Sofia's Curse

Seeking Comfort In The Rain

Ian stares at his cell phone. How many times has he dialed her? He won't do it again. It's too much. She can't treat him like this. It's insulting.

She throws the phone against the wall and it shatters into a million pieces.

"What the hell is that noise?" his father storms into his room. "You're doing it again? Again, huh?" he comes closer and clutches his neck, "How many times do I have to tell you?" he yells, "Money doesn't grow on trees, boy! Grow up!" he slaps him.

Ian pushes him away. "It's none of your business!"

Why does he have to come every weekend? Joined custody sucks. If only his mother had enough money to support them, he wouldn't have to endure this mental t*****e.

"Last time it was the car, now it's the phone!" his father doesn't stop. "And I bought you another car, haven't I? Now you think you'll get a new phone if you destroy this one, huh?"

"You're drunk," Ian mutters.

"What did you say?" his father clasps his ear, "I didn't hear you, you talk like a girl. Are you a girl, son?" he storms.

Ian sighs in anger.

"I don't hear you, girlie. Speak louder."

"Go away," Ian says, annoyed.

He's used to his father drunkenness. It's like this every weekend. But he tries to stay out for as long as he can. In the morning, he's usually fine.

"Are you telling me what to do in my own house? First you push me," he shouts, "Now you tell me what to do? You really are your mother's son. You're just like her!"

"As if you'd know," he mutters.

"Do you think I can't hear you when you talk like that, girlie? Is that what you think? Are you afraid of me, boy?"

"Dad, go away," he rolls his eyes and pushes him to the door, "Go pass out or something."

He grabs his wrist and pull. "You will go! You! You're just like her! Always making demands!" he yells as he pulls him downstairs. "This is my house! I built it! Your ungrateful mother's house, too! But no, nothing's ever enough! Pay this, pay that," he shouts, "Enough!"

Ian doesn't resist. He knows that if he does, his father would fall down the stairs and probably endure serious injuries. Maybe he should do it. No. He knows he can't. Then their relationship would be even worse. He'd lose the alimony. His mother would lose the house. He'll just pretend it never happened, like he always does.

His father opens the door, and pushes him out. It's pouring rain.

"Let me see how you handle the world without my help, boy!" he shouts, "No phone, no car, no daddy," he yells and shuts the door into his face.

Ian doesn't even flinch. This is not the first time he's been kicked out. At first, he went to his friends' place, always inventing stories that he locked himself out, or that he lost his keys, or that he's in the mood for drinking. But his friends started asking questions. Why does he never sleep home during weekends? He would never admit the truth, so he stopped crashing at their places. He would simply find a calm place near the house and sleep the night away.

However, it's pouring rain. He could go to Sophia's place, she's probably home, but he is too angry with her to do it. She doesn't care about him. She played with him, tricking him into coming to Jake's place, and once he had done his purpose, she was done with him. He knows she will call when he wants him. When she needs him. But what about his needs? Can't she show a bit of compassion? He wants to fight with her, tell her how mad he is, but he isn't even sure if she's home. Nor if her dad is. His dad, he can handle, but Leeroy...he scares the hell out of him.

Anyhow, he doesn't feel like fighting right now. He's in the mood for some cuddling, generosity. Sophia never knew how to provide him with those. Apart from that day... The day when she met his mother. Only...that wasn't her.

Who is that Victoria girl that he met today? Was it really her? How is it possible that she is a spitted image of his girlfriend?

He puts his hands into his pockets so that he wouldn't shiver. He's soaked wet. He knows he can't sleep in the street tonight, because he would get pneumonia. He can't go to his mother's house. She can't find out about his father's treatment. God knows what she would do. And he knows both of them need him. He pays for his expensive school, and will pay for his expensive college. He pays for his mother's house, and all her needs. She doesn't work. She never did. She was a housewife. Without the wife part, she's nothing. She doesn't even own a house of her own.

He hates weekends. He should've gone out with his mates when he had the chance. While he was still dry and had the car. But no, he had to listen to Sophia and go to Jake's place. Why does he always listen to her? He remembers why. He thought it would be a favor because she had agreed to meet his mother. His mom was so happy. And now he knows she never met Sophia. She met her. The other girl. Victoria.

And, unconsciously, he finds himself standing in front of the Victorian style house with a tilted roof and pointed windows. The same she visited today. Jake's house.

