Sophie's Secret

  Her gift was increasing, too. What if Krysta’s powers were growing stronger? More ghostly visits? I shivered at the thought. At least my life wasn’t that bad.

  Well, not until Monday anyway, when I’d have to face the entire student body of Greenwood Junior High. Everyone would have heard about the football incident. Even if I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t, not with this messed-up face. I tried not to think about the humiliation I’d suffer. My head hurt enough.

  What if Frankie thought I was a dork?

  “Are you going to get in?”

  My mom’s voice interrupted my rambling thoughts. She was already inside the car, revving the engine.

  I climbed inside and lowered my seat. The pain in my head was throbbing, and the medication the doctor gave me made me sleepy. I wanted to rest my eyes on the way home.

  “You’re not going to sleep in the car, are you? I’m not dragging you out when we get home.” Mom turned on the A/C full blast.

  She knew I hated a freezing fan blowing in my face. Reluctantly, I positioned my seat back up, put on my seatbelt, and switched the A/C to low.

  “Good.” Mom focused on the road and clutched the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned white. “I want to talk to you anyway.”

  Sensing a lecture coming on, I rubbed my throbbing temples.

  “I know things have been rough this week with your sister and all the drama.” Mom emphasized ‘drama’ and rolled her head.

  Was she trying to make me feel like an idiot for fighting with Rose Marie? Afraid to get into an argument with my mom, I said nothing. It was late, I was tired, and my face hurt.

  Mom inhaled deeply, and then slowly breathed out. “I just wanted to say…I’m sorry.”

  Huh? Why was she sorry? She didn’t tell Rose Marie to date a loser and have a baby. My parents were great role models. They taught all of us responsibility. She couldn’t help it my sister was stupid and selfish.

  “What I mean to say is I’m sorry this has to hit you right now. I know you’re right about Chad. I don’t think I’ve ever told you this, but I was married to someone else when I met your dad.”

  My jaw dropped. Not my mom. She was perfect.

  “No, no, it’s not what you think,” she continued. “We were already separated and I had filed for a divorce.” Mom moaned and shook her head. “That was the biggest mistake of my life. His name was Brandon. We were married for six months. I didn’t listen to my friends when they told me he wasn’t the right man. In fact, I lost my best friend over him.”

  She paused, sounding choked up. Was my mom crying? Mom turned her head, looking out the side window. “Anyway,” Mom turned back, the visible lines around her heavy, saddened eyes revealing her pain. “What I’m trying to say is I understand why you are so against Chad. Truth is I can’t stand the boy either; however, the more we fight Rose Marie, the more she’ll think she has to defend him. I know it sounds stupid, but love is blind sometimes.”

  No, I didn’t think it sounded stupid. I was beginning to understand exactly how blind love was.

  Mom tapped on the steering wheel and clenched her jaw. “I know you want the best for your sister. I do, too. It breaks my heart to see her throw her life away over him…and now their poor baby.” Mom’s voice cracked as a tear slid down her cheek. “But I need you to do something for me, Sophie, and for your sister, too. She’ll come around. I know she will. I hope she will. You just need to let her make this mistake, and when she’s tired of him, we can be there to support her. She won’t resent you if you leave the decision to her. If we force them apart, I’m afraid she’ll never get the chance to learn on her own.”

  I thought about what Mom had just said and I knew exactly where she was coming from. Even scarier, I knew exactly where Rose Marie was coming from. I had been judging Rose Marie for making the same mistake I was making. I wondered if my sister had lost any friends over Chad. Well, I wasn’t about to let some slouch with fat thighs get in between me and my friends.

  “Mom,” I asked, “whatever happened to your best friend?”

  “I don’t know,” she sighed. “We lost touch.”

  How sad. I couldn’t imagine a lifetime without AJ and Krysta.

  “Didn’t you try to find her after your divorce?”

  “No,” she smiled bitterly. “I guess there was too much resentment there.”

  I just couldn’t understand it. How could Mom have thrown away her friendship over a guy? “But she was your best friend.”

  “I know,” her voice cracked again, “but things change.”

