Hear Me

Chapter Three

Sophie had to fight to keep her eyes open in English. She didn’t sleep much last night and was practically ready to go to bed now. She had a lot to think about, her parental unit wanting to send her to a therapist. Said Sam wasn’t the best influence for her. And what was with that guy they tried to hook her up with? He was rude…and wasn’t overly fond of her being mute. He called her ‘unable’ and ‘handicapped’ a few times. Really pissed her off.

They didn’t know Sam like she did. Yeah, changed his gender. So what? He worked hard to be the best he could be at work. His relationships were pure, despite guys always leaving after finding out the truth. What was so wrong, so sinful, about being yourself? Wasn’t this the 21st Century? Patrick dug his elbow into her ribs to wake her up.

(Ow…)

(Sorry, didn’t want you getting into trouble.)

(Thanks but ow ._.)

(I’m sorry!)

She playfully grinned at him before turning her full attention back to Professor Kirkland.

“And that will be all for today class. Sophina, stay behind. I’d like to have a word with you.”

Crap. She stood there and waited for the other students to file out. Once they were gone, he stood.

“You’ve missed three classes and fell asleep today. Your papers are remarkable and I can tell you have a love for writing. Is there something wrong? Do you need to talk to somebody?”

She opened her notebook and being writing.

(No. I don’t need to talk to anybody and if I did, why would I speak with my English teacher? I appreciate your concern but as far you’re truly concerned, I am fine. I doubt you have stayed awake in every single class you’ve taken and don’t tell me you didn’t skip a few.)

He smiled. She was feisty, that was for certain.

“I’d be lying if I said I was wide awake the entire time but I only skipped because I was sick. I recommend coffee, it helps.”

(Well…my coffee machine is broke so…that isn’t happening.)

“Maybe I can buy you a cup while we discuss your make up work for last week?” He asked.

His blue eyes pierced through her but not in an uncomfortable way. Sophie sighed and thought about it. It was normal to get a coffee with your teacher, right? She nodded after a few moments and gathered her things. He did the same, the two of them leaving for the closest café.

~ ~ ~

Patrick buttoned his shirt and rand his fingers through his hair.

“Patrick?” Sam asked.

“Yes?” He replied.

“Your name rhymes with hat trick…”

“Oh ha, like I haven’t heard that one before.” He replied as Sam wrapped his arms around him from behind.

“I’m curious. What made you want to become a guy? Most girls assume we’re all balls and nachos.”

Sam smiled at that.

“I never felt like a girl. I was into men, still am, but I felt disgusting with my period and lipstick. It’s just a feeling…you always ask questions about me. Who are you, mysterious man?”

It was Patrick’s turn to smile.

“I’m just a guy, trying to make it without figuring it out too much. It’s life. We’re not supposed to know everything by the age of 19. I didn’t change my gender but I definitely have my stories…but don’t we all?”

“You have scars too…your wrists, your chest.” Sam noted.

“I had started smoking and cutting when I was 15. Idiotic, I know. But I had lost my mom to a car crash. I didn’t understand it, my dad and me are close because of it. I had lung and throat cancer. They thought I wouldn’t make it, but ta-da. Here I am. The scars are from removing some tumors. We all have our scars…” Patrick muttered.

Sam kissed his neck.

“Indeed we do….Sophie will be home soon…”

And then he went to go shower as Patrick made his escape.

~ ~ ~

(Thanks…for the coffee.)

“Sure.”

They had papers and books spread across the café table. He was giving her tips, giving her books to read over the weekend. Her eyebrows rose at the list.

“Too many?”

(No. Just the selection…I love Poe, Fitzgerald, Hemingway. Got to love the famous Hemmy. And John Green. Our taste in literature should get married.)

He smiled. She had so much character. But…

“How did it happen?”

(What?)

“I’m sorry…that’s really personal…”

(Oh…my voice…)

“Sorry.”

(I was young, as you know. I don’t mind sharing how. We got into a car accident. Glass sliced me deep in the throat…surprised I’m still here, really. My parents still kind of blame my brother because he was driving at the time.)

“That’s…wow…”

She nodded and shrugged.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m me and maybe this is the way I was supposed to be. What about you? You’ve got scars and burn marks.)

He swallowed the lump in his throat.

(Only talk about it if you want to…)

“My house got burnt down. I had gotten into an argument with my sister prior to the burning. The least I could do is try to save her, right?”

Her text message went off. Sam wanted to know if she wanted to do dinner tonight. She replied with an “okay.”

(That was Sam, my brother. I have to go but…maybe we can do this again later?)

It was inappropriate to take her personal number, agreeing to see her again later. But maybe not…they could be friends, right? He saw something else written on the page she gave her number on.

(I can tell that we are gonna be friends.)

The White Stripes changed everything. He watched her walk away before running a stressed hand through his already semi-messy hair.

Sophie was different…and if there was something Luke Kirkland needed, it was something different.