Sophie Esinberg’s POV
It’s been three days since Raymond left for the football camp and two days since I started working as an Intern at Amanda Corp. and I’m loving it there. This year they are having a competition for the Interns, we have to submit them our research files in next twelve days and they will be announcing the results two days before our Internship gets over.
I’m so excited about it.
As much as I thought, it isn’t easy at all. Managing school, studies and my Internship its hectic, but I am no one to complain because I chose this life. I have to do it. I can’t blame anyone it’s my choice. It’s only been three days but it feels like years, I miss him. Though he calls me everyday at night.
Everyday he calls me around eleven at night and then we keep talking about things. Or should I say he keeps talking about things. I was never much of a talker, it’s Raymond who keeps blabbering about how amazing the football camp is.
I still didn’t tell him about my Internship. This Internship has been my dream and I want to tell Raymond about this when he comes back. Although It will be nearly over till then but I want to win the Competition and then tell him about all this.
Raymond has always been very much supportive about my studies. Even when we had exams last month, he never disturbed me. I mean he was so understanding, he made sure I am having enough time to manage my studies. Sometimes I went to his house just to see him because we had plenty of holidays between our exams.
I use to teach him everytime I went there. That was pretty much fun.
Yesterday i slept while talking to Raymond. Embarrassing right?
Well It was a hectic day for me.
I’m sitting in the canteen right now, all alone. It’s weird how couple of months ago I use to sit like this alone in the corner of the hall. But now I’m not use to be like this anymore. Claire isn’t well so she took the day off and here I am getting bored without them.
“Look who’s sitting here. Boyfriend stealing bitch” I heard someone saying. I looked up. It was Michelle one of the girl from Ellen’s Cheerleading group.
I looked behind me thinking that she was talking to someone else. But there was no one behind me.
I gave her a confused look.
“Did he ditch you?” I heard her saying. I was so confused by now. It was clear that she is talking to me. But why is she talking like that. She was so sweet when I talk to her once. She was one of the Raymond’s Popular friend also.
“What are you talking about?” I replied still confused.
“Ohh shut up Michelle. She’s just asking you to back off bitch.” A face came from behind her. It was Clara.
“What did I do?” I asked.
“Ohhh please. Don’t act all innocent. We all know that you are just a desperate ‘wanna be’ and you used Raymond for that matter.” Clara replied. Her eyes narrowed at me. It felt like anytime she can hit me.
I didn’t say anything. I wanted to but tears were threatening to flow down. I Blinked them back.
“Awww…… You don’t have him now to save you! ” Clara said. I was glued to my spot. Everyone was looking at me.
Ughhh… I hate attention.
I looked everywhere but her. She snapped her fingers in front of me, I looked at her again.
“You didn’t get Daniel, so you hit on Raymond right? How can you be so desperate.” Clara replied.
Raymond’s voice echoed in my mind.
Why don’t you say something soaf? For how long will you let them hurt you like this.
” Shut up Clara” I yelled with all my wit. I knew everyone was looking at me by now.
She suddenly gasped. She took two small steps towards me and again yelled
“You bitch. How you dare speak to me like this.”
This time she was loud. Her voice made me take a few steps back. I clutched my Books tightly to my chest, my breath got heavy.
Then I turned around to Leave the canteen but she grabbed my arm and spun me around to face her.
She was clutching my arm tightly, her long nails were digging there.
“Just listen to me. You Don’t belong here. Not with us. Not with Raymond. So stop trying to be a part of our group because if you did then you have to face our wrath.” She said glaring at me.
Once again Raymond’s voice echoed in my mind.
You have to speak up soaf.
“You know what, Ellen was right…. you just-”
She continued yelling at me but here voice started fading and my mind was all consumed up by what Raymond said to me the other Day.
Let’s be practical soaf. I won’t be there forever to save you from them.
You have to speak up sweet cheeks.
This can’t go forever.
Don’t let them change who you are.
” Shut up you fucking bitch. ” I didn’t even realize when those words escaped my mouth. I gasped back in shock and pretty much everyone did the same. I can’t believe I just yelled at Clara. She looked at me shock written all over her face.
I don’t know how but it gave me courage to speak.
“You first met me in starting of middle school. You came to our group and became our best friend. You were acting like a best friend with me until Daniel went away to the city. You told me I was no use to you because Daniel went away. You were friends with me only because Daniel and I were best friends and you had a crush on him. I was still trying to hold our friendship together but you said if you were friends with me you cannot become popular. You humiliated me in every way possible. Yet you say that I am a desperate wanna be. I am happy like this. I know I don’t belong with you or your group and I don’t want to become one of you either, because I don’t want to go around making out with every second Popular guy I meet.”
With that I jerked arm away from her and turn around and went outside. I could hear everyone hooting and whistling while i made my way outside the canteen. A small smile played on my lips, for what I did inside. I finally had courage to speak up.
My mind was occupied by the person who made me do this. You showed me Who I am. Who brought me back to being myself than being what others try to make me. Clara and everyone like her thought I was weak and so did I. But he knew who I am. I wasn’t weak for him. Raymond.
Bell rang at it was my Que to go to my class. I have maths now.
As usual no one was in the class. i was the first to enter I took my usual spot and started to dig out for my books and pen.
Just then some girl crossed me. She threw a paper at my direction. It was crumbled. I picked it up and opened it.
You put up a good show there. It’s good you can take a stand for yourself. But I think you should think over this once. You don’t belong with Raymond. He is different from you. He is not what you think. Ever wondered why he picked you out of all the girls?
Think about it. I hope you will make a clever decision.