Mending Wounds

Chapter Ten

On nights prior to a big event, I had more trust in my body and brain to wake me up rather than an alarm. I always treated my body like an alarm on the night prior to an event, anxiousness and anxiety were the two main factor to me always having a shitty sleep and wake up before my alarm would even right on day of the big event. On those nights, I’d usually toss and turn all night; even if I manage by some miracle to fall asleep, I’d wake up multiple times through the night to check the time.

Today was no different, I woke up three times during the night then forced myself to go back to sleep. When I woke up the fourth time at 5 a.m., I couldn’t go back to sleep or stay in bed. Out of anxiousness and anxiety, I walked around the room, picking up things that I’ve dropped the night before as I lazily got into bed then started getting ready.

By 5:45, which was the time I was originally supposed to wake up, I was fully dressed and ready for 8:30 event. I always did this thing where I over prepare and put more effort in looking good when I’m anxious since it would make me feel more put together and ready. It was something I did to take my mind off things and helps me not panic a thousand time before presentations, exams, and first days of back to schools.

I ended up deciding on wearing a white blouse, Black carpi length pants, and small black heels with. My hair ended up in half a up-do, and my ears with one of my favourite hoop earrings even though it wasn’t really considered formal fitting. I didn’t do anything new for my make up though, it was just the eyeliner, mascara and lip tent since I didn’t trust myself with using anything other than that.

“Sophia, it’s time to wake up” My mum called as she walked into my room “Why am I getting messages from your university about you not submitting your major selection paper?”

I turned to her from where I was sitting on the floor packing my stay over bag for Alex’s house “Because I haven’t selected a major yet” I said frustrated “Now can everyone stop asking and pressuring me to select one. I’m taking my time to make sure I choose the right one”

“Want my opinion?” she asked, not waiting for a reply for me “You should just go for HR, your sister choose Marketing and look where she ended up in. There’s more jobs for HR than Marketing around here”

I turned to her with frowned eyebrows “No, that’s not because of the major, Mum. Your daughter is just to picky and nothing ever is good enough for her. Sometimes I myself wonder if she even chose the right major after all. I mean he did apply for Visual design but got her reply like two years later, which was too late. Plus, even now, she’s leaning more to Game development rather” I explained to my mum “I just don’t want to end up where she is right now. It’s bad enough that I feel like I chose the wrong degree myself. Sometimes I wish I just went for English literature at UB”

“That doesn’t matter now. You will do fine anywhere; I have faith in God’s plan” she sighed “Get some breakfast before you leave”

My mum took my phone ringing as a sign to leave, and thankfully closing the door behind her. I didn’t have to read the caller ID because I knew it was Derek being a nervous rack and calling to make sure I don’t oversleep.

“Derek, stop dressing me out” I said as soon as I answered the phone on speaker.

“He’s already stressing out” Alex said “I took his phone away from him so he wouldn’t call you and do the same to you. I can only handle one nervous mess one at a time”

“Thank you!” I smiled even though she couldn’t see me.

“You’re staying over this weekend, right?” she asked.

I hummed a yes as I walked to the closet.

“Pack a dress for the after party, and another for the opening ceremony of the new office opening if you want to come with mum, Derek and I to Dad’s company celebration” she instructed not leaving space for me to answer “Actually scratch both of that, I ordered a couple of dresses a few weeks ago. They got here earlier this week; you can try them on when you get here”

“Alex what did I tell you about buying me dresses” I said frustrated “Stop shopping for me, especially if you’re going to get me something that I can’t wear outside on daily bases”

I heard her chuckle “Trust me, honey, there’s no way you can wear what I got out in the open here and on daily bases” she said “Plus, it’s always nice to have something like these in your closet just in case you need them one day. And I literally got them for free since I redeemed a coupon when I was placing an order for myself as well, so technically I didn’t buy you anything”

“Al..” I started.

“I need to go, mum is calling me” she cut me off “Strapless and lace, both black, don’t forget them”

With that she hung up the phone, not giving me the chance to utter another word or argue with her. Deciding against my better judgement, I packed the strapless and the lace knowing that I will definitely regret trusting Alex after she shows me what sort of dress she ordered me this time. Last time I trusted her with dress shopping was when she convinced me to go clubbing with her after my breakup, she suggested that I just get a rebound to get over Cole. I ended up going in a pair of jeans and an off shoulder shirt because the dress Alex got me was way too out there for me, and out there, I mean everything was literally out there for the people to see.

