Healing Sophie

4

Sophie groaned as her alarm intruded her ears and glanced at the time.

7:00am

Unholy hour. She had to go hunt for a job before classes began. She had enough saved up from babysitting and financial aid to at least cover her tuition and living expenses, but she did not want to fall behind.

Sophie got out of bed and got ready for her busy day. She needed to look professional, but she refused to look boring. What was the point in wearing clothes if they lacked personality? She put on a pink and white plaid skirt with a white undershirt and a pink, knitted cardigan. She completed the look by putting her hair in an up-do with a small white bow and she wore her usual baby pink shoes. With a final glance in the mirror, she rushed out of her bedroom.

As she was running down the hall, Sophie bumped into a hard chest. Her nose immediately began stinging and she looked up with wide eyes at Chase who was just out of the shower with only a towel secured loosely around his waist. Good god, her heart was going to give out. She blushed furiously and looked away.

"Sorry, Chase," she said with a squeak. He chuckled and lifted her chin, furthering her embarrassment and making it harder to not look.

"You're okay, little one. Just be more careful." His tone was stern and he held a twinkle in his eye that made Sophie's stomach erupt with butterflies. These guys would be the actual death of her. Cause of death: Three stupidly attractive guys that wouldn't put on clothing.

Sophie wiggled out of Chase's grasp and bolted out the front door, only remembering to breathe when she was safe in the confines of her car.

"Sorry, we're not hiring."

"We're looking for someone with a little more experience."

"Are you even old enough to have a job?"

Those were the phrases Sophie had heard from countless businesses over the course of four hours. Her feet ached and all she wanted to do was go home, drink some hot cocoa and watch a comfort movie.

Filled with defeat, she decided to stop at a cafe she found and recharge. The cafe was small and cozy and she was immediately grateful of her decision to go there. She ordered the most delicious chocolate croissant and strawberry shake of her life and read a book as she ate. The only thing that could pull her attention away was the sound of rain pattering on the roof. She looked outside and was delighted to see that it was foggy and raining. The perfect weather at the perfect place.

She mustered up the courage to ask the server if they were hiring, and while they were not, she did point Sophie to someone who was.

With a new boost of energy, she set out into the rain and walked down the road. She spotted the little library and excitement filled her every bone. The smell of old books and warm, cozy air enveloped Sophie in a hug as she entered the old Victorian-looking building. Off in the corner was a little fireplace with a large chair and a semicircle of couches and chairs around it to form a little reading area. Along the walls and shelves were hundreds of books. It was heaven to Sophie.

"Hello! Can I help you?" A short, ample middle-aged woman with dark hair and dimples walked towards her, her presence as warm as the room around her.

"Hi, I'm Sophie. I'm looking for a job before school starts and I'd love to work here if you're hiring," Sophie said nervously. She bit her lip, waiting for the rejection to come.

"Oh wonderful! We are looking for a new worker as one just left. Let's go back to my office and I'll conduct an interview." The woman smiled warmly and led her to her cozy office.

Sophie settled into the soft chair in front of the woman's desk and waited as she closed the door.

"So, tell me about yourself, Sophie."

"Soph, I am so proud of you!", Finn said through the phone. Sophie's interview with the librarian Katherine went perfectly. She felt very motherly and kind. After a long, passionate conversation about books, Sophie was offered a position.

"Thank you! I'm so excited but so nervous." She unlocked her door and made her way into the house.

"When do you start? You'll have to tell me your schedule so I can come bother you and..." Finn's voice faded into the background as Sophie took in the scene in front of her.

"Finn, I'm going to have to call you back..."