"Just friends"

Chapter 3

I open the door to the house and throw my bag onto the sofa. I guess today was alright, I mean nothing really happened. Ethan stuck with me all day and showed me around the school. Him and I seem to get along well.

"Soph!" James says, walking over to me.

"Hey."

"How was school?"

"It was alright I guess."

"Good. Your mum and I have to go out and get a few things so George is going to stay here. Is that ok?"

"Yeah, sure."

James grabs his car keys and mum walks in to the room. She and James walk out the door and the car pulls out of the driveway. Looks like it's just George and I as they took Delilah.

I decide to head upstairs to George. As I get closer to his room I can hear him talking.

James didn't say anything about George having a friend round so he must be on FaceTime. I knock on the door and I hear him say that he has to go. The most surprising thing is that the conversation ends with "I love you."

"Oh hey Sophie." George says, once he's opened the door.

"Who was that?" I say pointing to his phone.

"Oh nobody special."

"Really? Seemed pretty special to me."

"What?" He says, taking his earphones out.

"I love you? Who were you talking to."

"Ok, ok. There's a girl next door who I met a few months ago when we looked at this house. She's really nice and we've been taking since we met."

"What's her name?"

"Olivia. Well actually Liv."

"Oh right."

I turn around to walk away but George grabs my arm.

"Are you ok with this?" He asks.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You said you hated the change of everything yesterday. I'm just worried about you."

"I'm fine. I'm going out." I say stubbornly.

"To where?"

"The park."

"Fine, whatever. I thought you'd be more supportive."

"Oh shut up. It's not my fault you can't keep it in your pants." I yell and walk out the room.

I can hear him shouting after me to come back but I don't care.

Maybe I was a bit harsh but I can't help it. I storm out the front door and walk to the park. I get there and sit on a little picnic bench and stare at the table.

"Sophie? Is that you?" I hear a voice ask. I turn around and wipe the tears that have been running down my face. I lock eyes with Ethan and his face drops.

"Are you ok?"

"I'm fine." I say trying to crack a smile.

"You're not. Come here." He says and pulls me into his chest. I tense up. I'm not used to affection, especially not from boys. But something felt right and I just let myself go.

Tears streamed down my face as he held me and time just seemed to stop.

"Tell me what's happening Soph."

I tell him everything. I mean everything, even about my dad dying. He doesn't respond for a while, just sits down on the bench and looks at me. I don't blame him.

What do you say to someone who's just broken down in front of you?