Kiss Me

Chapter 3

     I sat with Parker at the cafeteria and my eyes were on Sophie who sat at a cafeteria table at the very end of the cafeteria. I watched her sit alone with her head down and her headphones in, and she was sulking in her seat. Thinking about the way she rejected my favour, I wondered what to do.

    "Surprise, surprise, but Sophie said she doesn't want to help me," I said, looking to Parker then. "She rather be alone."

     Parker frowned and looked to Sophie for a moment. His eyes were curious, his mouth set in a firm line, and I sighed. It was disappointing to have Sophie reject me and I wondered who I could ask instead.

     "Sorry dude," Parker said. "We'll think of someone else to ask. There has to be someone out there who'll be willing help you."

     "I wonder what happened to Sophie," I said, my mind still on her. "Isn't it crazy to think that she was once the most popular girl in our school. Her and Ella were best friends. Literally personality twins. But now... She seems off. It's like someone sucked the life out of her."

     "Something changed after summer," Parker said. "She was fine until our senior year."

     I stared at Sophie again, wondering what happened. It was scary looking at her now. She was frail and her face looked drained.

     "Are you going to ask Sophie again?" Parker asked. "Or should we move on?"

     "I don't think I should ask her again," I said. "I don't want to force Sophie to do anything."

     "That's true. Did Sophie give you a good reason for saying no?"

     "No." I frowned, thinking back to how Sophie told me she wanted to be left alone. "She just wants to be alone, but I guess I don't blame her for saying no overall. We've never spoken before and it was weird of me to go up and ask her this weird favour. I guess I can't blame her.

     Parker gave me a small smile. He nodded, understanding and grew deep in thought. I glanced at Sophie, growing guiltier about what I did.

     "Maybe I should say sorry," I said, sighing. "And then I'll move on."

    "Sounds good," Parker said, "She'd appreciate that."

     And with that, I made plans to apologize to Sophie after school.

*****

     I was walking to Sophie's locker. Sophie was there with her back to me, rummaging through her locker. But instead of being focused on her, my eyes drifted to Ella who's locker was located in another hallway I was passing by. I slowed down my walk so I could stare at her longer then, wanting to take her in.

     Ella was with a bunch of her friends and she was laughing, her eyes squinting and her bright teeth shining. She threw her head back as she laughed, her long blonde hair falling past her hips, and I stopped in my place at the sight of her. I'd never seen someone so beautiful. She was the type of beautiful that you couldn't help but admire, no matter how many times you've seen her.

     And as I stared at her, I thought back to how Sophie was once a part of her squad. Sophie was also once as radiant as Ella, so popular and full of life that people were drawn to her. I stared at Ella, both mesmerized and curious about what happened between her and Sophie.

     Suddenly, Ella looked at me and I immediately flushed. I began to walk off again, embarrassed and I nearly tripped over my own feet. Blushing harder, I began to quicken up my pace to reach Sophie.

     I hated how I was around Ella. I was usually so confident and smooth, but around Ella I was a complete mess. I had liked her for so long and I thought by now I'd be over my nerves, but I wasn't and I cursed under my breath.