Miss, Do I Know You?

41 - Sunday, May 9

"Tell me again," Sophia grumbled as she trailed behind me, "why do you have a box of rocks?"

"Just so you could ask me about it ten times." I strolled inside the apartment. "You're gonna stand there in the hallway? Come in."

"Can I?"

After some convincing and threatening glares directed toward me, Sophia gingerly set the box and tote bag on the floor. "What a cute place," she said. "Nice paintings."

"Yup. Alex painted those."

"Oh. Well, they're beautiful," Sophia said, her gaze leisurely sweeping across the space. "Is there anyone else here?"

"Nope. Just us."

"Good." She gave an exaggerated sigh. "I'm starting to get jealous that she's not my girlfriend."

A burst of laughter came through the slightly ajar bedroom door, causing Sophia's expression to change from playful to terrified, staring at me in complete silence. "It's good you're moving out," she then whisper-yelled at me, wide-eyed. "Or I would've thrown you out myself!"

Chuckling, I set off to the bedroom. But before I'd even set foot inside, Alex came dashing up to me and barred my way. "You can't come in here right now."

"Huh? Why not?"

All she did was shook her head and glanced past me with a lighthearted smile. "Hey there."

Sophia looked between us, her expression grave. "I'm sorry, miss," she mumbled, inching toward the door. "I'll switch schools now."

While I had to drag her back before she managed to open the door and leave, Alex watched the scene unfold with an amused air. "I don't bite."

"Actually—" I started to say, but a sharp pinch on my arm silenced me. "Never mind."

Sophia struggled to suppress a laugh. "Your apartment's lovely, miss."

"Let's not make this so weird. Just call me Alex here. Do you have any food preferences?"

"I'm vegetarian, but you really don't have to. I'll just go home and eat... something frozen."

Her polite protests were brushed aside with a scoff and the warmest smile Sophia had probably had the chance of witnessing on that fake grump of a woman. And right as she conceded, Benji appeared, engrossed in some new Lego project that kept them both occupied while we made dinner. He seemed to do her some good; when it came time to eat, her typical confidence seemed to have been restored almost entirely.

The rest of the evening went by in casual conversation and occasional trips downstairs to get the remainder of my things. Sophia had effortlessly fit into our little crew. She and Alex were hitting it off surprisingly well, and right then I couldn't have been happier. I understood the obvious risks of it, but in a twisted way, it made the comfort of the moment all the more pleasing. Not a single thought was given to school; it was just Alex, without any hesitation, opening her life up to my friends.

Reality hit only when Alex headed off to put Benji to bed, leaving Sophia awkwardly standing at the door with an exaggerated pout.

"Don't worry," I placated, "I'm sure you'll be fine without me."

She scoffed. "Of course I'll be fine. You were never home anyway."

I matched her pout. "You don't have to pretend. I know you'll miss me."

"Yeah. Miss eating proper food. And playing guitar until four in the morning."

"Sorry for stealing her away," Alex said from Benji's doorway, shedding her sweater on the way out. "But I won't be keeping her hostage, you know."