Two hours later, I was already in the hall. I was sitting behind the stage on the floor with my laptop and Derek beside me, we were practising and going through the slides one last time before we have to give our brain a half an hour break since we go third.

I texted Alex a few times, she was picking up Ben on her way so I was a bit anxious that I am about to have Ben here. I was about to let two different parts, maybe three different parts of my life and friend circle mash by being all here at the same time. Alex and the girl plus Adam have never met before, and the Ben never met them either. I found it nerve racking not knowing whether they will get along or not; and to top all of that off, my mum and sister were also here while Ben is here too.

“Hey” I heard someone call from the side of the stage.

Ben was there when I turned, he had one of the biggest smiles on his face. He was dressed in a pair of dark washed jeans and a button up back shirt. He had his hair pushed back, making him look older than he actually was, yet more of a gentleman in some sort of ways.

“I didn’t have anything formal brought here with me from home” he explained.

I smiled at him as I got up “You look absolutely fine. I didn’t really expect you to be formally dressed” I said then gave him a side hug.

“You look beautiful as always” he said as he rubbed my arm.

“Thank you!” I said “No one is really allowed to be back here, but how about you take a seat with Derek. I just need to talk to a few people before we start. Plus, Derek can use a new set of ears because all this practising made my ears bleed and die”

He chuckled “Sure things” he said then walked off.

I walked around the place as I talked to the coordinators and tutors to ensure the flow of our presentation and to address a couple of questions regarding the set up and the presentation content. By the time I was done, Derek was already out taking to my mum, and Ben has been introduced to Kamilia and Lina who kidnapped him by taking him to look around at the student projects booths that weren’t really related to the event.

“Well this is a bigger crowed than I expected” Cole said as he stepped in front of me with his hands in the pocket of his back-dress pants.

“What are you doing here, Cole?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” he asked with a crooked smile “I’m here to support my little brother”

I gave him a annoyed look “You can’t just show up here again, this is my territory” I told him “You should’ve given me a heads up”

“And my house is my territory” he said “Yet you never given me a heads up when you show up there”

I rolled my eyes “This is different though, and you know it. My social life is here, friends, tutors, family and my boyfriend”

His smirk grew wider “Well that’s great. I never met any of them, especially you parents”

I gave him a warning look “Cole”

He chuckled “Don’t flatter yourself, Sophia. I’m only here to support my brother since he worked on half of the project as well, I’m not here to pick on you”

“Sophia” I heard someone call.

I Leaned to the side to find Adam approaching us with a smile on his lips. Cole turned to look at him, eyes clearly full of judgment as he took his features in.

Cole turned back to me “So you’re dating THAT?”

I looked at him offended “One, it’s none of your business. Two, you have no right to use that judgemental tone. And fourth, no that’s any of your business, but no, Adam is just a friend I made during foundation”

“Is he coming though?” he asked “Your boyfriend I mean”

“He’s already here with my friends somewhere” I told him “They’re looking around”

“Hey, you ready for your big moment?” Adam smiled then turned to Cole and held his hand out “I’m Adam, you must be the boyfriend, Benjamin”

Cole shook his hand “Cole” Cole corrected him “Derek’s brother”

Adam lets out a sigh in relief “Oh thank god, I wasn’t ready to pretend to like him”

I elbowed Adam in the guts “Shut the f**k up, Adam. You haven’t even met him or know him for you to be an asshole to him”

“But I have seen what he does to you, Sophia” he replied drily.

Cole looked over to me confused.

I poked Adam’s chest in frustration “You better not f**k it up with him. I will personally murder you if you start being a d**k for no reason”

Adam and Cole followed me as I walked through the hall to where the seating area were. My mum, Nadia, Alex and her mum were already seated, while Kami, Lina and Ben were walking toward us.

When they reached, I introduced my mum to everyone pointing at each while I called out their names “Mum, this Benjamin a friend of mine. Adam, he’s with me in class. You already know Kami and Lina”

My mum’s eyes trailed to Cole, whom I forgot that she never met before and I had to introduce. I was about to open my mouth to introduce him, but Cole cut me off.

