Chapter 2: Promises, promises, promises.
S.D 772. Bachtein University.
"Hey Sophy, why are you still here?"
Sophia was sitting on the stairs just outside the school gym.
She looked up to see one of her classmates.
"I'm waiting here for Fayt." She replied, beside her was the Basketball Championship trophy.
Her classmate nodded. "See you later then." The girl left with her boyfriend, they waved at her from a distance then resumed walking.
Sophia waved back then continued reading. She had recently enrolled in advanced Symbology class, which was fast becoming her favorite.
Just then, a group of cheer leaders walked past by. Sophia recognized one of them. Shirley, the beautiful, tall blond who looked back at her with open hostility was Fayt's latest ex-girlfriend.
The fact that the busty blond was hostile to her, Sophia couldn't comprehend. She was no match to the cheerleader in terms of beauty and popularity!
Sophia shrugged; perhaps, the other girl is just vindictive. There has been a rumor that she was the reason why Fayt broke up with Shirley, although Sophia could not begin to understand how that rumor started, she and Fayt had been together since they were babies!
Shirley was clinging on the arm of another basketball player, Sophia recognized as one of Fayt's team-mates. When the boy smiled at her in greeting, Shirley scowled at him and gave Sophia one of her iciest glance.
Sophia was relieved when the group left, she didn't like to be at war with anybody, well perhaps when she was younger, she would have made Shirley sorry for trifling with her, but those days were gone, the little girl who was fond of causing trouble for everyone is no more.
If they have met earlier, Shirley would have wished she had never set eyes on Sophia Esteed, the girl who have almost set fire to the entire school at a young age of 8. She had just learned the basic symbology for offense: Fire bolt, but she has not yet mastered control over it.
On that fateful day, she and the other kids were assigned to clean a part of the school grounds.
Sophia remembered very well, how crisp the air was that day, for it was already autumn and they were assigned to sweep the thick carpet of fallen leaves. Of course Sophia complained why they have to use old fashioned rakes to clean the grounds when they could clear the place in no time by simply giving command to the school computer.
"Work builds up character, little Sophia." Was their teacher's calm reply.
Sophia didn't want to do the task, she was impatient to go home for Uncle Robert promised to bring her and Fayt to Moonbase, to the research lab where her own father works too.
Just then, an idea popped in her head. It would take her and the others an hour or so to finish sweeping, but if she could set fire to the leaves, they'll be gone in no time!
As luck would have it, their instructor was at the other side of the ground supervising her classmates. Sophia chose a corner where no one would try to interfere with her plan.
"Builds up character indeed!" Sophia snorted. She wanted to be with Fayt in Moonbase, not here cleaning the school grounds!
And so she used symbology to set the leaves on fire. It never occurred to her that what she was about to do was dangerous. In her time, there has never been a single case of fire accidents, for advanced technology made sure all goes well for everyone.
The silly little girl even clapped her hands as the fire spread quickly, pleased that the fire is doing its work, eating away the leaves. And then she'd be able to get away soon.
Pandemonium soon ensued. The poor instructor, could only cover her mouth in shock as the fire spread all over the school ground in a breathtaking pace, all the other children ran towards her, confused and afraid.
Sophia planned on sneaking out when she discovered she had no way out. The fire has spread so quickly that she was trapped in the center.
The fire continued closing in on her, and Sophia was too young to realize just how dangerous her situation was. She began to choke as the smoke filled her lungs. Sophia shook her head, sinking to the ground as she felt very weak, groggily wondering what's going to happen to her, the smoke stung her eyes, made them water and she could barely keep them open; Suddenly she felt an abrupt change in the atmosphere beside her. The last thing she saw through the hazy swirls was the shape of a boy, coughing as he too inhaled the offending smoke.
Fayt? How could that be possible? she thought as she succumbed to the darkness.
Fayt did appear, via teleport, it took him a minute to find Sophia lying on the ground, the smoke was so thick. The fire closed in on them rapidly, the heat was becoming more and more unbearable, while smoke made it difficult to breathe, but Fayt refused to leave without her. He nearly stumbled on her still form, but he was extremely relieved to find her at last, Fayt held her fast and gave out a command.
