We were in pre-school when I met Sophia. She was a transferee at our school. Before she transferred, I was always the one who gets high scores and grades or even get perfect scores in the exams, and always at the top. The teacher gave us the monthly test on the day that she transferred. When the results came the teacher announced that only one got perfect. Everyone expected that it was me, even the moms of my classmates expected that it was me. But it was her. Everyone was shocked. Who would think that a girl with braided hair in half who is thin and looked like she didn’t know anything would get a perfect score in her first day?
I was embarrassed for the first time. I told myself that the next time this girl will get a higher rank than me in school or anywhere, I will treat her as my rival. The next days made me depressed while Sophia impressed everyone. And at that very moment, she was my rival.
I even told her that I will defeat her no matter what happens. But she just replied, “Who are you?” Yeah, that’s right. I haven’t introduced myself to her. I told her to remember my name, “Cedric. C-E-D-R-I-C. Cedric Thompson.”
I entered to the school where she entered for grade school. It was just a public school. I did my best and used my charm to force my mom and dad to let me study in that school and not in the prestigious school they want for me. They were wondering why I wanted to study in that kind of school but they let me in. Sophia and I were classmates. I did all my best to surpass her in anything but nothing happened. She’s always the first and I’m the second, she’s the winner and I’m the loser. That’s great. But those things just pushed me to keep my promise to myself. Girls in the school always cheer for me every time I am defeated, “Cedric! You did great!” “You’re still handsome! Don’t mind them!” “You’re still the winner in our hearts!” But those things didn’t help.
When we were in high school, I still followed her. It was a better school. It was a private school. At last I felt that I belong there. Every time I pass by a crowd, girls are shouting my name. That’s embarrassing but I still share my smiles to them and they all go crazy. While Sophia, every time I smile at her or go near her, her expressions are still the same. She wouldn’t even mile or even look away. She just stares at me. And that chills me to the bones.
One day, I borrowed her notebook but I lost it. As an apology, I asked her to eat with me, just to treat her for lunch. I think she misunderstood that, she thought that I asked her out to go out on a date. Great! Then, something came up to me, what if I make her like me and then she’ll fall in love for me, then I’ll dump her.
A brilliant idea. In that way, I will win! Then, I started my plan. I walk her home or send her to where she is going, carry her books, treat her lunch like a boyfriend to his girl. But that would never happen. Everyone looks around us like, “They’re dating? Since when?!” “How sweet!” “No way! Cedric? Dating that kind of girl? Maybe that’s just a dare.” I’d like to punch each and every one of them. Sophia is not that bad. Maybe she looks arrogant but she’s nice and she just likes to be alone.
She’s the only child and her mom raised her alone. Her dad died in a car accident when she was 4. She told me her background and after that, my conscience bothered me.
There was an incident when I walked her home and her phone rang. It was her aunt. Sophia dropped her phone and then she was trembling. I didn’t know what to do. I wasn’t ready for that. I asked her calmly what happened and then she told me that her mom had an accident and she’s in the hospital. I can see in her eyes that she was really afraid. Her dad died in an accident. She would not want that to happen to her mom. I called a taxi. We rushed to the hospital. I held her trembling, cold hands while we were on the cab and she squeezed my hand when we reached the hospital.
When we went into her mom’s room, we saw her watching TV like nothing happened. Sophia asked her what happened, then she just replied, “Sorry if I made you worry. It was just a fracture. It will heal immediately. Your mom’s stupid. You even brought a friend.” Me? Sophia’s friend? Since when? Sophia screamed and then started to cry, telling her mom that she was really worried and to be more careful. It’s the first time I saw her like that. I went out of the room. Seeing her mom safe was a relief.
Sophia went out and told me, “Thank you. If not for you, I would not make it here because I don’t know what to do if I’m alone.” And then, she smiled. I hoped I did not blush. She was really cute with her braided hair still in half. It was the first time that she smiled at me and my heart skipped a beat. I was really happy that time.
Our class once had a camping for two days and a night. Of course there are lots of activities in the camp. We should work in pairs. Sophia was my partner. I was glad with that. Each pair has their tent. Great. The two of us together. Girls envied her for that. And each pair should lock hands. What kind of school is this? But I kinda like it. I don’t know how it would work. Teachers said it is to teach us discipline and responsibility. Discipline for waking up early, for waiting for your pair all the time and responsibility to take care of each other.
The first day ended. Every one sang around the campfire and we were dismissed to sleep. We were on our way to our tent when someone called, Alex, my girlfriend wannabe. I don’t like her. She’s opposite all over to Sophia. She tells everyone in the school that she’s my girlfriend which is too far to be true. So I talked to her. She asked her if Sophia is my girlfriend and I told her, “No. Not yet.” And she left.
