Shorts

Part 8

Maya's POV

It's been a few weeks and Sophia and I have hung out on a regular basis, like how we used to. Like now, we were chilling on the pier. Sophia and I were laughing as we ate our ice creams.

"I'm serious. Kyle made a smart ass comment to Nate, so he retaliated by dumping miralax in his drink. Kyle couldn't play the game and didn't give the coach a heads up, so he got benched the next game. And Adam was given the starting position and did better than Kyle ever did. So Nate essentially made Kyle lose his spot." I licked my ice cream.

"I'm surprised Kyle didn't complain because then Nate would've gotten suspended."

"Because Kyle is too embarrassed." I snickered. "And Nate still doesn't understand why I won't go out with him." I rolled my eyes.

"Wait! What?!" Sophia shook my arm.

"I didn't tell you?" She shook her head at me. "He's been trying to ask me out since freshman year. I've always politely declined." I then giggled. "He stopped now."

"I'm guessing the gay thing closes some doors." Sophia slyly commented. "Similar with Lucas."

"Oh, well that one was obvious." I rolled my eyes. "I've always told you that he was

into you."

"And you were right." Sophia stuck her tongue out. "He's cool with it and moved on to flirting with Dija."

"Did she smack him yet?" I laughed when Sophia nodded.

Sophia chuckled to herself before looking at the ocean. I followed her line of sight and pointed at the dolphins. Sophia looked down and played with her fingers, a nervous habit of hers. I furrowed my brows and turned her shoulders to face me. Sophia took a deep breath and looked up.

"So how are things with Vanessa?" I watched the waves.

"So Vanessa keeps telling me she loves me."

"Oh." I played dumb like I haven't heard the girl profess her love for Sophia like a thousand times. "Do you love her back?" I nervously asked.

"Uh... ya." My heart fell at her words. "I love everyone that is important to me. She's apart of my life and I consider her irreplaceable, so I do love her and-"

"Wait, so you're saying your love for Vanessa is the same as for any other friend... like even me?" I snorted and almost missed the panicked look on her face. "I'm just joki-"

"And that's the problem. It's like she wants me to say it back."

"Typically, that's how those things work." I smiled and hugged my knees. "But you shouldn't say it if you don't mean it. It sounds like you love her as a friend, but are not in love with her."

"I know." Sophia groaned. "And then there's the intimacy thing and-"

"She isn't pressuring you, is she?" My voice took on a serious tone.

"No." She quickly spoke, so I gave her a stern look. "No, she really isn't. I swear. She isn't. It's just that it's something I know she'd want to do. Like she's sexually active and-"

"Been through half the football team." I slyly commented and received a glare. "We always talk shit about people."

"Different when I'm dating them." Sophia grumbled.

"Sorry, didn't realize you'd be affected by someone you're not in love with." I nudged her and got a laugh. "For what it's worth, I think she really does love you and will respect your boundaries."