"Computer teleport us back."
When Sophia finally woke up, she was at the school clinic. For a moment she looked around her disoriented, until she saw a familiar face. Fayt sat on a chair beside the bed, apparently waiting for her to regain consciousness.
"What happened?" she asked weakly.
"I came back here fetch you, since you weren't home.
Then I heard there was fire in the school ground and nobody seemed to notice you were missing, they have assumed that you've played hooky again and sneaked out. Fortunately I saw you on the hall monitor and went to get you."
"The fire?"
"Oh that, well everyone never encountered fire like that one and so they were out of their wits for some time. Fortunately our principal remained calm and gave the command to the computer to extinguish all flames. It was really simple, but I guess the shock was too much."
"Will I get punished?" Sophia asked in dread.
"Ah! So you had a hand in this…" Fayt shook his head ruefully.
"If you won't tell them, I won't tell them." Fayt promised.
"Besides, they all think a faulty wire was the culprit."
Sophia sighed, relaxing.
"No one was hurt?" She asked.
Fayt's eyes hardened.
"No. No one got hurt, but you could have died!"
Sophia looked away.
"I wanted to go home, to go to Moonbase with you. I didn't want to stay and clean up, I thought if…"
"Hush. No need to explain. I'm just glad you're all right; Dad will be here soon, your folks would be here too. But I want you to promise me something."
Sophia looked up at him.
"Promise me you won't do something like this again, or I'll tell Uncle Clive to halt your symbology lessons."
"That's unfair!" She pouted.
"Well?" Fayt remained firm.
"All right! I promise!" She said grumpily.
Fayt shook his head ruefully, for Sophia, getting her promise is one thing, but making her keep it, is another thing. He didn't want to blackmail her, but it was the only way for her to keep it.
Yes, there were many things she could do to make Shirley's life hell, why she could set Shirley's hair on fire, and made sure she'd go bald for at least a few weeks, not to mention the horror the other girl would go through to find a dead snake on her locker, one that Sophia could easily steal from biology class, one that still reeked from formalin…or perhaps one of those hairy tarantulas that Fayt used to keep as pets?
Hehehe…Sophia chuckled wickedly, it would be a wondrous sight to see!
The sound of footsteps behind her halted her productive thoughts.
It was Fayt. His hair was still wet from shower. He smiled at her.
"Sorry for making you wait."
"That's all right." Sophia assured him, brushing the dust from her skirt as she stood up. She picked the trophy and admired it for a moment.
"The third one in a row." She murmured. "You guys are really the best." She praised.
Fayt smiled sheepishly. "We just do the best that we can."
He readjusted the backpack strap on his shoulder.
"Shall we? Where would you like to eat? My treat." He promised.
"There's no need." Sophia said, "All is ready back home."
Fayt shook his head in amazement. "You mean you went on with your plan? You were so sure we'll win huh?"
"Never doubted it." She replied. "You were the one who needs more confidence!"
Fayt just smiled, he caught her hand and squeezed it gently.
"Thanks."
"My pleasure." Sophia replied, smiling.
As they walked toward his vehicle, Fayt wondered at the great changes in her. Who would have thought the little hoyden would grow up to be a lady of refined tastes?
He remembered the time Sophia hacked off her pigtails and dressed in shirt and jeans so she would look like a boy. How horrified their moms were at that time.
Instead of dolls, Sophia played with guns and swords with him and climbed trees and bruised her knees and scraped her elbows.
Instead of playing tea parties, she would pretend to be a fire fighter and would jump in the fire truck they had built together to 'rescue' people, just like they saw in old movies.
They had also built their own tree house and imagined they were on deck of a great schooner of ages past and had pretended to be pirates on a quest to find the greatest treasure.
Seeing her now, it all seemed impossible.
Now, her hair was always neatly combed, her clothes properly pressed and immaculately clean.
