CHAPTER 47SOPHIAI paced around my apartment, clutching my phone as if it held the secrets to the universe. Kylie, my confidante in all matters of the heart, picked up after a few rings."Hey, girl! What's going on?" Kylie's voice was a burst of energy on the other end."Kylie, I need your wisdom," I began, my words rushed. "Remember Lucas, the guy I mentioned from Starbucks? Well, he asked me out, and I said yes. Now, I'm not sure if I should tell Henry about it."Kylie laughed, her amusement evident even through the phone. "Wait, what? You're going on a date with another guy, and you're contemplating whether to tell Henry? This is juicy!"I sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "I know, I know. It's just... I didn't know where things stood with Henry, and this is just a one-time thing, you know?"Kylie chuckled. "Oh, Sophia, you're a walking romantic comedy. Okay, spill. Why are you going on a date with Lucas in the first place?"I flopped onto my couch, twirling a strand of
CHAPTER 48HENRYI stood outside Lynda's door, my hand hesitating before knocking. The air was thick with tension, and I knew I had to clear the air between us. We'd been friends for a long time, and recent events had strained that friendship. I took a deep breath and rapped on the door.Lynda opened it, her expression a mix of surprise and suspicion. "Henry? What brings you here?"I scratched my head, searching for the right words. "Lynda, we need to talk. I can't stand this tension between us."She stepped back, allowing me to enter. The atmosphere inside mirrored the one outside—tense and awkward. We settled in the living room, and I dove right in."I want to apologize, Lynda. I know things have been rough, and I don't want our friendship to suffer."She raised an eyebrow, a silent question lingering in her eyes."I also know that you care about me," I continued, choosing my words carefully, "but there's something I need to make clear. I love Sophia."Her eyes widened, and I could
CHAPTER 49SOPHIAThe park seemed like a suitable place for a date—serene, with a gentle breeze stirring the leaves. Lucas was talking animatedly about his classes, blissfully unaware of the turmoil raging inside me. That's when the message arrived.A photo of Lucas and me, taken from a discreet distance, accompanied by a message: "Caught in the act." The sender wasn't shy about it; they had copied Henry's email, ensuring he got front-row seats to my little drama.My heart sank as Henry's call came through. "Where are you, Sophia?""In the park," I mumbled, glancing around nervously."I'll be right there."His voice had an edge, a tone that hinted at trouble. As I waited, guilt gnawed at me. I knew I had messed up big time.When Henry arrived, his expression was a mix of disappointment and anger. "Care to explain?" he demanded, arms crossed.I took a deep breath, attempting to gather the words to justify my actions. "Henry, I... I wasn't sure about us when Lucas asked me out. I though
CHAPTER 50SOPHIAI woke up with a heavy heart, the remnants of last night's argument with Henry lingering in the air. The silence in the room echoed my sadness, and I knew I needed someone to talk to, someone who could lend a sympathetic ear. So, I grabbed my phone and dialed Kylie's number."Hello?" Kylie's cheerful voice greeted me from the other end."Hey, Kylie," I replied, my own voice a bit shaky."Soph! What's up? You sound like you've been through a tornado. Everything okay?" Kylie's concern was palpable, even through the phone.I sighed, contemplating where to start. "It's Henry. We had a massive fight last night, and I don't know what to do."Silence followed, and then Kylie's voice came through, a mix of empathy and curiosity. "Oh no, spill the tea, girl. What happened?"So, I began recounting the heated exchange, the accusations, the hurtful words, and the lingering doubt that threatened to unravel what we had. Kylie listened attentively, interjecting with gasps or words
CHAPTER 51SOPHIAI slumped in the cafeteria seat, absentmindedly pushing my food around the plate. Jannette, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow at my distracted state."Sophia, spill it. What's going on in that head of yours?" she asked, her tone a blend of curiosity and concern.I sighed, debating whether to dive into the intricacies of my tangled mess with Henry. But Jannette was my confidante, my partner in navigating the stormy seas of high school drama, so I decided to let her in."You know Henry, right?" I began, my eyes fixed on the lunch tray.Jannette nodded. "Yeah, the older guy you've been seeing. The silver fox."I managed a half-smile at her choice of words. "Yeah, that's him. Henry. He's... well, complicated.""Complicated how?" Jannette leaned in, genuinely intrigued.I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "He's almost twenty years older than me, for starters. And that brings its own set of challenges."Jannette raised an eyebrow. "Twenty years? Seriousl
CHAPTER 52SOPHIA I eyed Henry across the breakfast table, a glint of excitement in my eyes. "Hey, Henry, what do you think about Kylie and her boyfriend coming over for Thanksgiving?"He looked up from his newspaper, considering my proposal. "Thanksgiving? Sure, why not? The more, the merrier."I beamed, thrilled at his agreement. "That's fantastic! They'll love your cooking, and it'll be so much fun."Henry chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Hold on, Sophia. I was thinking maybe we could take a short trip instead."My excitement deflated like a balloon losing air. "A trip? But, Henry, Thanksgiving is all about family and friends gathering."He leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "True, but what if our little family takes a break from tradition this year? A change of scenery, just the two of us."I pouted, trying my best to muster a persuasive look. "Henry, please! Kylie and her boyfriend have already made plans. It would be rude to cancel on them now."He sighed, clea
CHAPTER 53HENRYLynda stormed into my office, her expression a mix of concern and disapproval. "Henry, what on earth was that back there? A brawl in the office? Are we in a schoolyard?"I scrubbed my face with my hands, still feeling the heat of anger. "Lynda, it wasn't just some random fight. Jake was harassing Sophia."She folded her arms, skepticism etched across her features. "Harassing? Or did you let your temper get the best of you?"I shot her a sharp look. "I don't just throw punches for no reason. Sophia was upset, and I couldn't stand by while she dealt with that creep."Lynda sighed, shaking her head. "This is exactly why I was against Sophia working here. Mixing personal relationships with the professional environment is a recipe for disaster."I leaned back in my chair, frustration evident in my voice. "Lynda, I can't control every aspect of what happens in this office. I won't stand by while someone makes Sophia uncomfortable. She's my responsibility."She raised an eye
CHAPTER 54SOPHIAI strolled into the school courtyard, Jannette was there, looking like the epitome of curiosity. Her eyes practically sparkled with questions, and I couldn't help but smile at her inquisitive expression.Jannette nudged me playfully, "Spill the beans, Sophia! How did your grand plan to win Henry's forgiveness unfold?"I chuckled, "Oh, it was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. Picture this – a dimly lit room, candles flickering, soft music in the background."Jannette's eyes widened, "Wait, you set up a whole romantic scene? Sophia, you're turning into a regular romance novel protagonist!"I rolled my eyes, "Well, Henry deserves a little drama now and then. Anyway, he walks in, sees the setup, and his expression... priceless. For a moment, I thought I'd accidentally transported us into a cheesy romance movie."Jannette laughed, "And then what happened?"I grinned, "He kissed me – not a cliché movie kiss, mind you, but a genuine, 'I forgive you' kind of kiss. It was