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Sophia looked at herself in the mirror as she put the final swipe of gloss on her lips, pressing them together gently to even it out. The girl in the mirror looked polished and put together in a way she didn’t always have time for.
The red dress fit her perfectly, hugging her curves perfectly. The fabric fell just right against her legs. Her heels were simple but elegant, nothing too flashy, just enough to lengthen her posture and make her feel a little more confident. Her makeup was soft and warm, her eyes defined but natural, the deep maroon lipstick adding a bold touch that made the whole look feel intentional.
She looked good and she knew it.
After one last glance to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything, she grabbed her black purse from the counter, turned off the lights, and stepped out of her apartment, locking the door behind her.
Tonight she was meeting a guy she had been talking to for a few weeks. They had met at a coffee shop near one of her rehearsals. It had been one of those quiet, easy conversations that stretched longer than expected. He had asked about the sheet music sticking out of her bag saying he was a musician himself. She had teased him for ordering something overly complicated. Numbers had been exchanged without much thought, like it was the most natural thing in the world
After that, they texted often, but their schedules never seemed to align. Between her auditions, dance classes, vocal lessons, most of her days blurred together. When she wasn’t working toward the next role, she was usually too tired to do anything but collapse in bed. Dating had slowly slipped out of her life, not because she didn’t want it, but because there never seemed to be space for it. She refused to download dating apps. She’d heard enough horror stories from her friends to last a lifetime.
So most of her free time went to the people she already loved instead. Trying new restaurants with Yoonchae. Sitting on Lara’s bedroom floor while she and Megan played half-finished songs and argued over lyrics. Calling home to the Philippines to talk to her family and friends until the time difference made her eyes heavy.
It was comfortable. Safe.
Still, sometimes she missed the excitement of meeting someone new.
Chase had been easy to talk to from the start. He was confident without being arrogant, quick to compliment her, steady in a way that felt reassuring. He had a stable job, clear goals, and a warm smile. He was attractive too, which didn’t hurt. The standards felt embarrassingly basic, but lately even those seemed impossible to find.
So when he finally suggested a real date and their schedule miraculously matched, she agreed. The date happened to fall on Valentine’s day.
The restaurant he picked was an upscale tapas place in Upper Manhattan. The moment she stepped inside, she was greeted by the low hum of conversation and the soft clink of glasses. Warm lights hung overhead, casting everything in a golden glow. A large bar stood in the center of the room, already crowded with people leaning close to talk over drinks. Small candles flickered on every table, little red holders hinting at the holiday without being over the top.
It was busy, but not chaotic. Most of the tables were filled with couples dressed up for the occasion, sharing plates and laughing quietly together. The bar seemed to hold a mix of singles and walk-ins who just wanted good food and somewhere lively to spend the evening.
She arrived a few minutes early, which wasn’t unusual for her. The host checked the reservation list and led her to a small two person table near the edge of the room. It was one of their earlier time slots, just before the true Valentine’s day rush.
She thanked him and sat down, smoothing her dress as she settled into the chair. For a moment she simply looked around. The soft music, the candlelight, the murmur of voices, it all felt cozy and intimate in a way that made her chest flutter with nervous anticipation.
She checked the time on her phone. Still early.
She set it face down on the table and folded her hands in her lap, telling herself to relax. He would be there soon.
“Miss, we’re going to have to ask you to leave.”
Sophia looked up from her half-melted water glass, heart sinking. “Oh- I was just-”
“Wait, wait. I’m so sorry, love. My run-through ran long.”
A woman slipped in beside her, warm and breathless, leaning down to press a quick kiss to Sophia’s cheek before sliding into the seat across from her like she belonged there.
The manager paused, confused.
“She’s with me,” the woman added smoothly.
After a second, he nodded and walked away.
Sophia blinked.
Before she could even process what had just happened, the stranger started rambling.
“Sorry, I just-” She winced. “I was over at the bar and I couldn’t let a beautiful woman like yourself get stood up and not eat on Valentine’s Day. Wait. That sounds creepy. Oh my God, that sounded so creepy.”
Sophia threw her head back and barked out a laugh before she could stop herself.
The woman across from her looked mortified, but she was fighting a grin too.
“Do you usually wait at bars to rescue women,” Sophia asked, “or am I special?”
“I-” The woman smiled sheepishly. “No, actually. You see the woman behind me to your left?”
Sophia glanced over her shoulder.
