Mismatched Socks

Renée - Chapter 13: Pumpkin

'There you go,' Juliette says and fixes my hair. 'Thanks, it looks great!' 'I'm glad I don't have curly hair. How do you deal with it?' 'I don't know,' I chuckle and take a look at the two outfits my sister picked out. 'You do know that it's not a party with costumes, right?' I ask. 'Yes, why?' she asks confused looking at the outfits. 'Because if I were that, I would be going dressed as you.'

Before she can say anything, Jules's phone rings for the millionth time today. 'Patrick again?' 'Yup.' 'Are thinking about breaking up with him?' I ask as I take the top of the first outfit and the trousers from the second outfit. 'Yes. I have been thinking a lot about what mom said. And how he threats me. Frankly, I am done with it.'

Sophia knocks on the open door. 'Hi!' I says and go to her so I can greet her. 'Hello,' she says and gives me a little kiss. 'You look beautiful!' I say when I take a step back to look at her. She blushes. 'Thanks.' 'I'll go change,' I say and disappear in the bathroom. I hear Juliette and Sophia's muffled voices on the other side of the door.

After I changed I go back to my room. They both smile at me. 'You look stunning,' Juliette says. She gives me a hug and then leaves the room. 'You really look beautiful,' Sophia agrees and kisses my cheek. 'Thank you.' I open my sock drawer and take two random socks to put on.

'Can I ask you something?' I nod. 'Why do you wear mismatched socks?' I look at my girlfriend and stay silent. I just shrug my shoulders and put on my shoes. 'No reason,' I lie. Sophia raises an eyebrow. 'You can just say that you don't want to tell me. You don't have to lie about it.' I chew on the inside of my cheek, feeling guilty. 'I'm sorry. I  don't want to tell you.' Sophia nods understandingly and smiles softly.

Juliette enters my room again. 'I broke up with him. He kept calling and calling and calling.' 'Are you relieved?' I carefully ask. She thinks for a moment and then slowly nods. 'Yes. Yes, I am relieved. No more doing what he wants whenever he wants.' Sophia and I smile proudly at my sister. 'Maybe I should have what you two have with a woman. Isn't it less complicated?' 'No,' Sophia laughs.

Juliette sighs. 'I guess I'm celebrating New Years with mom then.' Our father is in Belgium, celebrating with my aunt. It was a last minute decision. 'You can come with us if you want to?' I suggest. 'Yes, of course!' Sophia says. Juliette looks at us, considering. 'Okay then,' she finally says. 'Ren, I'm glad we get along now,' she says and touches my arm for a few seconds. 'Sure,' I say and walk past her so we can go to the party.

              Once we get to Marc's humble home, I ring the doorbell. He opens the door and smiles softly. 'Juliette, what brings you here?' 'A break up and booze,' she says and walks past us. 'I thought partner's were obligated?' Marc asks as Sophia and I enter the house. I shrug my shoulders and hang my coat on the coat rack. Sophia does the same.

              'Parker! Ren is here!' Marc shouts. Parker comes running to us and greets us. 'Finally! I want you to meet Arthur,' Parker says as she guides us to the living room. A handsome young man with wavy brown hair and bright green eyes smiles at us. 'Hi there! I'm Arthur,' he says and makes a gesture to shake our hands. 'Renée,' I say as I shake his hand. 'Sophia.'

              Parker takes me aside and whispers in my ear: 'What do you think?' 'He's hot,' I say. 'I know right! But he's also very kind,' Parker smiles. 'I hope he makes you happy for a long time,' I say and hug her. 'Aw, thanks Ren,' Parker says. Sophia and I make our way to the drinks as Kai and Elise arrive. 'Soph!' Elise says as she hugs her friend. 'Hi,' Sophia smiles and hugs her friend back.

              Kai slings their arm around my shoulders and holds me tight. 'Look at us. Dating two friends,' they say and smile at Elise. 'Yeah, who would've thought that?' I say looking at Sophia talking to Elise. 'We had a great time to, you know,' Kai says and takes my drink out of my hands to take a sip. 'Sure. Memories stay forever,' I say and snatch back my drink.