Sophia was curled on her uncle's sofa, watching the tv when she heard her uncle approaching.
- Hey kiddo! .- he greeted.
- Hi...- she greeted back.- Where is Andrea?
- She is with her parents, they will be probably spoiling her and buying baby stuff.
- So you aren't with them because of me? .- she asked worried.
- Nah...- he seated also. - We don't get along...
- What? Why?
- Well...they don't like me.- he said softly. - I guess they hoped for their girl to do it better...
- Don't say that. You are a great person and you will be an awesome father.
- hum...I don't know...
- I know for a fact. You have been always there for me. You will be there for your kid too. And you know, I will be there too. Dad will be too. This kid is going to have a lot of people around...
- Thanks kiddo.- he said kissing her forehead.- so what are your plans for tonight? Going out with that boyfriend of yours?
- Pffff...- she blushed.- Don't know...
- What happened? - he asked worried.- have he did something to ya?
- No! - she answered quickly.- It's just...I...I don't...doens't matter..
- Whoa, you are really your father kid...you both explain yourselves as an open book.- he added teasing.
- Pfff...
- No that is a bad thing, you know? I'm glad that you are like your father, not like Meg. - Merle never called Meg "your mum" in front of Sophia. - I mean, well he is a good man, he was good too when he was a kid. You are like him.
-If you say so..
- I do yeah...- he went to the kitchen and walked back with 2 glasses with beer.- Drink it.
- You know that I'm underage, right? - she asked grabbing the glass.- I cannot drink.
- Who says you can have a glass of beer? - he added.- I'm not saying you should get drunk...but it seems that you need that beer.
- Uncle Merle, but if my dad knew that you...
- Your dad is not here right know. I am. I want ya to tell me what is bothering you, and I know for a fact that this will help.- he took a sip of his beer.- And don't tell me you've never had a beer before. You are sixteen, for fucks sake.
- Fine.- she admited blushing. She took a long sip of the beer.- Happy?
- Depends. Are you going to tell me what is bothering you now?
- It's nothing.
- Come on kiddo...
- Can I ask you a question? - she asked nervously, he nodded.- A...a personal question...?
- Shoot.
- How old were you when you...you know...
- Me what?
- you...did it? - she asked softly, just above a whisper.
- Are you asking me when I had sex for the first time? - he asked loudly that he wanted. She nodded blushing furiosly.- Well, okey don't know if I should talk about that with ya.
- Told you it was stupid. - she added standing up.
- Hey, wait.- he yelled.- I will tell you, alright? I know that you cannot speak with your father about it.
- Ok...
- Well if you must know, I was 15. But before I told you anything else, promise me you won't rush it.
- I won't. I promise.- she said.- so, who was she?
- Just a girl from our building. She was gorgeous you know, blonde and tall and the prettiest girl on the street. She was a few years older than me.
- So, you were dating? how did it happen?
- We weren't dating...we were at this party and she just...came to me and happened.- he said embarrassingly.- That's the reason I didn't want to tell you. We weren't a couple. I was drunk, she was drunk and probably high too. We messed around a bit and the we left the party.
- Oh...so you went to a hotel? to her place?
- Nah...we went to the back alley. - finished his beer and poured himself another one.- Look, I'm not proud ok? But that's how I was back there. I was an asshole for a long time...but I'm not like that anymore.
- I know...- she smiled.- Thanks for telling me, I know you didn't want to.
- It's alright. Just don't tell your dad, ok? - she nooded. - God, now tell me what is bothering you. Are you going to have sex with Noel?
- Maybe,..
- Is he pressuring you?
- No. - she added.- But I don't want to be a prude anymore.
- Honey...
- I'm not going to rush it, ok? I just...well I don't want to be the only one that hasn't do it. - she run her hands on her hair.- I'm not his first girlfriend, I know that he has done things...I just want to be like the other girls.
- That's stupid...- he added harshly.- He likes you, that's what is important. You don't have to do it just because everyone else is doing it.
- Why not?
- 'cause is not right, ok? - he yelled back.- You should wait for the right time and the right guy.
- Like you did? - she shoot back.- At least I'm not going to be trashed.
- That's not fair. I'm honest with you and now you are throwing shit to my face? - he yelled.- Nah, I'm going to call your father right now, and we are going to explain to him what are you thinking of doing, ok? Wanna do that?
- I don't care...it's my life, my body. - she said. - Go on, call him. Tell him what you told me, that you fucked some random girl in an alley.
- Soph, come on...
- I'm not going to rush it. But I'm not going to wait like the prude you and dad want. - she stood up and left the room.
In the guest room, she took her phone and wrote to Noel.
Hey! wanna hang out tonight?
Hey Soph! sure.
Ok, let's meet at my house, alright?
I thought you were staying at your uncle's house.
Yes. But I need to pick up some clothes from my house, and we could use some time alone.
Sure...ok.
If you know what I mean... ;)
I do.
Cool. At 7 it's ok for you?
Yes, perfect. But look Soph I..
Nice. See you!
Soph!
But she was already taking a shower.