Been Here All Along

2. Crime of Honesty

CHAPTER TWO: HONEST
[he's going off about something that you said.]

The car ride with Sophia was awkward, at least from Elina's perspective. She couldn't think of anything to say, especially since she'd never been in a car with her before... especially alone. But the blonde didn't seem to mind as she waved her hand out the window, her fingers moving with the wind. Her beautiful straight hair flowed, and her blue eyes glistened in the rays of sunlight that passed through the windscreen just barely. Elina felt almost creepy because she couldn't help but stare at her in awe from time to time.

          "You know, I can feel you staring at me," Sophia muttered quietly, her gaze fixed on the sky as she leaned back on the headrest, enjoying the sensation of wind rushing through her hair and past her bare arms. She smirked as she turned to face Elina, "I know it's strange for you that I'm here. When you offered, I thought it would be weird for you."

          "I'm sorry," Elina said softly, "I just, I'm not used to anyone but Gabby and Arya sitting in this car with me." Sophia sat up properly and smiled at Elina as the brunette returned her gaze to the straight road ahead of her, "Why did you think it'd feel weird?"

Sophia looked back at the road too, "Think about it," She murmured quietly, "We've lived next door our entire lives, only ever been to each other's house for birthday parties when we were like five, and we go to the same school - but we don't talk. Not to mention the fact that we're complete opposites."

          "Opposites?"

Sophia hummed in response, "You prefer to go unnoticed, just passing through the school like a ghost and I - well, as much as I hate to admit it, I like the spotlight," She spoke openly, which made Elina smile. She appreciated honesty, and she appreciated how sweet it was that Sophia had known what she preferred despite the fact that they had only spoken yesterday. It made it clear that Sophia may have observed her in the same way that she observed Sophia. From afar, and without prejudice.

          "There's nothing wrong with liking the spotlight, especially when it's what makes people want to know who you are and fall in love with you because of it," Elina said softly. Sophia shivered as she said it, and the blonde gave her a shy glance, showing only a subtle interest in the way Elina spoke. That glance turned into a stare as she began to notice how lovely Elina looked when she smiled.

          "Now you're staring,"

          "Sorry," Sophia smirked subtly, "I'm just not used to having my neighbor chauffeur me to school." Elina raised her brows, but chuckled and rolled her eyes at the blonde. Of course, she'd respond in the same way that Elina had. The only problem was that Elina wasn't sure whether the blonde knew why Elina was staring, and was staring at her for the same reason. Maybe that's why she emphasized her response in that way. But she snapped out of her reverie when she realized how easily her mind could persuade her of things that weren't actually there.

          "Touché," She responded with a fake smile, noticing that they were near the school's entrance. "Do you want me to park further away so you can go?" She asked, nervously. The main reason she asked had been because she didn't want Sophia to lose that spotlight by being seen with Elina - who is otherwise in the shadows and prefers to remain so.

          "No, no, it doesn't matter where you park," Sophia smiled, "I'll go when you do."

          "Oh," Elina nodded before her hands became clammy and sweaty from nerves, and she quietly muttered, "Okay."

When they arrived at their destination, both Elina and Sophia exited the car, and Elina locked it as soon as both doors were closed. She half expected Sophia to walk alone toward her friends, especially since she - herself - was heading toward Gabrielle, her close friend, who she had seen waiting for her somewhere in the courtyard, "We're heading the same way anyway, Maddie's just there," Sophia said as she walked beside her.