Someone Like You

Chapter 13 - Jamie's POV

It was early. Too early to be drinking. Pete and I were both devastated. He was losing Sophia. No matter how calm I seemed, I was worried about my father. I'm not a party girl. I drink occasionally. Only occasionally.

"Jamie, do you think Sophia loves Chaz?" Peter asked me, gulping down his ninth bottle of beer. I was trying to keep myself away from getting drunk, so I kept my amount of glasses to a minimum.

"I don't know, Pete. She likes him?" I stuttered out. I suddenly felt uncomfortable in his presence. He looked like the alcohol was intoxicating him already. "You should stop now. I'll call you a cab." I stood up to go to the phone while Peter lay down on the couch.

"Don't. I'll crash here." he snickered. I sighed, putting the phone back and sitting on the floor, facing him. "Jamie, were you ever in love?"

"No. I guess not. Sophia has always been the boy crazy one." I realized how much I care for Sophia. It's always been about her.

"Aren't you tired of living in her shadow? Never getting the guy?" he raised his eyebrows, and I scoffed even though I was tired of it.

Maybe it was out of spite, feeling sorry for myself, but the moment he slammed his lips onto mine, I couldn't resist. It was like I was wanted. Maybe he was drunk, drunk enough to be willing to kiss me so I felt better. I was feeling so much better. I climbed on top of him, lay against him. As soon as I felt Sophia's presence, I immediately released myself from him, increasing my distance.

"I'll call myself a cab." Peter instantly jumped up, exiting the apartment. I now felt shame.

'Sophia-"

"Get out." she had anger climbing upon her face. I turned to leave and when I was at the door, "Wait." I looked back to Sophia who stood before me.

I had tears in my eyes. I was caught up in the moment. I had forgotten it was Peter. I felt meaning. I don't remember the last time someone kissed me like that. There was sincerity in Sophia's eyes. But they were replaced with fury as her hand met my cheek, and was pushing me out the door.

"Sophia's tough." I jumped at Peter's voice as he walked towards me.

"I thought you left." I crossed my arms, and frowned.

"I wasn't going to leave you walking home. Most of the alcohol has... well I'm stable now. I don't drink often, so I'm immune to being completely drunk." he chuckled.

"This is not funny." I raised my eyebrows, "and by the way you're acting, I think you still are drunk. If you weren't, you'd actually care." I rolled my eyes and walked past him. He tugged my arm back.

"I do care, okay? he sighed. "I care about Sophia, and I care about you."

"You should do a lot less caring." I walked off.

Sophia had kicked me out with nothing. I had nothing. Walking away from Peter was stupid, I know. I just needed to be alone, clear my head. Besides, that would look bad to Sophia. I didn't want to mess this up even more. I walked for blocks, not knowing where to go. I could only think of one place. My dad's house.

"Jamie?" his face was so different. It looked old, damaged. He had wrinkles all over his body.

"Soph kicked me out." I told him, looking down.

"Come in, sweetie." he opened the door wider and I slipped inside. I looked around at the floors covered in alcohol. As I wondered what I had gotten myself into, he slammed the door shut.

The next morning, I woke up early. I had slept on a mattress in an empty room. My father's home was small. It was cheap too, since he never used the shower or any appliances. He couldn't afford that. He could barely afford a pretzel from the market downtown. I wasn't planning on staying here, I just needed a place to sleep. I was quick to make sure he wasn't downstairs. Apparently, not quick enough because as I was stepping down the stairs, he apppeared at the bottom.

"Where you going, JJ?" he snickered and I turned my head to roll my eyes. He gripped my arm and dragged me into the kitchen. "I will prepare dinner." I sighed,

"Breakfast, Mark." That was his name. I didn't think he deserved to be called my father anymore. At least not by me. I watched him go into the other room, so I ran to the door. I threw it open, and dashed out. I ran all the way to a public store. If he found me, he couldn't make a scene where everyone was watching.

I looked around the store, pretending to shop. It was a grocery store. I had no money on me, so I was going to look suspichious when I spend a lot of time in here, and then leave with nothing. I was turning to go to the door when I bumped into someone who looked familiar.

"Is that you, Jamie?" she said. Her dimples were so familiar, I just didn't remember who she was. It was on the tip of my tongue. "You don't remember me, do you?" she got all insecure and I shook my head,

"No, I do. I'm sorry, you're..." I bit my tongue, and narrowed my eyebrows.

"Debby Glendale. I used to be friends with Sophia and Hanna." she chuckled and I smiled big.

"Right. I'm so sorry, you did look familiar. Um, well it's good to see you. How are you these days?" I asked her, and licked my lips. I needed some chapstick.

"I'm alright. I guess Hanna was right, though. Sophia hasn't kept in touch with me... she really has given up on our friendship." Debby looked down, and played with her fingers.

"I'm sorry to hear that... but looks like I'm in the same boat as you," she narrowed her eyebrows and threw me a questioning look, "I did a really bad thing and I'm not so sure if I can fix it. Let's just say your friendship level with her is way better than mine right now..." I looked around and shoved my hands in my pockets.

"Why are you at a grocery store and looking like you just got out of bed?" Debby sighed and I laughed. This was an interesting story.

I ended up riding home with Debby. Her parents told me I could crash at her place until I got things sorted out with Sophia. I was grateful. Sophia had really missed out on a good friend like Becky. As soon as the sun fell, Debby lay out her air mattress next to her bed and blew it up. She gave me blankets and a pillow. 

"Thanks, this is way better than where I slept last night." I scoffed and lay down, biting my lip.

"You didn't sleep at Sophia's last night? Where did you go, Jamie?" she looked concerned. She should be. But I wasn't going to talk about it, it was too hard.

"Don't worry about it. Goodnight." Debby climbed into her bed and turned off the lights as thoughts of my father haunted me throughout the night.