Sophia, Marisa Redhead16 [phonics reader txt] 📗

to question Michael about her later. Sophia ignored me and walked past.
“Aphrodite? Sure, I can tell you about her. Her son is Cupid, her first true love died, he was actually Cupid’s stepfather, she had tons of affairs, there was a rivalry between her Athena and Hera.” “Hera?” “Hera wasn’t her mother, she was born by Zeus’s father’s blood droppinginto the sea. She didn’t like Psyche, Cupid’s wife, at first because she was so beautiful. She grew to like her a few years after Cupid saved her. I don’t know much else, I’ll talk to Dad. He’s always studying Greek history. Speaking of Aphrodite, have you seen Nina today? I really miss her and I want to apologize to her.”
“She’s right behind you.” Michael turned around. “Thanks.” He muttered before he went to talk to her. I saw her try to turn away, but Michael caught her. He loved her enough to ask for forgiveness and try to save their relationship.
I wondered if I would still be able to get a relationship with Sophia. Then I remembered Vicky. Oh, man. I went to the bleachers after school to see if Maureen had actually done what I'd wanted her to do. "Hey, big guy." Nina said, sitting beside me. "Hey. What are you doing here?" I asked. Nina grinned. "You're probably not gonna like this, but Sophia became a cheerleader." "What?" "She asked Mrs. Alnez if she could join. Alnez said yes. Sophia wants a change, and to knock Maureen off the top. She knows Maureen and you made out. Kevin has a fat lip." she blushed.
There she was, in formation. Sophia was a gymnast and a tennis player almost a year ago, so she was fast and flexible. "She's also been taking piano lessons from that woman who lives across the street from you for a few days. So if you want to see her, you know where she is." Sophia looked up and waved at us. We waved back. I heard someone say "Who's the guy with the belly?" from the track. "That's Tobias. He's really smart and sweet, but he's quiet and not self-confident." someone else said. "He's got a sexy voice, though. Really low and deep."
I was really hungry by then. I felt sure everyone could see my stomach vibrating. My stomach was completely empty by the time Tony got there. Nina was still waiting for her sister to get out of the bathroom. "Why so late?" I asked Big Brother. "Basketball tryouts and a girl fight. Spring and my pyscho ex-girlfriend Katie Welson. By the way, new girlfriend. Her name's Tyra Banks, like the model. Same skin color, too. Not my first black girlfriend, but definitely the sexiest and smartest. She feels that she doesn't have to do much to impress me. She's right. I had a little crush on her before, but I was scared and dating someone else." "Who?" I asked. "Katie Welson, of course. There's her car now."
I saw a pretty brunette in a silver 2009 Honda Civic. She was putting on lipstick and blaring Katy Perry. Clearly popular. Spring was popular too, but she was definitely the crazy one today. She chased after Katie and nearly rammed her car. I noticed Spring's car was dirtier and had 'Honk If U Think I'm Sexy' written on it. I was starting to think Spring wasn't as nice as I'd thought she was. Pretty, smart, and popular, but vain and loved catfights.
Tony told me he'd heard that Spring was stalking him on the Internet, and she secretly had posters of naked men in her nightstand drawer. She was planning to work at an adult club soon, even though she wasn't even eighteen yet. She also had a fake ID, which who doesn't, even I've got one, but she got so drunk she passed out.
I texted Nina all this information. 'Sounds like a hottie.' was her response. 'She looks like you and ur sister mixed together' I told her. She said she didn't care. I said whatever. I'd been friends with Nina since sixth grade, and could tell her anything. She usually had good advice. Usually.
Mom said she thinks Spring wants Tony back and she's trying to impress him. Well, it failed to impress her. She changed her mind about Spring, and decided she didn't like her anymore. Tony didn't care. He was all over his new girlfriend. She apparently was the hottest, smartest, sweetest girl he'd ever actually dated, which is saying a lot.
Tony asked Mom if Tyra could come over for dinner. Mom said sure. Tony called Tyra suddenly. "Hey you!" was her answer. "Hey babe, I've got you on speakerphone. My mom and Toby are here." "Hi, Mrs. Grass and Tobias." she said. Mom grinned. "Call me Anne, dear." Mom said. "All right, Anne. What's up, Tobias?" "Nothing much." "Good."
The song Sexy Chick by David Guetta feat. Akon came on. "Babe, our song's playing." "Cool." Mom smirked. All Tony's girlfriend 'songs' were usually tacky or sappy. Note the past tense. Tony always let his girlfriends choose it. I had a feeling they agreed on the song this time. But he was happy. Truly happy. Not, okay, he was totally madly desperately in love.
He wasn't fake or unhappy. He was truly happy. Spring may have been crazy, but she opened his eyes and showed him what love was. I'd wanted to be just like him when I was younger. I changed my tune as I got older. "Tone, I gotta go. See you tomorrow?" "See you." He was grinning. "I'm so in love!" he said, spreading his arms out.