I went to our tent. Sophia was already asleep. She’s cute. No, she’s pretty. Really pretty with her hair untied. I sat next to her and watched her. I didn’t know what came into me but I touched her face. Part of me wanted to kiss her, but no. I shouldn’t do that, it’s not yet the right time. I just took pictures of her.
When I woke up, she was already dressed for the Capture-their-Flags game. She didn’t left me even though she already knew that we were late. Of course, it’s because of the rule, “DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PARTNER, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.” And so she did. She told me that she tried to wake me up, but it didn’t work. I was sorry for that.
We rushed to the game. We tried our best to get our opponents’ flags. And then, we won. I was really happy that time which made me hug her. She was shocked but she just hugged back. Maybe she was also really glad that time. Everyone stared at us. But I didn’t care. The camp ended. I wished that it would last longer.
I changed my plan of making her like me and then dump her. I changed the whole thing. I will make her mine. No matter what happens, she will be mine. There are lots of guys that time who also noticed her beauty so I had to keep an eye on her.
We were once again partners. So I invited her to make our project at our house. My mom was really amazed that at last I brought a girl there. She kept on asking Sophia questions and Sophia was really happy to answer them. That’s strange. Then, my mom screamed. Sophia and I were shocked. Then she said, “You! I remember you! You’re the girl I saw in Ced’s phone! And you’re also the wallpaper in his laptop and in his iPad!” I wished I didn’t blush that time. I was really embarrassed that time. Sophia just smiled but I knew she wanted to laugh and I saw that she blushed a little bit. I hoped so.
We finished high school. That means college is next. I planned to follow her again to where she will study. But my parents wanted me to study to the university they want me in. I followed them even if it will break my heart. I tried not to see Sophia for days, for weeks, and for months to make it easier for me to adjust. And even a year. Each day I didn’t see her, it makes my heart break even more. I didn’t contact her. Because contacting her would only make me miss her even more.
Years passed by.
My graduation day came. I was so down as I entered the doors of the university hall. I didn’t mind the girls taking pictures of me, shouting my name. I wished Sophia was there. I haven’t forgotten her. Her eyes, her smile, her hair, and everything about her.
I am the summa cum laude. I delivered my speech which made my heart sank. I kept on talking about my rivalry with a girl who always wins whatever I do to defeat her. All of them were shocked when they heard it. For them, I am the smartest, the brightest , and the greatest, good-looking guy in town. That no one would ever defeat me. The graduation ended. I was hopeless that she will come. And then, there came a familiar voice behind me.
“Hey! Was that me in your speech? Am I that great?” It was her. The girl I have been waiting for.
I can’t express my feelings that time. I didn’t know what to do. She was way too different than the last time I saw her. She’s beautiful. Really beautiful. And this time, she was smiling, the kind of smile that a guy would want from a girl they like. And she was now confident of herself.
Then, she said, “So, what now? Do you want to tell me something? Your mom told you don’t have a girlfriend… why?”
So many questions, but I was willing to answer all of them. I was just really happy that she came.
“Uhhhhmmmm… Yes, I want to tell you something. But, before that, do you have a boyfriend?”
“Haha. I didn’t have a boyfriend ever since. But I have lots of suitors and I have lots of friends now.”
Her confidence is way too high now. But I was glad to hear that.
She said, “So. What would you like to tell me?”
“Oh. Right. I didn’t have a girlfriend because…. I was waiting for someone. I mean, I was waiting for the right time to make that girl mine.” I said nervously.
She smiled. Then she stepped closer to me. “Can you tell me who she is?”
I felt my heart beat went faster and faster. I should tell her, before it’s too late. I said confidently, “You already knew who she is.”
“No. Tell me. I want to hear her name.”
People around stared at us, waiting for something to happen. Even my mom, dad and my sister supported me, looking at me nervously.
“She is my rival since we were kids. Until I realized that I like her. Then, it became love.”
“…..”
“She’s Sophia Rodriguez. The one in front of me now.”
She laughed. “Really!?”
“Hey, that’s not a laughing stuff.”
“Sorry. I was just happy that you now have the guts to tell me what you feel.”
“So, does that mean, Yes?
“Huh? I didn’t remember that you asked something that is answerable by ‘Yes’.”
“Aaahh.. Sorry. I’ll be straight to the point now. Would you marry me? We’re on the right age now.”
She blushed. “You’re serious?! We’re not even boyfriend and girlfriend! And you don’t even have a ring!”
“Who said I don’t?” I got the ring on my necklace I have been wearing since I left for college. She raised an eyebrow. “So, would you be my girlfriend?”, I continued.
She smiled and gave me a big hug. Then she kissed me on my cheek. “Oh yes! Of course! And I’m also willing to be Mrs. Cedric Thompson.”
With what she said, my heart wanted to burst. I can’t express why I felt. It was a dream came true!
That was the best thing that happened to me. I’ll never let anyone ruin our lives. I’ll never let anyone ruin our relationship.
All I know is I love her. I really love her.
-Damsel Jennica ^.^
