Sophia was still feeling lightheaded when she got home from the park, but the feeling immediately sank when she saw a man leaving her house. The man smiled, nodded, then walked off and got into his car. Sophia stormed into the house, rage building in her head. “Mom-” She stared into the living room, her mom sipping coffee. “Mom! I thought you said Jason wasn’t seeing you anymore!” Her mom rolled her eyes, walking into a bedroom. Sophia slumped into a chair, her anger fading. She turned on the TV, a channel coming on about something she really didn’t want to hear. She flicked it off, looking up at the ceiling. “Mom?” she called. “Yes, darling?” “Can we go to the mall?” “Of course!” her mom responded. A few moments later she was out and dressed, her hair ruffled. They both got in her mom’s black sedan, nothing being said between the both of them. When they got to the mall, Sophia checked out some of the nearby clothing shops. Her mom sat on a bench, arguing with someone over the phone. Sophia ignored her, now carrying several bags on her arms. She looked around the mall, trying to see which shops she hadn’t been to. Her mom walked up to her, promptly hanging up on the caller. “Ready, hon?” Sophia started to nod, but then her heart caught in her throat. It was Elijah. He looked so handsome in that loose sweater and sweatpants. An older man stood next to him; they seemed to be pondering over a map. Sophia tried to hide her face, but it was too late: Elijah had spotted her and was coming over. “Um… hey, Sophia! How… how are you?” “I-I’m good! You-?” Her mother interrupted, an odd expression on her face. “Sophia, who is this?” “Er… Mom, this is Elijah.” Elijah greeted her, smiling widely. His expression faded a bit when he saw the look on Sophia’s moms face. “Sophia. Let’s go,” her mom said through gritted teeth. Sophia glanced between her and Elijah, torn between the two. “SOPHIA.” her mother repeated. “Mom, I-I’ll meet you at the house. Her mom stuttered and stammered, then turned red and marched away. Elijah whistled. “Wow,” he said. “I know,” Sophia started, “my mom is crazy.” They grinned at each other. Some boys Sophia knew from school stopped in front of them. One of them wolf-whistled; Sophia made an impolite remark at them and they scattered. Elijah laughed. “Hey, I got to go, but I’ll see you tomorrow, alright?” He bid good-bye and walked off. Sophia collapsed on a metal bench, sighing. “It can only get better from here,” she murmured.
ty to @-vitriol- for the idea for this part!
