Sophie's Life

Chapter 12: The Apologies

James POV

I stare at Sophie, trying to keep my emotions in check, but it's like her words don't reach me. A mistake? That kiss was anything but a mistake. But if that's how she wants to play it, fine. I take a slow breath, letting my arms drop to my sides. "Yeah," I say quietly, meeting Sophie's gaze, "it was just a mistake."

Her eyes flicker for a moment, something unreadable crossing her face. She nods, as if agreeing, but I can tell there's more under the surface. Before I can figure it out, Abby steps closer, her eyes narrowing at the space between us. I can practically feel the tension radiating from her.

"So, you two kissed?" Abby's voice is sharp, cutting through the crackle of the fire. I cringe inwardly—of course, she had to find out. Abby's never been subtle about her feelings for me, and the last thing I need is to turn this into a scene. Sophie stiffens beside me, clearly not interested in hashing it out with Abby. "It wasn't like that," Sophie snaps, her voice tight. "It was just in the heat of the moment." Abby crosses her arms, her eyes darting between us. "Oh, really? The guy you hate, Sophie? That guy?"

The look on Sophie's face hardens. "Yes. That guy," she says with venom, but I notice she avoids looking directly at me. "It doesn't mean anything." Abby lets out a bitter laugh, her gaze shifting back to me. "I don't believe this. Of all people, you kiss her?" My jaw tightens. "Abby, stop." My voice is steady, though inside I'm churning. "It wasn't planned, okay? It just happened."

She steps closer, her voice lowering. "But you and Sophie? Really, James?"

I glance at Sophie, catching her glaring at the ground like she wishes it would swallow her whole. For a moment, I want to agree with Abby, to say that it's absurd—that I hate Sophie just as much as she hates me. But that kiss... I can't shake how real it felt, how raw. I grit my teeth, turning away. "It doesn't matter."

Abby scoffs, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "It sure as hell looks like it matters." She takes a step back, throwing one last glare at Sophie before walking away, leaving a trail of tension in her wake.

I watch her leave, unsure whether I feel relieved or guilty. When I turn back to Sophie, she's already stalking off toward the edge of the woods, her fists clenched at her sides.

Sophie POV

I don't stop walking until I'm far enough from the fire that the chatter and laughter fade into the background. My chest is tight, my thoughts a tangled mess. How did everything get so screwed up so fast? I don't even know why I'm this angry—I hate James. I've hated him since the first day of camp. I kick at a rock, watching it skitter across the dirt path. A mistake. That's what it was. I keep repeating the word in my head, hoping it'll stick, but the truth is, I don't really believe it. The kiss felt like a mistake, but the way my skin still tingles from his touch? That feels like something else entirely, and I hate it.

I stop by the edge of the woods, leaning against a tree, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Why does James get under my skin like this? I've always found him obnoxious—arrogant, bossy, the kind of guy who thinks he knows everything. So why did I let him kiss me? Why did I kiss him back?

I hear footsteps behind me, and I don't even have to look to know it's him. His presence is like static in the air, impossible to ignore.

"Sophie." His voice is quieter than I expected, almost hesitant. I don't turn around. "What do you want, James?" There's a pause, and I hear him shift awkwardly. "Look, I didn't mean for things to get out of hand back there."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Which part? The kiss or Abby?"

"The kiss." He sounds unsure, like he's still trying to figure out what the hell it meant, just like I am. "It just... happened." I spin . "Exactly, it just happened, James. You don't even like me. And I—" I stop, the words catching in my throat. I hate you, I want to say, but the words don't come out.

James takes a step closer, his gaze steady. "I don't know what that kiss was, Sophie. But you can't deny it meant something." I scoff, crossing my arms. "It meant nothing. It was just... a mistake." But even as I say it, my voice fades. James watches me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he sighs, running a hand through his hair. "If that's what you really think." He turns to leave, and for a split second, I feel a pang of regret. But I push it down, refusing to let myself go there. As he walks away, the air feels heavy, like something important just slipped through my fingers. It was just a mistake, I tell myself again. So why does it feel like I'm lying?