It’s Just You and Me, Honey (Chapter 4) by Fathiah Zarafi

Sophia was resting on the park bench watching Luke, Hunter and Zach play on the frozen lake. She stifled a giggle when Zach fell flat on his butt after a failed attempt to skate a figure 8. Her breath was puffing out in front of her as she held herself together for warmth. Sophia had no idea why they dragged her out here. It was January in Portland, Maine. Do the math.

“Sophie!”

Sophia snapped out of her trance and gazed wildly at the beaming boy next to her. “Guess what?” Dylan teased. She raised an eyebrow as a sign of continuation. Dylan leaned forward until their noses were almost touching, an action resulting in a skipped beat of Sophia’s heart.

“We have just been booked for another gig at Hard Rock Café,” he whispered. Sophia’s eyes widened in a mixture of disbelief and joy. “Hard Rock Café? Are you freaking kidding me?” she laughed. Dylan’s chortle was choked in his throat when Sophia suddenly launched herself on him causing them both to nearly tumble from the bench.

“Hey, I know I’m hot and all but geez,” joked Dylan. Sophia ignored his comment and wrapped her arms around him tighter. “It’s freezing out here!” she moaned “Who the hell suggested we ‘play’ outside in the middle of winter? We’re in Portland for goodness sake!”

Dylan once again guffawed loudly before untangling Sophia’s limbs from his. “It’s your mother’s idea, remember?” he reminded. Sophia groaned, drawing her arms around her knees for warmth. It is indeed true. Her mother had been the one to drag them here, insisting that they have a “band-bonding” time. What confuses Sophia though, was the fact that it has been three months since their very first performance. Of all the time to bond, it would be three months ago.

“So are you up for it?” Dylan’s voice shook Sophia out of trance. Her face wore the expression of scandalized as she looked at him.

“Of course I’m up for it, idiot.”

Out of nowhere, Hunter had come padding towards them and unexpectedly pulled Sophia to her feet. Despite her protests, Hunter led her to the frozen lake where they met with Zach and Luke.

“Geez, Red, who knew you were such a fun-less person,” Hunter grinned. Huffing in mock annoyance, Sophia once again crossed her arms in front of her chest following Zach and Luke’s snickers.

“For your information, it’s negative 5 Celsius out here and I’m a petite girl. I need warmth,” she argued back with a smile forming on her lips. The instant the words left her mouth, all three of the boys grinned mischievously down at her. Sophia backed away from them slowly but it was too late.

Luke, Zach and Hunter had surrounded her with evil grins on their faces. The next thing she knew, Sophia was group hugged—no, group squeezed by these boys. Her squeals rang out loud throughout the park followed by laughter that pierced through the air.

From the distance, Dylan watched the action enfold with a huge foreign weight on his chest. He didn’t know what it is or why it was there but Dylan wanted it gone for good. How to, though, was a different matter. As Sophia giggled when Hunter lifted her off of her feet, the pang in his chest intensified. Yes, he must take matters in his hands soon.

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It was Friday night. Hunter Kinsley was currently standing in front of his full length mirror contemplating whether to flat iron his hair or not. He was running out of time though; Luke will swing by in 10 minutes to pick him up for the gig.

Screw this, he thought, throwing the iron he stole from his sister onto his desk, everybody knows natural is the way to go.

With that thought inscribed in his mind, Hunter took one last look at his reflection. Curly brown hair, blue button up shirt, loose tie, dark jeans and roughed up sneakers. Meh, I’ve been worse.

Hunter slid down the stairs on the railing ignoring his mother’s repeating warning not to do so. He landed gracefully on the bottom with a soft thud. “Mom, I’ll wait for Luke outside!” he called. His mother, blonde hair wild and disheveled, peeked from the kitchen with a huge pot in her hands.

“Good luck, honey,” she wished. Hunter sighed as to what his mother was currently cooking registered in his mind. “Don’t blow up the house with your salsa again, mom!” he hollered just before shutting the door behind him.