Her fingernails were meticulously maintained. Her shoes were always polished, and her scent…she now always wear a flowery fragrance that pleases him. She never swears anymore, her manners always perfect, impeccable.
Gone was the little girl who couldn't care less if her clothes were dirty or she hadn't combed her hair, in its place is this young woman who is the epitome of feminity itself.
Where she once had boundless energy to cause tomfoolery, Sophia is now a genteel young lady who could not bring herself to harm a fly! Fayt mused to himself.
Why looking at her now, one would never guess that she was a little hoyden as a child. He wouldn't believe it himself had he not been with her all these years.
"Why are you smiling like that Fayt?" Sophia asked seeing his amused expression.
"Um nothing…just remembering a certain cheeky girl."
Reminded of Shirley, Sophia felt a little jealous.
"Do I know her?" She asked.
"Yes." He replied. "You certainly do, although I don't think you'd be pleased to talk about her." Fayt said.
Sophia fell quiet; Her suspicion confirmed. She couldn't believe that she could still feel hurt that Fayt was thinking about someone else when she's just beside him.
Perhaps she would never get used to it.
Fayt wondered at her sudden subdued mood. He couldn't place his finger on it but he sensed she was hurt somehow. As for the reason, he doesn't know where to start.
In silence, they rode home.
What brought about the changes in her, only Sophia alone knows. Fayt believed it was the influence of her girlfriends. But actually it started the first evening Fayt went up to her house to have dinner.
Ryoko had just called home and said something about getting back late, Fayt suddenly decided that he had enough of eating alone; his mind quickly made up, he went over to Sophia to invite her to join him. As it turned out, Sophia also eats her meals alone since both of her parents were busy with work too. She was overjoyed to have him with her.
It surprised him to discover that the little hoyden could actually prepare simple meals, and not those kind of meals bought out of the box either!
It was a simple dinner of fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, with creamed blueberries for an extra treat. But to Fayt, it was the best meal he had eaten since when, even he couldn't remember.
He had patted his tummy in satisfaction and declared with childish innocence.
"If I ever get to marry someday, I'd want her to be like you. Someone who still make homemade meals!"
He'd said it in a light tone, and possibly forgotten about it the next moment, but to Sophia, it made a great impact.
The greatest motivating factor was when she saw Fayt flirting with a girl called Susanne. Susanne was all a girl should be…neat and feminine, genteel and well groomed, never dirty, never rumpled, everything that Sophia is not. She was shocked to discover that she wanted Fayt to give her the same attention, to treat her as a girl, not as a little brother…
It hadn't been easy, she was so much used to being carefree and uninhibited, but a new friend helped her. Monica was the new girl in class and only Sophia was nice enough to befriend her. They were exactly opposites, but they found an ally in each other, for they both share a love for reading, gardening, pets and…dancing.
By the time Sophia was 12, she had learned to master her excessive outbursts. She no longer guffaws out loud, maintained perfect grooming, her manners impeccable and became a girl nobody expected, even her parents were shocked.
Her times with Monica also meant that she no longer hangs out with Fayt. She wanted to surprise him, was excited to see how he will react to the changes in her.
Well, as it turned out, Fayt merely looked at her up and down then laughed.
He laughed at her!
"Hey, it doesn't suit you at all! Skirts are for cuties, not for a tomboy like you!" Fayt chuckled.
Sophia was terribly hurt at his reaction, and of course made her really angry with him that she refused to talk to him for days.
She wanted to go back to being Sophia the Tomboy once more, but she found that she like the changes in her to revert back. She liked the way their neighbors bestow approving smiles on her, her teachers heap praises on her head and her parents were so pleased that their only child is no longer misbehaving …why everybody except Fayt appreciated the girl she has become…
It also caused strife between them, for Fayt didn't only fail to appreciate her changed ways, he mocked her and made fun of her. And to make matters worse, she began to plan his humiliation, and carried them out with some success.
Well they have been at each other's necks for months, until they finally reconciled at the winter vacation that same year.
