Seven Souls

Alec's girlfriend

Christiana’s POV

I fell asleep after Sophia told me everything about her life, how she met Sam, how they fell in love. It felt like one of those fairytales you hear before you sleep.

Sophia Adams, the youngest child of her family and the only girl among four boys. Her family wasn’t wealthy, but they were stable enough to raise five kids.

She stayed in Los Angeles with her parents while each of her brothers went on their path. The eldest got married and moved to New York, the other three were traveling around the world, always in a new place.

I was in awe as she spoke about Sam and her family; the happiness lingering in her eyes was a permanent photo now in my mind.

Now I had enough knowledge about Sophia’s life, her family, Sam, and Sam’s family. The only thing I was missing was learning Spanish, as Sophia is originally from Argentina.

I frowned as I stared at the ceiling. Her parents haven't shown up since I left the hospital. I didn’t ask why, but I think they were giving me some time with Sam, so we could adapt to our loss.

Her talking about her family made me jealous that I grew up with hating parents, never even knew I had cousins or not. I wanted to see my funeral.

It was the first thing I did when I woke up. Some media snuck into my funeral and uploaded it on YouTube. Seeing my casket being lowered to the ground kind of broke my heart. I wanted to be where I belong.

I don’t even know why my soul left my body.

My parents didn’t come to the funeral. Most of the people I knew were there, even James was there. He was crying over me, or maybe faking it.

Kylie’s face was pale as she looked at my casket being lowered down. She looked broken and lost, her eyes were shot red from crying. It broke my heart seeing her like that.

The door creaked open and my gaze snapped at the door, seeing Sam poking his head inside. “Oh, you are awake,” he mumbled, pushing the door more open.

“Yeah,”

“Alec is ten minutes away,” he informed me. I let my eyes roam his figure, noticing he was nervous as he was fiddling with his fingers.

“Okay, I’ll get ready,” I said. He pursed his lips, then turned on his heels, closing the door behind him.

I sighed and sat up, clutching my head from the sudden severe headache. I believed that any physical pain I felt was because of my soul being in this body. “Today, I’ll try sending Kylie a message.”

I kept thinking of that plan all night, then I got tired and slept, deciding to rethink it next thing in the morning.

“Why is my life hard?” I grumbled, forcing myself on my feet, then sitting in the stupid wheelchair.

I pushed myself to the closet and flung it open, staring at the neatly folded clothes. I picked an oversized sweater and black jeans, then strolled to the bed, getting off the wheelchair.

I took off my sweatshirt, looking at my body. Hickeys were starting from my neck, traveling down my body. I grimaced, getting sick as another flashback crossed my mind.

“I seriously hate you, Sophia,” I mumbled.

How did Sam even look at that body? There were too many scars, almost healing, except for that big one. There was a huge cut on my chest right above the heart.

Every vision I experienced was through Sophia’s eyes. I nibbled on my lips when I had another vision. It differed from the others; it felt like I was in the moment.

We were back to Sam’s darkroom, only lit by the moon. He was trailing delicate kisses on my body while I held my breath. His hand was above my hip, drawing imaginary circles as he sucked on my skin, leaving hickeys.

I breathed when he finally stopped; he brought his hand up and grazed with his index the huge scar, lifting his warm hazel eyes to mine. His lips moved, uttering a few words in Spanish, I assume, and I couldn’t understand them.

Then he pressed his hungry lips on mine in a passionate and deep kiss. That’s when I was pulled out of the memory.

My senses were back, and I realized I was back in my room. “That was something new,” I breathed, then furrowed my eyebrows, feeling a damp spot between my legs.

Seeing myself in that position instead of Sophia excited me. I sassed, bringing the sweater over my head. I sat in the wheelchair and headed to the cabinet, opening the first drawer and bringing out clean underwear.

I put on my jeans after changing my underwear, then pushed myself to the vanity, looking for a foundation to cover the hickeys on my neck.