Dad walked through. He wasn't sober like he'd promised he'd be, he was flat drunk. Tony and I got our stuff and went upstairs. We went to his room. He listened through the wall. I felt totally out of place. I waded through the dirty clothes and plopped on his bed. l soon realized I was sitting on a pair of dirty underwear. I could hear Mom and Dad shouting soon.
They were arguing about Dad's condition. "You promised you'd stay sober!" Mom shouted. I heard a slapping noise, meaning Dad had slapped her. He called her several terrible names. So terrible I won't repeat them. Just slap him back. Tell him you'll divorce him for good. Tell him he's made too many mistakes. I silently begged Mom. I heard Tony whispering similar things. He still had his ear pressed against the wall.
More arguing. "I can't live without my boys!" Dad said. "I love them, even if they were accidents." Tony and I glanced at each other. We'd already sort of known this, but this hurt, hearing it from Dad's mouth. "If you loved them, you wouldn't have hurt them! You've put them through enough trouble already." Mom said.have
I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in Tony's bed. He laid right beside me, snoring away. l almost thought l was late for school, then I remembered we had In Service. I got up and went to my room only to fall asleep again in bed.
I woke up to the smell of vanilla coffee and fresh bacon. Tony was at the stove, cooking breakfast for Mom, who was usually beautiful but today her skin looked tired, she had smeared eyeliner, her hair was limp, and a big black bruise was on her usually smooth and clean cheek. She pulled me close and kissed me when I went for a little hug. "Sleep well, hon?" "Yeah."
"Thanks, Tony." Mom said when he placed a mug of coffee, sunny-side up eggs, toast, and bacon in front of her. He let her kiss his cheek for once. A car turned into our street. Mom got up. "Nina?" she asked. "What's up?" "I need to talk to Tobias like, now." "All right."
"What's up?" I asked as l leaned against the fridge and nibbled on a strip of bacon. "It's about Soph. When she got up Billy was on top of her, trying to have sex. She screamed and Kevin came into her room with a socket wrench." "Socket wrench?" I asked. "Hey, it was the closest weapon. Anyway, Kev scared Billy off and called the cops. Since Billy belongs to a gang, we're all scared for her. Detective Jackson's going to question her and pursue a full investigation. Billy has been skipping on therapy and anger management classes. Toby, I need a hug."
I hugged her. When Nina told Mom what happened, Mom said she'd be more than happy to support Sophia. She even offered a discount. Nina said thanks and she'd talk to her sister and brother.
I was worried, yes. Scared, a little. Stomach growling, I went back into my room and sat in front of the computer. I played a Britney Spears song and went onto the chat log. Several people were on it.
Hotcheer: Tht one chick is pretty tho
DavieBoi: Sophia Martinez?
Hotcheer: Ya, her
Maurwreck: Her bro takes care of her and her sis Nina ther parents r always away
I wondered why Maureen would so willingly share private information like this. "I'm gonna kill her." said Nina, coming up behind me. "She's been telling people private info about Soph and spreading stupid rumors about her." "Why?" "She's jealous, she's a homewrecker, Suzy The Boyfriend Stealer, and she cheats on her boyfriend. She's still dating that one guy. When Josh found out, he was pissed. He's not speaking to her. He really liked her."
"Why is she jealous, Nin?" "She's jealous because she knows you like Sophia, and she likes you. Speaking of liking you..." I turned back.
Maurwreck: Fyi, Tobias Grass and i r dating
Redboy: O we r? I didn't kno tht
DavieBoi: Nice
Hotcheer: Burn!!!!
Nina laughed out loud. "I can't believe you just did that!" she said. "She'll probably hate you for a while." "I know. Frankly, I don't care." "Hey, can you help me with a math worksheet?" "Sure. Sup?" It was about some theory, a p-word theory. I did my best with her. I stared at Nina's black hair that came from her Mexican side. Her eyes were bright and smiling.
I realized I loved Nina. Wait, no, it was her sister I loved. Besides, I'd turned Nina down and she wasn't about to start crawling back. Nina was my best friend, not my girlfriend.
I felt my heart falling onto the carpet. I looked down. I suddenly felt very queasy. She was singing a song that sounded familiar but the words were switched about. I gave her a quizzical look. She smiled. "The One by Millionaires. It's a girl group. Sophia loves them. She was singing that song last night."

I laid on my bed. Nina placed her elbows on my stomach. "Oof! You have bony elbows, you know?" "I know." She laid her head on my soft middle, with her feet still on the floor. "How would you feel if Sophia, Kevin and I took a vacation to the city of dreams?" "New York? I don't know. Depends on when your going and the reason why." I'd been to New York. I liked it.

I learned that they would be going in the summer, and Tony and I could join them. Duh.

So life at school improved Billy-wise. Billy got suspended for a month, and Logan told me they were thinking about getting him expelled. Good riddens. No one truly liked him, and he'd beat up not just me, but David, Logan, and a couple other guys. I still wanted Sophia.

Normal afternoon. I bumped my head after I awoke to my cell phone ringing. I groggily sat up and answered it. "Hel-lo?" "Hello, Mr. Sleepy." "Nina, it's seven