Chapter 12: Having You Near Me

I took Sophie into a secret room located at the principal's office. It was built for me to stay and to rest on whenever I wanted to.

Sophie was the only girl whom I brought in here. I don't know why, but I felt inspired and enlightened up every time I see her angelic face.

"Give it to me," Sophie told me. She offers her hand, even though she can't see my face.

I smiled secretly and quietly. I don't want her to get offended, so I let her.

"Sit down." She ordered.

I was like a faithful, obedient puppy who easily obeyed what its owner said.

"Upper or lower?" Sophie asked, waiting for were to press the ice bag. "Upper," I replied, gulping.

"Careful, Sophie," I exclaimed. She pressed it forcibly and it hurts.

"Sophie."

I moved a little bit closer, and she stops pressing the ice bag on my jaw. "Xian."

Sophie gasped and breathed deeply. I'm making her nervous and frightened.

"Sophie," I called her name, for the nth time.

"Hmm?"

"Nothing. Just continue what you doing earlier." I hold her hand and guide it into my bruise.

The pain in my jaw, slowly vanish. Thanks to Sophie, for helping me out.

"Xian," Sophie called in her usual soft tone. "Do you want  to hear me singing?" She added, giving me back the ice bag.

I was taken aback, I've heard her voice once and it makes my soul at ease. "Why, do you have any songs for me?"

"Just answer me, yes or no?!" Sophie raised her eyebrows and waited for me to answer.

"Yes!" I honestly told her.

In my whole life, no one dared to sing me a song. I mean, people around me never tried to do it wholeheartedly, except for Sophie.

Sophie shook her head, and start singing.

🎶

I came to you and never asked too much

Wondering what you would say

Hoping you'd understand

It's not a role I usually play

Don't speak too much of what's been going on

The past is over and gone

Give me your troubled mind

You know it's used

I can do so much for you

I want you

Having you near me, holding you near me

I want you to stay and never go away

It's so right

Having you near me, holding you near me

I'll love you tonight, it feels so right

Feels so right

You're brave to say that you get lost in love

But you opened your heart to me

Underneath all, you feel you know

How deep our love could be

Tonight we'll touch until it's time to go

Then I'm leaving it up to you

Even a fool would know that I'm not through

I can do so much for you

I want you

Having you near me, holding you near me

I want you to stay and never go away

It's so right

Having you near me, holding you near me

I'll love you tonight, it feels so right

Feels so right

🎶

I've heard the song somewhere, but I can't remember the title. Sophie sang it very well, and her voice; there's something embracing it that turns into a magic.

"Having you near me by Air Supply," Sophie uttered, facing the opposite direction.

"Are you done?" I asked her, but I want to tell her that she was too good at singing. That she has a golden voice but I'm such a clear for asking an absurd question.

Sophie stiffened and stood up. "Well, why should I expect that you will like my voice? I'm such a dreamer." She laughs bitterly and covered her mouth with her hands.

She got maybe disappointed and aggrieved. How can I bear holding my real emotions back, and lying to someone whom I cared about?

"Your jaw is fine now. Perhaps, you don't need my help anymore." Sophie turned her back at me, and her shoulders were obviously shaking.

I watch her back, and if I don't make any move, I will let Sophie slip away from me.

"Don't bother me again, Xian."

"Don't you dare walk away from me, Sophie!" I step closer to her and grip her arm.

"Let me go!" Sophie said, raising her voice.

"Not this time around," I told her, still gripping her arm.

Sophie didn't reply, her head was lowered down. "Why are you doing this to me?" It was a plain question, a simple and direct one but I step back and let her arm out from my grip.

Why I am doing this to her? What is the best answer? I don't know! I can't explain it to Sophie.

"Tell me! Tell me Xian!" Sophie turned and I saw how she burst into tears. A loud cry, to be certain.

Tears flow down into her cheek profusely. I'm such a jerk for hurting her so much.

What should I do?

The moment that she cries, my heart skips a beat because of pain. I don't want to see her this way, and so I step closer to Sophie.

I was standing three feet away from her. Without hesitation, without thinking about my pride and my ego, I cup her pale, soft face and wipe the tears away.

"You don't have to leave, Sophie. You don't have to be afraid. You don't have to sit back and let other people hurt you. Not all the times, I am here to save and to protect you from Yna. Do you understand, Sophie?"

I tucked away from the strands of her hair, to stare at her face wholly. I lifted up her head, and lean it in my chest.

"You can cry hard enough at my chest, Sophie. But–" I paused.

"I like the way you sing the song earlier," I told her, finally.

Sophie halted from crying and wipe her wet face and said, "Really?!"

"Yes. Let me finish before leaving me again, Sophie." I smiled sweetly and quietly.

Her expression was epic, but still, she looks beautiful.

"Are you laughing?!"

"I'm not!"

I replied, laughing at her secretly.

**

I hate Sophie so much! She steals Xian from me, she steals Kate from me.! She's a thief in disguise.

"What are your plans, now?" Zuzi said.

"I'll apologize to Sophie and I'll show to her and Xian that I'm leaving her, alone for good."

Zuzi and Aki looked at each eye. "Are you certain?"

"I'll make things worst. Xian? Xian will be mine and Sophie will be nowhere to find."

Yna laughs devilishly while walking back and forth.

"Watch and learn, girls!" Yna said.