The Ecstatic Life Of Sofia

Chapter Twenty: The Fight

Sofia found Anthony out in the woods later that night. They talked about what exactly happened and almost avoided a big fight, but sometimes wishful thinking wasn't a good thing.

"Look, I don't want you talking to that guy anymore." Anthony said.

"What?" Sofia asked.

"You heard me!"

"Who do you think you are?"

"What? Are you serious right now? I'm sorry I don't want my girlfriend hanging around with a guy who obviously feels something for her and who is stronger than her."

"I can take care of myself! Besides you don't get to decide who my friends are!"

Anthony seized her roughly, his eyes blazing with anger. When she looked fearful, his gaze softened. "Why can't you understand how I feel?"

"I do, but I don't understand why you feel like that. I can take care of myself, trust me, I'd never let Brad do anything."

"I trust you!" He yelled, then his voice softened. "Of course I trust you. But I'm not worried about you doing something, I'm worried about him."

"Look, I told myself a long time ago that my boyfriends weren't going to control me in any way. I will continue being friends with who I want," She stated firmly. "But I'm not stupid. I know when someone feels something for me and when things can get out of hand. I'll be careful around him, but I won't just push him out of my life. I have no right." She took his hand and kissed it.

He ripped it away. "No, I'm sorry, but I'm putting my foot down on this one! I don't want you to talk to him again!" He scowled.

Sofia glared back at him. "Screw you! I'll be damned if I'm with some guy who wants to monitor my friend list. Goodnight Anthony, I need to sleep." She started yelling, but ended in a frightening and cold voice. She turned on her heel and left.

"Sofia." Anthony called. "Sofia!" When she didn't turn around he kicked a tree and cursed.

Sofia walked home absolutely burning inside. Her skin felt like it was on fire and she was scared of what she might do to someone who messed with her.

She was almost home, when she felt arms go around her neck and waist. She choked and coughed and managed to work up a small scream, after she screamed the arm around her waist went to her mouth. She bit down on it, so hard she tasted blood along with the material of the glove. His grip loosened and Sofia pulled free. She turned to face the assailant, her eyes were stone cold. She began to throw hard punches at him, and he seemed surprised at what she did. She punched and kicked him till he was on the ground, then she did it some more. Finally, she moved back, hating herself for having done something like that. She backed against a wall staring at the man on the ground with fear, then she ran back to her apartment.

When she reached inside she took deep breaths, it had been awhile since she was last attacked. She hadn't expected it. She sunk to the ground and held her head.

She woke up the next morning and turned on her phone. She had a bunch of missed texts and calls both from Anthony and Brad. She decided to call Brad first.

"Sofia?" He answered.

"Yeah." She said.

"Look, I'm sorry about last night, I was drinking and I don't know what happened. Look, I'm sorry though." He finished.

"It's okay." Sofia said.

"Listen I've got to go. I'll talk to you later though."

"Okay, bye." Just as she hung up she heard a familiar giggle and realized Sydney had disappeared last night saying she was gonna head home early. Sofia smiled, she had picked up on the crush Sydney had the day before, she just hoped Brad treated her right.

She decided she couldn't avoid Anthony forever, but a little longer couldn't hurt. She went to the bench in the park, where she could be alone. She was surprised to find someone already there, holding his head, staring down at his phone. She hid behind a tree and had to wonder who it was. She watched closely and moved silently around the edge of the woods. She stepped on a twig and instantly fled behind a tree. She ducked down and looked out, someone stared right where she had been standing a moment ago. That's when she realized who it was, Anthony. She made herself small behind the tree. She heard Anthony sigh, then listened to his retreating footsteps. After it was silent for a few moments, she rose and walked to the bench. She wondered, how long he had known about it?

Later that day Sofia finally picked up the phone and dialed Anthony.

"Sofia?" He picked up on the second ring.

"Yeah."

He hushed his voice more than it was. "Listen, can we meet."

"Yeah, where are you?"

"Right now, I'm about to start a board meeting at the university."

"Sala, hang up that phone, this is serious."

Sofia recognized the dean's voice. "I'll meet you at the cafe a couple towns over in about a hour."

"Okay." He hung up.

Sofia drove to the coffee shop and arrived right on the hour mark. Thirty minutes later, Anthony walked through the door. Sofia gazed at him with tired eyes.

He sat down. "Listen, I know I shouldn't tell you who you can and can't talk to, I'm sorry."

Sofia gazed at him. "Don't worry about it. I don't want to fight over something like this."

Anthony looked down. "But, I want to ask you to please be careful around him. He isn't a nice guy and I don't want you hurt."

Sofia looked away. "I'll be careful."

"Come on." He stood and held out his hand.

Sofia smiled and took it.

Anthony led her around the town. They went shopping, then on a walk though the woods, then he took her to dinner. Sofia had to smile at all he did for her. At the end of the night, Anthony followed her back to town. He stopped in front of her apartment complex and walked her to her door. Sofia gazed into Anthony's eyes and they kissed. Pretty soon it was a little more than kissing and they moved into her apartment.

Before things went too far Anthony pulled back. "Hold on, this isn't right."

"Why not?" Sofia bit her lip and pulled him closer.

He smiled, then leaned to whisper into her ear. "I want our first time together to be special, not just a hookup in your apartment."

Sofia smiled up at him and kissed him. "You're right."

He looked into her eyes and a few special words escaped his lips. "I love you."

Sofia's heart skipped a beat. "I love you too." They kissed again, then he left. He had said I love you. for the first time, Sofia fell asleep smiling.