In the middle of nowhere

Chapter 5 ✔️

Outfit Sophia^

P.o.v. Sophia

What? He liked me? How? How is this possible?

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that" he apologized. I didn't know what to say. I was frozen. I couldn't move. I couldn't talk. I couldn't do anything.

"Sophia?" Peter said. I looked at him. "I need to tell you something" he started. He was very nervous. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. "I don't know how to tell" he admitted.

Okay this was the moment. He was going to admit that he has problems. He opened his mouth. Yes, yes! Just spill it out, Peter. Go for it! I encouraged him in my head.

"I-I ... I can't do this" he whispered. I stared at him. His hands were shaking. He stood up, turned around, opened the door and left.

What did just happen?

"Peter?" I yelled but he didn't hear me. He was running through the snow. He looked over his shoulder and saw me standing but he kept walking.

I was doubting to go after him but maybe he just needed his privacy. I didn't know him that well after all.

Hours started to pass by and he still wasn't home. I was starting to get worried. What if he had been frozen to death by now? What if there was a bear out there who killed him?

Okay focus, Sophia. Such things only happen in the movies.

He'll survive. He is a big man, right?

🌸

It was 9 p.m. when I heard someone knocking on the door. I stood up and ran towards the door. I opened it and saw Peter standing there.

Tears left my eyes and he looked guilty at me. "I was worried sick" I whispered. "I know. I'm sorry" he responded.

"Don't you ever do that to me again" I said angrily. "Promise. Can I come in?" he asked nervously. I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. His hands were so cold. They were almost frozen.

"I'll make you some hot chocolate." I said. He looked at me and smiled. I turned around and went towards the kitchen.

"Here you go. One hot chocolate with marshmallows, of course" I said laughing. He looked at me. I drowned in his eyes. "Thank you, Soph" he said.

Wow. I loved it when he said my name. It was so sexy.

"Sophia?" he said. "Hmm? What?" I responded. Okay this was embarrassing. "I asked you something" he answered laughing. "Yes" I answered. He raised his eyebrows. "No?" I asked. He started to laugh. "Maybe you should just repeat your question instead of laughing at me" I responded.

He took my hand and looked in my eyes. "Why do you do this?" he asked softly. I shrugged my shoulders. I had actually no idea why I was doing this. "I don't know. I can't let you survive out there all by yourself. And besides, I like the company" I explained. He laughed softly. "I like the company too" he answered with a big smile.

We talked a lot this evening. It was amazing. It's like I could tell him everything. I told him about my family, my job and basically just about my life. I just knew I could trust him. Is that strange?

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked seriously. I looked at him and shook my head. "I'm okay being single." I whispered. Tears started to fill my eyes.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" he asked concerned. I gave him a smile and shook my head. "It's just ... I can't explain. It's complicated" I tried to explain. "You're not over him yet?" he asked. "No no! That's not it. He did some things that I rather just want to forget" I responded.

I didn't dare to look at him. He placed his hand under my chin and forced me to look at him. Tears were falling down. "What did he do?" he asked.

I thought I heard some anger in his voice but I could be imagining this.

"I-I ..." I tried. "You don't have to tell me" he said. I looked at him. I don't know why but all of a sudden I told him everything.

"His name was Darren. We met each other at a party. He was a real gentleman. We went out on some dates when all of a sudden it wasn't enough for him anymore. He wanted to have sex. He started to drink more and he used me, sexually, mentally and physically. I was depressed for a few years when some colleagues started to notice that something was wrong. I haven't had a boyfriend since then." I explained quietly. He looked at me with big eyes.

I could kill myself right now. Why did I tell him all this? I don't tell anyone about this. It's private. I don't know him.

But then why does it feel like I've known him for years. Why does it feel like I can tell him everything and he won't judge me.

"I'm really sorry about that" he responded. I shrugged my shoulders. "It happened" I answered. He grabbed my hands. "He's an asshole. A big one" he continued. I smiled and said "yes he is."

I was relieved. I told someone what happened to me and actually it felt great. Some things are just too big to carry alone.

"Have you heard from him since...?" Peter asked. I shook my head. "I moved to another state. But this place just remind me of who I truly am. So I spend every Christmas here." I explained. "That's wonderful" Peter whispered. I nodded. It was.

Especially when you are here with me.

🌸

Done ✔️

Side note: I love pineapple. Just so you know 😉