7th January, 2018
I swear someone's going to be crying by the time they get home. And I'm willing to bet that somebody is going to be Soph. Ever since they got here, everyone's had something or the other to say about the engagement. Everybody but Drew. The jerk won't even defend his fiancé. No one's eaten anything in...one hour and seventeen minutes. How long can you talk about one topic? God. I look at everyone sitting around the table. Mother sipping her wine, trying to pretend her darling son isn't the not so perfect jerk we all have to deal with. Jade and Olivia going full on team Roman against Drew and Avery. The food's gone all cold and Sophia's eyes flit lazily from one person to the next. I know what that feels like. To be the center of attention but have absolutely no say whatsoever. As soon as Soph's eyes lock into mine I tilt my head; our secret signal to get out of heated "conversations". She downs her wine in one large sip and leaves her seat next to an infuriated Drew who couldn't even bother to notice.
Neither one of us says anything until we're out of earshot.
"I was promised a 'nice' brunch, Theo."
"I'm sorry, Soph. We tried."
"And lasted for about 45 seconds," she laughs, clearly tipsy. "That's better than the last time, yeah?"
"Yeah," I nod silently.
"I want to marry your brother," she says, like she has to convince me. "I know he isn't what he used to be but we were so young when we met. We've grown together in our relationship."
"Okay."
"Why don't you believe me?"
"I do believe you, Soph. I'm just not sure you do." Just as I've said the words I regret them. I can see tears in Sophia's eyes. Shit. "Soph, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I'm so, so sorry-"
"I said yes because I felt guilty," she lets out, tears making their way silently down her cheeks. "I didn't say yes because of love or anything else I felt for him. I said yes because I felt guilty."
Words aren't going to help this. I reach for a hug and she gives in, scrunching the back of my jacket as she weeps into the corduroy. "Don't tell Drew," she whispers.
"Of course not. Not my secret to tell." Partially because I think Drew already knows.
YOU ARE READING
Sophia, who art thou?
General FictionSophia James has everything she could possibly want; a loving fiancé, the greatest friends, a promising career. It's a perfect life. And you now what that means, don't you? It's all about to go downhill in 3...2...1. Before she realizes it, it all u...
