Sophmoronic: Chapter Two

Silvia sat by the pool, waiting for Lucita to get home. It was close to 6pm, and she still hadn’t come home. Silvia wondered if Luci stayed at her mother’s work until her mother got off. Was it a ploy to avoid everyone like she had done this summer.? Or was it just convenience? Silvia wondered about a lot of stuff. Despite this, Silvia remained seated by the pool, waiting for her, twiddling her thumbs. Her body jerked when someone began laughing. Over at the creaky pool gate, leaning over, stood Blake, staring at her like the jerk he was.

“What the hell do you want?”

“Nothing, just passing by when I saw you here. Man, you must be really worried about her.”

“I’m her friend, that’s what friends do, not that your punk ass would get that. So you can leave and stop watching me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” he said, coming in to lean against the pool gate. “I was just passing by and decided to freak you out. And it worked, which is a plus.”

“Get lost.”

“How long have you been out here, Vee?” He asked, taking a seat closer to her.

“I don’t know, like, two hours.”

“Wow, this must have been a tiring day for you, huh, worrying about her all day.”

Silvia looked over at him through slanted brown eyes. “Why are you here?”

“I don’t know, thought I would try to make conversation.”

“Uh-huh.”

He stared at her the way he used to as if studying her, trying to figure out what was in her mind. “Why are you out here?”

“I’m waiting for Lucita. I thought that was obvious.”

“Yeah.” He moved his hands through his black hair. She could see the streaks from the sun lightening his hair. “Tell the psycho I said hi.” He leaned back into his chair, grin stretching from ear to ear. Silvia wanted nothing more than to punch him.

“Don’t call her that.”

“I’m sorry. Did you miss the part where she had her hand around my throat?” Eyebrows high on his head wrinkling his forehead, he looked like someone who almost had concern.

“You deserved that. You were acting like a complete ass on purpose. You wanted to get a rise out of her; don’t pretend otherwise.”

“So?’

With a roll of her eyes, Silvia said, “At least you admit you were an asshole.” Looking away from him, she let out a very audible sigh. “Blake, on another note, is something going on between you and Becca?”

“No.” He said it simply in a tone that implied she was being ridiculous for even thinking something like that. She wanted to smack that smirk on his face, but something about it seemed false.

“Really?”

“Yup, why are you interested again? Or are you just jealous that we’re friends?”

“Why do you have to be an asshole?”

“It amuses me?”

“You’re pathetic. Oh, and for the record, you could fuck a cow for all I care.”

“Did you just compare your friend to a cow? Harsh Vee.”

“I did nothing of the kind! Ugh, you’re just so — I hate you.”

“Good to know.”

“Why are you here?”

“To bother you.”

Silvia gave up. She grabbed her phone off the chair beside her and left him there, only to have him follow close behind. Silvia spun around, slamming the gate before him, barring his way. And like the obnoxious ass he was, he leaned over, smiling.

“Stay away from me.”

“Why Silvy?” Silvia hated that nickname. She hated that nickname more than any of the other people called her.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Fine.” He paused, leaning further over the gate, inching closer to her. “How obvious is it?”

“How obvious is what?”

“Oh, you know, Jason’s huge crush on Lucita.”

Silvia was ready to turn away, to leave Blake and all his bullshit behind, except he had a point. So she relented.

“Painfully obvious, why?”

“Do you think Elizabeth notices?”

“She’s not stupid or oblivious. But she knows Lucita and Jason. They aren’t going to do anything to hurt her.”

He paused, looking at her thoughtfully. “Why do you think she stays with him then? Lucita may not have a huge crush on him, but she’s got something for him. Not even you can be that oblivious.”

Silvia hated to admit that he was right, so she kept quiet. Her silence apparently pleased him because his sly grin only widened.

“So what’s your point, Blake.”

“No point, I just think it’s interesting.”

“It’s not,” she lied.

