Sophie's Life

Chapter 13: The Truce

**Abby POV**

I watch James walk off toward Sophie, my heart sinking even though I try to shake it off. Sophie and I have been best friends forever, but this... this feels different. I never thought she'd kiss him, let alone keep it a secret from me. And it's James, of all people—the guy she's always said she couldn't stand. I fold my arms, trying to keep my cool, but inside, it feels like everything's spinning out of control. Sophie and I have been through everything together, so how could she not tell me? How could she let something like this happen with James? I bite my lip, watching them talk in the distance, and my mind races with questions I don't want to ask.

*We're supposed to tell each other everything*, I think, feeling a knot form in my stomach. And yet, here we are—me, standing by the fire, completely out of the loop while my best friend is off with the guy I've had feelings for, the one I thought hated her. I can't help the small pang of jealousy that rises inside me. It's not that I'm mad at Sophie for kissing him—she didn't even like James, or at least she always pretended not to. No, it's more that she didn't trust me enough to say anything, to tell me what's going on. She's never kept secrets from me before.

A sigh escapes me as I walk a little closer to the woods where they're talking. I don't want to eavesdrop, but I can't help it. I need to know what's going on between them, especially now. This isn't just some random guy. It's *James*. 

And it stings because, even though I've never told Sophie, I've always liked him. Maybe I should have said something, but I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. It was never the right time. Now, seeing her with him feels like a punch to the gut, even though she doesn't know how I feel. She wouldn't have done this if she knew, right? I keep telling myself that, but the way they're talking now... I don't know anymore.

I hear Sophie's voice, strained and sharp: "It was a mistake, James."

A mistake. That's all it was to her. She doesn't even want him like that, and yet, here we are, caught in the middle of whatever this is. I know Sophie's frustrated, but part of me wants to march over there and ask her why she didn't just tell me. Why am I standing here, second-guessing everything?

When Sophie finally walks back toward the fire, her face is flushed, her eyes darting everywhere but toward me. My heart aches for her—she looks so lost. But there's also this flicker of frustration that won't go away. She drops down beside me, avoiding my gaze, but I can't hold it in any longer.

"So... are you going to tell me what happened?" I ask softly, trying not to sound as hurt as I feel.Sophie freezes, and for a second, I see panic flash in her eyes. She fiddles with the hem of her shirt, still refusing to look at me. "Abby, I... it wasn't supposed to happen."

"Yeah, I gathered that much," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "But why didn't you tell me?"

Sophie finally looks up at me, guilt written all over her face. "I didn't know how. I didn't even know how it happened. One minute we were fighting, and then—" She stops, biting her lip, clearly overwhelmed. "I'm your best friend, Soph. You could've told me," I say quietly, my voice tinged with the hurt I've been trying to hide.

She takes a deep breath, looking torn. "I know, I just... I didn't want to make it a big deal. I didn't even want it to happen. I don't *like* him, Abby." I stare at her, processing what she's saying. She doesn't like him. That should be a relief, but it only makes things more complicated. "But you kissed him." "I know." Her voice is small, like she doesn't want to admit it. "It was a mistake. It doesn't mean anything."

I sigh, leaning back on the log. "I get that. I do. But why didn't you come to me? We tell each other everything." "I was embarrassed, okay?" Sophie finally blurts out, her face flushing. "I hate him. I've always hated him, and now I've kissed him? It's like my brain short-circuited. I didn't know how to deal with it, and I was afraid you'd think I was crazy." I blink at her, my heart softening a bit. I get it now. She's just as confused as I am. "Soph, you're not crazy. It's just... James. He's always been—"

"*Your* guy?" Sophie finishes for me, her eyes widening like she just figured it out. I hesitate for a second, but then I nod, finally admitting it. "Yeah. I mean, I've liked him for a while, but I didn't think it mattered. I didn't want to make things weird between us."

Sophie's face falls, and she reaches for my hand. "Abby, I swear, if I had known—" "I know, Soph," I interrupt, squeezing her hand. "I know you wouldn't do that to me on purpose." We sit there in silence for a moment, the fire crackling softly in the background. It's awkward and messy, but we're both trying to figure out how to navigate this.

"So... what happens now?" Sophie asks quietly. I shrug, giving her a small smile. "We'll figure it out. We always do."

Even though my heart's still tangled up in the mess with James, I know Sophie and I will get through this. We've always been there for each other, and no kiss—no matter how complicated—will change that.