Adam Wilson
“I’m very nervous! I need you to help me.”
“There’s only so much I can do Adam. I can’t be there with you.”
“At least you could prep me so I don’t say the wrong things.”
“I’m not sure I can do that… I don’t know the personality of her parents so I can’t adequately prepare you for an encounter with them.”
“Then you’re bloody useless!!!” I stood up and screamed at the shrink. “After today, your services will no longer be needed!”
I felt like I was wasting my money! I pay every hour for this man to advice me but all he does is tell me complete and utter nonsense. He’s so incompetent! I’m going to get Mason to replace him.
“Adam? Before you lash out, take a deep breath. There are other ways to deal with this.”
“No! There’s no other way. I’m going to fuck this up and you’re not willing to help.”
“I am trying to help you but you’re panicking.”
He was right, I was panicking. I really didn’t mean what I had just said to the shrink. Later this week, I’ll be meeting with Sophia’s parents and I was worried as hell.
“I’m going to fuck this up. I can just tell. It’s too good to be true. Sophia and I can never be happy together.” I paced around the room.
“Listen to me Adam, it’s normal to have situational panic attacks, but you need to stay positive. You are in a very good place with Sophia right now, don’t ruin it by overthinking.”
“I know we’re in a good position, but soon enough I’m going to mess things up. I can feel it.” I ran my hands through my hair frustratedly.
“No, you’re not. Here’s a piece of advice from me. Always listen attentively to her parents. Respectfully reassure them that you are in love with Sophia. Tell them that you would like for them to be part of your journey with her. Show them that you deeply care about her and the baby, and everything will be okay.”
That didn’t sound so hard to do. But I didn’t know if I could pull it off to her parents.
“I shouldn’t have a problem doing all of those things but still, it wouldn’t make a difference. It’s my bad behaviour that always puts me in trouble. The last time I saw them, I had made a huge mistake. What I did was completely out of order and disrespectful. When I see them, the first thing her dad’s going to do is attack me for the pregnancy. To them, I will always look like the bad guy. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a setup. There’s no way they’re pleased with me or want to give me a second chance…”
“If that’s how they feel then I guess you need to change their mind about your intentions towards her. It sounds to me that they are reserved about whether you actually love her. It might take a while to make this change. Maybe a couple of weeks…”
“I can’t wait a couple of weeks! Sophia is having my baby and I need their blessing to marry her!” I snapped.
His eyes shot wide at my comment.
“I don’t know Adam. All her parents want is a little more reassurance. I would strongly advise against rushing into marriage with Sophia. If anything, it will look less authentic to them.”
“But how can I reassure them if I don’t marry her?”
“If you propose to her now, then her parents will not think it’s genuine. Trust me. Especially now that she’s recently pregnant. Please don’t jump the gun Adam, and take my advice. When the relationship gets better, marriage will happen in due course.” He advised.
He was right. I sat back down on the couch, feeling slightly more relaxed. But no matter what he said, I was always going to be tense.
Deep down, I was seriously considering the marriage thing. I thought it might just be a temporary solution to her parent’s wrath, but I guess not.
Regardless, I genuinely would like to marry Sophia.
“I can see you thinking, Adam. I’ll tell you again. If you propose to Sophia, there’s a huge possibility that her parents are only going to think that you are only doing it because of the pregnancy. This might even upset them more. I strongly advise against doing this.” The shrink warned with a dark tone.
I shrugged backed into the coach and folded my arms like a little kid being told that they couldn’t have what they wanted.
But still, he had a fair point.
“Unfortunately we’ve run out of time now and I need to see another patient. But what I would say is go home and thoroughly think about things before you make any rash decisions. Also, learn from what happened in the past.”
“Yeah yeah, whatever. This is my last session anyway. After this, I wouldn’t need you any more.” Every time I said that, I always ended up coming back.
“I will see you same time next week. However, if you need to schedule an emergency appointment about what I know you’ve already set your mind to do… then don’t hesitate to give me a call and we can talk about it over the phone.” He knew I was still thinking about the proposal.
I looked at him sceptically but I eventually shook his hand in agreement. I decided that there was a slight possibility that the marriage proposal may backfire, so I wouldn’t do it.
Instead, I’ll find other ways to prove myself to her parents.
****
Sophia Parker
“So what’s going to happen to this place?” Lily asked.
“I don’t know yet, but I’ll really miss it. I’ll also miss having you as my neighbour.” I said to her.
