Sophie
The night went by smoothly, but I was still feeling awkward as we sat at the same table as Steven and Roxanne. Sam and his girlfriend sat at the same round table as us, along with Aiden and his date, none other than my son's nanny, and my assistant photographer, Nancy. I'm not sure there's a thing she can't do. She is so talented. She was a great catch as well, a very nice girl who worked hard and deserves the world.
We sat down to eat, and all the boys immediately engaged in small talk, chuckling and having a good time. I got along with all the girls, but it truly was awkward to sit at the same table as Roxie. I can't recall us having a pleasant conversation, other than when we met, at Ikea.
Nonetheless, she was behaving, but I knew it was all a facade, as she smiled while glaring at me when the rest weren't looking. I could feel her eyes piercing through me, making me feel uncomfortable as I sat trying to enjoy my meal.
Mr. Thompson was a widowed man, he had brought his daughter, Gina, to accompany him. At first, it made me feel awkward to find she was the same Gina that Riley and Ashley had told me about. She had dated Logan for a while, and she did confess she had fallen for him, I mean...who wouldn't? He's amazing. But, he had broken up with her. And though she wanted to fight for him, when he first broke up with her, she knew he would never feel anything serious for her.
She especially gave up the idea to continue to pursue him when he told her I was coming back to our town. He had refused her father's offer to work in New York because he wanted to come back with hopes we could make things work. I guess I respected her for letting go of him and still feeling comfortable with me around, she was a kind girl. Nothing like I thought she'd be, from what Riley and Ashley had told me.
Gina and I got to talk to each other for a long time while we sat to eat, and we became good friends. The only thing keeping me on edge was Roxanne's presence. She had a way to look at me that made me feel as if she had already killed me multiple times in her mind.
Honestly, I don't get it... Why does she hate me so much? I never did anything to her. I wish I knew so I could try and fix things with her. If I promised one thing to my mom, was to never hold grudges towards anyone. Life is too precious to hold anger and bitterness in your heart.
"Attention everyone," Derreck announced on stage making all of us look towards him and stop what we were doing. "There are only thirty minutes left of the auction before we close it down. Make sure you put your bids in before it's too late. There's a lot of cool stuff out there...As some of you know, my niece Emily got married a year ago to Tyler Slate. Although they were not able to come tonight, they were kind enough to donate a wonderful packet." he holds up a brochure, and opens it, raising his eyebrows in approval to what he was seeing.
"Wow...I am surely bidding on this. It's two-round tickets to Dubai for two weeks, with a stay at her husband's hotel. Just by the ocean. Everything is fully paid for, including the hotel, plane tickets, food, massages for two, and so...so much more. I urge you guys to place your bids...this is a good one." Logan looks at me with a big smile and winks at me. I knew exactly what that smile meant. He was ready to stand up and bid on it, as soon as Derreck finished talking.
"Now, let me remind you guys, Mr. Thompson is also going to announce the new junior partners to our firm by the end of the evening. I know all of you have worked extraordinarily hard, and this new branch has been a complete success, he has mentioned to me, that there are two open positions with greater pay that he will be offering tonight, personally. So, if he comes up to you, don't act so surprised. It's just our firm, being grateful for all of your hard work, and dedication. But, enough talking, let the party begin, shall we?" he says, finishing his speech and raising a glass of chardonnay, chugging it in one go, as the loud music begins.
Everyone erupts in joy, many standing up and going directly to the dance floor. The lights dim low, and party lights in blue, green, and many colors begin. I was unsure if we were still at the auction. It seemed we were back at a high school party. Everyone began to loosen up, enjoying themselves and dancing.
"Logan, Come on. Sophie, dance with us." Troy and Lexie said as they pulled us to dance with them. We were having so much fun, but not everyone knew I was expecting a baby. They continued to offer me drinks, looking at me weird as I kept refusing it. I had asked Logan to wait to announce it to them on a different occasion.
I wanted to make a special dinner to announce it to everyone.
A few dances later, and with aching legs, I was ready to take a break. "Baby, I will be back. I'm going to the lady's room." I told Logan as I leaned to his ear, yelling over the music. "Logan?" Mr. Thompson, called out to him as he smiled, wrapping his arm around my waist and giving me a quick kiss. "Ok. Be careful, I'll be right by Mr. Thompson, at his table." I smiled, nodding and cupping his cheek.
I went to the restroom quickly, took care of my business. I washed my hands, sat on a small sofa located inside the roomy restroom, and felt relieved as I rubbed my sore legs. "Hi, Sophie. Didn't see you coming in here. How's your evening going?" Gina said as she came out of a stall. She washed her hands and sat next to me. She looked flushed but had a huge smile on her pretty face.
"I'm doing great. How about you?" I asked. "Shit." I heard a man's voice, followed by a thump in the same stall she had just come out from. My eyes went wide, and I giggled as I see Ethan coming out of the stall. "Ethan?" I said, through my giggles, looking between them. "Hey, pretty girl," he says as his face turns flushed. I gasp as realization hits me. "You two... Oh my God. I... I interrupted, didn't I?" they both laughed, Ethan rubbed the back of his head and pointed towards the door.
"I'll wait for you outside, Gina. Bye, Sophie," he said as he excused himself and walked out. Gina and I erupted in laughter as he left. "So.. How do you know Ethan? He's so dreamy, isn't he?" she said as she bit her bottom lip, looking towards the door. I smiled, seeing the happiness in her eyes.
"He's an amazing friend. That I can tell you. So...how did you two end up... Here? If you don't mind me asking?" I asked as I tried to contain my laugh.
