No Filter

Chapter VIII (8)

I open my eyes, not ready for another school day. But it's the last one for the week. And my detention falls today.

Yay, another fantastic school day.

I brush my teeth, switch out of my night wear, and comb my hair. I grab my keys and exit the door. I get inside the car and buckled up. I turn on the engine and back out of the driveway. I drove less than five minutes to reach Sophia's house.

I tap my hands on the steering wheel, nervous. My stomach fell queasy, and the heat hits my face, even though it was a cold morning. I adjusted my position in my seat, waiting on her.

I hear a small shut and turn my head to her house. Sophia comes walking out, holding onto the straps of her backpack. A small smile lit up on her face. I look at her legs. Each march of her leg shook me. I scratch my brow and calm my breath as she comes closer. She touches the handle and pulls it. The door opens, and she greets, "Hi."

After she settled down and buckled up, she leans over and pinches me on the cheek. "You look so cute this morning," she says.

I blink, not knowing how to respond to that. I wet my lips and turn off the engine. I wanted to make sure we can hear each other clearly. She creases her brows, giving me a confused smile, "Why did you do that?"

I clear my throat and steady my breath. "I need to talk to you," I begin. "Over the past two months, the two of us have dated, and I am happy. I get to see you and put a smile on your face. But my parents, they have an issue of me spending too much of my time with you. They believe you are the reason why I have stopped doing things."

Sophia scoffs. Her jaw dropped, her eyes lower, and she touched her chest. "No. No way. You're the only reason why you've stopped. It isn't my fault you stopped everything. It's just," she places her hand over mine on cupholder, "you like me too much. That's it. There's no problem with that." She smiled proudly.

I crease my brows and nodded slightly. I swallow before I spoke once more, "But there is a problem." Her cheeks flush. "Listen, I don't want to be a jerk, but I want you to know the truth."

"About?" She questions, curious to hear the answer.

I swallowed once more, but this time, harder. She gripped my hand harder and tighter. Her anger was slowly seeping out. "This relationship. Are you happy with it? Because I'm not. I don't believe it's fair."

"What's not fair?" She questions. "I give you my heart in exchange you give me your time. I know I'll, hopefully one day, dig my way into your heart because I know right now it is reserved for someone else."

"Sophia—" I shake my head, denying that.

"You don't have to lie," she says. "I know there is another girl, whether I know her or not, that does not matter. But don't lie to me that you don't." I close my mouth, not knowing how to say or what to even say. "Liam, what are you doing wasting your time on me if you don't even like me? I like you. A lot. That's why I cherished every moment I have with you. It's time for you to do the same to that special girl. Whether it's Ally or some other chick."

"You're extremely supportive of this," I point out.

"I'm not the bitchy ex-type," she smiles. "And you've done nothing wrong to me, unlike the other guys I've dated. You treated me with respect and patience. Whoever the girl is, she is lucky. And I hope she isn't stupid enough to let you go."

I chuckle a little. She grins. And no doubt nor sadness were in her eyes. She spoke genuine. "Thank you for understanding," I reply.

"Anything for you," she says. I smile. "Now, we should go before we miss first period."