Sweet Sofie - Elizabeth Reyes excerpt

excerpt 1

Age 13

Ever since the boys had moved on to high school, things had been different. Sofia finally had some freedom. A good thing too, because now that she’d lost a few pounds, boys were beginning to notice her. She could actually have a conversation with them during lunch without worrying about one of her brothers breathing down their necks. Even Romero, but mostly Eric, had gotten in on the big brother act. As if three brothers weren’t enough.

Everything at home remained the same. Her brothers’ overbearing natures hadn’t changed at all. With them feeding off her dad’s old school mentality about the importance of the older brother role, their interferences began to reach new heights.

Sofia waited for Angel to leave the kitchen before asking her mom about the after-school dance that Friday. Her mom chopped onions while Sofia helped with the guacamole. She glanced back to make sure Angel had walked out.

“They’re having a Valentine’s dance this Friday after school. It’s just a two hour thing. I was thinking of going. Is that okay?”

Her mom turned to her and smiled. “Did someone ask you to the dance?”

Sofia shook her head. They weren’t noticing her that much yet, but someone had asked if she would be there. “No. It’s just going to be me and Tricia and some of the other girls from the running team.”

“I don’t see why not.” Her mom rinsed her hands in the sink.

Alex walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Sofia pressed her lips together, willing her mom not to say anything about the dance in front of him. But all her mental efforts were in vain.

“Are you going to wear anything special to the dance, or is it just casual?”

Sofia kept her eyes on the avocado she mashed in the bowl, but from the corner of her eye, she saw they n aDhad Alex’s attention. “What dance?”

“The Valentine’s dance at Sofia’s school,” her mother said matter-of-factly.

Alex made a face. “You going to the dance, Sof? With who?”

Trying her hardest to hide the attitude, Sofia didn’t bother looking at him. “With my friends.”

“What friends?” Alex pressed.

She turned around, no longer able to conceal her agitation. “Tricia and some of the other girls, Alex.”

Alex frowned. “School dances are lame, Sof.”

Sofia rolled her eyes, adding salt to the guacamole. “Well, I’ve never been to one. I just want to try it. Do you mind?”

“Maybe I do.”

“Alex, go throw the trash out and tell your brothers it’s time for dinner,” her mother said, dumping the onion she’d been chopping into the guacamole.

Alex grabbed the trashcan and headed out the kitchen door.

“Sofia, never mind your brother, let me know if we need to get you anything to wear. You go and have a good time.” She kissed Sofia on the head. “Just be sure you come straight home after.”

Sofia smiled. Finally, her chance to mingle with boys, and her brothers wouldn’t be anywhere around.

excerpt 2

The set up: Sofie is 15 and is paid a visit at the restaurant from by a boy from school but her brother Alex is there. WARNING: An older boy... coming on to Sofia.. and her older hot head brother is there Expect the language to be harsh!

Things were different with Eric. She got to be around him all the time. Lately, there’d been a change. Many times when they spoke, he gazed deep in her eyes no matter what the subject, almost as if he was trying to tell her something without saying it. Her insides would always turn to mush around him now. She liked it. It was exciting.

As she walked out into the main dining room, her mother came toward her. “Oh, there you are. There’s a young man here to see you.”

Sofia pinched her brows. A young man? “Who?”

“I don’t know, but he’s out front by the entrance.” Her mom rushed into the kitchen.

Sofia walked through the restaurant wondering where Alex could be. Sal was away in college and Angel was hoe tAngel wme, but Alex was here somewhere. She didn’t want him embarrassing her. She turned the corner to the front of the entrance. Ah, hell.

Ronald, a senior on her track team, stood at the front entrance. He was new to the school and apparently one of the few that hadn’t heard about the cavemen in her life. Alex spoke to him.

“You’re kidding right?” Alex sounded almost amused.

“No, why? Is that a problem?”

Alex was as intimidating as ever. “Of course it is.”

They were both about the same height, but Alex probably outweighed him by at least forty pounds.

Sofia cleared her voice. “Hey, Ron.”

Ronald turned at the sound of her voice and smiled. “Hey, Sof.”

He walked away from Alex, coming over to where Sofia stood. He pulled something out of his pocket. “I went to Old Town this weekend. I saw this and thought of you.”

He handed her one of the little tiny turtle bobble heads she’d mentioned collecting. She smiled, taking it from him. Alex came over and stood behind her.

“Let me see that?” He took it from Sofia, examining it, as if he hadn’t seen all the ones she had just like it in her room. Then he asked, “How old are you, Ron?”

Ron gave him a strange look. “Eighteen.”

With that, Alex snapped the head off the tiny turtle and handed it back to Ron.

“Alex!” Sofia said, horrified.

“What’s your problem, man?” Ron asked.

Romero and Eric walked through the front door, oblivious to what was going on.

Alex got in his face. “My problem, asshole, is my sister is fifteen. I could call the cops on you, for trying to mess with a minor, but I’d rather kick your ass myself.”

A few customers walked in, forcing Alex to refrain from doing anything. The only thing that would hold him back from hitting the guy was his dad’s outrage if he made a scene in the restaurant. Still, Sofia stepped in front of him to separate them. Alex didn’t make it easy. “Stop, Alex. We have customers.”

Ron held his hands up and looked at Sofia. “I didn’t know you were fifteen.” His eyes roamed her up and down and with a smirk he added, “You sure don’t look fifteen.”

“Get out.” Alex spoke through his teeth.

Ronald smirked. “I’ll see you at school.”

He walked out, but of course, Alex went after him. Eric and Romero followed. Sofia forced a smile and greeted the customers.

Excerpted from Sweet Sofie - Elizabeth Reyes. Reprinted from author’s blog http://thebeginings-elirey.blogspot.com