Sophia              The elevator doors ding as I step into Ms. Reynolds’ apartment. So far, I’ve been able to order several pieces of furniture and am redesigning the kitchen. I still haven’t touched her bedroom, considering how difficult she has been about her design.               A small smile slips across my lips as I remember another bedroom where I just spent the past few hours making love with Micah. I’m still amazed that Micah told me he loved me. It was the most amazing feeling in the world. Especially considering that I’ve been in love with him for so long and never expected him to reciprocate. Even after we made love the first time, I didn’t expect him to ever express such deep emotion for me.              I

Sophia               We all step into the townhouse, feeling a variety of emotions. My parents’ relief and gratitude that they’re home, and Micah and I with anxiety at what will happen once we reveal our relationship to them. We spend all of Friday and Saturday enjoying time with our parents. I can’t say the opportunity to reveal our secret wasn’t right. I think it was more like we didn’t know how to go about it.               Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on our perspective, the opportunity is taken out of our hands when our parents step out to go grocery shopping. Micah and I had to sleep in separate beds for the past two nights and were desperate for each other. We’ve only been sleeping in the same bed for a little over a week, but I feel like I c

Sophia               “Don’t be down, pumpkin; you’ll see him later.” My dad says, ruffling my hair gently. I roll my eyes and take a sip of the lemonade Chelsea set in front of me. “I know, dad. I just worry about him” Chelsea and my father look at me with understanding and take a seat on the couch across from me. “You must be so excited to move into the gorgeous apartment after living in that stuffy dorm for so long. And I’m sure Micah is excited about you moving in with him. Do you want us to help you move your things tomorrow?” Chelsea asks, trying to divert the conversation to a happier note.              I nod my head, trying to shake off my melancholy. “Yeah, that would be great.” I turn to my dad with a thankful grin. “I know that learning about Mic

Sophia               Okay, girl, calm down. I think to myself as I gaze into the dark interior of the crate. Another noise makes me stiffen in alarm. I blink my eyes, trying to adjust my vision. “Hello?” I whisper warily as I lean on the side of the crate and use it to guide me forward. “Is anyone here?” I ask, feeling my heart speed up with panic when the sound of rustling echoes in the darkness. I’m about to call out again when I feel a hand clamp down on my wrist.              I cry out in fear and pull at my arms but quickly calm when a soft female voice penetrates my panic. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. I was brought here against my will too.” The sound of my heavy breathing meets my ears as I stiffen my shoulders and focus my eyes on

Sophia               It has been five weeks since Micah ended our brief relationship. I don’t even know how I got to the dorms that day. Thankfully, my roommate was part of a foreign exchange program, so I could lick my wounds in private. I simply crawled into my small bed and bawled until I fell into an exhausted heap. Unfortunately, the next day was not as easy, especially since my father called me about helping me move into Micah’s place. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that Micah and I were over—especially considering that days before, we convinced our parents that we were in love. I ended up telling him that I didn’t need his help because some of my friends volunteered to help me. He seemed to buy the excuse fairly well. He also offered to let me keep his car for the move. I didn’t argue. I simply thanked him and made up some kind of excuse to hang up th