A smile plastered on my lips as I found the foundation in the first drawer.

After a few minutes, I gazed at my reflection, smiling with satisfaction at my work. My hair was up in a high ponytail now.

I heard a car pull up in front of the house; I looked out of the window, seeing Alec getting out of the car.

“Are you ready?” I heard Sam’s deep voice break my bubble.

I turned around and nodded at him. He approached me and went behind my chair, pushing me.

I didn’t protest at him trying to help me and let him do it, not feeling like picking up a fight on something useless.

He stopped us at the entrance, and I gazed at Alec as he helped his girlfriend. She set her feet down, then got up. I couldn’t look at her face as her hazel hair hid it perfectly.

She had a hardly noticed bump, but anyone could tell she’s pregnant.

Alec opened the back seats and brought out two bags, then he motioned with his head for his girlfriend to follow him.

My jaw fell open as my eyes landed on her face. I didn’t know if I should cry or not. I could feel my eyes sting as I held in my tears. Kylie gazed at me and smiled as she approached us.

“Jesus Christ, she’s pregnant,” Sam hissed. I ignored him and trained my gaze on my sister.

She even had the courage to show up here today, knowing that Sophia crashed into my car.

I guess Sam didn’t know she was her sister, as he looked with shock at his brother.

“How are you doing today, Soph?” Alec asked as he stopped in front of me, squatting to my eye level. Behind him stood Kylie, her hands rested on her bump.

I was astonished; the words were stuck in my throat. “Soph?” He muttered, and I blinked at him, then looked back at Kylie.

“I’m fine,” I finally answered, and he smiled at me.

He got up and cleared his throat, placing his arm around Kylie’s waist. “Anyway, everyone, this is Kylie,” he introduced her.

“Were you planning to tell us you impregnated your girlfriend?” Sam hissed at him, making Kylie chuckle.

“It wasn’t the right time,” he argued, and a dry chuckle escaped Kylie’s lips, making Sam frown at her while Alec pressed his lips in a thin line, lowering his gaze to the floor shamelessly.

“Believe me, he dumped me at the airport and I called my sister. Now she’s dead, maybe because of me,” she said in a fake humorous tone.

She only talked like this when she was sad.

Sam’s jaw fell open, shocked at her words. I guess he realized who she was, as his face turned to a deep shade of red.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” he blurted.

She wiped a tear that escaped and nodded. “Sorry, it’s my hormones. I knew Tiana wouldn’t love me to cry over her,” she mumbled.

I grabbed her hand unconsciously and her gaze snapped at me. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled.

“You seized, there was nothing you could do and she could’ve moved the car away, but she stayed.”

She was right, I could’ve lived, but I just stopped, seeing the rushing car towards me. I guess I knew I would die.

Was that considered a suicide?

Sadly, yes.

“Okay, who’s hungry?” Alec said, breaking this tension. Sam went over to the door and shut it, turning to face his brother.

He just walked to the dining room. Not hearing our answer, Kylie followed him. Sam came behind me and pushed my chair, following them inside.

We all ate in awkward silence. Not even a single word. After we were done, Alec suggested we sit in the garden to get some fresh air.

I stayed on the porch as the wheels wouldn’t budget on the grass, so Alec brought the table closer to the porch, letting me join them.

My gaze was trained on the two brothers as they spoke with some anger. Then Alec apologized and everything was back to normal.

I glanced at Kylie, who was awfully silent; she was just observing. “Can you help me get to the bathroom?” I asked her. She looked at me and sighed, nodding her head.

She got up, and I flashed her a thankful smile. “Is there something wrong?” He asked, getting up and walking towards me.

“No, it’s just girl stuff,” I answered, giving him a reassuring smile.

He nodded, and Kylie walked with me to the bathroom. “I’ll wait outside,” she said as I got up.

I ignored what she said and hugged her; she was startled by my sudden action. “Are you okay?” She asked.