Even at a young age, she and Fayt had often been left all alone, she had started to do the household chores to please her parents and was very much gratified with all the praises they lavished on her…yes the domesticity she had done to please her folks, to make up for her mischievous adventures…but being a girl…a true girl, one who does not misbehave, one who is everyone's darling little angel…she did it so that Fayt would notice her.
Well, it didn't work. Fayt would always see her as a friend.
And it's not as if her efforts were wasted.
Other boys gave her undivided attention, and she has become one of the cutest girls on campus, one of the most sought after. Why she was actually nominated as one of the most popular girl in school! She, Sophia Esteed, the little girl who used to romp about in the neighborhood, all muddied and dusty and sometimes with cobwebs still clinging to her hair, her face covered in grime from her latest adventure and horribly freckled from the sun. Their neighbors used to shake their heads and declare her totally hopeless…
Anyway, who could blame them, when other girls of her age were busy studying music and other fine arts, she was out with Fayt, exploring abandoned old buildings, climbing the highest tree they could find, all the time knowing that they'll be severely punished if they were caught.
She had spent these last 5 years pleasing others; Well it's about time she pleases herself! Sophia thought in mutiny.
She would begin by not pining away her life on Fayt! She would start dating and—
"We're here." Fayt said.
It took her a moment to realize that they were in front of her house. Startled for she didn't notice how they got there.
"You were light years away." Fayt noted. "What were you thinking?"
A blush made her look guilty. Sophia shook her head.
"It's nothing really. Come let's go."
As they went inside, Fayt continued to stare at her, wondering what's on her mind. Once, he could read her just like an open book, but now…she has learned to hide her feelings, where once she was unashamed to let the whole universe listen to what she wanted to say. Once, but not anymore.
Fayt wondered for the hundredth time if he liked all changes he saw in her.
Later that night.
"Sorry we weren't able to make it." Robert apologized as they all sat down on the family room.
"We promised to make it up to you next time." Ryoko said patting her son's hand.
Fayt shook his head.
"It's all right, I know you got work to do."
The inter-university basketball championship was held earlier that afternoon, Fayt had wanted his parents to be there, to watch him play victoriously against the other team. But only Sophia was there to cheer for him.
Their team won, and he was given the MVP award. But only Sophia was there to share his joy.
But he had learned not to expect too much. It was less disappointing that way.
"As a matter of fact," Robert continued, "to make up to you, we had decided to take a few days leave. How does a few days' vacation in Hyda IV sound?"
His eyes lit up.
"Really dad? That would be great! I heard they have the latest games installed in there!"
Ryoko shook her head. "Games again."
"Why don't you call Sophia and ask her to come with us. Clive and Kyoko left for that medical seminar, she shouldn't be left all alone." Robert said.
"That's great. I'll go and tell her right away." Fayt stood up, and headed for the door.
"Right. Tell her to be ready by tomorrow night, we'll leave the day after tomorrow. And oh, Fayt? Tell her not to worry about the expenses." His father called out after him.
"Sure dad."
Instead of calling her, Fayt hurried to her place. Sophia lived in the house just across his.
As usual he burst inside without knocking.
"Hey Sophia! I've got great news." He called out.
Just then, she came out wearing a blue bathrobe one that was almost the exact shade of her eyes. Apparently, she had just finished her evening bath.
"Well, what are you so excited about?" She asked, drying her hair.
For a moment he stood there, realizing not for the first time that she's no longer the little girl who used to romp in the grass with him.
And he wondered not for the first time how wonderful it would be to have the right to touch her, to hold her…
At night his dreams were filled of her, laughing, serious, sad…in his dreams she was his, his to caress, to hold, to kiss…and she gave him all that he sought and more…He wanted her. Sophia. His childhood friend.
"Fayt Leingod!" Sophia cried indignantly. She noticed the interest he took in her bust, she had caught him many times before but she had never gotten used to his scrutiny in the changes in her body.
Fayt shook his head mentally, he must be going mad! This is Sophia, his childhood friend. But ever since her breasts started to show, he had been having a hard time thinking of her as his friend. And she has long, sleek legs he itched to stroke.
