Page 10 of Forever Yours
Sophie
My hands are sweaty and shaky as I prepare to knock on Liam’s door. I feel sick. I lay my forehead against the cool wood of the door. I don’t want to knock because I know he’s about to break my heart. My Liam, my protector, is about to hurt me more than any other guy ever has.
I fully know what to expect: a gentle let-down and aSophie, of course you’re not in love with me. But the truth is, I am. Not the puppy love of a teenager, but the love of a woman who knows what she wants. I watched this boy grow from a scared kid getting the shit kicked out of him on the daily by his abusive father to a grown man who would protect me from anything.
Most people can’t remember the moment they fell in love with someone, but I can. Let’s face it, I was always crazy about Liam, but my crush turned to all-consuming love one night when I was fifteen. It hurts to think of that night now, but I can’t stop myself. He was my knight in shining armor once upon a time. I close my eyes as I remember that night from three years ago.
I twirl in front of the mirror again and grin. I love this yellow dress. God, it’s perfect. The skirt swings around, gently swishing around my ankles. I move from side to side enjoying the rustle of the fabric.
Mama saved up for months to buy me this dress. I never expected to be going to the school homecoming dance, but the most popular boy in my grade, Ivan Ford, asked me a few weeks ago. I was ecstatic when he waited for me after the math class we had together and asked me. He also asked me to tutor him, but that was no hardship. When he said he wouldn’t be able to pay me for the tutoring, it didn’t bother me. I needed the money from tutoring, but Ivan is my friend. When he asked me to the dance, I was ecstatic.
I spin around again, giggling as I finger the gauzy material of the dress. I feel like a princess. Maybe Ivan will take one look and fall head over heels.
I sigh dreamily as I hear my cell ding with a text. That should be Ivan. It’s almost time for him to be here.
I blink hard as I read the one sentence message, the message that shatters my heart.
Ivan: I’m sick so not gonna make it tonight.
I sit down shakily on the bed. He must be really sick if he can’t make it to the dance. We picked out his suit together and the corsage. He was really excited about it.
Less than a moment later, my phone buzzes. It’s my best friend Kelly.
“Sophie, are you okay? Did something happen? Ivan just walked in and he’s with that awful Cassie from homeroom. I thought y’all were coming together. What happened?”
I sink to the floor in my yellow dress. I barely hold it together long enough to tell Kelly that I just decided not to go. My face burns a fiery red and shame causes my body to curl in on itself.
That’s the way Liam finds me a few minutes later.
“Sophie, your mom said your date should have been here already,” Liam’s voice rings out in the small trailer as he knocks on my bedroom door. “Sophie, are you okay?” he asks in a softer voice.
A moment later, I hear the door creak open and the heavy thud of Liam’s shoes.
“Sophie, sweetheart, are you okay?”
I bury my head further in my arms and shake my head. The last person I wanted to find me like this was Liam, my crush. It’s humiliating. I’m just some nerdy girl who got ditched, while my brother’s hot best friend is here feeling sorry for me. How pathetic can you get?
I can feel the heat of Liam’s body as he sits down next to me on the floor.
“What happened, Soph? What did that asshole do?” he asks in a voice filled with fury.
I slowly lift my head. “He didn’t do anything. He just never really wanted to take me, I guess.” I shrug. “My fault for thinking someone could be interested in me.” I snort and wipe one tear-stained cheek with the back of my hand. “I’m such an idiot. He obviously just wanted a free tutor.”
“Fuck him,” Liam says fiercely. He reaches out to lift my chin as I turn to duck my head again. “No, Sophie Richards, you don’t cry over that asshole. He’s the one who will regret his choices one day. Sophie, you’re worth everything and if he doesn’t know that, then it’s his loss.”
I almost take his words for pity. But looking into his grey eyes, I feel something stir within me. And I see his sincerity. He means it. He sees me as something precious. I can see it in his eyes.
I bite down on my lip. “You mean that, Liam? You really think I’m worth everything?”
He fingers one of my blonde ringlets that’s come undone from my fancy hairdo. “Yeah, I really do.”
He stands up and holds his hand out. “Let me see your yellow dress, Sophie. Let me see you.”
I stand up awkwardly and smooth my dress down. Liam surveys my body from head to toe.
“My beautiful buttercup. You look absolutely perfect, Sophie.” He’s been calling me buttercup since we watched The Princess Bride together years ago. I love that my Liam has a special name for me.
I wipe my cheeks and then give him a small smile. “Do you really think so?”
