The Ecstatic Life Of Sofia

Chapter Fourteen: Realizations

"Nothing special happened, I just got robbed on the street. A guy tried to hit me in the head, probably to take my bags, but I fought back. He pinned me against the wall, then i felt a pain in my stomach and lost consciousness."

"Someone tried to rob you?" He asked.

Sofia shrugged.

"Listen, no one here just robs someone, it had to have been planned, besides all of your bags were found on the street."

"Maybe he panicked, the knife was probably to scare me."

Anthony still looked unsure. "Trust me, no one robs people on the streets, even less with a dirty knife. Someone attacked you, on purpose, and I strongly suggest that you report this."

Sofia sighed and sat up. "Look, this kind of thing happened all the time back home."

"It isn't like that here, you have to report this!"

Sofia desperately searched his eyes, she shook her head. "No I don't want to. It isn't a big deal."

Anthony looked like he wanted to say something else, but the doctor entered with paperwork.

"Just sign these and you can leave." He smiled at them both. "Excuse me."

Sofia quickly signed the papers and Anthony took them to the front desk. When he returned Sofia had managed to pull on a dress.

"Come on." He said motioning for Sofia to go through the door.

Sofia shakily walked through the door. Outside she stumbled and Anthony caught her and helped her into the car. "Around the corner. Right here."

Anthony looked at the apartment building. As Sofia opened her door he stopped her. "Wait, I think you should stay with someone, to keep an eye on you and make sure you're alright. I'm taking you to my mom's inn."

Sofia looked at him surprised, but didn't say anything.

Anthony pulled up to the inn near sunset, rain had been gathering all day and was now pouring down. Sofia stepped out of the car and began down the hill to the house. She remembered she had left her bag in the car. She turned around and suddenly lost her vision, her head began throbbing, and she lost her balance. Anthony caught her in his arms, they stood close together for a moment and time stood still. Sofia felt a tingle in her body, it started from where he held her and ran through her body. Anthony pulled back. "Careful." He said.

"I- I need my bag." Sofia could feel herself shaking, her voice quivered.

Anthony turned her around. "We'll get you inside, then I'll come out and get your bag."

Sofia nodded and turned around. When they stepped into the house Mrs. Sala came up. "My god, what are you two doing out in this weather?" She went to the back and returned with two blankets. She draped one over Sofia's shoulders then moved to Anthony.

Anthony shook his head. "I have to run back out to the car, then I'll head home." Anthony returned after a few moments. He held the bag out to Sofia. "Here." He turned to Mrs. Sala. "I'll see you later."

"Wait." Mrs. Sala stepped forward. "This weather isn't made to travel in."

Sofia looked out the window the rain was coming down literally by the buckets, you couldn't see more than a few inches out.

"Mom, I'll be fine." Anthony said.

Mr. Sala appeared from the back. "Listen to your mother, boy."

Anthony scowled. "I have to go, I have things to do."

Sofia continued to stare out the window. She stared at nothing, then dread came over her as Anthony moved to the door to leave. "Wait!" She stood up.

Anthony turned around irritated. "I'm not staying!"

Sofia's eyes were lit with fear. "Don't go, something bad is going to happen. And if something bad happens I won't forgive myself. We both know why you're here."

Anthony looked at her, then his parents. "Fine."

Anthony and Sofia stayed over and late that night the news reported a pileup on the road Anthony would've taken to go home.

The next evening Sofia was on the patio, sipping hot chocolate and watching the sun finish setting. She heard the door open and saw Anthony.

"Oh, I'll come back later." Hr turned to leave.

Sofia laughed. "Don't be ridiculous, this is your house. Sit down."

He sat and immediately she noticed they were back to treating each other awkwardly. Sofia sighed and stared at him.

"What?" He asked.

Sofia shook her head. "I'll leave you alone." She stood and gathered her stuff then went inside. She walked to her room and locked the door. She sat on the bed and held her head in her hands. It had hit her, she had had a moment of clarity, during which she had realized something. She loved Anthony, somewhere along the way it had turned from an unnatural crush on her professor to something more. She cursed herself a thousand times over, this was something she had never felt before, not with her crushes from childhood or her teenage years. No one had made her feel this before. She couldn't feel this, that was her professor! Her curiosity suddenly peaked, she wondered if he felt the same about her. She mentally slapped herself for thinking that, but he was oddly confrontational when Brad was around her. That was ridiculous, Anthony had despised Brad long before she come along.

Sofia groaned and fell back on her bed. She held her head, then decided to sleep.

The next morning was Monday, she had woken at six in the morning as she usually did. She got up and walked downstairs. Anthony had left the night before. Mrs. Sala gladly accepted her help in the gardens and Sofia's day was going normally, except for the sharp pains that shot from her wound, through her body. She sighed, at first each time it happened she would hiss and wince, but as it continued happening it became normal to her, she sat there and let it happen and it slowly became less painful.

She sat down to breakfast and talked with Mr. and Mrs. Sala. She let them know she was going home tonight, but would come visit.

After breakfast Sofia walked, bringing her bag with clothes with her, to her apartment. It wasn't extremely long, but today it felt that way. The pains seemed to get worse when she moved. When she finally arrived at her apartment she looked at herself in the mirror, she had dark circles and was really, really pale. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She changed clothes then grabbed her bag. She hurried to Psychology and sat down.

Inside the class, Anthony turned to scan the room, his eyes landed on her. He made his way up the stairs to her, there were only a few other students in the class.

"Sof- Miss Evans, what are you doing here?"

Sofia looked up at him. "In case you've forgotten this is my class. Every Monday morning."

Anthony glared at her. "You're in no shape to be here today! You need to go home."

Sofia met his glare with piercing eyes. "I'm staying, how could I possibly hurt myself by sitting in a temperature controlled, completely safe classroom?"
Anthony glared at her then turned and left. Literally a second later, Brad appeared arguing the same Anthony had and Sofia, for once treated them the same in her answers and tone. Brad eventually gave up on making her go home, and class finally started.