The night we met

Chapter 9

The next day, Sophie woke me up with a cupcake on her hand.

"Happy Birthday Avaneda!, Happy eighteen!," she said with a smile on her face. She lowered herself and gave me a hug. I smiled at her back and said, "Thank you!."

I closed my eyes and I blew the candle. I didn't make a wish. I wanted to wish  to see my parents one day again. But that couldn't happen. It couldn't.

"I am so sorry but today I won't be with you tonight to celebrate with you, I got a long shift on a house today, since they are throwing a party. But I promise that tomorrow I will take you to a beautiful place you will love and we will spend the whole day together," she said.

"Its fine," I said. I gave her a smile and she hugged me again.

"Well, at least let's spend some time together so we can go in the afternoon outside and enjoy the sun," she said.

"That sounds perfect," I said as I stood up.

We spent the whole afternoon sitting on the grass outside the house. We ate spaghetti and drank coke as she told me stories about her first love. We completely laughed and I almost peed myself by laughing so hard.

"Can I ask you something?," I said as I took another sip of my coke.

"Yes. What's your famous question," she said smiling.

"How did you ended here. Like, what's your story? How did you end up cleaning houses?," I said looking at her. I have always wanted to ask her that but I wasn't sure if she wanted to tell me.

Her smile was gone and she laid on the floor as she looked at the sky. I laid down at her side and I looked also at the sky. We were both silent for a long time.

"I lost my baby when I was seventeen. It was going to be a baby girl," she said whispering. She touched her stomach and began crying.

"I lost it because the father of my baby always rapped me and hit me when I didn't obey him on every thing," she said sobbing. "I was going to name her Emma, and I.......I couldn't..... I couldn't save... save her!," she said crying.

"Shhh. Its okay Sophie. Its not your fault. Its not your fault," I said also crying as I hugged her. I couldn't believe she went through that. A mom losing her baby, I couldn't imagine the pain. I began singing 'Angel by the wings'

She stopped crying as I continued singing. I knew this song would calm her as It did with me. I'm sorry Sophie for everything you went through. I'm truly sorry. I closed my eyes as I hugged her tighter.

••••••••

Two hours later Sophie left for work.

I started getting ready around five. I wore a blue jeans, white sneakers and a gray t-shirt that Sophie bought me. I let my hair fall down in my shoulders. I walked and stood in front of a mirror and stared at myself. Well, eighteen. This is it. I took a deep breath and grabbed my bag and left.

I arrived to Noah's and Charlotte's house around six. I rang the doorbell and Charlotte opened the door with a huge smile and grabbed me and gave me a hug.

"Happy Birthday Avaneda!" she said with excitement.

"Thank you, I thought you didn't remembered," I said as we finished hugging.

"Of course I did. But I got a little surprise for you. We are going out today, there's this amazing italian restaurant. The owner is my husband best friend the one I told you! They grew together since they were five years old. You came on time, he has just arrived. Noah received him because I was changing clothes so I guess its time we both greet him." she said with a huge smile.

She grabbed my hand and pulled me inside. We entered to the living room and I saw Noah and a couple, that it was obvious it was their italian rich friend but he had a woman at his side.

"Here comes the birthday girl," Noah said with a smile.

We continued walking when she turned around first and gave me a disgusted look. I didn't care if she looked at me that way. I just walked with my head high and a smile. You are not weak Ava! Then the Italian guy turned around. I opened my eyes in surprise.

Wait. MATTEO!