Chapter 047

Chapter 47
The wind was much cooler now, brushing softly against Sophia's face as she walked back home. She liked this time of day. The cars moved quietly, the way the leaves rustled, the coolness of the evening, and the long shadows stretching across the pavement.

She couldn't get Allison out of her mind. What did she mean by that? Were the quarrels at home more than what they seemed?

Sophia looked over her shoulder, eyes scanning the street behind her. It was empty. Just a woman walking her dog across the road and two boys kicking a ball near a gate a bit far away.

She didn't know why, but a part of her thought she might see that man again, the one she saw in the morning. smile. She didn't even know what she expected. What was it? Did she think to see him just standing at the corner, watching? Waiting for her?

That's silly, she told herself, shaking her head and pulling her jacket closer around her. He was probably just a stranger asking for directions. Maybe she was overthinking. Honestly, she didn't even want to see him again. It was just that she felt that he was more than who he said he was.

Plus, she couldn't forget the way he'd looked at her. Or the way he hadn't walked away when she clearly wanted to leave.

Sophia sighed and kept walking, her eyes going back to the sidewalk one last time. Nothing. No weird man. Just the same boring street.

"You left quickly today."

The voice came from behind and made her jump a little. She turned, and there was Caleb, jogging a bit to catch up with her, putting his hands in his pockets when he got to her.

She blinked.

"Oh. I didn't know you were behind me."

Caleb gave her a crooked smile.

"Yeah. I came out and saw you walking off like you were on a mission."

Sophia smiled faintly.

"I was. I was just hoping to see someone out here. Not hoping, sort of expecting— I don't know."

Caleb frowned, pulling his eyebrows together.

"Someone? Like who exactly?" He asked.

Sophia looked away.

"Well, it's not someone you know, so it won't make any difference if I tell you."

Caleb didn't say anything for a second. Why would Sophia keep secrets from him? Was she okay? Then he asked her.

"Is it that weird guy you were telling us about?"

Her eyes widened a little before she quickly shook her head.

"No. I mean, maybe. I don't know. I saw him today, and he asked me stuff."

"You didn't tell me much about that, you know."

"I didn't think it was a big deal, or anything like that."

Caleb made a small sound, then went closer to her.

"If a grown man is stopping you on the street and asking weird questions, it is a big deal. Could be dangerous."

Sophia gave him a sideways glance.

"Well, it's over now. No need to worry."

Caleb didn't look convinced.

"I still don't like it."

She smiled a little at his protective tone.

"You sound like someone's dad, that's so cute."

"I'm practicing, you know?" Caleb said with a smile. "When I have a daughter, I'll be terrifying."

Sophia laughed.

"You'll be dramatic. That's what you'll be."

He grinned.

"Same thing."

They kept walking in silence for a few seconds, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly. Then Caleb cleared his throat.

"You want me to walk you to the bus stop?"

Sophia hesitated.

"No, thank you. You don't have to. Just go home."

"I didn't ask if I had to. Let's go." Caleb said, already falling into step right next to her.

Sophia rolled her eyes, but she didn't say no.

After a moment, Caleb spoke again.

"You've been a bit off today."

Sophia looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know." He said. "Just quieter. You didn't laugh at my any of my jokes today."

She snorted.

"Because you made bad jokes today."

"Rude!" He said, clutching his chest dramatically. "My joke are always gold, and you know that."

Sophia smiled faintly, but then she looked ahead again, her smile fading.

Caleb glanced at her.

"See? That's what I mean."

Sophia sighed, slowing her steps a little.

"I'm fine, Caleb."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure? I know that something is bothering you, but I don't know why you've not told me yet."

"Yeah, you're right. Something is bothering me." She said softly. "The thing is, I'm still trying to make sense of it in my head, and I'm not ready to talk about some things yet."

Caleb didn't push her. He just nodded.

"Okay, fine. But when you're ready, I'm here. Always."

Sophia glanced at him and felt something warm in her chest.

"Thanks."

They walked a bit more. The streets were starting to quiet down, the buzz of the day fading.

Then Caleb cleared his throat again, this time sounding a bit nervous.

"So..."

Sophia turned to him, curious.

"Spit it out?"

"Would you wanna go out to eat sometime? Just us?"

She blinked.

"Yeah, why not? We already do that all the time."

Caleb shook his head.

"No, I mean, not like that."

"Like how— oh..." She stopped walking.

He looked down at his shoes, then up at her again.   

"Like how?" Sophia asked.

"Like a date."

Sophia's heart did this weird flip in her chest. Her eyes widened slightly. Before she could answer, a bus pulled up with a loud honk.

"That's my ride. I have to go now." She said quickly.

Caleb opened his mouth to say something, but Sophia was already running towards the bus and hopping in.

"So, what do you say?" He asked her as she sat by a window.

"I'll see you tomorrow!" She yelled, waving at him before turning back to face her front.

The doors closed and the bus pulled away, leaving Caleb on the sidewalk, hands still in his pockets, staring at the leaving vehicle.

He smiled faintly to himself. The fact that she hadn't said no was something, at least.

What would it be like to have Sophia as the one for him? He thought to himself, walking back to the school environs.

But then, what if she didn’t even like him that way? He hoped he hadn’t messed things up for their friendship by popping that question out like that.

He groaned, looking up at the sky like it had a solution for his issue.

Silly Caleb, he thought. You’ve overstepped your bounds now, and you’re going to have to face the repercussions.