He reached out his hand with a smile “Hola, Me llamo Cole, El hermano de Alex. Mucho gusto”

My mum looked up at him in admiration, then shook his hand and greeted him back. I stood there awkwardly and slightly worried due to the way Ben was looking between Cole and My mum as they started talking in Spanish for a while before they settled down in their seats.

At some point, both my Alex’s mum and mine excused themselves to grab something to drink from the snack bar. I moved to where Ben was standing, he gave me a smile and secretly wrapped his pinky around mine.

“Who’s he?” he asked, making me realise that I didn’t introduce Cole to anyone other than my mum and Adam.

“I almost forgot” I said then did the same thing I did with my mum, pointing at everyone as I mentioned their name “Cole, this is My younger sister, Nadia. My friend’s Kamilia and Lina” I then wrapped around Ben “And this is Ben, my boyfriend”

I then looked up at Ben “Cole is Alex’s brother”

Cole gave everyone a smile, then took a seat between Nadia and Kami “So kids, what stories do you guys have to tell me about little Sophia here? Because I have plenty to share with you too” he said, holding Ben’s eyes for the last part of the sentence.

Before I knew it, words spelled out of my mouth without control in a moment of anger

”¡Ni se te ocurra!” I warned “Te mataré”

My friends and Ben looked at me, making me realise that it was the first time they heard me talk Spanish in front of them.  I turned to Alex, giving her pleading eyes. She gave me a nod and a reassuring look.

“Sophia, you might want to head back and get ready with Derek” she said then turned to Ben “And you, how about I show you all the different places our dear Sophia managed to make a fool out of herself by falling”

She tugged on his sleeve, making him follow her with a chuckle after he told me he’ll be right back.

As soon as he was out of sight, I turned to Cole “Necesito hablar contigo”

He got up and followed me to the side, tucking his hand into his pocket when we stopped.

“What the f**k do you think you’re doing?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” he smirked.

“You’re literally implying to him that we had something going on, and even trying to challenge him with that stupid grin of yours” I said.

He looked at me confused “Wait, you haven’t told him about me?”

I shook my head “Of course not”

He let out a sigh in frustration “Did you tell your friends? You sister?”

I shook my head “They didn’t know me back then, and you know how I don’t share that type of things with anyone”

“But you were okay with everyone knowing about HIM?”

I looked at him confused “That’s… what even is this conversation?” I said “Stop trying to stair-up s**t. You can’t just storm into my life and demand me to share things I don’t with want and challenge Ben like that”

He opened his mouth to speak but then in hesitation, he bit back his words before going quiet for 2 seconds. It was almost as if he was trying to stop himself from saying something that we both know he wouldn’t be able to take back “You know what, how about you do your thing and I do mine” he said “Good luck on the presentation”

I looked at him, not sure what he was talking about at all.

In a blink of an eyes, he was back with everyone else, sitting right between my sister Nadia and Kami who went into laughter as soon as he opened his mouth. I tightened my fist, trying my best not to let my anger and annoyance get the best of by walking over to him and use all the words in both English and Spanish vocabulary on him.

I walked back to where Derek was standing, going over the flash cards he scribbled earlier. I patted his shoulder with a small smile.

“You will be fine, Kid” I told him “I’ll be right there with you if you have blank out. Trust me, you’re a natural, the second you stand on that stage and we pitch the idea, the words will roll off your tongue like it’s a language that you’re flaunt in”

He gave me a smile, before he looked over to where everyone was seated “I’m surprised he actually made it. You must be happy he did” he said mentioning with his head in Ben’s direction.

I nodded as I looked back at where Ben was sitting, gaining a smile from him. I smile back to him, tilted my head to the side at the process.

I couldn’t help not to let my eyes travel to where Cole was sitting, he was still laughing with Kami, almost as they were flirting. A ping of jealousy and annoyance washed over me when Cole reached out and played with the ends on her straight brown hair. Then I realised that he was doing his thing, his thing where he is a flirt and would flirt with anyone just to get a rise out of me.

“You need to tell them, Soph. They need to know about Cole. I don’t want you to be in the awkward situation where one of them asks you to set them up with him because that will happen for sure”

I gave him a nod then took a seat next to him as the contest started.