Lord! Who would have thought the tomboy would become this beautiful?
Chalking it down to raging hormones, Fayt tried to shake it off. He's already 19 for goodness sake! Isn't it about time he put a leash on his male urges?
Besides he had promised himself he would wait…Huh? Wait? For What?
She's 17 already, and a very matured 17 at that.
Others of her age had already changed and discarded boyfriends as if they were nothing more like the wall paper they select for their quad scanners…and he didn't want Sophia to treat him the same way, he wanted her to cherish their relationship as if he was the last boy on the whole universe.
That he sounded like a hopeless dreamer, Fayt didn't deny. Well at least he didn't declare it to the world…
He had tried to fight it of at first, this attraction to her. In fact he even dated other girls, because what Sophia made him feel, scared him.
He wanted a comfortable relationship, one different from his parents. Not that he disapprove of Robert and Ryoko' s devotion to one another, but the mere fact that his father is nothing more but putty in Ryoko's hands made Fayt extremely uncomfortable. Imagine Robert Leingod, the most brilliant man in the whole galaxy, wrapped around his wife's little finger! Fayt didn't want to give anyone, that kind of power over him. No sir, not him!
So he had set out a search for the girl who would love him senseless but didn't pose a threat to his precious male ego.
The fact that they, all his ex girlfriends have the same hair and eye color that Sophia have, should have made him wary. A cheap imitation to Sophia's bright blue eyes nor the rich chocolate of her hair, but nevertheless a near imitation! It's as if he was trying to find a substitute for Sophia, but he didn't notice it! Not until recently, when a friend pointed it out to him.
Which made him panic a little. Hence Shirley, the busty blond with errrr… he couldn't remember the color of Shirley's eyes.
And it was mistake. Shirley's cloying sweetness only made him want to wash his hands afterwards. He didn't dare kiss her, knowing too well how many boys have put their tongues in her mouth!
It wasn't a nice thing to think about, Fayt knew, and he never should have shown her interest, even if it was a mere glance, but he was mightily glad it was over.
And that was when he finally admitted to himself the truth. Whether he wanted it or not, whether he willed it or not. He's caught.
Trapped.
By this beauty he called friend.
Oh the gods must have been happily planning his downfall. Fayt thought for the hundredth time. He didn't want to love anyone. Caring? Yes. Affectionate? Yes.
But this intense love for someone that makes him forget everything, himself and the rest…a love that consumed him, making him feel as if nothing else mattered but that she'd be happy, even if she finds happiness in the arms of someone else! This aching tenderness he felt for her, wanting to cherish her, to coddle her…That he'd gladly lay aside his own needs, his very life if needed just to fulfill her wishes, should have made him afraid, and yet he's not!…He didn't want to love her! Dammit!
But there it was. As sure as the heart that beats beneath his breast pumps blood not fire…ah but desire burned him as painfully as any flame…and it was no use denying it.
Trying to keep her at arm's length had burned him good. Seeing those boys follow her like besotted pups had made him jealous. So jealous in fact, that he chased those meddling pups away, nearly going berserk in the process. Of course Sophia didn't know he was the reason why the boys stopped calling.
She has become an essential part of his being…and he was not about to give her up without a fight!
But first he must win her over. Not make her suspicious, he must be subtle enough that she won't mistake his intentions and yet not bold enough to cause her to bolt away!
Easier said than done. Why every time he's with her all he could think was that she's so beautiful and that he wanted to please her and make her happy and would gladly act the fool just to hear her laugh.
Not to mention the frank erotic thoughts that follows every time he looked at her face, her mouth…Ah but she's turned him to a brainless putty already!
"Errr…sorry about that." He said. Trying to focus elsewhere. With his other girlfriends before, he never had trouble keeping his hands off nor stopping his eyes from straying to forbidden territory. Sophia seemed to mock his efforts by doing nothing and yet making him wonder what's beneath her clothing. And he is not completely alien to the female anatomy!
Sophia wrinkled her nose. Wondering what was going on with Fayt. He's been acting strangely more and more lately.
