My Little Secret

Chapter 3

Sleep hadn’t come easily to Sophia that night. She kept thinking about what would happen. How could she trust Felix would keep her secret? She had no reason to trust him, neither did he have a reason to keep her secret. And so, she had spent the entire night twisting and turning, her mind never finding a moment of ease as thoughts kept racing. She was exhausted and it was all Felix fault.

“Jones.” Sophia sighed before looking up, finding Pete standing next to her locker. She didn’t even have the energy to glare at him. “You look terrible.”

“Thank you Pete, that was exactly what I wanted to hear.” Sophia slammed her locket, finding a bit of satisfaction in how Pete jumped away. Pete recovered fast though, too fast for her liking. “What are you doing here?”

“Aren’t I allowed to wonder these halls?” he smirked, leaning against the blue lockers. Of course he had his little friends behind him, but that didn’t matter. One sneer was enough to send them running.

Sophia tapped her chin, pretending to think. “Actually, no, because right now I’m here and you’re annoying me with your face.”

“Choose your words carefully, Sander,” he stepped closer, his expression more threatening. Sophia leaned back, her arm covering her mouth as she yawned. Pete didn’t like this, of course. “Tomorrow, there will be a new leader in these halls.”

“Oh?” She raised her brow, faking curiosity. “I didn’t know a new one was assigned, I wonder who it is.”

Pete slammed his hand beside her head, the lockets even shook from the force. Sophia didn’t even flinch, though. “After school, I will end you, you won’t stand a chance.”

Sophia crossed her arms, the same bored expression still on her face. “Okay, cool, got to go now though, so good luck with winning the title.” She turned and started to walk. However, she couldn’t resist taunting him a bit more. With a smug smile she stopped to look over her shoulder, and said, “My title.”

On her way to class a tall shadow fell over her, and she didn’t have to look up to know who caused it. Rubbing her temple, she decided to ignore him. Felix didn’t have to know what effect him knowing her secret had on her. He wasn’t worth her time either.

“I got some questions,” he said casually. His voice was enough to give her a headache.

“I don’t owe you answers,” she snapped, fastening her pace. Felix could keep up easily, sadly enough.

“You don’t.” He removed the hood from his head, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “But I’ll still ask, and if you don’t want anyone to hear them I recommend answering.”

“Oh f**k off,” she mumbled before stopping. “What is it?”

Felix stopped as well, and if she wasn’t mistaken he genuinely looked a bit concerned. She blinked, blaming it on her lack of sleep. “Are you really going to fight Pete?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course not, I’m not wasting my time on him.”

“Good.” Felix clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes in the direction Pete went to. Sophia shook her head, starting to walk away when a group of girls practically stormed over her. One hit her shoulder, then the another pushed her to the ground before she could catch herself. Normally she would have been able to keep standing, but at the moment she didn’t have the energy.

Rubbing her head, Sophia glared up at the pretentious girls, all squealing and jumping around Felix. She scoffed, pushing herself up as long fingers closed around her arm, helping her up. Steady again, she yanked her arm out of his grip, but making a quick escape was not possible. The moment she would leave he would leave Felix would grab her. Damn those long arms of his.

“What is it?”

Sophia raised her eyebrow at him. She’d never heard him talk so… harsh to anyone, really. He’d always been quiet, not the one to talk much, and whenever there was another girl confessing her love, he rejects them kindly. So, this tone of his she wasn’t used to. Neither were those girls, it appeared, but not that it bothered them. They quickly recovered and went back to being annoying, giggling irritations.

This one girl stepped forward, purposely pushing her chest forward with her arms while looking down. The innocent, virgin girl with big boobs method, a classic many boys would fall for. Sophia crossed her arms, raising her lip in disgust.

“I-I-I really like-like you,” she mumbled, her face red as she looked up at Felix hopeful. When Sophia did the same, without the hopefulness, he shared the same expression as she did. “And I was hoping… if you want-“

“I’m not interested in a slut with no eyes,” he snapped, his fists tensing. “Now if you’ll excuse me and Sander.”