There was a girl with dark curls and sharp, cat-like makeup, mysterious but soft when she smiled. The guy across from her was practically glowing, platinum blond hair, big lips, leaning in like she’d hung the moon.
They looked good together.
“Her name’s Dani,” the woman continued. “My best friend. Basically my wife. The guy’s Jonah. They met at a party last week and hit it off. But Dani thinks he looks like an F-boy, so she made me come along in case he ditched her on Valentine’s Day.”
She gestured between them.
“So here I am. Professional emotional support.”
Sophia snorted.
“I was actually about to leave,” the woman added. “They seem pretty locked in.”
“So you don’t have some hot date to catch?” Sophia teased.
“Uh, no.” She laughed.
“I find that hard to believe about you, though.”
“Oh yeah?”
Manon leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. Candlelight caught in her eyes, making them glow.
“And why is that?” she asked softly.
Sophia felt her face heat.
“You’re just really beautiful,” she admitted. “I’m sure people are falling over themselves to ask you out.”
Manon’s smile became smaller. Honest.
“Honestly? I don’t get asked out as much as you probably think. People are either too intimidated… or wildly inappropriate.”
“Oh.” Sophia frowned. “I’m sorry.”
Manon shrugged lightly. “You didn’t do anything.”
She picked up a menu and slid the other across the table.
“So, what do you say we look these over before the waiter comes back?”
Sophia blinked. “Wait. You actually want to eat with me?”
Manon raised an eyebrow. “Why not? You’re beautiful, and we’re having a good conversation, right?”
“I don’t even know your name.”
Manon smirked.
“Well all you have to do is ask, pretty girl.”
Sophia swallowed and stuck her hand out awkwardly. “I’m Sophia.”
Instead of shaking it, Manon took her hand gently and lifted it to her lips.
“Pleased to meet you, Sophia,” she murmured. “My name’s Manon.”
Sophia watched, mouth slightly open, heart doing something embarrassingly dramatic in her chest.
Okay.
Maybe getting stood up wasn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened tonight.
As the date continued, the conversation got easier.
There were more laughs. More blushing. Less awkward pauses.
Sophia learned that Manon was a songwriter and a part-time model, which, honestly, was the least surprising thing she’d heard all night.
Of course she was.
Meanwhile, Sophia admitted she was an aspiring Broadway actress. No big break yet, but she’d played leads in plenty of off-Broadway productions.
Manon looked at her like she’d just announced she could fly.
“Wait, wait- so you’re telling me you can just… sing out of nowhere?”
Sophia laughed. “That’s not how it works.”
“That’s exactly how it works. Theater kids are terrifying.”
They dissolved into giggles again, shoulders brushing under the table.
Then-
“Wait,” Sophia said, wiping her eyes. “Back up. You’re telling me you once tried flirting with someone by quoting Twilight and she had no idea what you were talking about?”
“Yeah,” Manon groaned. “She looked at me like I was insane. I thought it was smooth.”
“What lines did you use?” Sophia asked, already grinning.
Manon immediately looked embarrassed, glancing off to the side.
“…Don’t judge me.”
“No promises.”
She sighed dramatically. Then, monotone:
“‘Where the hell have you been, loca?’; ‘Spider monkey.’; and-” she covered her face, “‘I have the skin of a killer.’”
Sophia stared at her, eyes wide.
“Manon-”
Before she could respond, a voice cut in.
“Manon. We talked about this. You cannot get girls by quoting Twilight. Especially that last one. What is wrong with you?”
Sophia looked up to see the curly-haired girl from earlier, Dani, fighting back a smile. Jonah stood beside her, still holding her hand.
“Dani, it was one time,” Manon said, exasperated.
“She didn’t even know the lines!” Dani shot back.
“She is YOU, Dani,” Manon argued.
Jonah blinked. “Wait- you were hitting on your best friend?”
“It was when we first met in high school,” Manon said defensively. “She was really pretty.”
“Was?!” Dani gasped.
“Is. Very pretty,” Manon corrected quickly. “But she immediately came out as straight. Though I still question sometimes-”
“Stop the gay allegations, Manz,” Dani laughed, shoving her shoulder.
Manon turned back to Sophia suddenly, serious.
“Wait. You’ve seen Twilight, right?”
“Yes, Manon,” Sophia said, laughing.
Manon grinned. “Great. You really are the perfect girl.”
Sophia swore her face had to be red at this point.
She’d lost count of how many times Manon had made her blush tonight.