  Well, I wasn’t about to let things change with my friends. I wanted to call back AJ immediately, but her mom would have been furious if I woke the family and I couldn’t IM her because AJ didn’t have a computer in her room. What I had to say had to wait until the morning. I silently prayed I’d never lose AJ’s friendship.

  ****

  I woke to the theme song of Dora the Explorer, the latest ringtone download AJ had snuck on my phone. AJ’s mom needed to buy her a phone, so she’d leave mine alone. I tapped the phone— 9:30 a.m., incoming call from AJ.

  As soon as I hit ‘talk’, AJ started rambling.

  “Hey. I wanted to call you earlier. I waited as long as I could. I heard about what happened last night.” She inhaled quickly. “You okay?”

  “Oh, God,” I moaned and gently explored the swelling on my sore face, “I’m sure the whole world knows by now.”

  “Yeah,” she said softly.

  I shook my head and laughed. “You should have told me this was going to happen.”

  “Very funny.” AJ sighed.

  I knew what she was thinking. I didn’t even have to read her mind. She felt awkward about the message she left on my phone last night. Emotions were difficult for AJ, which made last night’s message so special. It took a lot of guts for her to confess her fears, and even more courage for her to apologize.

  I sensed she was waiting for me to start. “I got your message.”

  “Oh, it was nothing,” She murmured quickly.

  But I knew better. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.”

  An awkward silence followed. I knew it was my turn to apologize. “AJ?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Sorry I’ve been an idiot.” I rubbed my brow, trying to think of the right words. “He’s the wrong guy for me. I knew it all along.”

  “It’s okay. We all make mistakes.”

  I fell back on my pillow and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t want to pay for it like my sister.”

  “Good,” she huffed, “I don’t want to see you end up like her.”

  “Believe me.” I shuddered at the thought. “I won’t.” The only way to ensure I didn’t end up like Rose Marie was to stay away from losers. I decided it was time to completely erase Jacob from my memory. The first step would be to change the subject. AJ’s powers were increasing and I was dying to know if I’d be a dateless dork forever. “So how good are you at it?”

  “Getting better every day.”

  I hesitated, wondering if I was ready for the answer. “Am I going to find the right guy?”

  “You’ll find lots of right guys, Sophie.” AJ sighed as she spoke. “That’s not my gift talking. Don’t you think it’s too soon for you to find the one?”

  “Yeah, you’re right again. Maybe I should just focus on the near future.” I closed my eyes. Frankie Salas’ penetrating eyes were the first thing to pop into my mind. After the football incident, he would never ask me out.

  “That’s a good idea.”

  I sensed some hope in AJ’s voice.

  What good could happen after last night? I still had a small flicker of hope. “So I wonder if someone will ask me to Freshmen Formal.”

  “Frankie Salas.”

  My eyes shot open. Had I just heard her correctly? She must have been joking. “You’re full of it.”

  “Okay,” her pitch rose, “whatever.”

  I couldn’t believe what
I was hearing. Frankie Salas and me? Impossible. “Did you see this or are you guessing?”

  “I saw it.”

  The pain in my face was worsening. I closed my eyes and tried not to focus on the throbbing pressure. “If you’re lying, I’m going to kick your butt.” All this time he’d been flirting with me, could he have really liked me?

  “I’m not lying.” AJ sounded serious. “Humph.” I wasn’t convinced.

  “What?” She laughed. “I thought you would be happy. He’s the hottest guy in school.”

  Exactly. So why would he want to ask me out? I shook my head in disbelief. Frankie had to have a reason. Then I remembered, he was supposed to ask Summer to the dance. “I heard Summer saying he was going to ask her.”

  “Eeewww,” AJ shrieked into the phone. “Are you sure?”

  “I heard her talking about it. She said she’d probably turn him down for a Gaga video.”

  “Summer talks a lot of smack.”

  “Maybe, but hottie or not, do I want to go out with Summer’s reject?” I couldn’t believe this was me talking. Frankie was no reject, but I knew Summer would rub my face in it if I went with him after she turned him down.

  “You’d be stupid not to.”

  I wanted to change the subject. All this talk about Summer and Frankie made my head hurt worse. “What else have you seen?”