"I came here to ask you if you would like to come with us to Hyda IV."
"Hyda IV?" Sophia clapped her hands together in excitement; everyone has been discussing the new beach resort, the one that was too expensive for common folks to enjoy. She'll be the envy of many!
Then she remembered that her parents left this morning. She couldn't possibly leave without asking permission first.
"But mom and dad left this morning. I have to call them first."
"Okay. Don't worry about the money. Dad said all has been taken care of, you just bring all the stuff you need."
After a rather lengthy call to her parents, a time in which he took great pleasure just watching her, making him feel like a besotted fool, but helpless to free himself…
Fayt had learned to accept it. That to fight against it, would only drive him insane…he had made up his mind to make her his.
Finally, Sophia turned off the communicator. She beamed at Fayt.
"Dad said it's okay for me to come with you." She was so excited that she danced in place.
"Hyda IV! I can't believe it! When do we leave?"
"Umm…a…the…I mean the day after tomorrow." Fayt said in a distracted tone. When Sophia moved, her breasts swayed, nearly spilling out of her robe, taking hold of his attention, that he found speech nearly impossible. Now she has reduced him to a bumbling idiot!
"Be ready by tomorrow night okay?"
Sweating profusely, despite the low temperature, Fayt bid her a hasty goodbye and quickly retreated before he disgraced himself further.
Bewildered Sophia looked at the door he had slammed in his haste to get away. Something is definitely wrong with Fayt, she thought to herself.
Muttering something about boys and their strange behavior, Sophia punched a new number on her communicator.
"Monica? Are you busy tomorrow? No? Good! Would you come with me tomorrow afternoon? Shopping of course! What else?"
And in excited tones told her friend that she'll be going to Hyda IV. Fayt and his odd behavior forgotten.
S.D 772. Hyda IV
Hyda IV was a beautiful resort planet, truly a blue gem in the galaxy.
The sun felt wonderful, Fayt thought, admiring the beautiful beach with its crystal clear water and white sands. There were plenty of tourists around the beach, from different races. Sophia and his parents went down ahead of him. He had told her he would play a few games and would join her later. So here he is.
Fayt scanned around until he found her.
Sophia sat on her heels on the sand, building a sand castle with two earthling children. She was happily showing the kids how to build a castle complete with a moat that she didn't see Fayt as he stood from a distance.
He drank in her presence, noting how beautiful she looked, with her cheeks red from the sun, her blue eyes alive with excitement and her hair caught neatly in a chignon. He noticed a childish pink cat design printed on the right hip of her white swim suit, but there was nothing childish about the body beneath the suit…No siree, the neck was cut modestly so as to show little cleavage, but the fabric clung to her body like second skin, her breasts were small but perfectly shaped and he couldn't help but imagine holding them, shaping them in his hands, how many times had he wondered how her nipples looked like, what color are they, brown? or pink? Perhaps a deeper red than her tongue? And he ached to stroke them until they were hard buds begging for his touch, seeking the warmth of his mouth…and her legs, gods have mercy! They looked so smooth, so sleek, How many times had he imagined them wrapped around his waist? They were so slim and long she'd have no difficulty imprisoning his body to hers, not that he'd mind, it would be sheer ecstasy to lie with her, their limbs entwined, drinking her cries of pleasure even as he d—
With a start, Fayt jerked his roving eyes away, feeling his body respond, this is not what he needed right now!
She's Sophia. Fayt reminded himself again and again. He simply cannot march to her and drag her to the nearest bed and have his way with her! Besides, she's not like any other girls he had dated before…she's Sophia.
Knowing that the sun had nothing to do with the heat in his blood, Fayt, looked at the sea. If he took a swim, the coolness of the water might help, but if Sophia joins him…no matter if he's swimming with a block of ice in his trunks, there would be nothing he could do to stop his one eyed head from making an appearance. A manifestation that would definitely turn her away in disgust!
Deciding that retreat was a wiser course than valor, Fayt walked back unnoticed.
