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"M-Victoria, Richard, I-I was with.... Carter," I said, my voice coming out as a whisper.

"No, Richard. She was making out with Carter."

"Who the fucking hell is Carter?" Dad asked, his voice firmly rigid as if he was controlling his anger. I felt Fluff squeezing out of my hold and going down. My eyes darted towards him as he went before my Mom. No Fluff....

"Looked like the driver's son to me," Mom scoffed. "And oh my god! What is this?!" She screamed and ran towards the sofa before jumping on it. I looked towards Fluff who was going after mom. Before he could make more trouble, I went and took hold of him.

"That's not what you do Fluff..." I murmured, looking down at it.

"So, you go, fuck with some homeless street guy, spend the whole day god knows where and bring these kinds of things at home? You were right Vic. She is not our blood." I stared at Dad, pondering over his words. Beads of tears appeared before my eyes but I had vowed to myself I won't cry.

"Get it away from here! Throw it out!" I gulped as I looked at Fluff guiltily. I did not have it in me to throw it out just like that. For the sake of Fluff I decided to talk to my father about this.

"Dad-I mean Richard, please let it stay. I will make sure it causes no trouble-"

"Throw it, now, Sapphire!" He did not let me complete. From his tone it was clear that the matter was not negotiable. I nodded as I walked towards the door and placed the thing down.

"I'm sorry Fluff. I'm really sorry." After staring at it for a minute I turned back inside to close the door.

"Arf! Arf! Arf!" Fluff sounded. I tried to keep myself from going back to hug him and closed the door, leaving him behind.

"Now, about you. What was all that?" Mom stood before me, her arms wrapped around her chest.

"Victoria, It was Carter. I- we- uh he's my..... boyfriend. And Richard, he is a good guy. He's not a son of a driver," I tried to answer their questions. Mom's glare was so sharp, I wanted to burry myself in the ground. "I mean he's really a good guy. And I- I'm sorry you had to see..... that," I added, keeping myself from blushing.

"You are such a slut! I don't want you near this guy, is it clear?" My eyes widened after I heard Dad's declaration.

"What- what do you mean? Richard, you don't know him. He's really a nice guy. Please don't say that. Mom, he's really a nice guy," I tried to convince them. Mom, after hearing me took hold of Dad's hand and dragged him towards the stairs. I could hear them muttering slowly but I was unable to make out what they were discussing.

"Okay, Sophia. We'll meet this Carter boy." His sentence brought a smile on my face. Not just because they had agreed to give Carter a chance but because of the fact that Dad called my name correctly for the first time. To hear my Dad call me that felt so good.

"Thank you so much Victoria! Thank you so much D-Richard! I love you guys!" I couldn't help but express my happiness. Mom just rolled her eyes and Dad looked like he wanted to go to the washroom. Mom turned around to climb up the stairs followed by Dad. Just then I heard a faint sound coming from outside and the picture of Fluff lying there came to my head.

"Wait! Dad! Can-can I please keep the dog? Just for this night? It was a gift and I really couldn't throw him like that. Please, Richard?" Dad looked convinced but then suddenly his eyes sharpened and his fists clenched.

"When I said no, that means no," he barked and I flinched at the intensity of his anger. Nodding lightly, I walked inside the kitchen to see Rebecca.

"Oh my God, Sophie! Are you sure this is the same person who gave birth to you? He is such a cruel father! I swear-" she started to ramble but I hugged her tightly.

"You know what? He agreed to give Carter a chance. He agreed to meet him. They're cool with me having a boyfriend Rebecca!" I squealed, jumping up and down. "I'm so happy!"

"Carter is you boyfriend?" She pulled back gasping and raised her eyebrows at me. I could not control my blush by the way she was looking at me. "Yes, Sophie? Boyfriend?" She nudged me with her elbow. "Sophie?" She poked my cheek. "Girlfriend?" She poked my other cheek.

"Rebecca, stop it." I muttered under my breath, trying to not go red again.

"Finally! I shipped you guys really hard! I've even imagined how cute your babies would look like!" She clapped her hands making me go crimson again.

