Chapter 19 is ready! I don't own Resident Evil. Enjoy!
A New Revolution
A Resident Evil and OC Story
By SamuraiWriter
Chapter 19: A Compassionate Understanding
"Please, go first." Ramón said. He placed an end of his cue stick onto the ground, twirling it around gently and almost carelessly. His eyes were pasted onto Sophie, as well as other eyes.
Sophie gulped and nodded, raising her cue stick. She placed half of the stick onto the pool table, while the other half stuck off the table. Sophie bent her upper body a bit and placed her index and middle finger near the tip of the cue stick. The cue stick was in the direction of the white billiard ball. After getting a good view of the white ball, Sophie pushed the stick forward, causing the white ball to roll across the pool table and separate the other balls.
Nothing went in, but the balls went a good distance. Billy watched with anticipation, gripping onto Sophie's purse.
Ramón smirked and walked to the side nearest to the white billiard ball. Spectators moved back a bit to give him space, but only moved up again to see Ramón play. Getting into position, the Spanish man placed the tip of the cue stick down and in front of the white billiard ball. He moved, pushing the white billiard ball with great force.
Many people watched as the white ball rolled across the green cloth, and collided against the eight-ball. The eight-ball smacked against the cushion wall and rolled into a pocket with ease.
People clapped, Billy rolled his eyes, and Sophie blinked. She gripped onto her cue stick as she watched Ramón take another turn.
'I can't win!' Sophie thought. 'I already know it.'
Ramón duplicated the same position, placing the tip of the stick down near the white billiard ball. He pushed the white ball with great force, and it smacked against the nine-ball. The nine-ball smacked against cushion wall and then the ten-ball. It went into a pocket, leaving the ten-ball rolling into another pocket.
Spectators rejoiced for Ramón, while Billy only snorted and gave him a thumbs-down. Sophie didn't say anything and only stared at the pool table and the balls. She held a good grip onto the cue stick.
Ramón went again, but this time, the seven-ball just missed the pocket. The crowd expressed a slight disappointment, but still held their support strong. Ramón only shrugged and stood up straight, holding onto his cue stick.
Sophie nodded and moved over to the side where the white billiard ball was. She positioned her body into the correct pose and pressed the tip of the stick onto the pool table. Marking her shot, she pushed the white ball with great force. The white ball collided with the three-ball and the three-ball smacked against cushion wall, giving the seven-ball the push into the pocket.
Spectators looked surprised and shared a little congrats for Sophie; Billy was the loudest.
"Yeah!!" Billy yelled, clenching his fist with delight.
Sophie let out a sigh of relief and regained her focus onto the game. She took a glance at Ramón, who looked calm as ever.
Sophie went again. She pushed the white ball with great force and it smashed against two other balls; the fourteen-ball and the one-ball. The two separated and went into the pockets across from each other.
More people clapped, and Billy grinned with happiness. He gave Ramón a smug look, but Ramón didn't notice, as he was too indulged in the game and Sophie's surprising skills. Still, some spectators weren't cheering for Sophie, as their devotion lied with Ramón.
Sophie was even surprised at herself. Sophie never had an interest in pool. But the sound of cheering fans and the feeling of increasing success slowly lured her towards the enjoyment.
Sophie moved around the table so she could get another good shot. She got into the correct and common position and placed the tip of the cue stick onto the pool table. She charged the stick onto the white billiard ball and the ball collided with the eleven-ball. The eleven-ball went into a pocket, but not without smacking the six-ball. The six-ball stopped just centimeters from another pocket.
Billy bit his lip with frustration. 'No! So close!' he shouted through his head.
Sophie pressed the tip against the pool table and close to the white billiard ball. Sophie was ready to hit the ball and hopefully, get the six-ball into the pocket. Unfortunately, her bullet wound released a quick, but sharp, pain throughout Sophie's body. The pain effected her shot, much to her dismay.
When she took her shot, the white billiard ball smacked the cushion wall and failed to hit the six-ball. Instead, it lightly tapped the three-ball.
A feeling of disappointment swept over Sophie and Billy, while a feeling of relief came over Ramón. Fans of Ramón felt relief as well and expressed it through small claps.
As Sophie walked back to Billy, Ramón walked up to the pool table. The tip of his cue stick met the pool table and he created a good view for his shot. Readying his move, Ramón placed his move in reality. The white billiard ball bumped against the three-ball and it rolled into the pocket with ease.
Fans cheered while Sophie and Billy just watched. Ramón displayed a smirk and it directed it at Sophie, but she didn't notice him. She was too busy looking at the pool table and gently rubbing her wound. Seeing the slightly painful look on Sophie's face, Ramón felt an emotion of sadness hit him.
'I wonder what's wrong.' Ramón thought.
The Spanish man shook the thought off as the crowd's cheers died down. Ramón got into position and readied his shot. He pushed his cue stick onto the white ball and watched it bump against the six-ball, pushing it into the pocket.
