by K. Walker
I was passing homeroom when I heard sniffling. I stopped and peeked through the glass square in the door. Sure enough, it was Callie. I stood outside for a couple of seconds, gathering the courage to enter the room and face her wrath.
I felt like it was something I had to do under the circumstances. I sucked in a lungful of air and pushed the door in. She jumped and quickly wiped her eyes.
“What are you doing in here, Daniels?” she snapped. “There are plenty of other rooms in school. This one is taken.”
I didn’t say anything at first. I just leaned against the door and sighed.
“Get out!” she shrieked.
“Callie,” I said and walked closer to her. “I heard.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said loudly. “And for the last time, get the fuck outta here!”
I sat on a chair close to the door instead. “I’ll go, but you have to talk to someone. You didn’t talk about it when your uncle died.”
“Don’t you dare talk about that!” she spat. “You didn’t know him.”
“I know,” I replied. “But I had a best friend before I came to this school, and she died. I understand—”
“You think because you had a friend who died, you know what I’m going through?” she asked angrily.
“I know it’s not the same thing, but…”
“Just shut up!” she shouted. “You don’t know shit. Just go!”
I sat for a couple more seconds, processing what she had said before I got up and walked to the door. I was turning the knob when she stopped me.
“How did you deal with it? Your friend?” she asked softly.
“I didn’t,” I told her honestly. I turned back to her. “I carried her with me. I still have her. Even have her name tattooed to my neck,” I smiled and touched the back of my neck.
She sighed. “I just hate her!” Callie said bitterly, and I knew she meant her Mom. “She’s hateful and spiteful and was always jealous of me. Uncle Travis was the one person who understood me, and when Dad found out she was poisoning him…I had no idea. How does someone do something like that?” She asked and her eyes watered again. “Can you believe that? But no one can prove that, so she isn’t getting locked up for manslaughter.”
“I’m so sorry, Callie,” I said.
“Why are you being nice to me?” she asked, her blue eyes probing.
“Because no one deserves what you’re going through,” I sighed. “No one.”
She was quiet for a while. “Why didn’t you tell me your Dad’s a criminal lawyer?”
“You didn’t ask,” I smiled.
“You could have said so when I called you poor,” she said. I took that to be a Callie apology.
“It wouldn’t have made a difference. You had decided not to like me ever since I gave up cheer.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I guess I had you figured out wrong, Daniels.”
“I guess so,” I replied and shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know about you, but you want to get back out there and enjoy the rest of the celebrations?”
She wiped her eyes again. “Right after I fix this makeup. I still have a reputation to maintain.”
I laughed softly. “Okay, see you out there.” I opened the door and walked out, and I heard a couple of seconds later when she left the room.
“Hey, Daniels,” she called, and I turned.
“Yeah!”
“This doesn’t mean we’re friends, you know?” she said and crossed her arms like she was making a demand.
“Of course, not,” I smiled. “Reputation and all, right?”
I turned and smiled to myself as I walked back to the stadium through the tunnel.
“What did I miss?” I asked the girls as we piled onto the field. Callie and I weren’t friends, as she had made crystal clear, but it felt damned good to have that bullseye off my back.
Chapter 24
Sophia
Everything was different after that.
Natalie Humpry was slapped with a one-year sentence, and she had to make reparations for the damage she had caused.
It was the talk of the town, and David Humpry had filed for divorce. She had used her illicit connections to attach income to their estate, and money she had to return.
Luckily, none of her activities involved him, and he was able to retain his property. Travis’ will had been read, and Callie was named as sole heiress to his estate.
As if she needed another reason to be snobby and bitchy. When she walked into school on Monday morning, she had a boy on her arm, sporting a wide grin. He played basketball and had always been around, licking her heels. He was happy to have finally acquired her attention, and she was more than happy to give it.
I tried not to cross paths with her, considering her unpredictable nature. But it was the day of the Christmas dance, and what were the odds of that?
“No kissing Santa?” she asked, twirling her wristlet as she approached us, frantically trying to pull off a miracle.
“Nope,” Amanda replied.
“Pity,” she said and turned. “It was a hit.”
Amanda paused after she was gone. “Was that like a compliment coming from Callie? And didn’t she call it lame before?”
“That’s Callie, and I’ll give you the advice you’ve always given me – ignore her,” I said with a roll of the eyes, and Amanda laughed.
“Right.”
“How’s it coming along?” Liz asked as she came up to us.
The gym had been transformed – lights hung from the poles and over the doors. Red and green streamers lined the walls, and reflector lights projected onto the ceiling and on the walls.
“Hit the light,” Amanda called to Alexi as she entered the gym.
She did, and the room sparkled and glowed. “I believe we’ve done it,” Amanda beamed. “Now, to get home and get ready.”
“Yep,” I replied.
“Throw those out,” Amanda motioned to the tangled heap of tinsel and other loose decorations on the floor.
“Sure thing.”
We left afterward to return to school by six. Amanda was in charge of the event, which meant we were all involved. It was kind of fun, too.