"Seriously Rebecca? Babies? You're crazy!" She just chuckled at my response. "Oh and I need your help. Carter gave me this cushie cushie puppy but Dad won't allow me to keep it. Can you please bring my baby inside?"

"Aww! Carter is such a sweet boy. I'll bring the puppy back. Just wait here," she assured me and went out of the kitchen to take Fluff back. I roamed around the kitchen thinking how big of a turn my life had taken. And this time everything felt right. Like I deserved to be treated nicely. Like everything was real. I sat on the chair thinking about how sweet Carter was today.

The thought about being his girlfriend brought a smile on my face. And on top of all that, Mom and Dad had agreed to meet him. There was nothing more I needed now. Yes I did miss my brother and I wanted to talk to him really bad but I didn't know where they left him.

I wondered whether he had eaten his food properly. Did anyone make him Chinese, his favourite? That was he, by any chance, missing me?

"My God, this puppy is the cutest thing ever!" Rebecca started to say as she entered inside the house and I blenched, shaking my head at her stupidity.

"Rebecca! Slow down your voice, will you? Mom and Dad shouldn't see it." I took hold of Fluff and thanked Rebecca. After hugging her goodbye, I went straight to my room. On my way I warned Fluff to stay quiet and he proved quiet smart for an animal.

After I shut my room's door, I sighed, leaning against it. "So, this is my room Fluff. I know it's so pinky pinky but you gotta spend one night here. Anyways what if I can't keep you? We can still be friends, right?"

"Fluff, I'm sorry. You know I was helpless. But look you are here now, in Sophia's room." I continued to speak but he didn't react.

"Fluff? Come on! Speak up! I said I was sorry. You know what? My Dad is really harsh outside but I know, inside his heart he is a real softie, trust-"

"Arf. Arf. Arf. Arf! Arf! Arf! Raft! Raf! Raf! Raf! Raft! Raff!" A smile formed on my face as I heard Fluff's enthusiastic response.

"He is a really soft person. I'll impress him and then I can keep you. How about that?"

"Arf! Arf. Arf!"

"So you like to talk? Good, because I like to talk too. So, who is good, Carter or me?"

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"Rebecca, take care of it. I'll ask Carter to take him back after school. Okay? Don't let Mom or Dad see it. Okay?" I repeated and Rebecca rolled her eyes.

"Okay, Sophie! I get it. Your Mom and Dad won't be home till night. That's what I'm hundred percent sure about. And I'll take care of your Fluff don't you worry," she smiled at me and pushed me out of the door. "Now go or you'll be late!"

"Okay, Mommy Rebecca!" I chuckled as I placed myself inside the car. After waving at her I sighed as I sat straight. "Hi Ronny Pony! How're you?" I greeted my driver, who smiled at me in return and replied politely like he always did.

"Miss Sophia, where is Josh? I'm missing him...." he looked back at me when we were in the traffic.

"I wish I knew it Ronny Pony. Let's pray Mom and Dad bring him home. I think they too are gone. When I woke up today they weren't there at home," I looked down at my lap and sighed. So much for impressing them.

"They even told me they'll meet Carter. I don't know why they left," a frown made its way on my face as I realized that my parents had left. Bottling up my emotions and veiling them, I got out of the car.

There stood Carter leaning against his car with his arms wrapped around his chest. But that wasn't what caught my attention. There was Maddie standing beside him. Too close. Too close for my liking. And Carter seemed like he didn't mind. All I wanted to do was rip Maddie's shirt and shove it inside Carter's mouth but that wasn't possible.

I didn't want to be an extremely jealous girlfriend and so I pretended as if I hadn't seen anything and proceeded inside. On my way I saw Alex waving at me lightly. I waved back and smiled as I made my way towards him. "Hi Alex!"

"Hey. How're you?"

"I'm good. So? New haircut, huh?" I questioned after noticing his hair styled in a different way. He chuckled and nodded.

"I wanted some change, I guess. Anyways pink colour suits you," he acknowledged. Confused, I looked down at my shirt and then my pants. I could only remember myself wearing a pink underwear.