'There is no other way.' He thought to himself, he has little if none control over his body right now, not to mention that his swimming trunks' bound to let everyone know from age 10 up what that peculiar bulge meant…to expose this weakness would only drive her away and he'll hate himself for that.
She wore a decent swim suit, it wasn't even the two piece bikini type that left little to imagination and yet she has the power to tempt the very eyes out of his head!
Deciding that tiring himself in games would be the best solution to keep his erotic fantasies from becoming a physical manifestation, Fayt spent all his energy in the battle simulator.
Later…
As he collapsed on the hotel sofa, Fayt was startled when somebody handed him a drink.
"Here you go!"
It was Sophia. Fayt moved a bit to give space to sit.
"Ah, hi, Sophia… You startled me. I thought you were swimming down at the beach."
"I was waiting for you, but you never came! You said you'd play a few games and then head right over…" Sophia pouted.
Fayt raked his head for an appropriate answer.
"Uh… I'm sorry! I didn't plan on staying so long, but I got kinda sucked in…"
"All right, well, that's what I thought happened. Didn't you say you had 'tons of homework to do' before we came to Hyda, anyway?" She reminded him.
Her tone said that he should have spent time on doing his homework rather than play games.
"But I was fighting so well today! And I leveled up a lot too, you know." He said excitedly.
"Yeah, yeah. How nice for you." There was a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Hmm, someone's in a bad mood today."
"What do you expect? You'd rather play games than hang out at the beach with me!" Sophia blurted before she could think of it.
"Sophia?" Fayt said hesitatingly.
"Hmph!" She presented her back to him.
"You aren't…mad are you?" He asked tentatively.
"I'm not mad!" But her voice gave her away.
"Do you…wanna go to the beach?"
"I swam enough. While somebody I know was having the time of his life, playing games all by himself!"
"So… Do you want to take a walk through the hotel? I bet it'll be fun. What do you say? C'mon! Please! Pretty please!?" He looked so boyish as he pleaded with her.
"Hmm, well, if you want to hang out with me that badly, I guess it's all right…" Sophia considered, smiling.
"Great, let's go. Time's a wastin'!" Fayt offered his hand.
"Okay!" Sophia nodded as she took it. Then they walked back to her hotel room.
Outside her room, Fayt stood waiting a little impatiently.
'Boy, she sure is taking forever! I bet she's making me wait on purpose!' He thought to himself.
Just then the door opened and Sophia walked out wearing a pink tanktop and jeans.
"Hi, Fayt!"
"Took you long enough! What were you doing all that time?"
"Just changing. I didn't take that long did I? Besides, you kept me waiting—how long was it? Serves you right!"
"Right, right…"
"Shall we?" Sophia clung to his left arm.
"Okay, just don't yank my arm off!!"
He didn't mean to sound so abrupt, but the feel of her soft skin as she held on to his arm brought back images, images he'd best not entertain right now.
Sophia let go of his arm and followed him as they walked together around the hotel.
She giggled as they walked about the lobby, meeting people from other planets. It was beautiful and she enjoyed it immensely.
The two walked around not knowing about the next events that would change the course of their lives for ever.
Next: Chapter 3
Author's note:
The reason why I made young Sophia's childhood so different from what she is at present is because I firmly believe that most of us had a different personality as a child than what we are as an adult. Some were shy as a child only to become boisterous adults…
Anyway, I didn't want Sophia to be such a boring, goody-two shoes all the time. I wanted to make her a bit naughtier, although I'm not sure if I have succeeded.
I also believed that if Sophia was such a delicate child, then she and Fayt wouldn't have become close friends, I mean how would they get along? Imagine Fayt playing tea parties with Sophia's dolls!
I know I should be moving on with the rest of the story, but I couldn't help myself…it had been fun trying to portray Sophia as a little hoyden.
As one should recognize, I took the exact script from the game for the later part of the chapter.
Errr…I did write this story as a 'prelude' to a heavy 'lemony' chapter in the future, but I guess I gave the rating prematurely, sorry about that!
Once again thanks for the lovely reviews. It's good to know I'm not alone!
"We Exist."
Puffy.