Mismatched Socks

Sophia - Chapter 25: Sandwiches and cereal

Colin walks into the my room. 'Hurry, she's going to call any minute now!' I say. He takes a seat next to me. We both wait and stare the my computer screen. 'She might still be sleeping,' Colin says and hands me over a sandwich. 'I hate an eight hour time difference,' I mutter and open the wrapping around my sandwich. Colin nods in agreement.

Both our phones get a notification at the same time and we know what that means. We both open our group chat and sigh.

RENÉE
I am so sorry! My lecture got moved
to an earlier hour. I am literally
running over there now. Can you
call in two hours?

Colin and I look at each other in disappointment. 'I have a late class in two hours,' he mumbles and starts typing.

COLIN
I have a class. Guess I'll talk
to you tomorrow -_-

Renée sees the message, but doesn't answer. I write that I can call, but she doesn't answer to that too. Colin and I eat our sandwiches in silence. A year ago, we couldn't really stand each other, but now we are friends. I think we both got a little lonely. Elise is not my roommate anymore, but we try to meet up every once in a while.

'How are your classes going?' I ask to break the silence. Colin nods, chewing his food. He passed every do-over exam. I passed mine too. I don't know how I did it. Maybe I tried to focus on studying, so I wouldn't think about my girlfriend on the other side of the ocean.

It's silent again until Colin gets a new notification. 'Do you mind if Elton came over? He's lonely.' Colin looks at me, questioning. 'Sure,' I say with a grin. 'Great!' he smiles big and types something again. 'Stop grinning,' Colin seriously says and looks at my face. 'Why? What do you think my grin is implying?'

Before Colin can answer the blonde guy walks into my room after he knocked very politely. 'Thanks,' he says and takes a seat in my desk chair. 'So, how was Renée?' he asks and spins my chair around. He giggles a bit. Colin looks at him smiling. 'She didn't call. Her class got moved to an earlier hour.' Elton nods. Colin keeps staring at him.

'It's hard having a long distance relationship. My girlfriend is at the University of Edinburgh. We miss calls very often. I visit her during the holidays and breaks. It's important to keep communicating.' Surprised that he has a girlfriend I look at Colin who sadly looks at his hands holding the last piece of sandwich.

'I didn't know you had a girlfriend?' I say. Elton smiles, his eyes twinkling when he starts to speak. 'Oh yes! We are together since we were sixteen. She's so wonderful.' I nod smiling, I am happy for him he's happy. 'I err... I have to go.' Colin stands up and leaves. 'What's with him?' Elton asks with a frown. 'He has a class soon, maybe he wants to go over his notes?' Elton nods. 'He does do that.'

'Anyways. I should go too and read my notes I took today. Say my wishes to Renée.' I nod. 'Bye.' Elton leaves my room as I get a text from Colin.

Is he gone?

Yeah, just know. Why?

It doesn't matter

You are weird

So are you

Thanks for the sandwich. Next
time is my treat

👍

Two hours later, Renée finally calls. 'Hey,' she says and smiles at me from my computer screen. 'Hi,' I say and smile back. 'Sorry about earlier,' she apologizes. 'It's fine.' Renée holds up her spoon and takes a bite. 'I didn't even got time to eat breakfast,' she chuckles. I laugh. 'So, who are you?' How am I? I am lonely and sad. I could cry everyday because I can't hold her. 'I am fine,' I lie. Renée nods satisfied. 'Good.'

We talk about the little things that are going on in our lives. Renée mentions her new friend Amir again. They met on the plane to Stanford. Every time she mentions him, I start to think about her walking away with her suitcase and how I didn't ask her to stay. Now I really wished I did stop her from going. I just smile politely at her and nod now and then.

I wish she was here. I wish she was not as smart as she is. I wish she didn't take courses online so she would be done after a year. I wish we would spent every day of our lives together and be happy. 'Oh!' Renée lets out in a surprise. 'I can't call tomorrow. We have to go on a field trip. Well, that just sounds like I am in primary school again.' I laugh. 'Can you tell Colin?' she asks and puts away her bowl of cereal. I nod. She mutters a thanks.

Renée looks at me. 'I want to kiss you.' I feel my cheeks turn red. 'Me too, but we can't.' Renée hums. She seems to be thinking for a moment. 'Do you still mean what you said in Italy?' She doesn't look at the screen. 'What did I say?' I ask, thinking. 'You said: "I am afraid if you go to Stanford everything will fall apart".' I want to say yes. It feels like everything we had is falling apart, fast.

'Well, do you?' I bite my lip. 'How about I visit you around Christmas?' Renée's eyes widen and she shakes her head. 'Why would you do that? You will drop death seeing the price of a plane ticket.' I sigh and play with my bracelet. 'Don't you want me to visit?' I ask. 'What? Of course I would want you to visit. It's just really expensive and we both have to study. And I have this paper I need to write and-' I close my laptop, not wanting to hear anything more she has to say.

She texts me not soon after.

I am sorry. But it's not like we can
do anything together? I don't know
where I have to find the time. And
I want you to focus on your studies
too. x

I ignore her text and lie on my bed. I am going, doesn't matter I have to study. I am seeing my girlfriend and I am going to hug her and tell her I love her.

Wordcount: 1069