“Well,” Dani said, tugging Jonah’s hand, “we’re heading out. I’m staying at Jonah’s tonight, Manz. Also, mom called earlier.”
“Is that right?” Manon said casually.
“Yep. Nice meeting you, Sophia,” Dani added with a wink.
Sophia didn’t notice the code word Dani had said to Manon, the check your phone signal.
As Sophia chatted with Jonah on the way out, Manon quickly glanced down.
Three texts.
Dani: I see you found yourself a date?
Dani: She looks beautiful
Dani: Guess it’s going well if you haven’t checked your phone in an hour
Manon smiled.
Another text popped up.
Dani: She seems great, Manz. Happy for you. Get that second date, okay? I want a new friend.
Manon huffed out a quiet laugh.
Manon: Thanks D. Thinking movie after. Not ready for the night to end.
She slipped her phone away and looked up.
Sophia was already looking at her.
Soft. Curious. Warm.
Before either of them could say anything-
“Here’s the check,” the waiter said.
Without hesitation, Manon grabbed it and slid her card inside.
“What-no, I should pay!” Sophia protested. “You were literally doing me a favor tonight.”
Manon tilted her head.
“Is it a favor if I enjoyed it?”
Sophia faltered.
“…Okay, that was smooth.”
“I know,” Manon grinned.
They gathered their things quickly, feeling the subtle Valentine’s Day pressure to free the table for the next couple.
Outside, the air was cool and crisp. Sophia’s heart was pounding for absolutely no reason.
Ask her. Just ask her. It’s not that hard. Before she could work up the nerve-
“So,” Manon said, stepping closer, hands tucked into her jacket pockets, “I had a really great time tonight.”
Sophia’s stomach flipped.
“What would you say about continuing the night?”
“…What?”
Manon’s eyes widened. “No-no, not like that. I mean-” She laughed nervously. “There’s this really cute drive-in theater about twenty minutes from here. I thought maybe we could see a movie?”
Sophia laughed softly, relief flooding her.
“That sounds wonderful,” she said.
And the smile Manon gave her after that?
Yeah.
Sophia was definitely asking her on a second date.
Manon reached for Sophia’s hand as they stepped out onto the sidewalk, her fingers warm and gentle as she guided her toward the parking lot. The gesture was soft and absentminded, like it was the most natural thing in the world, but it made Sophia’s heart stumble anyway.
Sophia didn’t know what she expected Manon to drive. Something sleek maybe. Something artsy or effortlessly cool. A Jeep hadn’t crossed her mind. It was black and simple on the outside, nothing flashy or attention-grabbing, but the moment Manon unlocked it and opened the passenger door, Sophia realized the inside told a completely different story. It felt lived in and cozy. Somehow Manon had made it a home on wheels.
Soft seat covers stretched over the leather, slightly worn in a way that suggested long drives and late nights. Sophia slid into the passenger seat and immediately noticed the design, and a surprised laugh that sounded more like a bark escaped before she could stop it.
Manon’s driver seat had Edward’s face printed across the fabric. The passenger seat was Bella. In the backseat, a faded image of a wolf pack covered the bench. On the dashboard sat a tiny Edward bobble head that wobbled every time the door shut. Next to it were two small flags tucked into the vents, one Swiss flag and one Ghanaian flag, their edges fluttering slightly with the air. It was chaotic and deeply specific and so unbelievably Manon that Sophia’s chest tightened.
The car didn’t look cool. It looked like her.
When they settled in, low-fi beats started streaming through the speakers, filling the space with a gentle, sleepy warmth. Manon reached over quickly, fumbling with her phone, and switched the playlist to one titled girl lover. Before Sophia could comment, music started playing.
“I wanna be your girl…”
Girl in Red.
Manon froze like a deer caught in headlights, hands tightening on the steering wheel as if she’d accidentally confessed something illegal. For a second, Sophia thought she might scramble to change it but instead Manon just let the song play, her ears turning pink.
“You know,” she said with an embarrassed laugh, “I usually wait like six months before letting people see this side of me. Normally I de-decorate my car when it’s someone I don’t know well. Or someone I’m trying to impress.”
Sophia smiled, looking around again at the seat covers and the bobblehead still wobbling faintly. “I feel like this is very you. It’s nice. It makes me feel like you are being genuine.”
Manon glanced at her, soft and a little surprised.
“So,” Sophia continued, “what movie are we seeing tonight? I will warn you now. If you say Twilight I’m leaving.”