Felix took Sophia’s hand, dragging her away from the crowd before she could react. His hand held hers so firm, and it was so warm. For a second Sophia forgot her surroundings, only able to stare at his large hand that held her much smaller one. His long fingers insuring safety. Sophia swallowed, the sight was so familiar, yet it was also strange. His weren’t even close to resembling those she knew, but they did capture the same safety, the same comfort…

“Sophia, are you alright?” Felix whispered, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Glaring, she pulled her hand back. “Fine.”

Sophia made it to her next class without another encounter with a human being. She was thankful for that, she didn’t know how far she would have gotten if that hadn’t been the case.

---

Even if she wanted to she didn’t have the luxury to beat the s**t out of Pete. Most of her time she spend studying, working or sleeping. She rarely had time for herself, which she didn’t mind. When she wasn’t busy she had time to think, something she didn’t enjoy now as much as she used to. So, after school she headed straight to her work.

“Hey Bella,” Sophia greeted her manager as she entered through the back. “What am I wearing today?”

“Ah, Sophia! You’re going to love this.” Bella pushed white, folded clothing in her arms, hurrying her to the changing rooms. Sophia laughed, letting Bella boss her around. “Hurry up now, the customers are waiting.”

“Alright, alright,” she called out of the changing room.

“Why does she always get the pretty ones?” Trixy commented, brushing her blond curls.

“Bella choses our outfits to fit with who we are.” Jasmin finished her make-up, turning to Trixy. “Green suits you, so you’re a parrot.” She kneeled before her co-worker, taking one of her brushes with some green and yellow eyeshadow, and gently brushed the color on Trixy’s eyes. “Pink suits me, so I’m a flamingo, white suits Sophia, so-“

“You’re kidding me, right?” Sophia hesitantly stepped away from behind the curtain. All the woman in the room gasped, and she felt heat rise to her cheeks. She was wearing a strapless dress with see-through lace sleeves. The dress reached the ground, a cut on her left side that reached past her knee. Around her waist a thin, white rope was loosely tied, the remaining strings were accompanied by white feathers.

Jasmin squealed in delight, pulling her down on one of the chairs. “Let me do your make-up.”

Sophia giggled softly, closing her eyes. While Jasmin, the mot talented with make-up, worked on her face she noticed two other hands in her hair. Bella was a champion with finding the right outfits for the right person, but if you gave her a head full of hair she could work wonders. Sophia still wasn’t used to the large brush Jasmin used to add a blush to her face. It always tickled her nose.

“Okay,” Bella said softly, her tone quieter then before. Sophia slowly opened her eyes. Whenever Bella talked with such a tone you were ready for a surprise. She had always loved children, but was never able to have one of her own. Sophia imagined that seeing them all dressed up in such beautiful clothing must remind her of what she could never have. In a way they were all children of Bella, she was their mother on the work floor.

Sophia stood, approaching the mirror. This time she gasped herself. She actually looked… pretty, beautiful even, did she dare ever admit. On her cheeks was a slight blush, she eyes dark rimmed with white and silver eyeshadow. It made the green in her eyes really stand out. Her dark locks were curled, white feathers woven through the strands. A same kind of rope that hand around her waist was gently resting on top of her head, beats and feathers following the movement of her head.

“I-“ she started, but could only shake her head afterwards. She didn’t know what to say. She looked gorgeous, almost as if she was a bride, ready to meet her husband to be at the alter in just a moment…

Wait a second…

Sophia turned to her coworkers, a frown replacing her wonder. “Is this because of my classmate?”

“What? Of course not.” Bella laughed nervously, swatting her hand. Sophia gave her one look, it was enough to break her, as usual. “Okay, maybe a bit, but I’ve always wanted you to wear that dress.” Bella took her hands, squeezing them. “You work so hard and you’re always ready whenever I need you, this was the least I could do.” She looked down at their joined hands, smiling. “This dress, I bought it when I first thought I was pregnant. It was meant for my daughter that I never got, and now seeing you in it, I couldn’t be more happy with how my life has turned out.”

