The Freshman loves the Sophomore

The Freshman loves the Sophomore (5)

It was finally Friday- the day of Lenny's party. I asked my dad one more time if I could go but he got mad and said no again. Cal kept bugging me about it too. He encouraged me to sneak out or lie and go anyways. I told him no. So I just stayed at home with Bryson and Samantha.
Dad stuck his head into my room. "I'm leaving, Sophie." He said. "Have fun. Be careful."
"See ya." I replied.
I was a little mad at Dad because he was lying about where he was going. Why didn't he tell us?
I went downstairs once I knew Dad was gone and called for Samantha.
"Are you hungry?" I asked her.
Samantha was playing with some dolls in the sitting room. "I don't know."
"Ok. I'll ask later." I said. Then I went into the living room where Bryson was watching TV.
"You hungry, kid?" I asked messing with his hair.
He nodded. "Yes! Can we order pizza?"
I threw him my phone. "Knock yourself out."
After Bryson ordered pizza, I called Laura's house.
"Hello?" Carson answered. He sounded sleepy.
I smiled at the sound of his voice. "Hey, it's me, Sophie."
"Hi, Sophie." He said. "What do you want?"
I sighed. "Is Laura home?"
Carson was quiet.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Oh, uh, she's not here." He replied. "Why do you want her?"
I laughed. "Bryson, Samantha, and I ordered a pizza. I wanted to know if she wanted to come over."
Carson started breathing into the phone.
"Well, I'm going to hang up now." I said.
"Yeah, ok. Me too." Carson laughed.
I giggled. "Bye."
Then I hung up.
I went upstairs and got my iPod. I put the ear buds in my ears and turned the volume up. I started listening to Born This Way by Lady Gaga. I sat at the dinner table and zoned out.
I started thinking about Carson and Cal. Carson was so perfect to me. Well, there was one problem- we're in different grades. And then there's Cal. He's my best friend- the guy that you always hang out with and eventually fall in love with, like in the movies. But did I really like him? Man, I really have to think about this some more.
"Sophie!" Bryson yelled.
I snapped out of my daze. "Huh?"
"Get the door!" He shouted.
I jumped up and went to the front door. I assumed it was the pizza guy so I didn't bother taking out my ear buds.
"Carson?" I said when I opened the door.
Why is he here?
"Sophie?" He said, mimicking me.
I couldn't help but laugh. He sure does mock me a lot. "Why are you here?"
Carson smiled. "I'm home alone, bored, and I have nothing better to do."
I smiled back.
"Plus, I heard there's going to be pizza so I just couldn't resist." He added.
I nodded. "You heard right. We're still waiting for the delivery guy though."
"What kind did you get?" Carson asked.
I shrugged. "Bryson ordered it so I have no clue!"
"Sophie?" Carson said.
"Huh?" I answered.
He looked at me with a kind face. "Are you going to let me in the house or do I have to stand out here all night?"
I laughed. "I guess you can come in." I joked. "How long are you staying?"
Carson walked in the house. "Until your Dad gets home."
"He could be home at ten for all I know!" I exclaimed.
"Then I'll stay 'till ten." He said.
"So where is Laura?" I asked changing the subject.
Carson shrugged. "I don't know and I don't care."
I smiled. "Well, ok then."
Then someone knocked on the door. It was the pizza guy.
I opened the door, paid him, and took the pizza.
"Bryson, Samantha, the pizza's here!" I called. "Come eat!"
Bryson and Samantha came and sat down with Carson and I at the dinner table. We all talked about random things- sports, school, our friends, our family, TV.
*****
It was just past 9:30 when Dad got home. He walked into the house very happy.
"Hey, Sophie. Hey, Bryson." Dad said. "Oh, hey Carson." He smiled. "Where's Samantha?"
"Sleeping." I said. "She fell asleep at about eight."
Dad nodded and put his things down.
I decided to ask Dad some questions about his 'business meeting.'
"Dad how was your meeting?" I asked.
He shrugged. "It was fine." Dad spoke slowly. "It was a business meeting. What do you expect?"
I nodded. "You seem really happy about it."
"Things went well at my meeting." Dad smiled. "Sophie, tell me what's going on."
I stood up and walked over to Dad in the kitchen. "Dad." I started. "I know you went out on a date with some lady named Marina." I paused. "I heard you on the phone the other night!"
Dad just stared at me in shock.
I sighed. "Why didn't you tell us?"
He swallowed and took a breath. "I was protecting you guys."
"From what?" I snapped. "We're your own children. We can handle being told that you’re dating someone."
"Sophie, no." Dad muttered. "It's not that you guys won't understand... it's just..."
I shook my head and sighed. "Oh, I get it. You wanted to hide us from that lady." I said. "Are we that embarrassing?"
Dad took a deep breath. "I wasn't ready to introduce her to you guys yet."
"So I was right?" I asked.
"Sophie, you don't understand." He said.
I looked at the ground and licked my lips. "No, Dad, I think I do."
Then I ran upstairs and locked myself in my room. Dad left me alone. Bryson didn't care. Carson left. Samantha didn't understand.
I just laid there and thought about what to do.
Then the song 'Shake It' by Metro Station started playing. It was my phone's ringtone.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hey, Sophie." It was Cal.
I smiled. "What's up?"
"I left the party early." He replied. "I can't stop thinking about you."
My heart nearly skipped a beat.
"W-what?" I stuttered.
Cal laughed. "Can you meet me somewhere?"
"Sure." I agreed."Where?"
Cal thought for a moment. "Young Doughnut Shop. Be there in ten minutes."
I agreed and hung up.
