Healing Sophie

18

WARNING: This chapter contains themes of self-harm and depression. Please skip this chapter if needed.

Victor took a quick sip of his vodka-filled water bottle before bandaging his hands up and making his way back to the ring. His opponent Brock was huge. He could easily take him, but he honestly didn't want to. He wanted Brock to hit him. He wanted Brock to knock all of the thoughts out of his head. He wanted him to end him once and for all so he could stop hurting those he cared about.

"Five...Four...Three...Two...One, go!" The announcer blew his whistle and the fight began.

Victor stared blankly at the man before him, not caring enough to taunt him or even move. Brock slowly stalked towards him and threw out the first punch, Victor lazily blocking it with ease. His fist connected with Brock's unprotected side, causing him to stagger back but not give up. Brock kept coming for him and Victor truly couldn't find it in himself to care. He let Brock stalk over to him once again and this time he did nothing as a fist flew forward and connected with his chin. He just stood in place, savoring the pain.

He licked the blood trickling from his lip and looked his opponent dead in the eyes. "Hit me again."

Brock's eyebrows furrowed but he complied. Left hook to the ribs. Victor groaned but stood up straight.

"Again."

Brock's eyes flashed with concern. "You okay, man?"

He growled, "Hit me again and don't stop."

The large man let the concern leave his gaze and he unleashed on Victor. Low gut here, cheek there. It was deliciously painful. Victor's head was spinning and finally, finally his mind thought about nothing. Nothing except the pain and the sweet buzz in his blood.

He did nothing, said nothing as Brock knocked him down and won the match. The crowd cheered. He could hear his boss Chuck cursing from the sidelines.

He just laid there, the room spinning around him.

Two feet stopped right near him and a hand reached out. He followed the arm to meet Brock's gaze and let him pull him up.

"You doing okay, Vic? Why'd you throw the match? Chuck is going to kill you."

Victor just stared into space and muttered, "To feel something."

He left the ring without another word.

It had been a few days since the Halloween party and Victor was nowhere to be found. Hopefully he was okay. Sophie was angry about him hurting her and about him trying to drive while drunk, but that anger had since turned into worry.

Then there was Finn. She was still trying to decide if she wanted to go to his photography shoot or not. She knew what it would mean. It would mean that she forgave him. She didn't know if she could, though. There was still too much hurt between them.

"Miss Hart, you need to concentrate," Professor Blaire scolded. They were in the middle of their one-on-one to go over her final showcase piece.

Sophie sighed and halted her piano playing. "I'm sorry, Professor. I just have a lot on my mind."

Blaire took a seat at the piano bench next to her. "Can I be honest with you, Sophie?" She nodded, her heartrate quickening. "I think you've got a lot of talent and you're very sweet, but I just don't see you exerting yourself. Your performance lacks depth and confidence." Sophie's heart cracked at the words. "I think you need to figure out how to unlock that deeper part of yourself and express it. Make your audience feel your words and your music. Overcome that timidness."