A Twisted Situation

Chapter 16: New and Improved

"Hey honey, are you hungry?" Charlotte asked, peering around the doorway.

It had been a few days since Teddy and everyone was walking on eggshells around Sophie. They took caution to her, jumping to help her with every move. Which wasn't bad. Sure, she would like some space every now and then but to her it just proved how much her family cares for her. Even Jessie showed how valuable Sophie was to her. They each showed Sophie love and care in their own ways. Henry sacrificed his time on working in the basement to watch movies or do puzzles with her. Cecily did Sophie's nails and they had a girl's day. Charlotte cooked whatever Sophie was in the mood for, willing to go out and get whatever they need if they didn't have it. Jem played his violin for Sophie, which was precious because Jem doesn't play his violin for just anybody. Jessie was still Jessie, but less bitchy and critical, which Sophie was thankful for. Will slept in Sophie's room with her. He slept on the floor and when Sophie would wake up in the middle of the night crying from a nightmare, Will was by her side instantly. Everyone was protective of her but Will was even more so. It was as if it were his nature, something he was born with and that defined him.

"No, I'm good," Sophie laughed, closing her book.

Charlotte walked in slowly, quietly close the door behind her. She strolled over to Sophie's bed, and sat down on the end of it. Sophie sat up and scooted closer to Charlotte.

"Are you ready to go back to school tomorrow?"

Sophie let out a long sigh, tossing her book aside. "It's school... Am I supposed to be ready?"

"Of course, it's your education," Charlotte laughed.

"Whoopee," Sophie joked, wave her finger in a circular motion.

"Oh, c'mon. You'll get to see Gabriel," she smiled.

At that Sophie blushed. She hadn't seen Gabriel since that night but they still talked. On the phone, on text, on Skype. Gabriel was....different. He made her laugh. He wasn't scared to talk to her about what happened. He wasn't constantly bombarding her with concerns. He wasn't careful with his words (as far as she could tell). And the more time she spent away from him the more she thought about him. She wasn't sure how they would be now, especially at school. Somehow, word had gotten out about what happened, but Sophie hasn't heard any comment regarding it, either as empathy or enjoyment. What if people looked at them badly? What if people refused to talk to her or even look at her, or even worse... what if they do that to Gabriel? Sophie wasn't sure about any of those, but one thing she was sure about was how much she missed him.

"Yeah, I guess," Sophie stuttered.

Charlotte laughed at her, standing up against the bed. "It'll all be okay, love," she whispered, kissing Sophie lightly on her forehead. "You should probably get some sleep," she said as she walked out of the room, turning the light off on the way.

Sophie leaned over and turned her lamp off. She laid back down with a heavy sigh, as closed her eyes, willing sleep to take over her.

Sophie hopped out of the car, looking up at the school before her. Will had drove her, along with Jem and Jessie. Cecily had went with Charlotte earlier in the morning, hoping to a word in with some teacher before school started. St. Jonathan's stood tall, looking more like a fortress or castle rather than a public school. But that was just the outside, on the inside it was huge, with enough classrooms and hallways to provide shelter for all of London it seemed. Of course, that probably wasn't true. Its walls were now an off-white kind of color, its age becoming more prominent now.

"Ready to go, babe?" Jem asked, using his personal nickname for her.

Sophie nodded, pulling her bag tightly over her shoulder. She fumbled with the strap, pulling on it and twisting it around her fingers. That was a habit, messing with anything she had in her hands when she was nervous. And right now she was very nervous.

Will walked around to Sophie's side, sort of like a bodyguard, and led her to the steps that trailed to the front doors. Sophie felt different this time around. This time she knew it wasn't her. Nothing was her fault, nothing she did made Teddy attack her in any way, verbally or physically. It was his fault. He wasn't right. He was the one that was messed up, not me, Sophie thought. With this new profound truth, Sophie walked with confidence in her steps.

Beep beep.

Sophie slowly halted to a stop, pulling her phone out. She looked at the name that popped up on her screen, smiling from ear to ear. Gabriel.

Meet me in Mr. Clarison's classroom ;)

"You okay?" Will asked. As Sophie looked up she noticed Jessie and Jem were gone.

"Yeah, I just need to... uhm.." Sophie stammered, thinking of a reason that Will would find plausible.

"See Gabriel?" he asked, leaning over to catch her eyes. Upon seeing her smile he said, "Go, be with that disgraceful idiot."

"Stop, Will," she laughed, jogging up the stairs. Midway she stopped and turned around, running back towards Will. She hugged him tightly, whispering to him, "Thank you.... For everything,"

Sophie ran inside, taking only a moment to notice the stares around her. She smiled, as brightly as she could, before strutting down the hall towards Mr. Clarison's room. When she entered the classroom, she noticed a silhouette against the light shining from the windows.

"Gabriel?" Sophie breathed, shutting the door.

The figure turned around, giving Sophie a glimpse of the face she had been longing to see.

"Sophie," he whispered.

They both reached for each other, holding the other in their arms. Gabriel kissed the top of Sophie's head, his endearing touch that Sophie absolutely loved. Sophie closed her eyes as she breathed in the smell of him, resting her head against his chest.

"I missed you so much," Gabriel said.

"I missed you too," she replied.

Gabriel pulled away slightly, lowering his head to plant a light kiss onto Sophie. As soon as they touched he let out a sigh against her lips, moving his hands into her hair. They were simple right now. All they wanted in this moment was each other and that's what they had.

Sophie stopped momentarily, a little out of breath. "This might be the wrong time to ask, but.." she paused to take in air. "How much work do I have to catch up on?"

Gabriel laughed, stepping back and kissing Sophie's nose. "You're such a nerd,"

Another chapter done, yay!