This was my first apartment. My first home away from home.
I am seriously going to miss it.
I was currently packing up some bits and bobs to take to Adam’s house. I had two suitcases which Lily and I had filled up with some clothes from my wardrobe and other essential items. You could say I was slowly moving out.
“I’ll miss you too Sophia. Well… once you move out, can I have you apartment?”
“Oh? Really? But… what’s wrong with yours?” I lowkey envied hers so much so I didn’t understand why she wanted my rusty old girly apartment. Hers was new and luxurious, recently renovated before she moved in a couple of months ago.
“It’s on the 3rd floor and it’s way too stressful getting up there everyday. I prefer yours on the ground floor.”
“But yours is so much prettier than mine!”
“I know, but not having to climb 6 flights of stairs every evening is kinda worth it.” She grinned.
I shook my head at her.
“Okay… if I decide to let go of it, you’ll be the first one to have it.” I laughed.
“Yes!” She first pumped.
“Can you help me close that box please? I’ll try to do this one.” I said.
“Oh no, Sophia. Leave them both to me. Your pregnant remember? You shouldn’t bend too much.”
“Ugh Lily, I’m fine! I’m not even showing yet. But thanks anyway.” I let out a huge breath. We were practically done packing now.
I put my hand on my 6-weeks belly bump and gave it a rub. It was so tiny, you couldn’t even see it through my shirt. My pregnancy symptoms were much better now and I was able to get through tasks like every other normal person. I don’t know what Lily was so worried about.
*buzz
“Oh, Phoebe’s here!” I sang.
“Ugh!” Lily groaned.
“Be nice, please.” I gave her a warning look.
“Not after she called me a manipulative bitch.” She sneered.
Apparently, Phoebe and Lily are currently on very rocky terms. Phoebe thinks that Lily was a bad friend to me because she allowed me to make terrible decisions in relation to Adam. Obviously those were mistakes of my own and Lily had advised me against them. But Phoebe thinks she could could have done more.
Putting that all aside, a huge part of me was grateful to have two friends that genuinely cared about me.
I ignored Lily and quickly went to the front door to open the door.
I was met with a happy-looking Phoebe and… and…
Sean!
“Hey Sophia!” she beamed and hugged me.
“Hey…” I said and hugged her back but I was a bit shocked. I wasn’t expecting Sean as well!
“I know this is unexpected but I decided to bring Sean along.” She pointed at him enthusiastically.
“Hi Sean.” I waved once, trying my best not to be awkward.
“Hi Sophia.” He responded.
There was a slight pause and I could see Phoebe watching the both of us intently. I wasn’t entirely sure why but I refused to prolong the awkwardness.
“Um, come on in guys! Make yourselves comfortable.” I moved aside and gestured them in.
Lily came out from the bedroom and as soon as she saw Sean, her eyes shot wide open. She looked at me quizzically and we had a brief telepathic conversation.
We both acknowledged how weird it was that Phoebe brought Sean to our girls’ get together.
“Hello.” Lily said to both of them.
“Lily, good to see you again.” Sean said.
“Likewise.” The last time Lily saw Sean was when he had come to my apartment to pick me up for our first date. She had helped style my hair and make me look beautiful. I suppose that could be another reason why Phoebe was pissed of at Lily… She also hadn’t done enough to convince me otherwise from dating Sean.
“I’m just going to get something from the bedroom, I’ll be back out in a sec.” I smiled at both of them before walking into my bedroom.
“Oh, I’ll come with.” Lily said.
We both went into my bedroom and closes the door behind us.
“What is going on right now?” I whispered to her.
“I know right! I just don’t understand why Phoebe will bring Sean over to your apartment. Is she trying to prove something? Or do they do everything together now?” She whispered too.
“I don’t know. This was supposed to be a girls get together. Now, I’m not so sure what it is anymore.”
“Tell me about it! Not when you have your ex right there whose currently dating one of your closest friends!”
The door opened and Phoebe emerged from the other side.
“You guys weren’t thinking of leaving me out, were you?” She said, closing the door behind her.
“Shouldn’t you be with Sean right now?” Lily sneered.
“What’s that supposed to mean?!” Phoebe retaliated.
“Alright!” I interveined. “I know both of you are not the best of friends right now, which is why I called for this get together in the first place. Can we please not have arguments and try to get along?”
“I’m happy to be cordial with her.” Phoebe said. “But the main reason I’m here is for you Sophia.” She smiled in a fake way… it was almost disturbing.