What I wasn’t expecting was Dad’s car to be in the driveway when I got home.
“There she is,” he beamed as I walked through the door. “I was waiting for you,” he said and took a few long strides over to me.
“Yeah? How come?” I asked and laid my purse on the counter.
“Well, it’s Christmas— almost. Just thought I would—I wanted to see you. It would be the first Christmas I haven’t spent with my baby, but I wasn’t sure how you would react to that, so I just brought your gift.”
“You’re a couple of days early,” I said to him.
“I know.”
“Dad,” I said and sighed. “I know I’ve been a pain lately.”
“With good reason,” he replied. “I had no right to do what I did. It was selfish of me, and I’m sorry. But you’re my daughter, Sophia, and there is nothing, nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
I smiled, and surprisingly, warmed inside. “I know, Dad. But whatever gift you brought me, you’re going to have to bring it back on Christmas. I don’t want it today,” I said and walked past him.
“Does that mean I get to spend Christmas with you?”
I turned, just as I reached the archway to the kitchen. “That depends. Will you be alone.”
“I’ll be alone for the foreseeable future,” he said shyly and rubbed his head.
My eyes lit up. “Really? Does that mean that you and mom?”
“No,” Mom replied from somewhere to my right. “It doesn’t mean we’re getting back.”
“Mom, I didn’t see you there,” I blushed and grinned at Dad.
“It’s okay,” Dad replied. “But no one was worth losing you for.”
I was having an emotional week, so it was easy for me to run into his arms and let him coddle me. He�
�s my Dad, and he had finally come to his senses.
“That’s the only gift I want,” I said as I held him.
I couldn’t help thinking that Callie would be having a completely different Christmas, with her favorite uncle dead, and her mother off to jail. It would be just her and her Dad. Not much of a celebration. And if my father wanted to make up with me, by tossing his loser girlfriend to the sidelines, then I wasn’t going to be an ass about it.
“Anyway, guys, the dance is tonight, and if I don’t get ready now, I’m going to be late.”
“Okay,” Dad said and stepped aside. I ran off immediately and hurried to my room to find an outfit. As usual, I didn’t know what to wear.
I managed to rustle up an outfit – it wasn’t like it was a coronation or anything as fancy. An off-white romper with simple accessories would do the trick. I wasn’t yet ready when Chad started honking and texting.
I couldn’t help the smile that traveled quickly to my heart. Chad was never early for anything, and to think he was earlier than me just so he could take me – it spoke volumes.
Sophia: Be right out babe
Chad: Okay.
When I was ready, Dad was still there, and he insisted on walking me out. “You don’t have to do this still.”
“Yes, I do. I’m making up for the year I missed.”
“Okay, but I should warn you. If you go down that road, you’ll lose. You missed a lot,” I grinned as Chad’s doors opened and he got out.
“Chad,” Dad said and took his hand. “Take care of my princess.”
“Yes, sir,” Chad grinned and saluted.
“Okay, when you’re both done, can we get going before Amanda skins me alive? She has me on some light duties.”
Dad laughed. “Have fun, sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” I poked my head out the window and answered. “Tell Mom, bye for me.”
“Okay.”
He was still standing in the driveway, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, and a grin on his face.
“You made up with your Dad, huh?” Chad asked.
“Yeah. He dumped the bimbo. Plus, he’s my Dad, you know. Considering what Callie’s going through, I think I got off easy.”
“Hmm,” he mused. “Wonder if I could get him to talk to my Dad about dumping Cheryl. I swear, he would never have to give me another allowance.”
I laughed and gripped my stomach as my eyes watered. “Is she that bad?”
“Yeah, she is. I just hate seeing her and what she represents.”
“What are you guys doing for Christmas?” I asked.
He stared straight ahead and navigated a turn before he answered. “Not sure. did love to see Mom, but she isn’t coming to the house.”
“She can come to mine,” I suggested. “Would you consider that? You could have dinner at my house.”
“Hmm,” he hummed again. “I’ll think about that and run it by her. We’ll hear what she has to say.”
“Cool. She and my mom have tons in common. They would get along just great.”
“Ugh!” Chad grunted. “Our Moms becoming besties…um, why does that smell like trouble for us?”
I laughed. “You’re right. But it would also be cool, too.”
“But what if we break up and they’re already best friends? Do you think they would break up, too?” he asked and gasped.
“Stop messing with me,” I giggled. “We aren’t breaking up.”
“I know,” he winked as we pulled into the schoolyard.
“Wow. Everyone’s here,” I observed as I got out.
“Everything is an event in Madison Falls, or didn’t you notice yet?”
“You’re so right,” I said and took the hand he offered.
The dance was already in swing when we walked in. Mariah Carey’s Oh Holy Night was playing when we walked in, and students were milling around and pouring virgin eggnog from a bowl.
“Not bad,” Chad said as he walked in and looked around. “Usually, this is crappy, so I’ll be around the back if you need me.”
“Chad?” I called as he winked and walked away. “I knew what that meant. He and the guys around the back would be nothing but trouble.
