Oliver
The taste of Sofie’s skin is still on my tongue. Under this perfect full moon-lit sky, nothing could make me happier while I lay next to her in a poolside chair, conversing as the movement of the water creates a relaxing, ambient atmosphere.
I push my fingers through my wet hair, nervous with this gorgeous creature next to me. She’s already feeling so at-home with all of us. It’s incredible how much we click and how we just seem to go together.
I’ve never been so infatuated with a woman. Then again, I’ve never met a woman like Sofie before. The body on this one is just so amazing and, better yet, she’s on my level and has the same interests.
Now that’s unusual. I’ll be damned if I let it go.
I turn my head to Sofie. Her eyes immediately find mine and as she smiles, butterflies manifest in my stomach and I’m giddy much like we’re teenagers. I smile back.
“What’re you smiling for?” she asks, grinning. She’s very obviously being playful with me.
“I’m just so content here with you. Sofie, you’re one incredible woman. You know that though, right?” I say.
“I’m just myself, really. I don’t have an insatiable desire to lie to impress people. I see how it can benefit though,” she tells me.
“And how is that?” I say, earnestly interested. “I’m the same way and I’ve never really understood it myself.”
“Well, I guess I don’t know for sure and I can’t speak for anyone else. But some of my girlfriends on campus work at the gentlemen’s clubs and they say the second they start saying words like echocardiography or bioluminescence they stop getting attention,” she explains.
“It’s like it’s easier to play dumb I suppose. I’ll give them credit where credit is due. I could never pretend to be less intelligent than I am,” she goes on.
“And you should never have to. There’s a way out there for everybody. That’s the greatest part of life. You can choose to lead it literally how you damn-well please!” I admit.
“Thank you for seeing things as I do, Oliver. I really feel like I can speak candidly with you, and that’s just not the normal for me. Being on a campus of mostly meat-heads, I can’t even explain to people that non-GMO products have always been non-GMO and that GMOs aren’t even a harmful thing!” Sofie continues.
“You’re my goddamn dream girl, Sofie. I don’t know when GMOs started showing up on the list of big scary things to avoid, but they exist fucking everywhere. We can’t eat them without their modification,” I add.
“Yes! And crops wouldn’t survive the weather, or worse, the insects without modification to resist those outside factors,” she says. It’s incredible how much sense and knowledge this girl has about her.
“We both know just how right you are, and I love it,” I say. We smile and grow silent again just studying one another. Sofie is happy, but something in her eyes tells me she’s stressed still.
“Are you doing okay, hun? Can I make you more comfortable?” I offer.
“I’m fine,” she says, in an attempt to reassure me but I know something is bothering her. I want her to trust me enough to talk to me about things if she needs to.
“Are you sure? I just can’t help but think something is bothering you. Was it something at school?” I prod.
She sighs. “It’s Greg, again.”
Instantly, I’m filled with harsh emotion. The fact that she closes off so hard because of this guy makes me want to physically harm him at the mention of his name.
“He showed up while I was studying with Chloe demanding his date he won with me. He threatened me when I told him no. I’m just worried about what the International is going to say,” she continues.
At this point, my blood is boiling. Who is this little prick? Why does he have it out for such a sweet girl?
I swear to fucking God if I see this guy again I’m gonna deck him. I will make him rethink every decision he’s ever made.
“Sofie, you don’t need to worry about him. And don’t worry about the International. I promise if anything happens I’ll help you. You shouldn’t have to deal with his bullshit,” I assure her.
“It’s so hard not to worry though. Like this is all so much easier said than done. I’m not the kind of person that doesn’t follow through with something, but after what he did to me I just don’t ever want to see his face again,” she argues.
My curiosity is piqued. Should I ask, or am I going to kill this boy?
“Do you want to tell me what happened?” I say, trying to be as sensitive as possible to her.
“Well, we met with common interests. He was in a lot of my classes last semester. We were both bio majors, and as you well know, us science-driven minds are much better working together.
“I hadn’t really known a lot of people on campus and he and I studied a lot together and just got really close. We were spending so much time together that a relationship just seemed to make sense, but really, underneath of that we were both crazy about each other and didn’t know how to admit it to one another.
“Well anyway, after about a month of being gushy and grossly in love, he shattered me. I came over to his dorm room after I had a meeting with one of my professors in a class I was having a hard time in, and I really was just looking for some comfort and reassurance.
“I must have really surprised him because I interrupted a ‘study session’ with another friend of his, who happened to be female. And naked. And on his bed. While he was also naked,” she explained.
“Oh my God, Sofie. That’s just awful. I’m so sorry he put you through that. I know it’s hard. Once you’ve established trust with someone you expect them to uphold that,” I say.
“I’m over it. I truly am. After I’ve seen what he’s like when he’s not with me, the rose-colored glasses have disappeared. He’s a disgusting person and I don’t need his negativity. I just wish I could push him away for good,” she continues.
“Do you guys still have classes together? Maybe you could go to a different professor’s class. This is a really large school so I’m sure they have plenty of options,” I add, trying my best to find a solution to her problem.
“I’ve already tried, but to no avail. And worse off, he’s also been creating different profiles on Facebook and Snapchat just trying to find new ways to harass me. I don’t know how I’m supposed to live my life like a normal person going through all of this stupid and childish bullying,” she explains.
Okay. Yep. Next time I see this kid, he’s going to have it.
“Sofie, I swear. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask. I will have your back. Like you said, us science-driven minds need to stick together to hold this crazy world in place, and that involves taking care of one another,” I offer.
“Thank you,” she replies.
“There’s no need to thank me. I would do it in a heartbeat and never think twice if it means I’d be helping you,” I respond.
It’s, unfortunately, growing incredibly late, and I know Sofie needs to get home soon. I don’t want to end our date with all this talk about her bullshit ex-boyfriend.
“Tell me something, Sofie,” I blurt.
“Okay, but what?” she asks, confused.
“Anything,” I say. I can’t resist the urge, “Sofie’s choice.”
She laughs.
“Well, I do harbor some resentment to my mother for naming me, Sofie. For that exact reason, in fact.”
We both exchange in laughter.
“But if you’re looking for a bit more substance, I’ll tell you that my favorite color is red and that I love corgis more than any human should.”
“Duly noted,” I giggle.
I stand up and offer a hand out to Sofie. She props herself up and takes it and stands with me. She brings her face to my chest and just rests with her arms wrapped around me.
I bring my arms around her shoulders, place my fingers in her hair, and hold her in an embrace. I’ve never been more content.
This woman finds a great deal of comfort with me and I refuse to fuck that up. She’s special and she knows that. I think she feels it with all of us.
She deserves the best in the world and I’m making it my mission to deliver that to her. She doesn’t know yet, but she will.
We stay in each other’s arms in silence, just listening to each other breathing and watching the wading pool water. This date is the best one I’ve ever had and having to let it end is excruciating. However, it makes me even more excited already anticipating seeing her again.