Afraid to love

Chapter 31

Later that same afternoon, I go to visit Elias and Nina decides to come with me. Nina, Lara and I are sitting on the sofa in Lara's living room, chatting quietly so that her brother doesn't wake up. As soon as we hear the updates on Elias, Nina and Lara bombard me with questions about Daniel. When I tell them everything that happened between us, they're both happy for me.

I don't even try to pretend I am not happy, either. Even talking about Daniel makes me excited, giddy. I can't wait to see him again even though our outing ended only a couple of hours earlier,

"And what about you? How is George?" Lara asks, looking over at Nina. Nina glances at me and I look away. I promised her I'd trust George, so I haven't mentioned anything to Lara,

"He's good. Recovering"

"Recovering from what?" Lara asks, worried,

"Just got hurt the other day. Nothing serious" she says, looking over at me thankfully, I guess she's happy I haven't told Lara about the altercation with Daniel, "but, I have some news..."

"What news?"

"Tell us!"

"George is taking me away over the weekend. He planned a trip for me somewhere, to celebrate my birthday!"

"How exciting!" Lara squeals, but I can't bring myself to feel the same excitement, when Nina looks at me, I force a smile,

"Yes! Sounds exciting!" I say in an attempt to cover up my uneasiness. As much as I told Nina I'd trust George, the truth is, I want to trust him, but I just don't, not after everything that happened,

"And you don't know where he's taking you?"

"Nope! Can't wait!"

"When are you leaving?"

"So, the plan is for George to come Friday night, there's the party happening in the city. George will come to the party, then sleep over at our apartment, then leave with me Saturday morning"

"What party?" I ask,

"Thomas Larry is throwing it. He invited us both"

"He didn't invite me" I say, Thomas is a guy from university, pretty popular,

"He did. He told me to tell you, but I didn't get a chance"

"Oh"

"He said to bring our friends along too, so Lara if you're free?"

"No, I have to be with Elias. But I don't think it's safe for either of you to go. Especially not Sofia"

"I know, the stalker. But we'll be safe. George is with us" Nina says, I bite down on my lips. George being there doesn't make me feel any better,

"You know I am not big on parties" I say,

"I do. But we haven't been out in ages. And I feel like we need to let go a little"

"I don't think-"

"No excuses, Sofia. Besides, it's too late. I already told him you're coming"

"You told Thomas?"

"Yes"

"I'll think about it"

"You can think all you want, but you're coming" she grins.

Friday comes, and sure enough, Nina persuades me to go with her. I agree mainly because I'd feel uneasy if she was going by herself. Daniel has some of his usual training stuff happening, so I decide not to tell him about the party. We've both been busy that we haven't even seen each other since that day. I know if I told Daniel about it, he'd most likely cancel all his activities to come with me. I don't want that, I've been enough of a burden already. Besides, I've known George all my life. As much as I can't fully get over the fact he was caught out in weird situations, I promised Nina I'd give him a clean slate. But just in the off case that he isn't innocent in all of this, I'm not worried about going out tonight. We'll be in a crowd, I'll stick to Nina all night. Nothing bad can happen at all.