  “You really want to know?”

  “Yeah.” I lied. In some ways, I really wanted to know. In other ways, AJ’s gift scared me to my toes. But I doubted my future held anything as bad as the football incident.

  “No bad stuff yet, thank God. But,” she squealed, “I did see you with your new nephews.”

  “Nephews?” This was bad news. Really bad news. “You mean my stupid sister is going to breed with that worthless dungheap again?”

  “No. I mean she’s having twins.”

  “Holy crap!” I thought my life was bad. I would have picked a black eye over twins any day.

  “Yeah. Your sister’s gonna be hatin’ life.” AJ wasn’t kidding.

  “How long is Chad in her future?” I couldn’t imagine him hanging around with two babies to take care of and I couldn’t imagine Rose Marie putting up with three babies.

  “I give them less than a week.”

  “Excellent!” I was too happy. “When Mom and I came home last night, Chad was passed out on the living room floor. He ate all the cookie dough ice cream. I didn’t even get a taste. He eats more than my pregnant sister.”

  “Those twins will be terrors, but you’re going to be a great aunt.”

  “You really think so?” I tried to imagine my new nephews. I hoped they had Rose Marie’s eyes and ambition.

  “I know so,” AJ reassured.

  I smiled at the thought of two little boys dressed in identical clothes. I’d have to get a job just to make sure they had cool wardrobes.

  I nearly jumped from my bed at the knocking on my door. My sore head wasn’t ready for any sudden noises. “Listen, someone is at my door. See if your mom will let you off house arrest tonight.”

  “I’m already off.”

  “Ooooh, you’re good,” I purred.

  “I know,” AJ bragged.

  “I gotta go.”

  “Later.”

  I set down the phone and heaved my tired body out of bed. If AJ hadn’t woken me up, I would’ve slept the whole day. My feet felt like bricks. I slowly trudged toward the door. The nagging knock continued.

  I opened to see my sister, looking not at me but at the left side of my face. She was probably enjoying the view.

  “What’s up?” I leaned my aching head against the doorframe. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with Rose Marie.

  She smiled smugly and folded her arms across her chest. “You look like crap.”

  Enough of her attitude! I tried to slam the door in her face, but she blocked it with her elbow.

  “Don’t shut the door. I didn’t mean it to be rude.” Rose Marie pushed her way into my room. “Mom told me what happened last night and I wanted to see if I could offer my services.”

  “What services?” This was so humiliating. What did she have to offer me other than teasing for the rest of my life?

  “I didn’t win runner up in Greenwood County Miss Glamour or get Homecoming Queen for nothing.” She grabbed my chin and peered closer at my face. “I’m pretty sure I can cover up that bruise.”

  “Really?” Was Rose Marie here to be nice? Had she called a truce? I hoped so. I was tired of fighting, and besides, I knew my face needed major help. I hadn’t looked in the mirror since sitting in the ER last night. I didn’t expect to look any better today, especially since the swelling felt worse.

  “Sure.” Rose Marie walked to my vanity table and unloaded the contents of her cosmetic bag.

  “Thanks.” I sat in the chair in front of my vanity and when I saw my reflection in the mirror, I screamed.

  “Hey,” she quipped, “I didn’t say this would be easy.” She grabbed my knees and turned me around. “Now, I don’t want you looking until I am completely finished. An artist must work undisturbed.”

  After only a few minutes of Rose Marie smearing and brushing cosmetics on my sore face, she was finished.

  “Are you ready to look?” She turned me toward the full-length mirror. .

  I couldn’t believe what I saw. Not only was the bruise concealed, but the way she did my makeup made me look kind of pretty. “I…I can barely notice.”

  “Not bad, huh?” Rose Marie rested her hand on my shoulder. “You should let me show you how to do your makeup. You’ve got nice eyes and I know how to bring out your shade of green.”

  “Really, you’d show me how to look pretty?” Not only would I show up Monday without a bruise, but I’d look better than ever. Rose Marie’s artistry wasn’t too overdone, like Summer or Marisela, who caked on all the shades of the rainbow. Although Rose Marie picked natural tones for the eye shadow, blush and lipstick, the girl staring back looked more like a movie star than a fat dork.