Fans cheered once more, which made Billy curse underneath his breath. Sophie remained quiet and calmly gazed over the current image of the pool table. Her calmness fascinated Ramón, as he couldn't believe Sophie kept a good poker face throughout the game so far.
Ramón readied his shot, pressing the tip against the pool table. The white billiard ball was closest to the thirteen-ball, but it was a distance away from it. After checking his range, Ramón put on a smirk and made his shot. The white ball sprint down the pool table, smacking against the thirteen-ball. The thirteen-ball then quickly rolled down the table, heading straight for a pocket and the five-ball. The thirteen-ball then smacked against the five-ball, sending the five-ball straight into another direction. As well as the thirteen-ball, the five-ball went into a pocket.
This move fascinated many spectators and fans, while it only made Billy angrier. "That son of a bitch…" he muttered.
Suddenly, Billy received a jab to the stomach. Billy clenched his stomach and looked to the person that punched him…which was the elderly woman.
"Don't you call that hunk of a man such a word!" the elderly woman told him. "You're no better, now."
"Yes ma'am." Billy muttered, rubbing his stomach.
Ramón smirked with delight, while Sophie only titled her head to the side in waiting. Seeing that she was slightly clueless about this situation, Ramón went on ahead and took his turn. Pressing the tip of the cue stick to the pool table, he pushed the white billiard ball with force.
The white ball rolled across the green cloth and near the two-ball. It bumped against it, but the two-ball didn't go into a pocket this time. Instead, it rested against cushion wall.
Sophie's eyes widened for a split second and she readied her cue stick. Ramón back away from the table and watched Sophie get into her position.
Instead of aiming for the two-ball, Sophie decided to aim for the four-ball, which wasn't far off from the fifteen-ball. Readying her shot, she pushed the white billiard ball with intense force. The white ball flew down the pool table and smacked the four-ball, which flew into another direction. It rolled to a pocket, slowly but surely, entering a pocket.
There were claps, the loudest being from Billy. "Yes!" Billy shouted, clapping more.
Sophie smiled in happiness, while Ramón smiled as well. He found himself being sharing happiness for Sophie's short victory, for a reason he didn't understand. It toyed with him the more he gazed at Sophie's smile, and even if he looked away, the memory would give him a short feeling of frustration.
After moving to another side of the pool table, Sophie aimed her cue stick for the white billiard ball. She made her shot and watched the ball collide with the fifteen-ball. The fifteen-ball went in with ease, which earned her an applause.
"Good." Sophie muttered, smiling to herself. Only the two-ball and the twelve-ball were left, and the tension rose between Sophie and Ramón.
Ramón was feeling a bit discouraged, as this was the closest anyone has gotten in defeating him yet. Ramón won all of his pool matches. The man was good, and he knew it. People respected him because of his pool status and suave attitude. Though, Sophie interested him like no one has interested him before…and Ramón liked it.
Sophie aimed her cue stick to the twelve-ball, which was a distance away from the nearest pocket. Assuring her aim, Sophie made a shot. She watched as the white billiard ball smacked the twelve-ball, entering the pocket slowly. People applauded Sophie, and she shyly smiled and nodded at them.
Only one ball remained, and Billy was happy. He knew Sophie was going to win this game, and that he would successfully receive his money back from Ramón. He was ecstatic, but decided to remain calm so he wouldn't receive another jab in the stomach from the elderly woman.
Ramón was getting a bit worried. What is Sophie actually won? His winning streak would be ruined, and maybe even his reputation. He did not want that to happen. However, Ramón had a striking feeling in the back of his head that would careless whether Sophie won. That feeling made him ponder on Sophie.
Taking a gulp, Sophie got into her position and pressed the tip of the cue stick onto the pool table. The white billiard ball was a good distance from the two-ball, though it was still somewhat of a 50/50 chance. Summoning all of her courage, Sophie finally made her shot.
The white billiard ball rolled across the green cloth with high speed. It smacked the two-ball, stopping at the same spot the two-ball was previously in. The two-ball rolled straight, heading for the pocket across from it. People moved in and watched the ball closely, with Sophie, Billy, and Ramón paying extra close attention to where the ball was going.
Finally, the two-ball went into the pocket. The game was over. It was official; Sophie had won.
There was a loud cheer and Billy rejoiced by embracing Sophie. Ramón stared at the pool table with shock, his gaze meeting with only the white billiard ball. He was shocked.
"I can't believe it." Ramón whispered. He then directed his gaze to Sophie, who was being playfully attacked by a happy Billy. Soon, Ramón felt a smile curl onto his lips.
Adjusting his glasses, Ramón walked over to the Sophie and Billy. Billy stopped moving Sophie around once he had Ramón in his eyesight. Soon, Sophie got out of Billy's grasp and turned around to Ramón. Seeing that the Spanish man had something to say, everyone quieted down to respect him.