He doesn't have a plan, but he's got a lot of time to think of one, so he takes his time walking to the window on the right. The lights are turned on only in two rooms. He peeks inside, and sees a guy. Somebody familiar. Where does he know him from?

Christopher turns to switch off the lights, and just before he does, Ian has a perfect sight to his face. It's the guy from the gas station.

His throat stiffens.

Seeing him, it takes him a nanosecond to connect the dots. Christopher pulling on Sophia, calling her a different name...He thought it was the other girl, Victoria. How do they know each other? Is she his girlfriend?

Suddenly, he feels a pang of jealousy. Why? He wonders. She's not his girlfriend. Sophia is. But he kissed her. And she responded. Why did she respond? Was it all a decoy? What exactly did she want to do? They both played him. He isn't their toy!

Absentmindedly he walks to the other window with the lights on. He peeks inside. He can't see anyone. He tilts his head and sees a lady figure. Blond hair. Suddenly, a guy comes in and they start to make out. Ian turns back, disappointed. What did he expect?

Suddenly, his eyes wander to the window with the lights off, and somewhere between the moonlight and glass dotted with rain, he sees a pair of emerald eyes. Eyes so familiar, yet completely foreign. Staring back at him.

Why are her lights off if she's not in bed? Did she see him and didn't want him to see her? Probably. He's unwanted here, he thinks. Just as he's about to leave, she lifts the window up.

He stands there, frozen. Surprised. What is she doing?

She glares at him now, the glass barrier gone. Only thing dividing them, the air and the rain. She doesn't say anything. He is silent, too.

"C'mon, you'll get a pneumonia!" she whispers, and waves her hand inside, but he hears chastise in her voice. It's overwhelming and somewhere inside of him, he finds a chuckle.

"Well?" she says, irritated. "I'm not going to keep the window up all night," she says.

He barely manages to nod and he starts walking slowly towards her, unsure of what she wants. He will enter, though. Because he wants to. He needs comfort. He doesn't want to talk or kiss or have s*x. He just needs a gentle touch. And he knows she can give it to him.

"What were you doing here? Are you crazy?" she says once he's inside, closing the window.

He doesn't answer. He only gazes at her. He looks...sad. Sad and hurt.

"Goodness, you're soaking wet," she whispers concernedly, and disappears out of the room.

He stands there, as an emotionless sculpture. Just like those in Sophia's room. How can this girl resemble her so much?

Victoria is already back, carrying a dry T-shirt and a towel in her hands.

Yes, he thinks, physically, they look exactly the same. But their behavior is utterly different. Instead of talking, he gazes at the pieces of clothing in her hands, as if asking to have them.

Smitten, she rashly reaches them out, "Here, you should put these on." She is looking everywhere but into his eyes.

Why is she shy? She wasn't shy the other day when she kissed him.

He takes the clothes, and subtly nods. "Thank you," he whispers.

She finally meets his eyes and she keeps nervously twisting her hands behind her back. "You're welcome," she whispers.

Her eyes start jumping everywhere again as she hurriedly speaks, "You can use the bathroom to...change. I'm sure nobody will mind."

As he doesn't move nor say anything, she continues, "Okay, I'll wait outside until you..." she mumbles and leaves.

She's going to let him spend the night just like that? He wasn't expecting that. He guesses it is obvious he is in no condition for anything apart from sleep.

When she returns, he catches her nervous stare. Her eyes are of the same color and shape as Sophia's, yet they're completely different. There's an unfathomable kindness behind hers. Whereas Sophia's...ooze mystery and confidence. She has more confidence than any person he's ever met. Maybe only Leeroy being the exception. It must be in the O'Connor gene pool. Is Victoria part of it? He wants answers. He wants an explanation to everything that's happened. He hates secrets and these people hide so many. It is obvious in her gaze. But he doesn't want to talk. He only wants to feel calm. And, somehow, she is making him succeed in his wish.

"Why are you so good to me?" he asks, his words slightly louder than a whisper.

She swallows hard. "I..." she looks to the floor and lifts a shoulder, "You can sleep on the floor," she finally mutters.

He is silent at first, confused by her reaction. He finds it amusing, but suppresses a smile, "Sure," he says taking a blanket off her bed, "Wouldn't want it any other way."

Yeah right, she thinks.