8 | dichotomy

a contrast between two things that are opposed or entirely different

When we reach the house, Sophie is there. She's curled up on the couch, legs tucked underneath her, chatting easily with Mr. Rivers like it was the most natural thing in the world. How come he wasn't shooting her glances?

Ethan stiffens as soon he sees her. I wish I could wrap my arms around him—comfort him. But I can't, it's too soon.

All conversation stops as soon as Sophie spots Ethan. She stands suddenly, heading towards us. There's a smile playing on her lips, but to my surprise, she's looking at me rather than at Ethan. "Leah, right?" she says. I nod warily. She nods back, almost to herself, as if assuring herself. "I'm Sophie."

"I know." Yes, I admit I was a bit sharp. She hurt my imprint, how else was I supposed to act?

She isn't at all fazed by my words. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard quite a bit about you."

I arch an eyebrow. How much had Mr. Rivers told her? "Likewise," I mutter.

She turns to Ethan. There's no coldness in her tone as she says, "I think I left my sweater here the other day. Have you seen it?"

"Yeah. It's in the closet."

For some odd reason, she starts laughing. "Unlike me, am I right?"

"What?" I blurt.

Ethan glares at Sophie. She grins back sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Wait, what?" I say again. Sophie is gay?

"Yeah. That's why we broke up," Ethan mutters, rolling his eyes.

"Oh. Oh. Well, that does explain a lot." A lot, indeed.

"I'm sorry," Sophie says, touching Ethan's arm. She sounds genuine, her tone heavy with sorrow.

"It's not your fault," he says. Regardless, I can see how it's tearing him up inside, to be loving her when she can't love him back in that way.

There's an awkward silence permeating the air. "I should leave," I mumble. "It's getting pretty late." Ethan just nods, lost in his own world.

After getting my phone, I say goodbye to Mr. Rivers (who responds with a cold "Goodbye") and go to leave.

"Bye, Leah," says Sophie. Ethan is still staring into the air with glazed eyes. I wave at Sophie and go outside.

As I'm driving back, I can't help but dwell on what I'd found out about Ethan and Sophie's breakup. Despite the fact that she was Ethan's ex, I hoped that they could still be friends. Maybe it would make Ethan less miserable—something that hurt me a lot.

My phone rings loudly, jerking me back to reality. Fumbling blindly in the dark car, I somehow manage to hit the correct button. "Hello?"

"Leah," he whispers hoarsely. His voice brings back a thousand memories of walks on the beach, of nights spent sneaking out, of passionate kisses in the woods. We've talked since then, of course, but this is the first time he's talked to me directly. I blink back a sudden onslaught of tears. "Come back," he begs.

"I can't. And I don't want to. Not yet, anyway."

"He's not right for you."

"Please. The imprint is never wrong."

"It is!" he yells. "It was wrong for me and it's wrong for you!"

I take a deep breath before I explode. "You didn't say it was wrong when you first imprinted."

He sighs.

Red flashes my vision. "Don't tell me you're jealous," I say warily. "Don't do this to me, Sam."

He's silent.

I laugh. It's not funny, not at all, but the whole situation is so ridiculous that I can't help it. How many times had I imagined this conversation before Ethan had come into my life?

"Leah…"

"You're getting married in less than a month! How could you do this to Emily? How could you?"

He's silent for a long moment. Then I hear the gentle beep as he hangs up the phone.


A/N: I'm horrible, I know. I was pretty busy for a while, but updates should be more frequent now.