"In all my years of playing pool, no one has ever beaten me. You have truly surprised me, and have broken my winning streak. I bid you congratulations, and I reward you with the 800 dollars I won from your friend here, plus the 500 I promised." Ramón said.
With that, Ramón reached into his pocket and pulled out a huge wad of money that made Billy's jaw drop. Ramón pulled out the correct amount of money and handed it to Sophie with a smile, placing the rest in his pocket.
Sophie grabbed the money with a smile and nod. She counted the amount to see if the total was correct. However, Sophie pulled out money that seemed to surprise Billy and Ramón.
"I'm sorry, but I can't take this extra 500 dollars." Sophie said, which earned her a shocked and disappointed look from Billy.
"What?! Why not?" Billy asked, sounded shocked. Ramón didn't say anything and only titled his head to the side in confusion.
"I just don't feel right taking this money. Please take it back." Sophie said with her naturally gentle voice.
Ramón blinked, not quite understanding this situation. However, he accept his 500 dollars back and placed it into his pocket. "Uh, gracias." Ramón said.
Sophie nodded and smiled. "Thank you. It was a wonderful game and you were a great opponent." she said.
With that, Sophie turned to leave, Billy right behind her. Billy expressed his opinion on Sophie's decision to give the extra money back, as he was not sound happy about it. The entire time Sophie and Billy walked away, Ramón's eyes were pasted to Sophie.
'Sophie…'
Sophie stared out at Los Angeles from the balcony of the mansion, admiring the city's lights and other attractions. The famous Hollywood Sign was visible from the balcony.
A glass of root beer rested in Sophie's hands as her arms hung over the balcony. She wasn't really a drinker, and a root beer was the only thing that quenched her thirst for soft drinkers. Billy was off playing games, possibly losing like last time. Sophie had specifically told him that she wasn't going to get him out of any more problems.
Knowing that Sheva was someplace that she was comfortable with, Sophie finally had some peace.
"Lovely night, isn't it?" came a familiar voice.
Sophie turned around her head to the side and saw Ramón, a smile pasted to his face. His hands were in his pockets and his glasses were off his face.
After knowing who it was, Sophie nodded. "Yes. Quite late, though." she said.
Ramón released a chuckle. "Si. That it is."
There was a pause between the two after Ramón has spoken. Then, Sophie decided to break the silence barrier that took present.
"You are a fantastic pool player." Sophie said, giving him a smile.
Ramón looked at Sophie nodded. "Gracias, mamacita. Mi padre taught me how to play ever since I was four." he said.
"It showed in the game." Sophie added.
"What showed?"
"You're talent."
"So did yours."
"…" Sophie blinked.
Ramón blinked after her. "Something wrong?"
"It's just…I'm not…a professional like you." Sophie said, turning back to gaze of Los Angeles once more.
Ramón smirked and chuckled. "You do not have to be a pro to beat a pro. You proved that in the game. You have great potential in pool, and that also showed in our game." he said.
"Tell me," Ramón said. "you are more than meets the eye, right?"
Sophie stayed silent for a moment until finally saying something. "I don't understand what you are saying."
"Are you involved in the 'Devil's work'? You know, criminal activities?" Ramón said, his words a bit changed.
At the sound of his words, Sophie looked down at her root beer. The ice moved around just a tad bit. "Yes." Sophie answered, her voice sounding a bit shameful.
Ramón noticed the tone of her voice and it made him chuckle. "Sophie, almost everyone here is a criminal. If not a criminal, the relative or friend of a criminal. No need to feel ashamed."
"So you're a criminal, too?" Sophie asked.
"Si. A mobster to be precise." Ramón answered.
"…"
Ramón raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"
Sophie looked at him. "How do you know my name?"
"Your friend told me. Well, he actually kind of blurted it out."
'Thanks a lot, Billy.' Sophie thought. She turned her head back to the skyline of Los Angeles.
It was indeed a wonderful night. The wind started to blow, but the romantic atmosphere stayed in its place. Sophie had just created a new friendship with Ramón, and she felt like this one would last. Sophie felt as if she could truly trust Ramon, despite just meeting him. Yet, there was something about him that made Sophie feel relax. Was it the fact that he resembled Luis too much? Was it his naturally charismatic personality? Sophie didn't know. Quite frankly, Sophie didn't really care.
Sophie did know that she had just started something with Ramón. Hopefully, this friendship wouldn't get out of hand. Just like with Luis.
Sophie had a feeling it wouldn't, for Sophie and Ramón had an understanding.
End of Chapter 19
Finally! This chapter is done! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and the next one will be up soon. I still can't believe I finished this long chapter in a day. Please R&R. Thank You!
P.S. Had to do a lot of research on pool for this one. Okay, maybe not that much, but still.