Sophie

Sophie was well known in town for her wholesomeness. She wasn't the prettiest, per se, but she was the most sought after. Well dressed, never a hair out of place, never a stain in sight. Coupled with impeccable manners and ethics, Sophie became the darling of the town, and everybody loved her unanimously. 

Nobody had ever seen Sophie make a blunder or be involved in a conflict. The girls saw her as an aspiration for their future. Older ladies and gentlemen regarded her highly because of how she handled herself in public. Men her age were attracted to her reservedness but playful conduct.

Sophie, the golden child. The girl who so carefully structured herself to be the Belle of the town.

The same Sophie had now just opened the window adjacent to mine, flushed face, bright eyes and breathing a bit heavily.

"Noelle," She greeted. I plastered on a confused smile.

"Did you run?" I tipped my head to one side incredulously.

She rolled her eyes and I reciprocated.

Sophie only ever did let her mask slip in front of me. Beneath all the exterior flair, she was just as ordinary as her next-door, book-loving neighbor. We met way back when we were still muddy children playing in the woods, and have been close since. Now, our relationship has evolved over the years. I became her confidant and the earth that grounded her from all the attention.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe what happened," she started with clasped hands. Her fervent whisper broke through the silence that had kept me company for a few hours.

This evening she wore a pleated burgundy dress with a tailored-fitting bodice, showing off her feminine curves. Her hair was styled to one side with large flowing curls, held in place by god knows how many cans of hairspray. Her make-up was just enough to make her look striking and a bit older than her age. 

Like the usual day, she resembled the perfect doll. Unlike the usual day, though, her raw feelings were present on her face. Anxious yet excited, happy yet distraught. It was as to be expected since she just came back after the long-awaited date with her childhood crush, Dave. 

I snickered, amused. "So, how is our young lady today?" 

Placing down the book I had been reading, I propped my chin up on one hand. Her story would bring far more entertainment than any novels of the current. I could tell.

Sophie groaned. "It went well. Too well, I must say."

"Pray tell." Tonight, I would again become her human journal. 

"I kissed him." She pulled at her hair and concealed her face. 

I blinked.

"It was the will of my body," she reasoned with the meekest of confidence. Her ears were the reddest of red.

It only took a minute for her words to register, and I laughed. I laughed as loud as the night allowed me. This kind of Sophie was, by far, the most delightful. Who would've thought that my cautious and sheltered friend could do such a scandalous act that even the flirts among the town wouldn't dare do on first dates? 

"How can I even show myself to him now?" she whined piteously and hit her head gently against the windowsill a couple of times.

I wiped some tears that escaped my eyes after the sudden laughter and shook my head. Oh, I am definitely entertained. "Quick, tell me the story."

And just like that, she poured her soul out to the moon and me, the only ones listening avidly to her narrative.

"We met at the bakery, and then we walked around the streets. He showed me around the town's square." Her fingers played with the locks of her coiffed blonde hair. 

“It was my first time, as you know." She met my gaze, "An event happened midday, and people from the East performed. Colors I never knew existed were everywhere. Musicals and activities were at every corner for everyone to participate in."

At this point, her blue eyes shifted to watch the darkened sky. "When the sun dipped, the townspeople created a bonfire and danced away. There were drunken songs thrown to the stars and the merriment never ceased no matter how deep the night got.”

Sophie closed her eyes. And then she opened them to look at me in bliss. I grinned at her. She had been so used to staying at home that I got worried if she forgot to have fun. At least now, my worries were of naught.

“The day felt like an elaborate party, but the night felt like home," She said with the loveliest of all smiles. I had visited the area she went to multiple times, and it was indeed a sight to behold regardless of the time.

Sophie sighed. Her mood changed with the time it took her shoulders to slump sadly. I waited for her to continue, purely because I did not want to interrupt her train of thoughts.

“However, I must be crazy," she bit her lip, "for no matter how much I tried to concentrate on the marvel that had surrounded me, I instead focused on him, who had been before me. Everything about him affected me so.”