“What’s not what?” Silvia pulled her eyes away from him and looked at the approaching Becca. She had just descended the nearby stairs and was making her way to them, a towel over her slightly broad shoulders, partially covering her somewhat large breasts. Something Silvia wished her boobs were just as big, but then again, she didn’t want that sort of attention, especially from Blake. But there was something about Rebecca that was different. Usually, she wore a swimsuit to cover herself, but now, she wore a very revealing bikini top. This was a big deal, a show of confidence.

“The idiot here is talking about how Lucita and Jason have crushed on one another.”

“Oh. Why are you two hanging out?”

“We’re not,” said Silvia, “He was just being a creep.”

Blake laughed. “You’re so easy to creep out.”

The look on his face was infuriating. The sneer that curled up on the left side of his face scrunched up his face, making him look more like the villain than the charming prince he pretended to be. He was just missing the scar.

“Well, I’m going,” she said, tired of his company. “See you later, Becca. Go to hell, Blake.” Silvia flipped him off before flipping her long, curly, brown-black hair over her shoulder

Rebecca didn’t like how Blake was staring after her. His blue eyes seemed to linger on her. A cough left her lips, pulling Blake’s attention back to her. Leaning forward, he winked at her.

“Blake, you’re not still attracted to Silvia, are you?”

Laughter shook his shoulder. “God, no. Relax, Becca, I was waiting for you, but did you want me to say that?”

“No,” she replied, pulling her towel off her shoulder. The gate creaked open, the white paint chipping, revealing the rust from the Florida humidity, as he opened it like a gentleman. Smiling, she went from the hard cobblestone to the rubberized concrete surrounding the pool. The chlorine smell filled her nostrils, making her feel alive. She closed her eyes and imagined she was in the water, pool, and beach under the sea, surrounded by infinite sea and blue skies.

“If you want to go to the beach, we can go,” said Blake, reading her thoughts.

“You only just got your permit.”

“So?” He grinned. “I drive all the time and never get caught.”

“I would rather not risk it.”

He shrugged, taking a seat on none of the plastic chairs. Rebeca wished she was more confident in herself to believe she was even with Blake. That they really were a couple. Being with him gave her a little more confidence. She didn’t want to worry about what her friends would think of them, but she couldn’t help it, and it bothered her. After last year especially. No one knew exactly what had happened between Lucita and Blake in the stairwell except Jason, who kept his mouth shut.

“Hey, Blake,” she began, spreading the towel on the ground. “Last year, in the stairwell, what happened between you and Luci?” This wasn’t the first time she had asked. Sitting up from his relaxed position, he sighed.

“Becca, I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t think I will ever want to talk about it, okay? I was a giant asshole; I admit that. Don’t tell them that, though.” He leaned forward, cupping her face to plant a small kiss on her lips. Tingles shot down her body, making her forget her concern. Pushing away, he smiled, returning to the chair, lying in the shade of the palm tree beside him.

“Blake, this Friday, we can tell everyone about us.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

“Yes,” she said, nodding enthusiastically. “I want them to know.”

A grin took over his face, lighting up his face. “Awesome.”

He smiled down at her, and Rebecca smiled back. If they were her friends, they would all understand, and everything would be alright.

***

“So Becca plans on telling them we’re dating,” said Blake, sitting on the floor of Jason’s bedroom playing Mortal Kombat.

“You realize that’s just going to cause more problems, right.” Blake could tell Jason was making one last attempt to beat him as Raiden, but he failed. Blake used his fatality and let the word light up the screen.

“I don’t give a fuck, dude. Just like Sub-Zero, I am the shit.”

“Hardly,” Json picked up the controller, returning to the menu and switching to the training page. Blake agreed that he needed the practice and dropped the controller, moving from the ground to the chair beside his bed, watching him practice.

“So Silvia and I had a very interesting conversation today.”

“Yeah, about what,” said Jason as he attempted to learn a special move.

“Press down and right bumper at the same time, dude.”

Following his instructions, Jason unleashed the character’s special ability. “Fuck.”

“Anyway, dude, we have to talk about you and Lucita.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“I disagree. Silvia and I both think you two have feelings for each other.”