“Sophia!” I turned to see a waving Liz, making her way through the room littered with students. “Not bad, huh?” she asked as she turned around the room.
“No, it isn’t. Where’s everyone else?”
“Uh, somewhere,” Liz said as her brows dipped and she started to search with her eyes. “Saw Alexi once. She might be with Brody.”
“Maybe. And Amanda? She shouldn’t be anywhere. This is her thing.”
“Yeah, she’s over by the photo station,” Liz said.
“Oh, yeah. She has me on DJ duty. I’m not even sure what that means. Someone is already in charge of the music.”
Liz giggled. “Maybe she wants you to supervise him.”
“Hmm,” I mused. “I’ll go check in with her.”
“Okay. I’m heading out back for a little while.”
I gave her my poker face. “Am I the only one who didn’t want to go out back?”
“Maybe,” she grinned and ran off, her curls bouncing on her shoulders.
I stood in the middle of the room, looking around. “Unbelievable,” I said and threw up my hands. It was my first Christmas dance at the school and they had abandoned me.
I hurried off to find Amanda – at least she might be around. She wasn’t. The photo station was being manned by a junior dressed as an elf. “Where’s Amanda?” I asked.
“She went that way,” she said and pointed to the hallway.
I huffed and walked off. Chad was right. It sucked. I passed more students on the way in on my hunt for Amanda. I wasn’t even sure where to start looking, but I didn’t have to look far.
I found her by the lockers, in the half-lit hallway, with a boy’s tongue down her throat. I froze. She didn’t see me right away, but when she did, she jumped in alarm.
“Sophia,” she said nervously.
“Amanda,” I said with a grin. “Who’s this?” I asked as I walked up to them.
“This is Kyle, you know, from…”
“Basketball, I know,” I said and grinned at a blushing Amanda.
“You’re Sophia, right? Chad’s girl?” he asked and rocked back into the locker.
“Yeah, I’m Sophia,” I replied. “But don’t let me stop you. Carry on,” I grinned at an embarrassed Amanda. “I was just wondering where everyone was.”
“Well, you found me,” she said and swung her arms nervously.
‘Okay, then,” I said and turned.
His tongue was back down her throat before I exited the hallway. I guess that solved one more problem – getting Amanda a boyfriend.
By the time I opened the door to the gym again, there were a lot more people, and the guys had actually made it inside. I realized why I was on DJ duty and not that kid – all he was playing were carols.
I touched him and handed him my phone. “Use this,” I told him and looked up my playlist. “I’ll send the music wirelessly.” He nodded and as soon as he got the signal, and the tempo changed and the dancing began.
I moved back to the center of the room with Alexi and Liz as we threw our hands in the air and danced to the music of Post Malone, Khalid, and other contemporary artists.
“Nice switch,” someone said to me.
It was Callie, and I stopped dancing when I realized it was her. “Thanks,” I replied.
She was walking away when I tapped her shoulder. She turned and looked at my hand like I had just wiped spit on her. “Hey, do you have plans for Christmas, because I was thinking…”
She started to laugh. “Is that a pity invite?”
“No, Callie, it’s just an invite.”
She took a step closer to me. “I thought I told you – we’re not friends,” she said and walked off again.
“What was that?” Alexi asked in my ear. “You just talked to Callie.”
“Yeah, we have an understanding. But don’t worry – it’s the same old Callie,” I told her as I turned and started dancing again.
Chapter 25
Sophia
“Mom! The roast is done!” I yelled from the kitchen.
“I’ll be right there,” she shouted back.
I was a little excited. It was Christmas, and Chad had convinced his mother to have dinner with us. I had never met her – never spoken to her, but I knew how much he loved her.
Mom breezed into the kitchen like a whirlwind, her kimono billowing after her and curlers still in her hair. I giggled at her.
“What’s so funny?” she asked and patted me on the shoulder. “What time is it?”
“Almost four—they’ll be arriving soon,” I told her.
I only needed to put on my outfit. I didn’t want to smell like pot roast when I greeted my guests.
“I know,” she said nervously. “Is the table set?”
“Yep.”
“And the juice?”
“Everything’s ready,” I assured her. “It’s just to get this roast in the container, set the mood and wait for everybody to get here.”
“Okay, I’m going to get dressed,” she said after she took the roast from the oven.
She skipped back up the steps, and I grew tired just by watching her. I followed after her to my room and had only just slipped into my black maxi dress when my phone beeped.
Chad: We’re here.
“Mom! Chad’s here!” I shouted down the hallway.
I hurried to the door and sucked in my breath before I opened it. “Hi, Mrs. Minor, Merry Christmas.”
“Call me Susan, dear,” she smiled broadly and handed me a gift bag.
I was instantly struck by her stately beauty. Her salt-and-pepper hair was pulled back in a chignon, which revealed her high cheekbones and prominent forehead. She was taller than I was, and her figure lean and graceful. Her brown eyes twinkled at me, and when her lips parted, they revealed perfect rows of teeth.
“Thank you,” I replied and took it. “Come on in. Hey, Sylvia.”