Someone Like You

chapter two

   For two years I’ve walked around with Alicia while she did her dirty work. Two years I’ve been blamed and how does Alicia repay me? A cold, hard, smack in the face. At least, that’s how it feels. Now, I’m lying on my wet, fuzzy seat covers crying because that smack hurt.

She’s going to pay.

 

I slid my back down across the granite wall with puffy eyes. It was lunchtime now, and people were starting to wonder where I was. Possibly, I could be with another boy, hopping over the school fence. Or maybe I could be kissing him in the janitors closet, mending my broken heart. But none of those things that I would like to happen, won’t.

“Why aren’t you sitting by us, Sophie?” Alicia asked.

I set down my sandwich. “Oh, I’m just not in the mood right now.”

“What do you mean, ‘you’re not in the mood?’ Did I do something wrong?”

“Why aren’t you sitting with Andrew? He’s probably looking for you. You should go sit by him,” I suggested, trying to change the subject, even though the thought of her and Andrew sitting next to each other made my stomach churn. I just wanted to be alone.

“You’re right! Thanks so much Sophie for not being so coldhearted because I’m dating your ex-boyfriend. That’s why you’re my friend, Soph,” she smiled, and then glared at me. “Hold on, why are so interested in Andrew now? Are you into him? Tell me the truth, Sophia!”

“I don’t like him, not anymore,” I lied, looking away from her.

“You’re lying! I know you still love him Sophie!” Alicia yelled. She spat out the words. “You better stay away from him.”

“Or else what?” I challenged.

“You better stay away from him, slut.”

That’s when I gave her a slap in the face.

 

“Now tell me why, exactly, did you slap Alicia?” Vice Principal Newman questioned as I sat in a ugly green office chair beside Alicia, who was holding an icepack to her face.

“She was annoying me,” I said flatly, leaning back in the chair.

“She was annoying you,” she repeated, nodding her head.

“Yes. She was up in my face so I slapped her,” I said calmly, and glanced at Alicia. She glared at me. I smiled at her.

“Alicia, why don’t you tell me what happened, okay?” Ms. Newman asked.

Alicia nodded. “I walked over to Sophia and asked her to sit with my friends and I. But then, she told me to get lost and I was an ugly slut, so I asked her if she was mad, and she gave me this pretty red hand mark on my face.”

“Not true!” I exclaimed, standing up in my chair. “You’re the one that called me a slut!”

“You know, I don’t recall that happening,” Alicia said, putting a hand on her chin, like she was thinking.

I clapped. “You are an amazing actress, Alicia.”  I sat down, ready to hear my consequence.

“Sophia Allen, you will have detention after school today from 3:00 until 4:00. If you skip, you will have in school suspension for three days. Is that clear?” Ms. Newman said, her lips in a hard line.

“It’s clear,” I said, lowering my head. She handed me the detention slip and I walked outside of her office to finish my lunch. Alicia followed shortly after.

“Stay away from him, okay?” Alicia said, her voice low. Great, now I was the next victim on her list.

 

             “How was school, Sophie?” My mom asked, stirring whatever was in the bowl.

 “Fine,” I replied flatly, puling out my History I homework.

“Fine,” she repeated. “Well, I got a call from your vice principal today, and she said you slapped Alicia across the face.”

“So?”

“So, you’re not friends with her anymore? I’m just concerned, honey. What happened?”

I rolled my eyes. “Nothing, mom. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay, Sophia,” My mom said. She continued cooking, and I got back to my History homework. Even though it wasn’t due until Friday, I wanted to get it done.  All I could think about was Andrew. His hair, his eyes, his voice.

Sophie, it’s just me.

Why did it have to be Alicia that always ended up with the guys I loved? Even if I was over them (in this case I wasn’t). She was the beautiful type. The type with heavenly curves everyone wanted. She had dark, curly black hair that she wore in a messy, sexy way. She looked beautifully exotic with her dark tan, (only I knew she saw a tanning bed) and every boy wanted her. I was thin-framed and I absolutely did not have heavenly curves like Alicia. I was quite plain, with straight, long brown hair and a few freckles. There wasn’t anything really unique or sexy about me. I was just me.

 

“I’m really sorry about Alicia,” Andrew said apologizing. “Will you take me back?”

My eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Of course,” Andrew held my hand. “Alicia isn’t the girl for me. You are.”

“I love you Andrew,” I smiled, kissing him on the cheek. I looked behind me and there was Alicia sitting down, all by herself. Finally, she got what she deserved.

“Wake up from your dream, Sophie!” My mother yelled and I opened my eyes.

“What?” I asked, sitting up. I peeled my History homework from my cheek.

“It’s time for dinner, honey,” my mom called. “I’m invited Alicia’s family over for dinner tonight so you two can sort things out.”

“WHAT?” I screamed. “A kindergarten dinner doesn’t sort anything out. It just makes it worse!”

“Sophie, Sweetie. I already called and they were glad to come over.”

“Mom, you ruin everything!” I yelled and ran to my room. “Oh my God, oh my God,” I said to myself pacing around my room. Alicia was coming over? This was horrible. I mean, all Alicia would do is embarrass me or make fun of me. Even if it’s in front of her parents and mine. She would probably do anything to embarrass me.

“Sophie! Alicia’s here!” My mother called.

“Okay, okay!” I yelled, running down the carpeted stairs.

I stopped in my tracks. “Woah.” Alicia was… really dressed down for coming over. Her hair wasn’t brushed, she wore a dirty shirt with stains on it, and sweatpants

Alicia laughed. “If I had to come to your house, I wasn’t going to dress up. It’s not like you’re worth it.”

“Thanks, that really means a lot to me,” I said, smirking. She wasn’t going to have the satisfaction of me feeling down because of her.

“Oh, kids,” Alicia’s mom, Ms. Brown, said. She was so clueless. Or she just decided to pretend like it.

“I’m leaving!” Alicia exclaimed and slammed the front door.

“I’m glad you are,” I said under my breath. I really didn’t want her in my house. Much less in my life.