“Yes, Kylie, I just missed you,” I mumbled, tightening my arms around her, scared to lose her.

“Um… we just met,” she shuttered, getting out of my embrace.

I rubbed my forehead, trying to form a single sentence. I placed my hands on her shoulders. “Well, this may sound crazy, but I’m Christiana in Sophia’s body. Her soul is still here and I’m the intruder,” I blurted.

She burst out laughing and I knew that would happen. “Are you trying to comfort me? She died. I know she didn’t have a happy life and maybe she’s happy on the other side.”

“Yeah, I just wish I passed to the other side. Instead, I’m in Sophia’s body,” I mumbled, and she gave me a puzzled look.

“If you are Christiana, what did I used to do when our parents fought?” She asked, crossing her arms against her chest.

I smiled at her. “You would take me to the secret room that was behind your closet, then you would sing to me till I fell asleep,” I answered, staring into her blue eyes.

Tears were on her cheeks, and her hand on her mouth, muffling the gasp. “I’m sorry for… um… putting you through-” she silenced me as she threw her arms around me, pulling me in a hug.

“I can’t believe that you are alive,” she whispered.

“I knew you wouldn’t die without seeing me,” she trailed with a chuckle.

“Yeah, I’m glued to your side forever,” I joked, pulling away.

She furrowed her eyebrows. “But how?” Then her eyes widened. “Does Sam know?” She asked, and I shook my head.

“Let’s go to my room, so we could talk,” I said, and she nodded.

She helped me to the room, then shut the door behind her. I abandoned my wheelchair and sat on the bed. Then she sat next to me.

I told her the whole thing and if I didn’t prove to her I was Christiana, she wouldn’t have believed me.

“That’s basically everything,” I mumbled.

“I’m sorry for saying you committed suicide,” she said, her gaze focused on mine.

I pursed my lips. “Technically, it was a suicide. I saw the car, but I couldn’t move. It was like I accepted my fate.”

Then I rolled my eyes. “And look at how lucky I was. I now live as Sophia and didn’t even tell Sam.”

“How do you deal with him kissing you and stuff?” She asked, and I grimaced.

“Sophia took control yesterday, and she slept with Sam, and I was the one who woke up naked next to him. I’m traumatized,”

She scrunched her nose in disgust. “Ew, do you remember what she did?” She asked, and I nodded, my cheeks flushing red.

“His kisses were enough for me, but doing the deed was on a new level,” I said dramatically, making her chuckle.

“So, how do you get out and leave? Or how does it work with two souls in one body?” She questioned.

“Well, Sophia found a spiritual guide who can help, so I beg you to find her, because Sophia’s life depends on it,” I pleaded, taking her hand in mine.

“And what happens when this lady comes?”

“I crossover to the other side and Sophia has her body again,”

“And you are gone forever…” she whispered, tearing her gaze away from mine.

I cupped her cheek, and she let out a shaky breath, refusing to look at me. I put my other hand on her shoulder, and her gaze finally snapped to mine. “I know you don’t want me to die, but it happened and I need to crossover, so Sophia could have her happily ever after,” I mumbled.

“But I just met you today and you would leave me again,” she whimpered, the tears welling up in her eyes.

She pulled me in her embrace, placing her head on my shoulder as she let her tears fall freely.

Sophia’s voice popped up in my mind, sending me some sort of relief. “don’t worry, I’ll take care of her when you leave,”

A smile spread across my lips, thankful for her comforting words.

“You are the only good thing left for me, Tiana,” Kylie sobbed, and I rubbed her back.

“I know,” I mumbled. “And you were the best sister I could ever ask for,” I trailed off.

“But Sophia can’t wait any longer, she’s fading, and I promised to give her life back, so please Kylie, help me.”

She got her head off my shoulder and pulled away, locking her gaze with mine. She grabbed my hands in her warm grip and squeezed them reassuringly. “Fine, I’ll help you,”

“Thank you,” I mumbled.