Manon laughed, the sound bright and easy. “No. That’d be crazy for me given everything. I don’t introduce twilight until at least the third date usually.”
Sophia shook her head smiling.
“Have you seen Wicked?” Manon asked.
“I have,” Sophia said immediately. “Its basically a cinematic masterpiece. Truly. I’ve been meaning to watch part two, but I have been so busy lately.”
“Well you are in luck,” Manon replied. “They’re showing part two tonight. I was going to go after I finished my Dani watch shift anyway.”
As Manon pulled out of the lot, Sophia studied her quietly.
One tattoo-covered hand gripped the steering wheel, while the other propped up her head against the window, elbow bent casually. The streetlights slid across her face in soft gold flashed. She mouthed the lyrics to the next song under her breath. She recognized the infamous Billie Eilish song. Manon was completely lost in it.
Sophia felt slightly crazy. The girl beside her was crazy. She was awkward and a little chaotic and openly obsessed with Twilight. She had themed seat covers and playlists titled girl lover and zero ability to play it cool.
And yet she was so sincere it almost hurt.
Beautiful in a way that didn’t seem fair, but paired with the energy of an absolute loser. A dork trapped in a model's body. Sophia found it strangely endearing. This felt different from Chase. With him everything had been smooth and confident and predictable. With Manon, she felt off balance, like anything could happen next. And somehow she liked that better.
When they arrived at the theater, Manon backed into a spot near the edge of the designated parking area, away from most of the other cars. The giant outdoor screen loomed in the distance, trailers already playing quietly through scatter speakers, the sound drifting across the cool night air. Before Sophia could even ask why she had backed in, Manon was already hopping out of the car and opening the back of her Jeep.
Sophia turned in her seat and watched as Manon quickly and efficiently transformed the backseat into a makeshift bed, lowering the seats until they lay completely flat. In the trunk, Manon kept several pillows and blankets all neatly folded like she had done this a hundred times before. When she shook one out, the faint scent of clean laundry filled the car.
It felt strangely domestic, like this wasn’t a spontaneous date but something she had planned ahead of time.
As she finally finished shifting things around to her satisfaction, Manon looked up with a bright smile and said, “Ta-da. What do you think?”
Sophia was so touched by how much effort Manon had clearly put into this that, for a moment, words escaped her. No one had ever done something like this for her before: prepared a space, thought about her comfort, made room for her like she was already meant to be there.
Manon seemed to take the silence as discomfort and quickly said, “Wait-I’m sorry! Does this make you uncomfortable? I can turn the car around and we can-”
Sophia climbed out of the car as Manon continued to ramble. Sophia slipped into the back and made herself comfortable, kicking off her heels and stretching out against the pillows. The blankets were softer than she expected, still warm from being tucked away, and she let out a quiet, content sigh as she sank into them.
Manon cut herself off as she took in the sight of her.
Sophia laid back against the pillows in her red dress, her hair splayed out behind her like a halo. The glow from the parking lot lights filtered through the windows, soft and golden, catching on her skin. Her legs were crossed lazily at the ankle, relaxed and elegant all at once.
“You, um, look really pretty,” Manon said, then shook her head at herself. “No, pretty is too soft a word for how you look right now.”
Sophia felt her cheeks warm. How this girl could be so awkward and yet so sweet at the same time baffled her.
“So don’t let me be pretty and alone,” she said gently. “Come here.”
This seemed to wake Manon up from her stupor.
“Not yet. I’m going to run inside and get us some snacks. It isn’t a movie without snacks.”
“Manon,” Sophia said, a little exasperated, “can I at least pay this time?”
Manon only smiled as she grabbed her coat. “Now why would I let you do that? Is there anything you want or don’t like?”
“I eat pretty much anything. My dad is a chef, so you get used to trying out different foods. “
“Okay, great! I’ll be right back!”
Manon paused, then suddenly leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Sophia’s cheek before heading towards the theater entrance.
Then she was gone.
The parking lot felt a lot quieter without her. Sophia pulled one of the blankets over her legs and watched the other cars around them, couples climbing into truck beds and unfolding chairs. The movie trailers echoed faintly through the speakers, distant and tinny. Every few seconds she caught herself touching the spot on her cheek where Manon had kissed her for the second time that night.
It had only been a second, barely anything at all, but the warmth lingered.
This time though it left her wanting more.
She found herself staring at the entrance, waiting for Manon to come back, imagining how close they would have to sit once she did. The space suddenly felt smaller in a way that made her stomach flutter.