  “Of course,” she said. “Like Lu Lu did for me when I was your age.”

  “Thanks, Rose Marie.” Before she could react, I grabbed her in a tight embrace.

  “That’s what sisters are for.” She patted my head before she pulled away and walked toward the bed. Rose Marie sank onto the mattress and covered her bulging stomach with a pillow.

  For the first time, I noticed the dark circles under her eyes and her sloppy sweat pants. Rose Marie had always looked perfect. Why didn’t she do for herself what she’d done for me? Her brow was creased into a frown and the corners of her lips were turned down.

  I couldn’t help but feel something was wrong with my sister. “Rose Marie?”

  “Yeah.” Her head was down now, as she focused on the pillow in her lap.

  “I’m sorry we’ve been fighting.”

  “Me, too.” She looked up and managed a half smile.

  I sat beside her and squeezed her hand. “When the babies come, I promise to be a good aunt.”

  “Babies?” She jerked back, knocking the pillow to the ground. “Hold on, we’re only having one.” “Oh, I’m sorry.” I bit my bottom lip. “I thought you said you were having twins.” Nice save. I couldn’t exactly explain my psychic best friend had already predicted two kids.

  “Do I look that fat?” Rose Marie ran a hand over her stomach and sat up straight.

  “No.” But the truth was, she did. Lately, she’d been wearing Chad’s sweats and T-shirts. I figured it was to cover her belly, but even under bulky clothes, I could see her round stomach. She resumed her slouch, hand resting on her stomach.

  “I haven’t even been to the doctor yet.” “You haven’t?”

  “No, Mom is taking me on Monday.” Smiling, her eyes lingered on her belly. “I get to hear the baby’s heartbeat.”

  “What if there are two babies?” My gaze traveled to her protruding stomach. I looked for a sign but I couldn’t tell. I didn’t know what I was
expecting. Two heads were not about to pop out and say ‘hello’. “Will you hear two heartbeats?”

  Rose Marie stopped smiling and tilted her head. “You’re not very funny.”

  I grimaced and shrugged. “I was just wondering.”

  “I guess so, but trust me, twins don’t run in either of our families. We’re not having twins.”

  Rose Marie sounded more like she was trying to convince herself than me. Did she have doubts? I focused on her thoughts.

  She’s right; I’m too fat for three months.

  Uh-oh, Rose Marie was in for a big shock. “Well, it’s always good to be prepared.”

  “Sophie,” Rose Marie sighed and shook her head. “I’m not even prepared for this one.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Even though I had worried all morning about other kids teasing me about the football incident, I couldn’t wait to see if Frankie noticed my new look. My hair was shorter, layered and highlighted with gold and auburn accents. I was also sporting new clothes. The swelling on my face had gone down. All that was left was a barely visible black eye, thanks to Rose Marie and her cosmetic skills.

  I felt all eyes upon me as I followed AJ onto the bus. My pace slowed as I inwardly grimaced. Were they staring at me because I looked hot or did they just want to get a peek at the football geek? I couldn’t help it. I had to know. I willed myself to listen to a few thoughts.

  Cute hair.

  Wow! She’s hot.

  Confidence restored, my stride increased when I saw Krysta at the back of the bus. She was waiting, saving the usual seats in front of her for AJ and a spot beside her for me. Her eyelids looked heavy, her makeup a little smudged.

  “Hey.” AJ threw her backpack on her seat and flung herself onto the bench. “What happened to you this weekend? We tried calling you. You didn’t answer Sophie’s texts.”

  Krysta rubbed her temples and looked through half open eyes. “I was visiting old friends.”

  “Live ones?” I whispered.

  I could see the veins pop in Krysta’s neck.

  She looked at me and shook her head. “Nope.”

  “Fun,” AJ teased. “All we did was go to the mall.”

  I gently squeezed her shoulder. “Want to talk about it?”

  “Let’s just say.” Krysta tipped back her head and sank into her seat. “You’re not the only one with increasing powers.”

  AJ hung over the front seat, coming within inches of our personal space. “I guess it’s happening to all of us.”