Could it be.... no way!

"Umm- Alex, I'm not wearing pink," I stated shaking my head. He smiled and looked down.

"I was talking about your lipstick," he corrected. All I could say was an, "oh!"

"Sparkle! Wait!" I heard Carter calling me. I turned around and ran my eyes around to locate Carter. He was approaching me with Maddie behind him. I tried to not show my feelings on my face. I didn't want to be a jealous, possessive girlfriend.

"I was waiting for you!" He said, eying Alex who was standing beside me.

"I think I didn't notice," I mumbled looking around, not wanting to face him.

"Right!" I heard him say. He came closer and wrapped his arm around my waist. "Lets go to the class." And before I could answer him he was dragging me along with him. As we made our way towards the locker I could feel eyes on me. I could practically feel their daggers hitting me. That didn't help but made me double uncomfortable.

"Carter, let go." I shook his arm.

"Why? Don't you like this?" His tone had something hidden that I couldn't point out. "Don't worry, Alex is not here," he continued. I scowled, unable to understand the meaning behind his sentence.

"I don't know. I just feel uncomfortable. Look how people are eyeing me. I mean they.... I don't know, Carter," I answered him, trying to explain how I felt.

"Let them get used to it." Instead of letting go he tightened his grip and pulled me even closer. When we reached to my locker, he withdrew his hand as I began searching for my stuff.

"So, you do this often?"

"What?" I snapped my head in his direction, to find him looking at me with his eyebrows raised.

"You know? The flirting thing with Alex? Is this an everyday thing?"

"Oh my god, Carter! What's up with you today? I was just talking to him!"

"I know when someone's talking and when they're flirting," he argued squinting his eyes at me.

"I don't know about me but in your case it's definitely often!" I crossed my arms and replied back. "I mean you and Maddie, you and Bella, you and tutirurizuwa-"

"What?" He chuckled lightly. "At least make an understandable name Sparkle!" He laughed again. "And what do you actually mean by that?"

"Carter how do you define flirting?"

"Flirting is when two people are smiling at each other nonstop. When they are standing too close. When they are extremely flirty with one another," he explained, childishly.

"Right! And that was what you were doing this morning when I saw you. Actually, I noticed you, but you did not notice me. I forgot that you were busy with Maddie. She looked nice today, by the way. And you can change your decision, Carter. I don't have any problem. You just have to tell me and I'll be out of your life. You-"

"Shut up you brainless idiot. I do not have any problem with you. I love you! And come on! You know how Maddie is!" He reasoned.

"Carter, you seemed pretty comfortable. You didn't seem to mind. At all." I told him shrugging my shoulders.

"It's not even 24 hours and we're fighting. I can't believe this!"

"There is a huge difference between a fight and an argument." I clarified, shutting my locker.

"But why this argument? Were you jealous? Sparkle? You were jealous, right?" He started to tease me and I groaned as a response. "Yes yes, you were jealous!"

"I was not jealous!"

"Really? I don't think so. You look quiet jealous to me. I can even smell something burning." I rolled my eyes at Carter's statement.

"I was not jealous. I just didn't feel good seeing you with her. Because I wanted to tell you something really important and finding you with Maddie just spoiled everything."

"What? By your smile I can sense its an extremely good news. Wait, let me guess. Josh came back?" My smile dropped hearing my cake's name and I shook my head lightly.

Why do people keep bringing him up?

"Okay, then? Isaac moved away?" I smiled again, shaking my head. "So what is it then?"

"Carter! My parents! They agreed to meet you. They did not have a problem with me having a boyfriend! So now you're going to impress them! Yay!"

"Sparkle, no. I won't meet them. Just hear their names: Richard Anderson. Victoria Anderson. Sounds like Tyrannosaurus, like Godzilla, no, like pale man! I mean, they sound really scary. I don't want to die just yet. I'm just 18! I can't meet them." He finished, pouting like a five year old kid.

"Carter, don't over react! They are not scary..... I mean yes, they are but not that scary.... please?" I tried to persuade him, but he just started to walk ahead shoving his hands in his jean's pockets. "Carter!" I drawled, walking after him, to catch up to him.

