Dear Diary

Chapter 100

Rachel didn't speak after that as Sophia repositioned herself to face the mirror. Rachel stepped up behind her and hesitantly began curling her hair. For the next twenty minutes, the girls didn't talk, but the atmosphere wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as it was a little while ago.

Rachel didn't go overboard with the curls, knowing that Sophia wouldn't like that, so she only curled it so that it fell in gentle waves down her back, and misted it with hairspray to keep it in place.

Sophia watched her work the whole time. Although she let Rachel curl her hair, she was keeping a sharp eye that she didn't 'accidentally' burn some off in the process. But she was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. She gave her small 'thanks' then proceeded to do her own make-up, which she liked to keep as light and natural as possible, but she did put a bit more focus on her eyes.

"Luke won't be able to keep his eyes off of you," Rachel said softly. 

Sophia quickly snapped her attention towards her, masking the way her face heated up at the thought. Realising her quick reaction might have been too obvious, Sophia looked back into the mirror and coated her lips with a pale pink shade.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," she muttered as casually as she could. 

Why did her heart always race at the thought of him? She knew she liked him but, come on, this is ridiculous!

Rachel crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Sophia, why do you think I was always so ugly to you?"

Sophia shrugged. "I didn't care enough to think about it."

She saw Rachel press her lips together, clearly not expecting that response. "Well, I was jealous of you. I had been working on getting Luke for three years, but the minute you rode in on that bike, he was completely besotted with you. Trust me; he loves you more than he's letting on."

Rachel didn't say it in an ugly or jealous way, but her words still made Sophia pause. Mindy had said the same thing just before Sophia found out her dad was dating Susan. Sophia slightly pulled her lower lip between her teeth. The thought of someone being in love with her made her anxious. She's never dealt with someone liking her in a romantic sense before.

"And ... you're okay with that?" Sophia asked, shifting the focus off of her.

If Rachel has liked Luke for three years, she was taking it rather well right now.

Rachel shrugged. "I accepted the fact that I don't stand a chance anymore. He would've dated me by now if that was the case. Besides, you guys clearly love each other so I won't get in your way any longer. I'm trying not to be selfish anymore."

Sophia's heart thudded at her words but, luckily before she had to respond, a knock on the door brought her from her thoughts. The girls turned to see the door open slightly and Susan popped her head through it. 

"Girls, we're going to leave in ten, and your date's just arrived, Sophia." Susan smiled knowingly and Sophia suddenly felt her throat go dry.

As the door closed once more Rachel smiled at Sophia. It was the first real smile that Sophia had ever seen on her. She knew the difference: she's done plenty of fake-smiles in her lifetime.

"Come on, let's go let you sweep Luke off his feet," Rachel teased and Sophia instantly glared at her. 

It was more of an embarrassed glare than a hateful one, but Rachel still stuttered. "J-Just joking," she added nervously and quickly made her way out of Sophia's bedroom.

Sophia took a deep breath to try and calm her heart. She didn't know why she was getting so nervous; it's just Luke. Keeping that thought in mind, Sophia made her way towards the stairs and began to descend them, making sure she didn't trip on her dress in the process.