Chapter 28
(Sophia's POV)
I walked into the house, feeling Takeda's hand resting on my hip as we slip off our shoes. While most of the lights in the house were off I couldn't ignore the loud off key singing dancing around the house. Takeda and I share a look and we both move, walking into the living room.
I pause, seeing my father sitting on the couch, drinking a bottle of whiskey in the dark and watching a show. Upon further examination I realize it wasn't a show but the homemade video of my fourth birthday my mother sent my father. I feel a few tears rim my eyes as I take in the table full of kids and parents.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you," everyone sings, my brother pulling me in for a big hug "Happy birthday Sophia, happy birthday to you."
Tears stream down my face when the camera moves, showing my mother's smiling face "Happy birthday baby girl!" she places a kiss on my cheek "Daddy and I love you so much!"
"Blow out the candles!" my brother cheers.
I turn looking at my father downing another large drink. Takeda squeezes my hand, a silent reminder he'd be nearby and he moves, walking into the kitchen. I move, hearing people cheering and my mother saying something about presents after cake and grab the remote. It freezes the picture on moms face and I set down the remote, kneeling in front of my crying father.
"Dad?" I whisper softly "Daddy?"
Only when I place a hand on his knee does he look at me. I smile softly, tears running down my face when he completely breaks down.
"I'm sorry Sophia!" He sobs, pulling me into a hug "I'm so sorry!"
I grab the bottle, placing it on the table and hug him tighter "It's okay daddy, it's okay..." I whisper through my tears "It's okay..."
..
..
I blink, hearing a few things banging around down stairs. I lift my head off Takeda's chest and look at the male under me. After spending most of an hour crying with my father Takeda tucked him into bed on the couch and carried me into my room. As a third bang is heard downstairs we both bolt from the bed, making our way down the hall. When we reach the room I pause, seeing my father loading things into a large cardboard box.
"Dad?!" I ask nervously. Oh my god, was he running again?!
He smiles softly "Sophia."
I couldn't hide my worry "What are you doing?"
As I step into the room he smiles softly, taking my hands "I'm bowing out gracefully." When my eyes fill with tears he wipes one away "You were right, what you said, you were right. I have been blaming everyone around me; I've been trying to control you. I need some time to find myself..." he sighs "I'm getting a place down town; you two can stay in the house."
"You're leaving?"
"Not forever..." he sighs deeply, setting a shirt of the bed "I'm just tired of fighting with you Sophia, you don't deserve it."
..
..
"So he's just leaving?" Kozue asks.
I toss my hands up, falling on her couch "apparently."
"And how are you doing with all this?" Baki adds, causing me shrug once more
"I feel like I should be happy but my dad hasn't had the best track record. Getting an apartment downtown could be code for moving to Canada."
Kinyou places a warm mug of tea in my hands and places her palm on my cheek "Just give him some time. This is a big change for him."
"Yeah..." I try to smile
"What about this one?" I turn, looking at one of the dresses Kozue was holding. I shrug forcing another smile and I see hers drop a bit "Sophia..."
"I know," I sigh, clutching my head with my hands "I'm trying I swear."
"Is this just about your dad?" By then my sister had reached me, taking her hand in mine "Is there something else going on? You've been off, even before everything with your dad."
I open my mouth, trying to form the words and feel them die on my lips when HIS face flashes through my mind. I'd been spending every waking moment at Kozue's house studying for our finals. Spending the night there meant Doyle never came and as the days trekked on, I felt the nightmares growing stronger. I'd woken up a few times in a panicked sweat and after Kozue began to notice I'd force myself to stay awake so I wouldn't bother her sleep. With so little sleep I'd started using concealer to cover up the bags.
It was only the grace of god that I made it through my finals with as confidence as I had. Okay fine, even if I failed every test, I'd still graduate but I wanted to keep my GPA as close to the other years as possible. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. This was beyond frustrating. We were as close as sisters could be, could talk about anything, say anything. I trusted her with my life and would gladly give mine for her but I couldn't say it. I couldn't move my body let alone my mouth.
He paralyzed me with fear.
"I'm fine." I shake out my body, trying to rid myself of this numbness and smile softly "The blue one looks better, the wide skirt will draw attention to your small hips. A mermaid style would be better. You got an ass, show it off."
She elbows me lightly and turns, looking at the rows of fancy graduation dresses "Do you have a dress in mind."
"Uh, I saw a pretty one closer to the front." I make my way towards the door, trying to find the white lacy dress with a high slit up the middle. I watch Kozue browse through a few dresses and stop before my dress. I run my hands down the smooth lace and smile. It was a thinner material that would hug my curves. While Kozue was attracted to the glittery dresses it was the simplicity and elegance of this dress that caught my eye.
