Jack: REALLY? So are you going to…?
Sophie: No. I like Margaret too much to fuel the fire of hate between Ashton and me. And we all know what happens when you sleep with the enemy. BTW you owe me more than coffee at this point…maybe a nice dinner after coercing all this info from me. I’m not usually a sharer. I hope you feel special.
Jack: I feel very special to know more about the beautiful Sophie.
Sophie: I may be wrong but when it comes to Ashton the rules of the game seem different now that Lucinda isn’t involved.
Jack: How so?
Sophie: For the longest time I was convinced that he hated me but now I’m not so sure that hate is the right word. Everything feels different. Maybe it’s me who has changed. Maybe it’s wishful thinking. I don’t really know but there is this new element of attraction I feel from him that confuses me. Can a guy hate and want a girl at the same time?
Jack: Yes but he doesn’t hate you.
Sophie: How do you know?
Jack: Didn’t you know that us gays have superpowers?
Sophie: Haha. Gotta go to my next class. Later.
Jack: Later. xox
When Sophie walked into the art studio, Mr. Walters called her over for a word. Sally looked like she was about to burst, her words barely contained behind her lips. Sally had witnessed Sophie getting dropped off this morning by Ashton and apparently had been dying to inquire about it.
“I have noticed your approach you took toward presenting your final project. Am I right to presume that you will enlighten me as to why you decided to step so far away from the specifications in your written report?” Mr. Walters paused for her nod of confirmation. “I’m looking forward to your explanation. I must say it was a bold move when it was specifically outlined to include both.”
“I know but you always say that art cannot be confined within rules.” Sophie smiled innocently.
“Very well, I will await your report before we discuss this further.”
Sophie sat down in front of her nearly complete painting. She was pleased with how she had captured the girl’s features. Her depiction of the woman embracing the love of herself came across exactly how she intended. Now she needed to come up with a convincing excuse why she didn’t include the male model, other than the fact that she didn’t want Ashton to have the satisfaction. It was not an option to fail. I am such an idiot!
“So?” Sally pulled Sophie’s attention from her painting.
“It’s not what it looked like. I work for his grandmother and he just gave me a lift this morning,” Sophie explained.
“I don’t believe it was nothing. He watched you walk all the way into the building with longing in his eyes. That boy has it bad and he is so gorgeous.” Sally beamed. “You are so lucky.”
“He was probably plotting my demise.” Sophie waved away Sally’s comment. Watching and hoping she would trip and fall so he could make fun of her was more like it. “We’re practically enemies.” Sophie ignored Sally’s snort of disbelief and began working the paint on her canvas. Were they still enemies? Do people make out with their enemies? I’m so confused!
Mr. Walters left the studio open after class for anyone who wanted to stay to finish their work. Sophie took advantage of the opportunity, completing her work to her satisfaction. She slid her finished painting into the rack to dry, taking in the other paintings. Ashton’s beautiful body was portrayed in everyone’s except hers. Every artist had had their own signature technique used to create his image, but he was well embodied in all of them. He was beautiful and it caused an ache in her. A maddening need for him continued to haunt her. She wanted to run her fingers over every curve depicted in the paintings. His full lips did wonders to hers. They had stirred a desperate heat in her that she could not extinguish. What is a girl to do?
***
Sophie sat on the bus, leaning against the window, wondering why Ashton had to come back into her life. Everything had been on course, predictable, and safe before he showed up. The only time she ever took any risk was with her art, or trying to work with a new fabric or design when sewing. Now, she didn’t know which way was up. She was drawn to Ashton like a magnet, fearing what would happen should she get too close. He was a walking predicament that terrified and excited her. Every logical part of her wanted to get as far away from him as possible but she feared not seeing him again most of all.
Sophie shook her head in disbelief as her iPod started playing “I Knew You Were Trouble” by Taylor Swift. Ashton was trouble and she knew it. The song was her new theme song for this chapter of her life.
When Sophie arrived at Margaret’s, Charlotte informed her that Margaret was resting.
“Is she not feeling well?” Sophie inquired.
“Just tired,” Charlotte reassured her before she hurried off to finish up her work. Sophie decided to take the time and familiarize herself with Margaret’s schedule. Sophie shuffled through Margaret’s contacts—hundreds of names were listed. Margaret had connections to many influential people. It made the handful of names on Sophie’s contacts pathetic in comparison. Scrolling through Margaret’s schedule, she noticed all the typical appointments to her favorite spa, luncheons, and community events, but there seemed to be numerous doctors’ appointments listed. She wondered why Margaret, who seemed so lively, would need to visit the doctor so frequently. She filed away the thought, not wanting to worry about something that may very well be nothing.
Sophie jumped when Ashton walked into the room. His eyes seemed dark and distracted when they settled on her curled up on the sofa. Sophie stood up quickly, straightening her clothes. “Margaret is resting,” she informed him quickly. She didn’t know why she was acting like she got caught doing something she shouldn’t have.
Ashton was dressed in a suit. It was the first time she had seen him in formal attire, and she couldn’t help but be impressed by his exquisiteness. He was temptation, strength, and power, and it made her knees feel weak as she looked at him.
“Are you finally trying to grow up and get a real job?” Sophie nodded toward his suit.
“Why would I go and do something like that?” He smiled wickedly.
“You’re right. It must be nice to carelessly go about your life chasing girls and squandering your parents’ money. What happened to you, anyway?” Sophie regretted asking as soon as she said it. It felt as if she had crossed a line onto new territory.