Jason hit pause. “That is not a thing, Blake.”

“Oh no? Silvia and I disagree.”

“Good for you, the girl you fucking like can tolerate an actual conversation with you.”

Jason turned the game back on, the side of his mouth curling up. He felt good about himself, calling Blake out on his shit.

Blake hated the fact that Jason thought he still had feelings for Silvia. Of course, he didn’t, but saying so would not change his mind.

“Hilarious, Jason.”

“Who said I was kidding around.”

Standing up Blake said. “You’re no fun anymore. I liked you better when Elizabeth was the only girl you obsessed over. And I use the term girl loosely.”

“Shit!” Blake watched Jason drop his controller and shut off the console. Watching him, confused, Blake wondered why he was rushing to put on his shoes and grab his skateboard.

“Uh, dude?”

“I was supposed to meet Liz at the skate park half an hour ago.” He swore again, throwing clothes from the floor onto the bed. “I can’t find my fucking keys.” Blake watched, amused, as he went down on all fours, scrounging for something that wasn’t there.

“Dude, they’re on your desk.”

Leaping from the floor, Jason snatched his keys and ran out of his bedroom. Rolling his eyes, Blake followed after him, taking his time and making him even later for his “date” with Liz. He quickly thought against it and picked up the pace, deciding to be a good friend. So Blake slipped out after his friend, double-checking that his keys were in his pocket. Knowing Liz, he knew Jason was in deep shit.

***

Liz sat at the edge of the skatepark, her stiff ponytail gelled to the ends. “You’re late.”

“Sorry, Liz,” he said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. “Blake held me up.’

“Uh-huh. Well, my mom is going to be here soon.” She pulled away from him, grabbing her bag. “Do you even want to be with me?”

The question caught him off guard and slightly pissed him off. Jason pined for her for ages, but she never noticed. But he wouldn’t say that. He wouldn’t get into that stupid argument with her over nothing.

“Yes I do. Liz, I’m sorry.”

Her green eyes seemed to narrow in on him, studying him. “Do you have a crush on Luci?”

This time, he took a step back. Fuck, he thought. “No. We’re just friends.”

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she smiled sadly. “Yeah, I wish I could believe that.” Standing stunned, Jason watched her back away. Jason didn’t want to hurt her and wasn’t lying when he said they were just friends. But what could he do? He was choosing Liz; that should be enough.

Laughter filled the air behind him, catching his attention. Turning around, he caught sight of Amelia. Her dark brown hair, streaked in bright purple, was hidden underneath the Dolphin’s cap she wore backward. She was a new freshman, but he knew her from when he used to babysit her.

“Hey Amelia.”

“Your girlfriend really tore you a new one huh?”

“Shut up, Amelia.”

“Dude, chill.” She launched herself to his side on her new skateboard, gliding more effortlessly than Elizabeth could. She stopped next to him, kicking her skateboard up into her arms. He remembers teaching her that trick.

“You’re good.” He said, changing the subject.

“I’ve got mad skills, dude.” She punched him lightly in the arms, giving him a wide grin.

“Only ’cause I taught you those mad skills.” Jason lightly punched her back in the shoulder, smiling back. Looking down at her, he was surprised at how much she’d grown. She wasn’t the girl who slyly hid behind the sofa anymore, awkward, tiny, skinny. Now, she was a high schooler. Clear lip gloss covered her lips, and purple streaks of color streaked her dark brown hair, making her look like a bit of punk in her vans and fingerless gloves.

“You look like a punk.”

“Duh, that’s the point, dude. I’m in high school now. I get to look and dress however the hell I want.”

“You think so?” He asked, grabbing his knee pads from the bag.

“Yeah, I’m 15. I can do what I please.”

Strapping on his helmet and gloves, he grinned at her. “Whoa, take it easy there”

“Oh, don’t be such a loser.” Winking at him, she skated away, calling over her shoulder to him, “Catch me if you can.”

Forgetting all his troubles with Elizabeth and forgetting about Lucita, he skated after her, determined to catch her.