The Ecstatic Life Of Sofia

Chapter Eighteen: The Christmas Party

Early Monday morning she said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Sala, she drove to her apartment and sat her bags down. She sighed and looked around, she was slowly growing to despise this apartment, it was too empty and bleak. She grabbed her car keys and headed downstairs with her bag. She opened her car door, then a familiar car pulled up next to her. She didn't understand, it had been awhile since Brad had come to pick her up.

"Are you coming?"

"Yeah." Sofia said closing her car, she entered his car and was bombarded with questions as to why her professor was shopping with her over the weekend. "He only gave me a ride." Was her answer to all the questions.

The week flew by, Anthony still treated her tough and scolded her, but outside class he treated her like a friend. She had no complaints about it, she understood and she did the same, she either treated him like a teacher or like her friend. What she did depended on where they were and who they were around. She had often visited the bench in the park since she had arrived, but during the cool weather and light snow she had decided against it.

On Sunday, before she went to the inn for the two weeks, she decided to visit the bench. When she stepped near the secret place, her breath caught. It was beautiful, icicles hung from the trees, untouched snow coated the ground, the ice over the pond glistened with the sun, she cautiously made her way around not wanting to step on the snow. She could've sworn there was someone on the other side, but when she made it over to where she had seen the movement no one was there. She decided it was her imagination then she hurried to her car.

When she arrived at the inn she made her way to the door. She opened the door and practically fell inside.

"Sofia, dear!" Mrs. Sala smiled and threw her arms around Sofia.

Sofia, surprised, patted the older woman on the back.

"Sorry, it's just been awhile." Mrs. Sala smiled.

"It's only been a week."

"That's the longest you've been away."

Sofia thought back. "I guess you're right." She smiled. "Let me put my bags in my room, then I'll be back."

Sofia dragged her bags down the hall and looked around at the room. She had made so many memories here. She smiled and looked at herself in the mirror, her complexion was slightly pale alone, but her black hair really made her skin light. Her cheeks were usually flushed red, at least in the winter. She smiled at herself, then smoothed her shirt. She walked into the hallway and nearly collided with Anthony.

"Sorry." She said.

"Don't worry." He smiled.

Sofia looked at his smile and couldn't help but remember Thanksgiving night when they had almost kissed. She walked around him and searched for Mr. and Mrs. Sala.

Christmas Eve arrived and Sofia was up early running around the house with Mrs. Sala at her heels. They cooked the dinner and were finished surprisingly quick, only about five hours. The inn hosted a Christmas party each year on Christmas Eve and a lot of food was needed.

"Sweetheart, are you watching your sweets?" Mrs. Sala asked.

"Of course. I've done this type of thing a million times." Sofia said mixing frosting in a bowl. Along with dinner tons of desserts were needed with a winter theme and that is what Sofia enjoyed doing most, baking. It had been her outlet since she was young, she enjoyed seeing the pleasure a slice of cake, she had made, brought to someone. It made her feel like she was worth something.

After the baking Sofia sat out the various cakes, pies, and cookies on platters. She knew this would be a test of her talent, she knew people would either love or hate the desserts. She smiled at her work, then realized people were pulling up in their cars and she was still in an apron and dirty clothes. She hurried to her room and pulled out the fancy dress she had picked out for the night. She quickly did her hair then headed to the party.