I stop walking, seeing Yanagi staring at me again. He was standing in the corner of the mall, plainly watching me yet carefully hidden. I feel my mouth open as he stares. Why he was following me? His eyes were like daggers stabbing into my chest. I watch his hands move, carefully lifting a fry to his mouth and take a bite.
Chew.
Chew.
A stabbing pain echoes in my head, each chew was another attack on my senses.
Chew.
Everyone around me faded away.
Chew.
The mall grew quiet and I'm sure I could hear his voice if he whispered.
Chew.
Chew.
Swallow.
I lift a hand to my throat, the flesh felt raw like I'd swallowed glass.
He moves, taking a step towards me.
I step back.
Run, please just run...
but I can't, my legs feel dead.
He smiles again, taking another step-
"Earth to Sophia!"
I flinch in pain when reality snaps back into place, the noise of the mall hits my ears like an explosion and I stumble to the left when a hand hits my shoulder. Kozue was laughing, holding a frilly pink dress but the dress hits the floor when she grabs my arms, steadying my body. "Woah easy!"
I stumble again as she yanks me towards her and pushing off of her I finally find my balance. I feel my heart beating rapidly, only slowing as I feel her smaller hands squeezing my arms. Moments after a second pair of hands grabs my hips. My back hits a firm chest and we stand there, the three of us. I knew it was Baki. Kozue had this big idea about matching colors and had somehow convinced both boys to meet us at the mall.
Only Kozue's hands loosen, her worried eyes boring into me "Seriously Sophia, what's wrong? You're starting to scare me..."'
I felt my legs tingle, the blood coming back. I breathe through my nose, feeling that tight band release and my heart calm down.
I shake my head, seeing Kaoru walking towards us. "It doesn't matter."
His eyes take in the scene and narrow. I bite my cheek, tapping Baki's hands and thankfully he releases me. Kozue steps beside him and I sigh, rubbing my head. This would not end well. I turn looking back at Yanagi and shouldn't have been surprised when he was gone. When I look back his eyes were already scanning the crowd
"It's nothing, I just thought I saw someone."
"Which someone?" Baki questions and I take the dress off the rack, force a smile and glance at my boyfriend.
"Kaoru, how do feel about white?"
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(Kaoru's POV)
We were at the office, Sophia and I. I glanced at her quietly, watching her rub her head for the firth time and bite back the urge to say anything. It was always the same three responses.
"I'm okay."
"It's nothing."
"It will pass soon."
I couldn't get anything further from her and after the incident at the mall I knew better than to push. My eyes rise when her phone goes off. She looks at it, tapping her pencil against her books and nonchalantly answers.
"Hello?"
...
"Yes, this is Sophia."
...
"Yes. What is this about?"
I watch her shuffle the phone, sitting up quickly, her full attention on the call.
"What?! Is he okay?!"
I set down my pen.
"When?"
I watch her shove her books into her bag on the floor.
"Have you called my father?"
...
"Alright, um..." she rubs her head "How long?"
...
"Can he wait?"
...
"No, of course I understand." she sighs "Yes, I give verbal consent. Just do what you need to do, I'll be there soon."
...
"Good bye."
"Who was that?"
"The hospital. My brother's not doing well. He needs surgery and I have to sign the stupid papers because my fathers not answering his phone and I'm the only next of kin."
I watch her stand, grabbing a few things and move out of my chair when she suddenly tips forwards. Her hand slaps against the wall, stopping her head on collision. She groans lightly and turns her head away from me. She didn't want me to see it but I don't miss the way her eyes shut, the look of pure exhaustion marring her face.
"Sophia."
"I'm okay," she replies, breathlessly and not at all convincingly "I just..." she chuckles painfully "I just moved to fast..."
I grab her hand as she zips up her bag "Sophia, you need to stop. Your body can't take much more of this."
She sighs, smiling softly "I don't have a choice." her hand moves to my cheek "You know better than anyone that we make sacrifices for family."
Her words cut me deep. Killing any anger or opportunity for disagreeing. She was right. I'd be the biggest hypocrite if I called her out.
"At least let me take you to the hospital."
She shakes her head "You have work. I'll phone Shiba."
I wanted to argue but her eyes were ghostly. I didn't want to add more stress in her life "Okay..."
The soft kiss I place on her lips was gently returned then she's walking down the hall, phone in hand.
"Hey Shiba, its Sophia."
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