"Yes, Sparkle?"

"Please?" I tried again. Carter did not reply and kept walking ahead. I stopped walking which caught his attention and he turned around to face me.

"Okay, don't come. Do not ever meet my parents. And you know what? Forget I ever told you that. And I guess you also forget that we can be something more than friends!" I scoffed, accelerating my speed as I went ahead of him.

I entered the class and found it full. Taking my usual seat in the front row, I placed my books there and gave a weak smile to Alex. Carter entered the class with his eyes fixed on me. I tried to ignore his glare and made myself busy in jotting down the points written on the board. Carter got seated beside me on an empty chair purposefully pushing my shoulder with his. I snapped my head up and rolled my eyes at him. He narrowed his eyes and kept glaring at me.

Tired of this staring game, I continued with my work. When I couldn't understand a single thing I turned towards Alex. "Hey, Alex, can you please explain me this?"

Before Alex could answer, Carter spoke up, "oh I can explain this! Come on Sophia, I'll explain it to you." Alex closed his hanging mouth and nodded in Carter's direction.

"Umm, I think I'll take teacher's help," I stated before I tried to stand up. Key word here, is tried. Before I could make a move, Carter grabbed my wrist and pulled me back.

"Arguing again?"

"Fighting this time," I corrected him with a fake smile.

He sighed. "Okay, when?"

"What when?"

"I mean when do I have to meet your parents?" He asked, making me smile wide. He gave a sweet smile back, "hmm?"

"Umm I don't know. Most probably this weekend?"

"Okay, I'm just nervous," admitting it Carter continued copying his work, never leaving my hand. Instead he interwind our fingers together.

"Oh and by the way, we are going to the mall after school," he demanded as I shook my head.

"No no. Not today. Please? Yesterday Mom and Dad got extremely riled up. And, they did not let me keep Fluff." I whispered.

"But why?" Carter's face twisted into a frown as he asked.

"I don't know. But I sneaked him inside when they were sleeping. Carter I really really love him but-"

"Why is there so much disturbance in my class today?!" The teacher yelled, scrutinizing the students with her eyes. I sat straight and continued with my work. When she turned around to write on the board again I elbowed Carter.

"Explain me this!" I murmured and he started to rub his neck.

"Umm... I don't know...? This is kind of tricky. It's not tricky... it's challenging. Wait, I'll figure it out!"

My boyfriend is such a doofus!

"Ahahahahahahahaha!" We heard a bubbly laughter from the backseats and everyone turned their heads towards the origin of the laughter. The teacher seemed angry but she ignored the voice and kept going with her work. We too resumed working. I felt that the laughter was very familiar but I couldn't point out who was it.

"Ahahahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahaahahahah! Hahahahahaha!" Lia laughed again and just as I sensed it was her I snaked my head in her direction only to find her rolling on her seat, laughing like a maniac.

"Hahahahaha! Hahahaha! Ahahahhahahahahah!" Jack, who was sitting beside her began laughing. She started laughing again followed by all of us. The whole class erupted into laughter as we watched them laughing their stomachs off.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" An ear piercing scream came of the teacher's mouth and the class duster made contact with a guys head who was sitting behind Jack. Actually that was meant to be for Jack or maybe Lia but she missed the shot. Poor guy.

"You two! Get out of my class! Get out! Right now!" I looked at Carter, raising my eyebrows, unable to understand the situation. He just shrugged in return and watched the whole scene with amusement. "Get out!" She yelled at a totally pink Lia and a crying Jack.

Lia after tucking her loose strands of hair behind her ears, started to walk ahead. Jack came after her. When she was half way to the door she started laughing wildly, again. "Get the fucking hell out of this class!" I shook my head at them unable to keep a smile from forming on my lips. They are cute.

The teacher calmed down and continued with her work. We all started copying the questions from the board. My mind kept going back to what had happened earlier. That why were they both laughing like idiots.

"By the way the lipgloss suits you!" I felt Carter planting a soft kiss on my cheek as he whispered in my ear.

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