Episode 3
1130 Words
Jessie’s brother’s party was amazing. I had so much fun that I completely lost track of time and drank more than I should have. By the time I remembered I had a curfew, it was already too late.
Great. Mom is going to cook me alive.
“Sofia!!!”
My mom’s voice burst through the house like fire. “Do you know what time it is? It’s almost midnight!”
“I—I’m sorry, Mom. I got drunk and..”
“What?” she cut me off sharply. “Drunk?”
Oh no. What did I just say?
“Sofia Cabello,” she said slowly.
That was it. If my mom used my full name, I was officially dead.
“You got drunk? How? When?” she fired angrily. “So you’ve started drinking at your age?”
“Leave her alone, Sandra,” my dad quickly stepped in.
“Leave her alone?” my mom snapped, pointing at him. “Really, Nick? Is this how you want to raise your daughter? Look at the time she’s coming home!”
“She’s eighteen,” my dad replied calmly. “She’s not a child anymore.”
“Well, to me she is,” my mom shot back. “She knows nothing.”
My mom could be extremely overprotective—probably because I’m her only child.
“Mom!” I finally spoke up. “I’m not a kid anymore. I’m grown, and I want my freedom.”
With that, I turned and walked away.
“Come back here, young lady! I’m still talking to you, Sofia!” she called after me.
I didn’t answer.
I stormed into my room, slammed the door, and collapsed onto my bed—still in my party dress. I was too tired and angry to even shower.
---
The next morning, I woke up still wearing the same clothes. Groaning, I dragged myself to the bathroom for a hot shower, then rushed to get dressed for school. I was already late.
Mom didn’t even come to wake me up.
Why?
Probably because of last night.
I hated fighting with her.
I hurried downstairs and found my dad sitting at the dining table, surrounded by plates of food.
“Good morning, Dad,” I said, heading straight for the door.
“Aren’t you having breakfast, sweetie?” he asked.
“No, Dad. I’m late.”
I grabbed the door handle.
Locked.
“Dad?” I turned back to him.
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Why is the door locked?”
“Oh? It is?” He lowered his newspaper.
“I locked it,” my mom said as she walked out of the kitchen.
“Oh… okay. Then the key—I’m really late,” I said, glancing at my watch.
“No, young lady,” she said coldly. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“But, Mom—”
“You’re grounded for a week.”
“What? Mom, I just resumed school!”
“And you’re already partying?” she snapped.
“This is about last night, isn’t it?” I asked.
“Yes,” she replied firmly.
“You can’t ground me! I’m not a child anymore!”
“Says who?” she crossed her arms.
“Dad?” I looked at him helplessly.
“Sandra—”
“No, Nick,” she interrupted.
“That’s not fair!” I shouted, running upstairs and slamming my door.
“How can my mom be so—ugh!” I groaned, throwing myself onto the bed. I was really going to miss school.
---
By noon, the day felt unbearably slow. I had eaten, slept, watched TV—everything. Still bored.
I groaned and rolled over when my phone rang. It was my friends. Of course they were wondering why I wasn’t in school.
I quickly answered the video call.
“Hey, girl—”
“Sofia, what happened?” Jessie asked immediately. “Why didn’t you come to school? Are you sick? Are you okay?”
“Calm down, I’m fine,” I laughed.
“You look terrible,” Julian said. “What happened to you?”
“I’m just tired,” I smiled, but they both gave me skeptical looks.
“I’m serious. I’m just bored—stuck in this huge house alone.”
“Why didn’t you go out?” Jessie asked.
“I can’t. I’m grounded.”
They burst out laughing.
“What are you, five?” Julian teased.
“Grounded by who?” Jessie asked.
“My mom. Who else?” I rolled my eyes.
“Why?” Jessie pressed.
“We had a fight last night.”
“Ohhh… because of the party?” she asked carefully.
“Yeah.”
“I’m really sorry, Sofia,” Jessie said. “I shouldn’t have forced you to come. Now you’re grounded because of me.”
“It’s not your fault,” I smiled. “I actually had fun.”
“I know, right?” she laughed.
“Have you talked to your mom yet?” Julian asked.
“About what?”
“Getting ungrounded.”
I sighed. “Not yet. But I’ll try.”
“Good,” Julian nodded.
“Since you’re home alone, can we come over?” Jessie asked.
“No—you can’t.”
“Why not?”
“My mom locked the door and took the key to work.”
They stared at me like I’d lost my mind.
“Okay, seriously,” Jessie said. “Your mom needs help. You’re eighteen, not eight. Talk to her.”
“I will,” I promised.
They waved goodbye, and I ended the call, dropping back onto my bed.
Five seconds later, my phone rang again.
“Oh, come on,” I muttered, grabbing it.
Unknown number.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey, junkie.”
My heart nearly stopped.
No. It couldn’t be.
“Hello? Are you there?” he asked.
“H-Hi, William,” I said awkwardly. “What a surprise.”
“I know,” he replied calmly.
Silence fell between us.
“So… how did you get my number?” I asked.
“That doesn’t matter,” he said.
“Oh… okay.”
“I just called to check on you.”
My cheeks instantly warmed.
“Oh.”
“Yeah. I hope you’re okay?”
“I am,” I said quickly. “I’m fine.”
“Good to know,” he said. Another pause. “Well… see you tomorrow, Sofia.”
The way he said my name sent goosebumps all over me.
“Yeah. Bye.”
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Oh. My. God.
William just called me.
Like… actually called me.
What just happened???!!!
- Writer