“Bella…” Sophia sighed, wrapping her arms around the sweet, older woman, hugging her tightly. She could never stay mad at Bella for long, the woman’s heart was just too pure. “Thank you, I love the dress.”

“Told you she always got the pretty ones,” Trixy whispered to Jasmin, who in return stomped her foot. Trixy yelped, bending down to massage her foot. “Bitch.”

“Don’t act so jealous.” Jasmin took Trixy by the arm. “We don’t have time to hang around here anyway, our customers are waiting.”

Jasmin took Trixy to the front, leaving Sophia and Bella behind. Her manager squeezed Sophia’s hand one last time before stepping aside. “Make today memorable.”

“I’ll try.” Sophia smiled, a genuine one this time. She held her hands over her stomach. Now she only needed a bouquet of flowers and she would be a real bride. She laughed to herself, this was probably the closest thing she would ever have to a wedding.

Taking a deep breath, she walked out from the back. The café went rather quiet when she did, all eyes turning to her. Heat started to rise to her cheeks once more. That blush that Jasmin added was rather unnecessary now that she thought about it.

The bell announcing a new customer ringed, catching her attention away from the staring guests. Her eyes landed on the tall figure of Felix. What a timing. She straightened her back, pulled her shoulders back while raising her chin. “Welcome to Little Misses Café, where would you like to sit?”

Felix didn’t answer, he simply stared. He really took the time to take her in, his eyes scanning her body up and down multiple times. It didn’t go unnoticed how he licked his lips, nor the grin that spread immediately afterwards. He took a step forward, extending his hand while leaning slightly towards her.

“May I have the honor of your company as I drink my tea,” he said smoothly, his voice so rich and low. She might have shivered from it weren’t people watching her rather closely. It was also the reason why she acted along with him, too many witnesses for a murder.

Sophia gently placed her hand in his. “As much as I wish to I can only accompany you to your table, then I must leave to satisfy my other guests.”

Felix brought her hand up to his lips, gently placing a kiss on her knuckles. This time she might have shivered a bit. “A real shame, such a goddess as yourself should be the one getting satisfied.”

He actually had the balls to wink at her after the statement, and Sophia knew blood would spill soon. So, she closed her hand around his, and started leading him to a free table in the back. As they headed there Sophia started to dig her nails into his skin, and after a moment she felt him flinch.

In a swift move she pulled him close enough that their bodies touched. Grinning, she finally managed to catch him off guard. His breath fanned hot against her skin, and for a second she thought it hitched in his throat. Leaning forward, she whispered in his ear, “Go to hell, Felix.”

Only a little bit of force was needed to push him onto his seat. His jaw was hanging, his eyes unable to leave her. Sophia’s grin only widened as she raised her hands to her lips. Blood she had drawn indeed, and now her nails were coated in his. She thought about licking it, sending him over the edge, but decided against it. He was already where she wanted him.

Without another word she left, not stopping as she headed to the back. Someone else could help him with his order. And his hand. Right now she had to wash hers. If it stained the dress Bella would kill her. It was already making her fingers sticky.

“Sophia, wait,” Jasmin called, opening the door to the toilets. “Is that blood?”

Sophia turned the tab on, the cold water rinsing her hand. She sighed, watching the red stream escape through the small pit. “Yeah, don’t worry it’s not mine.”

“That doesn’t make me worry any less, Soph.” Jasmin leaned against the tiles beside the sink. “What did he do?”

Turning off the water, Sophia sought support on either sides of the white veneer. “He makes me sick, honestly, can’t he just leave me alone?”

Jasmin laughed, patting her shoulder. “I think you’re sending him the wrong messages.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Crossing her arms, Jasmin leaned closer. “Every guy loves a good hunt, and you’re the ultimate pray.”