Then I threw some shoes and a jacket on. I ran downstairs and walked over to Bryson.
"I'm going somewhere. I'll be home in, like, an hour." I said.
He nodded. "See ya."
I smiled and walked over to Dad who was still mad at me.
"I'll be home by 10:45." I said. "Bye, Dad."
Dad sighed. "Goodbye Sophie."
Then I ran out the front door and left the house. I made my way down the street and went to Young Doughnut Shop.
I wonder what Cal is going to say?
"Hey, Sophie." Cal said as I sat next to him in a booth.
I smiled. "Hey."
Cal sighed. "I need to tell you something."
I was silent as I waited for Cal to continue.
"Not only doesn't Lenny like you but I do too." He said.
I smiled but said nothing.
"Oh, and Stephen likes you too." Cal added.
I giggled.
Cal waited for my reply.
I opened my mouth to say something but then I closed it. I didn't know what to say.
"Well... Are you going to say something?" Cal asked.
"I don't know what to say!" I exclaimed.
Cal laughed. "Do you want to get some doughnuts then?"
I nodded.
Cal and I got up and went to the counter. I got an iced coffee and a chocolate doughnut. Cal got water and a glazed doughnut. Then we went to sit down again.
"So...?" He said taking a bite.
I looked up at him. "What?"
"Now do you know what to say?" Cal asked.
I smiled. "That's really sweet, that you like me."
Cal looked at me. "Do you like me back?"
"I don't know." I said.
He looked down.
"I'm just being honest, Cal." I said. "You’re a really awesome guy. You’re funny, sweet, cute, and a good friend."
Cal looked back at me and smiled. "Thanks."
"It's true." I said.
Cal blushed. "You know, you’re like no other girl I've ever met."
"How so?" I asked.
Cal ate some of his doughnut. "You hang out with all of the guys and play sports with us but you look so hot when you do it. You’re always so nice and cute and friendly. Sophie, you’re actually down to earth. All the other girls in our grade are obsessed with makeup and clothes." He paused. "I think you’re perfect."
I blushed and looked away from Cal. "Awe. Thanks." I finished my doughnut and sipped my iced coffee. Then I thought before I spoke. "You’re my best friend, Cal."
He smiled. "You’re my best friend too." Cal paused. "Lenny and Stephen are going to be so mad."
"Why?" I asked a little confused.
Cal finished his doughnut. "Because I'm your best friend."
I laughed. "Well, yeah. I don't talk to them as much as I talk to you."
Cal nodded. "Stephen's kind of afraid to talk to you. He likes you too much. Lenny, on the other hand, is kind of a player and doesn't want to talk to you because of all his other lady friends."
I burst out laughing. "Lady Friends?"
"At least that's what he thinks." Call said.
I pulled out my phone and looked at the time. I had about a half an hour until I had to be home.
"Do you have to go home?" Cal asked.
I shrugged. "I should but I don't want to."
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok?" Cal suggested.
I nodded and smiled. "Ok."
There was an awkward silence as we both stood.
I finally broke the silence. "Bye." I said giving Cal a hug. "Text me later or something."
Cal smiled. "Yeah. I will. Bye."
Then I walked home.
***
"Carson?!" I said as I approached his house's driveway. "Why are you out here so late?"
Carson was sitting on the curb. He turned and looked at me. "Why are you out here so late?"
I smiled. "No, really. Answer me."
He shrugged. "I don't know. I left you house and didn't really feel like going home. I've been sitting here since right after you left."
I nodded. "Cool." I paused and then answered Carson. "I met a friend somewhere."
"Nice." Carson said. "Do you want to sit with me?"
I said nothing and sat next to him.
"Are you ok?" Carson asked. "I heard you fighting with your dad."
I sighed. "I guess I'm alright. I'm just hurt."
Carson looked at me. "You should talk to your dad."
I was quiet.
"He means well, Sophie." Carson added. "You need to let him explain." He paused. "And you need to listen."
I nodded. "You’re right."
Carson nudged me. "I'm always right."
I laughed. "Ok. You think what you want." I said. "I need to go."
Carson smiled at me. "Goodnight."
I smiled back. "Goodnight."
Then I walked into my house. I went straight to my room. I kicked off my shoes and then flopped down on my bed. I started listening to my iPod.
"Sophie?" Dad said as he walked into my room.
I paused my iPod and looked up at Dad. "Yeah?"
He came in and sat in my desk chair. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys. That was a mistake on my part. But you shouldn't get so mad."
"I'm hurt though, dad." I said. "You’re still married to mom but you’re going out with new women. It’s wrong."
Dad sighed. "Sophie, how can I tell you this?" He paused. "Don't be mad." Dad looked in my eyes. "Your mother and I are going to court. We're getting a divorce."
I swallowed. "I kind of saw it coming."
Dad smiled. "Really?"
I nodded. "When are you getting the divorce?"
"It's scheduled for two weeks from today." Dad replied.
I stayed quiet.
"Are you mad?" He asked.
I shook my head. "No."
"Surprised?"
"Not at all."
"Sad?"
"Nope."
"What? Why not?"
I looked at dad. "Mom's never around. How can I be sad that a legal document that says your married is being nullified? It's not like you guys act like your married. Mom doesn't love you. You don’t love her. This might actually be better. She won't tie you down."
Dad's eyes widened. "Wow. Nice speech."
I smiled proudly.
"Get some sleep, Sophie. It's late." Dad said. He kissed my forehead and then left my room.
I changed into my pajamas and then heard my phone buzz. I received a text from Cal.
HEY It said.
I was too tired to text so I just put my phone on silent and threw it on my desk. Then I lied on my bed and fell asleep.