Roommate Rivalry

Chapter Seven - Sophia

Friday, September 22nd

Today was already going to be stressful enough and, to make it worse, I woke up late, "Sophia, I really can't be late. We have to go." My dad was yelling at me from the family room.

"Dad, I'm just not ready yet," I shouted back so he could hear me, "I'll just find a ride." I knew I was going to have to ask Drew for a ride and I was dreading it.

"Alright, but you better be at school," he said, walking out the door. I sighed and went back to getting ready. After a few minutes, there was a knock at my door.

"You can ride with me," Drew spoke through my door.

"You sure?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm leaving in like 30 minutes," he said and I heard him walk away. I ended up having enough time to make my lunch. I do enjoy going out for lunch but it does cost a lot and packing my lunch makes me feel better about myself. Drew and I got into his car with a perfect amount of time to get to school.

"I'm going to stop at the convenience store around the corner for an energy drink. Do you want anything?" he asked calmly. No wonder he's almost always late to school. It's like he doesn't even care.

"Since you're offering, could you grab me an Alani? I don't care what flavor," I replied, "Here." I tried to hand him somewhere around $7.

"I am not taking that from you," he said and proceeded to just get out of the car. I stared blankly for a moment before I decided to just ignore it. While I waited for him, I realized we were going to be late and we were going to have to walk into class together. Late. This is gonna be so embarrassing. He re-entered the car and silently handed me the can.

***

"Aww henlowe4eva!" Warren yelled as we entered the classroom. I want to die.

"Warren shut up," Ava said before anyone could reply. Why does she care?

"You two are late," my dad announced.

"Yup," I basically whispered before sitting in my seat. The whole class whispered and laughed all through bell work. I am so embarrassed.

***

"For the last fifteen minutes of class, do whatever. No homework because it's homecoming weekend and I'm not a monster like most of you think," my dad told the class. Trust me, he can be a monster.

"So why'd Drew drive you to school?" Tess asked as soon as she made her way to my desk. I sighed and leaned my head back.

"I was just running late and my dad told me to find a ride," she stared at me, "and he offered." I just shrugged. She gave me a look and I just replied by shaking my head. Jason and Drew joined us soon after that interaction.

"I am not looking forward to all the homecoming bullshit," Drew groaned, "I'm just ready for Sam and Sasha's party."

"I thought it wasn't going to be a party," I stated.

"I guess Sam convinced Sasha to turn it into a party. And I'm assuming the four of us will go back to Sophia's house?" he questioned. We each replied with a nod.

"Yeah but who's gonna be the dd?" Jason mentioned, "I did it last and I'm not doing it again." He held both of his hands up.

"Well, Sophia could drive," Drew proposed.

I sank into my chair, "I don't have my license."

Drew clearly stifled a laugh before continuing, "I'll just get us an Uber. That way everyone can have fun."

"That sounds good, but how come you didn't ask me?" Tess asked. If I'm being honest, Tess is not a great driver.

"So what are the plans for before the dance?" Jason changed the subject, "Tess and I want to get pictures but you two don't have to if you don't want to." This is when I realized Drew and I tagging along with Tess and Jason probably just adds to the rumors.

"My mom would kill me if I didn't get pictures and I'm assuming Penelope will make you get pictures too. She will never want to forget her baby's senior homecoming especially if you're homecoming queen," Drew added. He's definitely right, which I hate.

"Speaking of, what happens if you two do win? Are you gonna freak out when you'd have to dance?" Tess was giggling. I forgot our school does that. I haven't been to a homecoming dance since freshman year. So, I only skipped last year's.

"Are you serious? Freaking out would be more embarrassing than dancing with him," that came out meaner than I intended, "I'm sorry that was mean I didn't mean dancing with you is embarrassing because it's you, but because of all the rumors." I'm starting to feel guilty about how I treat Drew. He's been a lot nicer to me since he moved in. He's really not that bad of a guy.

"Thank you for apologizing. Especially because you are very wrong. I'm more popular than you would ever be. Really, dancing with me would actually be good for you. Socially speaking," he joked. Ouch. He doesn't know. At least, I don't think he does, but that hurts whether he meant it or not.

When I was a freshman, I would say I was pretty popular. A lot happened and it all went away. There really is a reason I skipped a grade.

***

"Okay, first, get into your assigned pairs. Then, boys, hold your arm up like this," Karina demonstrated, "Now, ladies, just lightly hold onto his bicep." Man, why am I so awkward? And why does he have to be so strong? All six of us were gathered onto the football field to rehearse for our school's tradition. Every Friday before the dance, obviously our school hosts the homecoming football game. After the game, a red carpet is set up as well as a set of risers for us to stand on. Each pair will be driven onto the field by a teacher in a golf cart. As the pair is walking down the red carpet, an announcer is reading facts about each nominee.

"Karina spends too much time with Mrs. Greener. Since she's become student body president she's started sounding just like her," Drew whispered into my ear. I began quietly laughing to myself which caused him to laugh too.

"Mr. Henley, Mrs. Barlowe, is there something you'd like to say," Mrs. Greener interrupted.

Drew cleared his throat, "No ma'am. I apologize for my disruption." This made me want to laugh harder. Thankfully, I held it together.

***

Drew offered to take me home again today and I accepted. I wanted as much time as possible to get ready. That wasn't looking like as much as I hoped because we were stuck in major traffic.

"This sucks," Drew groaned while laying on his horn.

"Damn, can you stop that?" I whined, "I am so tired."

"Take a nap. We might be here for a minute," he replied, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?" I asked, laying my head against the cool window.

"Why did you skip a grade? I get it looks good for college and what not, but like you definitely had friends you would be leaving behind and no one just skips a grade in high school for college apps," he basically rambled. I hate talking about this.

"Do you remember that girl who was in a car that was hit by a drunk driver a few years ago? Our school does a huge assembly for her every year. Abby Hunter?" he nodded, "She was my best friend since pre-k. When she died, I was obviously very depressed. I thought it was for the best to break up with my boyfriend at the time. And, yes, I did already know he wasn't the best person, but he got very mad at me. He decided the best course of action, even with everything I was going through, was to leak the nudes I sent him. And, yes, I know I shouldn't have sent him nudes." There was a long silence after that.

"Damn, that sucks. Like really sucks," he breathed, "Are you doing better now? I can't actually imagine how awful that must've been."

"Yeah, it was rough, but I'm doing a lot better and it did really suck," I kind of laughed.

"Friday traffic might just be worse though," he said, inching the car forward. I laughed. His comment might sound insensitive, but I hate when I share that story and people treat me differently. Drew and I have actually become friends.