As he sat down on the cold swing, his jacket wrapped tightly around him, Hunter began thinking about the only girl who has been occupying his mind lately. Sophia Banks. Ever since the first time they met, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. From her striking red hair to her equally charming personality, everything about Sophia captivated him. Even though he was head over heels for her, Hunter knew she was still crazy about that dude, Dylan.

A bitter chuckle escaped between Hunter’s lips. You’re so stupid, Mayer. You’ve got the most amazing girl after you but there you go dating some other blonde bimbo. Smooth.

Luke’s persistent honking forced Hunter out of his daydream and he walked carefully down the ice-covered ground. Though he was walking, his mind was still a thousand miles away. As he got in the car, Luke immediately drove off, heading towards the city.

Through the rock music blasting in the car, Luke casually spoke up. “So have you found someone to go to prom with?” he asked. Hunter smirked at him immediately. “Yes. Yes I do.”

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The show was yet another success. Just like the first time they performed, the crowd demanded another encore even after the band’s two hour performance was up. As soon as the band exited the stage, all five of them collapsed on the nearest bench, drenched in sweat. Luke peeled his shirt from his sticky chest in disgust.

“Gross. I need a shower,” he mumbled to nobody in particular but it was heard by Zach who immediately took a whiff of his armpit. “Phew. Me too, dude.” Sophia shoved the two boys away from her although the barely budge from her force.

“You’re both disgusting,” she grunted. Just as she was about to collapse on Dylan like she usually does after shows, Hunter suddenly sprang to his feet and tugged Sophia along with him.

“Come on guys, the earlier we finish loading our equipments, the sooner we get to crash on our beds,” he ushered. All of them croaked in agreement before hauling themselves sluggishly to where their equipments were piled up.

After countless trips from backstage to Dylan’s 1984 Dodge Caravan, all of the guitars, stereos and drum sets were loaded. Zach hopped onto the backseat and propped his feet on the front seat, which was later slapped away by Sophia. She was climbing the front seat when a pair of hands pulled her backwards by her waist. A loud squeak escaped her lips from the surprise.

“Red, I need to talk to you. It’s very important,” Hunter whispered. Sophia gave Dylan a look that meant ‘It’s nothing, I’ll be right back’ when he started scowling and tried to pull her back into the van.

Hunter led them back into the club and back to the bench where they rested earlier. Sophia studied him curiously as his usual calm demeanor was replaced with agitation; something very rarely seen.

“Hunter, what is it?” she asked. He was really starting to worry her. Hunter took in a deep breath and gazed at her straight in the eyes. Suddenly Sophia’s worried feelings were replaced with fear.

“Sophia, would you go to the prom with me?”


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“You said WHAT?” screamed Dylan on their way home. Sophia cringed as she rubbed her painful ears. Dylan’s face was practically steaming red by now, taking his eyes off the road to glance at her every so often.

“I said yes,” she sighed. His grip on the steering wheel tightened even more, if that was possible and nearly ran over an innocent cat.

“Why the hell did you agree to go with Hunter?! Anybody but Hunter, Sophia, please!” he screeched. Sophia felt her anger flared up within herself at his words.

“And why the hell not?” she spat as soon as they halted to a stop in front of her house. Dylan glared at her with menacing eyes. “You two have just met three months ago! How would know that ‘taking you to prom’ isn’t the only agenda in his mind?! Stop being so naïve!”

That was it. That was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. If they were in a cartoon, steam would’ve emitted from Sophia’s ears as her face grew redder by the second.

“Don’t you dare tell me I’m naïve, Dylan Neil Mayer! Hunter is your friend for fuck’s sake and you were the one who introduced us!” hissed Sophia, “You are not my father, my brother nor my boyfriend so you don’t have the say on whom I can go or can’t go to prom with.”

Before Dylan had the chance to retort, Sophia jumped out of his van and slammed on his door. Fuming, he slammed on the gas pedal and skidded out of her driveway. As he continued his anger-induced journey down the icy road, Dylan couldn’t help but replay Sophia’s words over and over again.

You are not my father, my brother nor my boyfriend

Boyfriend.

A part of him wanted to play that role so desperately but another part of him, the rational part, dismissed this feeling simply as an anger surge towards Hunter Kinsley. He was dead wrong.

Labels: It's Just You and Me Honey