When We Were Younger | Book 1

What does it mean?

Tom:
I get Sophie inside, into the living room.
"You wanna sit down?"
She nods and I gesture for her to sit on the couch.

She briefly looks into my eyes and I notice a tear rolling over her cheek. She quickly wipes it away with the sweater I gave her.

I give her a glass of water and for a moment it stays quiet, not sure what I should say.
I carefully put my arms around her and she hugs me back, presses her body tightly against mine.

I hold her for as long as she lets me, until she lets me go.
"Tom?"
"Hm?" I look into her eyes, but she looks away, staring at something behind us.
"Can I stay here?"
I nod. "Of course. Let's get you to bed."

I take her upstairs, to my room and give her an oversized tshirt to sleep in.
"You remember where to bathroom is?"
She nods and leaves the room.

I sit down on the edge of my bed and she comes back a few minutes later.
"You can sleep here, I'll sleep on the couch."

I stand up, ready to leave the room as I feel her hand around my arm. I turn my head to look at her. "Can you please stay with me? I don't wanna be alone."

She looks into my eyes and I nod.
She looks so vulnerable, so broken..
"Of course."

Sophie crawls into the bed and I do the same.
She turns her back to me and presses her body close to mine.
I hesitate for a moment, before I put my arm around her.

We both fall asleep, my arm still around her.

Sophie:
I open my eyes and look around, confused. This is not my room, I think to myself.
I sit up more straight. Auw, headache!
I hold my head with my hand and close my eyes briefly.

I didn't even drink that much yesterday.
A sigh leaves my mouth, thinking back about what had happened.

I turn my head and see a sleeping Tom laying next to me.
Right, I asked Tom to stay with me, I remember.
What else happened last night? Apart from Marco cheating on me, again.

I look at Tom with wide eyes. Omg, I kissed Tom!
As quiet as possible I get out of bed.
I grab my stuff as fast as I can and look at the outfit I'm wearing right now.

It's or the dress from last night, or this oversized shirt I slept in, which is basically a dress.
I hear Tom making a sound and quickly run out of the room.

The oversized shirt it is.

How could I be so stupid to kiss Tom?! Tom of all people!? Thank god I didn't sleep with him.

I walk out the door, closing it behind me and start walking home.
Is this considered a walk of shame? Or does that only count when you actually had sex?

I go through my bag, looking for my phone.
Shit! I forgot my phone.
i hesitate for a moment, but don't turn back.
I'll get my phone later. First I need a shower and some decent clothes.

I get home after a 10 minuten walk and open the door.
I walk inside, looking for Marco and sigh relieved when I don't hear or see him.

I take a shower, get dressed and put on a light layer of make up, making myself look at least a little better after crying that much last night.

Okay, time to get my phone.
My heart starts to beat faster just by thinking about seeing Tom again after what happened last night.

Not only did he see Marco cheat on me, I also kissed him, I kissed him...
I run down the stairs and stop when I hear noises coming from the living room.
"Marco?" I whisper to myself.

I leave through the front door and start walking away, fast, without looking back.

My heart starts beating faster with every step I take, every step closer the to twins house.

I ring the doorbell, hoping that Bill will open the door instead of Tom.
The door opens and I get a smile on my face when I see Bill standing in front of me.

"Hi."
"Hi, Sophie. Are you okay?"
I shurg my shoulders and nod. "I'm okay."
"Come inside." I takes a step back and I walk inside. "I forgot my phone." I say, a little ashamed.

"I think it's in Tom's room. Is he home?"
"He is upstairs." Bill looks at me with a little smile and points towards the stairs.
I walk up the stairs and stand still in front of Toms room, I need a few more seconds to get my breathing under controle.

I knock on the door, softly, and wait for an answer, but it stays quiet.

I open the door and look inside through the gap.
The room is empty. I open the door completely and walk inside.

I look for my phone and find it on his desk.
I tap it and see several missed calls and unread messages.
"Sophie?"

I turn around and see Tom.
"I forgot my phone." I say quickly, a little bit ashamed by the way I left earlier.
My phone makes a buzzing sound and Marco's name lights up on the screen.
My stomach twist just by seeing his name.

"Are you okay?"
I look up from my phone. "I'm fine."
It stays awkwardly silent, except from my phone that keeps buzzing.
"Sorry that I left like that. I needed to change my clothes."

"That's okay." He says with a little smile on his face. "But," he stammers. "about that kiss.."
"Oh, that." I interrupt him.
"Don't worry about it. It was just a kiss. I was drunk, emotional,.. it didn't mean anything."

"What will you do with Marco?"
"Uhm, I guess I'll talk to him."
"You're not breaking up with him?" He asks me, surprised.

I shurg my shoulders. "I don't know."

Tom:
She doesn't know? What does she mean she doesn't know?
He cheated on her! How can she stay with someone like that?

"Uhm, I think I should go. Marco keeps calling me."
She walks passed me, towards the door.
"Sophie." She turns her head to look at me.
"Call me if you need anything, okay?"

She puts a little smile on her face and nods.
"You'll be the first one I'll call."

I walk into the living room and into the kitchen where Bill is.
"Tom, what happened between you and Sophie?"
"Nothing."

"Then why was her phone in your bedroom?" He asks in an accusing way.
"Nothing happened, Bill."
"I dont believe you."

"That's your problem, not mine." I look at him annoyed.
"Tom, she's our friend."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I look at him irritated, angry.

"You know what I mean."
"I would never hurt Sophie! Never!" I raise my voice a little, anger visible on my face.

"Okay, but something clearly did happen.. what?"
I look away, looking at my own hands.
I know I can tell Bill everything, but how can I tell him when I don't even know what's going on myself?

"Tom?"
"I don't wanna talk about it." I get up and walk away, toward the front door.
I walk straight to the park. I'm walking around aimlessly, my hands in my pockets.

I keep thinking about our kiss. Did it really mean nothing to her? Did I imagine it all? Was it just some sort of revenge because Marco cheated on her? Some sort of comfort?