she snuffed it out and disappeared back into her apartment.
Mel shuffled out the front door a few minutes later with oversized sunglasses and an ensemble that was unusually modest for her.
“You’re up early,” Sophie commented as she watched Mel descend the stairs. Sophie could tell that Mel was tired by the way she carried herself. “Did you even go to sleep?”
“No, I’m too angry to sleep.” She huffed. Sophie followed Mel down to where an old black sedan was parked at an odd angle against the curb.
Sophie opened the passenger door and slid into the front seat. The smell of cigarettes assaulted her senses as she sat down in the disturbingly messy interior of the car. Mel reached over and grabbed some garbage by Sophie’s feet and threw it into the backseat. “He’s a fucking slob, if you haven’t already come to that conclusion,” Mel complained. Sophie noticed a dark shadow on her cheek.
“What happened to your face, Mel?” Sophie asked with concern.
Mel leaned back in the chair and took a deep breath. She reached up and pulled off her glasses, revealing a dark bruise that darkened the skin beneath her eye. “Corbin,” she confirmed.
“Don’t do this again, Mel.” Sophie’s tone was more demanding than she intended, but she couldn’t help her own anger at the sight of Mel’s injury.
“Why do they always turn into shitheads after a few months? It’s like they use up all their ability to be nice and all that’s left is the ability to use their fists to communicate,” Mel uttered in frustration. No matter how upset Mel got she never cried. Sophie took Mel’s hand in hers and squeezed affectionately. Mel was never one for displays of affection but Sophie knew the odd time when Mel needed it. Mel squeezed back tightly.