"That's not important. But, I do hope I can see him again. He's so hot, and man is he good at pleasing a girl. Anyway, I um... Can I ask you a favor?" she asked, grabbing my hands.
I smiled, nodding my head. "Sure, what can I help with?" I responded, making her smile. "If my dad asks, I had a bit of a headache and went back to the hotel room. Can you do that for me? Pleeeeassseee?" I giggled at her request.
If Logan asked me to leave now because he wanted to have a steamy night with me right now... Well, I'd leave too. He would not have to ask me twice. "Don't worry about it. I got you. Go, have fun. Ethan is a great guy, Gina. Believe me, he'll make your time worthwhile." I said making her smile grow bigger. She hugged me, wrapping her arms around me, and giving me a tight squeeze. "Thanks, Sophie. Logan's right, you are the best. Have a great night, sweetie." she says, getting up and walking towards the door. "Good night," I reply as she leaves.
I grabbed my shoes, placed them back on my feet, and slowly walked out of the restroom as well. My stomach churned as I see Roxie walking towards me. She purposely bumps my shoulder, making me grunt inwardly. "You know, you really need to mature Roxie," I say, as I turn towards her. "Me? There is nothing wrong with me. It's not my fault you can't walk straight, sweetheart ." she glares at me, crossing her hands over her chest.
I closed my eyes, nodding in disbelief. "Whatever, bye, Roxie," I said, ready to turn around. "You know, you can try and fool everyone with your stupid charms. But I can see right through you. I don't know what Logan sees in you. I am so much better at everything."
I tilted my head, is she being serious right now? "Rox, I don't know what your problem is. I've done nothing....nothing to you. Why do you hate me so much? What did I ever do to you?"
"You exist...and that's plenty for me to hate you." I furrowed my eyebrows, clenching my jaw.
"Ever since I moved to this stupid town. All everyone ever talked about was Logan and Sophie, Sophie and Logan. I was a nerd just like you, you and I had more in common than you think. Yet... When I saw you changed, you started dressing differently, and just like that... Everyone wanted to be friends with Sophie Patterson. I figured if I did the same, the same would happen to me. I wanted to feel welcome, to fit in. But all I got was the attention of stupid boys with rattled-up hormones. I saw the way Logan treated you. He treated you like you were the only one that existed in his life. I wanted that, I longed for someone to love me, just as he did to you." she began to cry in anger, crossing her hands, uncrossing them, fisting her hands from time to time.
My heart sank as I heard her words. "I went to Logan's party that you made him..." she said, making me pensive. "You gave me an invitation during art class. We shared various classes, did you know that? I was so happy to get that invitation. I thought of the possibility of us being friends, but no." she said, wiping away the tears.
"You acted as if you never even knew me the very next day." I was trying to remember her so hard, but I just couldn't recall ever seeing her. "I went to that party, regardless. By then, I had gotten braces of that same day. I went and spent all my savings on a dress and shoes at the mall, and attended your party either way, and you know what happened to me that day, Sophie?... Do you?"
I jumped back, as she yelled her question out. "No... Roxie, I'm sorry, I didn't know, honest,"
"Save it," she said, tilting her head up. I went upstairs looking for a bathroom during the party. No one was talking to me, but yet...everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I went upstairs and saw your brother, Aaron, and a girl walking out giggling. I opened that same door, just to find it was Logan's room. The whole room was decorated with gifts, and balloons, I knew it had to be you. But I couldn't help seeing a gift that caught my attention out of all of them." my heart was still aching at her revelation.
I can't imagine how she felt, what she went through.
"That gift had two sets of lingerie," she said, chuckling. "There was a red...and a black, remember? That just proved to me one thing...you were going to have sex with Logan that night." I remember that box, it was a prank from my brother and Ash. But I recall that there was only a red one. It had a tiny g-string, with the matching nighty, and a box of condoms.
"I figured, I'd steal one-off. I doubt you needed both the same night anyway. I went to the bathroom in that room, hoping no one would see me, or catch me, while I tried it on." her bottom lip began to tremble.
When I undressed and placed on the nighty, the door opened...Steven had gone inside. The thing is... I had a huge crush on him. Though I thought Logan was hot too, but my eyes were really on Steven. I tried to cover up, but he sure as hell knows how to sweet talk." she cried and looked away.
"I lost my virginity in that bathroom that night. And you know what he said after he finished? Thanks for the good time babe... But you know this was all just fun and games, right?" she chuckled, nodding in disbelief.
"Roxie, I'm sorry. Honest... We didn't know. Steven had never mentioned it to us."
"And why would he? He denied his daughter from the moment I told him I was pregnant. I dropped out and had to do school at home. I was so depressed, malnourished... My daughter was born premature, at only six months. It took so much out of me. My mom made me go back to school soon as I recovered, and took care of her as if she was her daughter instead of mine. This is why she doesn't live with me. She reminds me of what happened between us that night."
"But...then why are you here with him, tonight?" I was a bit confused by all the things she had told me.
"Because I need to apologize to Dylan, and I knew he would be here. This has nothing to do with Steven. I can care less about him, and whether he regrets things now, or not, it doesn't matter. He's the last man I want."
She comes near me, wiping her tears away and standing tall, "My eyes are in a bigger price now. The old stupid-naive girl I once was is now dead. I'm determined... I'll get Logan to leave you one way or another and be my man. Mark my words Sophie Patterson, I can care less that you're pregnant with his second child, he'll be mine. And Nathan can have the privilege to have two mommies. See you around, nerd-girl." she waves, turning on her heel and walking inside the restroom.
I feel so bad for what happened to her. Steven was wrong to use her like that. But I was not about to lose Logan, or give up on him because she's unhappy with her relationship with her baby-daddy.
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