Sophie's Life

Chapter 14: The Flames

Abby pov

As we sit around the fire, I can't help but notice how quiet Sophie has become. She's staring into the flames, her fingers playing with the hem of her jacket. Even though we've talked, something still feels off between us. I don't want to push her, but I also don't want this weird tension hanging over us.

Before I can say anything, Aaron walks up to the group. He's new to the trip, having only joined a couple of days ago. I still don't know much about him, except that he has a way of getting under people's skin—especially Riley's.

Aaron grins as he drops onto a log, stretching his legs out in front of him. "What'd I miss?"

Sasha rolls her eyes. "Just you being you, that's all."

He chuckles. "That's not much of an answer, Sasha."

Before anyone can respond, Riley comes storming out of the woods, her face red with frustration. She stops when she sees Aaron, and her eyes narrow.

"You just can't leave it alone, can you?" Riley snaps, glaring at him.

Aaron shrugs, his smirk never fading. "I wasn't doing anything. Just stating facts."

"You're impossible," she huffs, folding her arms. "Why did you even come on this trip if all you're going to do is irritate people?"

"I don't irritate everyone," Aaron says, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Just you."

Riley lets out a frustrated groan and turns away, her back stiff. But I catch the way her hands tremble slightly, like she's holding back from saying—or doing—something more. Aaron leans back, still grinning, like he's won some kind of game.

Sasha shakes her head. "You two are exhausting."

Alan laughs. "They're either gonna kill each other or end up together by the end of this trip."

I smirk at that, but inside, I'm a little distracted. James hasn't come back yet, and it's hard not to wonder what he's thinking after everything with Sophie. I steal a glance at her, but she's still focused on the fire, lost in thought.

Just then, James finally returns, his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets. He doesn't say anything, just takes a seat on the other side of the fire, avoiding both Sophie's and my gaze. The silence that follows feels heavy, like we're all waiting for something to happen.

I turn back to the others, trying to act normal. "So, how long until Riley punches Aaron?"

Sasha laughs. "I give it five minutes, tops."

Riley shoots me a look, but there's a tiny smirk on her face. "I'm this close," she mutters, her voice half-serious, half-joking. She glances at Aaron, who just raises an eyebrow, still grinning.

"Bring it on," Aaron teases, clearly enjoying how much he gets under her skin.

For a second, I almost think Riley might actually swing at him. But instead, she just shakes her head and marches off, muttering to herself. Aaron watches her go, his grin softening just a little.

"You're pushing your luck, dude," Alan says, shaking his head.

Aaron shrugs. "She can handle it."

As the night goes on, the group starts to relax again, but I can't stop thinking about the mess between Sophie, James, and me. I glance at Sophie, who's still quiet, and then at James, who hasn't said a word since he sat down. I know we'll have to talk about it eventually, but right now, I'm not sure I'm ready.

For now, I just sit by the fire, letting the crackling flames fill the silence. Tomorrow's a new day, and maybe by then, we'll have figured out how to untangle this mess.