I leaned outside my window more. There was a good one-meter distance in-between that even the slightest change in her tone could render parts of the story lost. So I strained my ears to listen to her. 

“I don't understand, Noelle," Sophie threw her hands in the air in surrender, "I’ve been with men who had more than he could offer, be it looks, money or affection. Men who would offer me their properties, even. Yet, why am I so taken by him simply giving me a bunch of flowers with a smile?”

Ah, a girl in love, I giggled when the thought came to me. As much fun I was having, watching my friend in the middle of a breakdown, I wished this man would be the one that she could finally find comfort in. 

“That was why, when he took me home right by our front porch, I kissed him." Sophie squealed as she remembered her deed. She squirmed within the window frame and did the awkward dancing that we do to shake away what embarrassment plagued our minds.

"How could I not? He was nothing but a dream the whole day,” she said while hanging her head and arms beyond the windowsill.

"What did he do?"I asked her curiously. 

"Oh, he was so sweet, Noelle," Sophie shivered. Against the wind or her memories, I wasn't sure.

"He talked to me as if I was the only person in the world. His eyes held all his emotions, and I never needed to guess his intentions. We agreed and disagreed on certain things, and purely enjoyed each other's company. His smile. His smile was comparable to no one, Noelle. Every time he smiled and took my hand; a piece of me loved him more. But do you know what was the most beautiful part?"

"What?" I said eagerly.

"He came to me bare-handed, save for a bouquet. A capable man like him, having a business of his own, anybody else would've bragged about such achievement. But he didn't. He showed me the person he was. Nowadays, it's difficult to find such humility and genuineness. Noelle, my greatest wish was to meet someone who didn't need to fight for my affection but simply finds pleasure in my company, as I do in him."

I nodded in understanding. Since youth, Sophie had had suitors hounding her day after day, asking for her hand at marriage when they haven't even gotten to know each other yet. My heart bloomed at her words, in that she could finally connect with someone. 

We both went quiet and still. A cold breeze passed and seconds ticked by.

"Do you regret it?” I asked gently.

She stared at me in concentration. She looked down to the ground that separated our houses, considering her choices properly. It had been a long pause, but when she looked up her lips were set firmly, and with a resolute tone she said, “No.”

I bobbed my head once. “Then why bother feeling embarrassed?”

“I worry he would think it was too forward of me, the kiss," she said in sorrow. 

“Frivolous woman,” I jested. Her head jerked fast, and she looked at me, shocked.

“Noelle!”

“Just lightening the mood," I cackled, and then cleared my throat, "Well, you'll know soon enough. If he visits, then obviously the interest goes both ways."

"If not?" She asked uneasily.

"Then stop worrying. Another will come by," I waved off her concern, though even I doubted my words. Good men only come by every once in a while. If he was the man Sophie said he was, then it would be better for him to stay beside her.

"Should I go to him?" She said seriously.

"No. You made your point. You are not a desperate woman, Sophie."

Sophie pursed her lips but she agreed. Her mouth opened to say something to be, but not before a knock echoed in her room.

"Yes?" She called. I listened.

"Sophie, a man named Dave is looking for you," her Nana's voice came through. Eyes wide, my heart skipped a beat. Sophie whipped her head rapidly to me. Her lips formed a small "o".

"Noelle!" She hissed, "What should I do?"

I shook my head. "You are a woman. Overcome this trial, and you'll be in his arms no sooner than I can say 'congratulations'."

I gave her a thumbs-up and she squared her shoulders. "To God be the glory. How do I look?"

She raised her chin slightly and patted off the dust sticking to her dress. Her hair shone platinum against the silver light of the moon. Her stature was brimming with confidence summoned from the depths of her stomach, and her eyes filled with conviction.

I could tell we were thinking of the same thought.

Either live through this or be a coward forever.

"See you tomorrow, Noelle," She curtsied and closed her window.

I stood for a few minutes.

At last, I smiled and turned my back to the window.

See you tomorrow, Sophie.