She got so lost in the thought of what it might feel like to kiss her properly that she didn’t even notice Manon coming back until the car dipped slightly with her weight as she climbed back into the backseat beside her.
“Okay,” Manon began, slightly out of breath. “I got us some popcorn and a few candies in case we finish before the movie is over. Also, they were selling themed drinks, so I got one of each. Am I correct in thinking you are a Glinda girly?”
She handed Sophia the very pink drink before setting the green one in front of herself.
The chill of the night was starting to get to Sophia as she tried to subtly rub her hands up and down her arms to keep warm.
“Are you cold?” Manon asked immediately.
Before Sophia could even pretend she wasn’t, Manon was reaching behind her and pulling out two matching sweatshirts. One read Atlanta Baddie and the other said Swiss Baddie, both written in yellow and red lettering. Manon handed the Swiss sweatshirt to Sophia before pulling the Atlanta one over her own head.
“That one's mine. This one is Dani’s,” she explained. “We always keep them in here because we always go on these late-night drives with the music blasting and windows down, but it’s always so spur of the moment that we forget sweatshirts and end up sick. So we finally just bought sweatshirts to leave in each other’s cars.”
Sophia slipped into Manon’s sweatshirt, the fabric warm and faintly scented like her. The sleeves were slightly too long, bunching at her wrists.
“You and Dani seem really close,” she said gently.
“Yeah,” Manon replied, her expression softening. “We met in high school, and even with the funny start, we just became inseparable. We’ve been through a lot since then, but she’s my ride or die. Truly. She’s like a platonic soulmate. We actually live together. We have since we graduated, both chasing after pipe dreams.” She smiled a little at that.
“What about you? Platonic Soulmate?”
“A soulmate?” Sophia chuckled. “I don’t know if I’d call them that, but my best friend is Leon. We grew up together in the Phillipines. Our families are really close. When I moved here for college, I met Lara, Megan, and Yoonchae. They’re like my sisters. They’re all pretty different, but I love them.”
“It sounds like you have a really-”
Before she could finish, the opening credits began to play, the sound clearer now through the speakers as the movie officially started. They settled in.
At first, there was a careful inch or two of space between them. Then, gradually, that distance disappeared. Knees brushed and shoulders touched. Eventually, they shifted naturally under the blankets until they were curled into each other.
Sophia’s head rested against Manon’s chest, and Manon’s arm wrapped tightly around her, holding her close. The warmth from her body cut through the night air, steady and grounding.
As For Good began, Manon's hold on her tightened slightly, almost instinctively, like she could protect Sophia from the hurt of the scene. As the music swelled, familiar and devastating all at once. Sophia had seen Wicked before and read the book, so she knew exactly what was coming. But no matter what she always cried. The tears came quietly and steady, slipping down her cheeks as the song carried on.
By the time the movie ended, she tried to discreetly wipe her face, not wanting Manon to see her cry on their first date. She blinked quickly and turned her head slightly, hoping the darkness would hide it. However when she looked at Manon, she realized she had nothing to worry about. While Sophia had been silently crying, Manon was in a far worse state. She wasn’t just tearing up. She was fully, uncontrollably ugly sobbing. Her face was scrunched up and the hand that wasn’t wrapped around Sophia was covering her mouth as she tried to muffle the sound.
Sophia immediately reached over and gathered Manon into her arms. Manon immediately tucked her head into the curve of Sophia's neck, her hands clutching at her back like she needed something solid to hold onto.
“Oh my God. This is so embarrassing,” Manon said through stuttering breaths.
“Manon, I’m crying too,” Sophia replied softly.
While she hated seeing Manon cry so hard, she couldn’t help feeling grateful to be with someone who was just as emotionally invested in the story as she was. She let her tears fall for Glinda, who would have to rebuild a kingdom alone. She let them fall for Elphaba, who would forever be remembered as a villain in so many eyes. She cried for the journey, for the friendship, for the ache of it all. Her hands tightened slightly on Manon’s shoulders as she tilted her head to rest on top of Manon’s.
Gradually, their tears slowed. Their breathing steadied. They slowly pulled back just enough to look into each other's eyes.
Sophia didn’t think she had ever seen someone look more beautiful. Manon’s eyes were red-rimmed and glassy, mascara faintly streaked down her cheeks, and her lipstick was smudged from burying her face into Sophia’s shoulder. It didn’t matter.
Manon’s arms slid down to circle Sophia’s waist, holding her there. Sophia lifted her hands to cup Manon’s face, her thumbs brushing away the last few stray tears. She didn’t move them even after the tears were gone.
Before she could overthink it, she leaned in and pressed her lips to Manon’s. The kiss was tentative at first, soft and unsure, like they were both testing whether this was really happening. Realizing what she’d done, Sophia instinctively began to pull back.
But Manon’s grip tightened at her waist, and she drew her back in. This time the kiss deepened. Manon tilted her head slightly, and the slow exploration gave way to something warmer, more certain. Sophia’s fingers slipped into her hair, holding her there as if she might disappear otherwise.
Manon’s hand slid along Sophia’s side, hesitant but steady, and when she gently ran her tongue along Sophia’s lower lip, Sophia responded without thinking. The kiss grew hungrier, their movements syncing as if they had known each other far longer than a single night.
Sophia shifted closer, instinctively swinging one leg over Manon’s hips, straddling her in the narrow space. Manon broke away briefly to catch her breath, her earlier crying leaving her nos slightly stuffed. Sophia barely seemed winded at all, her breath steady from years of vocal training.
She leaned down again, pressing slow kisses along Manon’s jaw and then to her neck. Each one lingered a little longer than the last. When she reached the soft spot below her ear, she sucked hard on that spot, drawing a choked gasp from Manon. Manon’s hands gripped her hips with a bruising force. Eventually when Sophia felt it would stick she backed up with a parting peck on the spot.
Manon immediately drew her back up, capturing her lips again. Sophia was so lost in the kiss that she started to grind down, moving Manon’s hands to her ass to help guide her movements. However instead of guiding Manon used her grip to stop Sophia’s movements.
Between kisses, Manon murmured, “Sophia as much as I love this, I think we should slow down.”
Sophia pulled back slightly, confused. “Why?”
Manon looked up at her, flushed and a little breathless. “Because I actually really like you. And I want to do this right. Which means not sleeping with you on the first date, no matter how much I might want to.”
Sophia stared at her in awe. Manon gave her an awkward smile, as if she didn’t currently have her hands on Sophia’s ass.
“Does this mean I get to take you on a second date?” Sophia asked quietly.
“Why would you take me on a second date? I want to properly plan one.”
“I’m not going on another date unless I plan this time.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I mean you literally paid for this entire date. You can wait your turn.”
Manon tried very hard not to smile, though she was failing miserably.She sighed dramatically before saying, “If that’s the only way I’ll get a second date, then fine.”
“It is getting pretty late though,” she added softly. “I should get you home.”
Sophia glanced at the clock on the dash behind Manon and saw it was nearly eleven. She leaned down to press one last kiss to Manon’s lips before reluctantly climbing off her lap.
Together they cleaned up the trash and folded the blankets, restoring the backseat to its normal wolf-filled forest.
Before long, they were pulling up outside Sophia’s apartment building. Manon shifted the car into park before turning to face Sophia.
“So I would walk you to your door,” Manon said, “but I fear I’d ask to come in, and I really want to treat you like a future girlfriend, not a forgotten hookup”
“Unfortunately, I think you may be right,” Sophia admitted. “You wouldn’t even have to ask. I’d just drag you into the apartment.”
“Then before we forget,” Manon said, holding out her phone, “your number please?”
“Smart,” Sophia replied, taking it from her.
When she saw the contact screen, she saw that Manon had already entered in a name for her
Spider Monkey
Sophia threw her head back laughing. She didn’t change it. She simply typed in her number and sent herself a quick text before handing the phone back.
“Just so you know,” she whispered as she stepped out of the car, “I prefer being called Princess.” She walked around to the driver’s side window and knocked lightly when she saw Manon still sitting there, frozen from her last words. Manon slowly rolled the window down.
“Thank you for tonight,” Sophia said, leaning in slightly. “Truly. I had a really great time. I can’t wait for our next date.”
“Thank you for dealing with my weirdness and still wanting a second date somehow.” Manon replied, still sounding slightly stunned.
Sophia smiled, then reached in and cupped her face, leaning down to kiss her again. This kiss held no hesitancy. It was steady and deliberate, like she wanted the memory to linger. Sophia’s hand slipped down Manon’s neck to press her thumb into the red mark that would become a bruise tomorrow. Manon whimpered into her mouth.
As if that was the moment she was waiting for, Sophia pulled back.
“Goodnight, Manon,” she whispered.
Eyes still closed, Manon breathed out, “Night, Princess.”