As I drove back home, I couldn't stop thinking about Sophia. I had been feeling a little off all day, but being with Sophia always made me feel better.
I pulled out my phone and tried to call Sophia, but she didn't answer. I tried again and again, but each time it went straight to voicemail.
Just as I was starting to get worried, Sophia's mom answered the phone. "Hello?" she said curtly.
"Hi, Mrs. ... um, Sophia's mom," I stuttered. "I was trying to reach Sophia."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Sophia is not available," her mom said coldly. "And even if she was, I wouldn't let her talk to you."
My heart sank. "What do you mean?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I mean that you're a bad influence on Sophia," her mom said. "You're filling her head with your ... your ... lifestyle."
I felt a surge of anger, but I tried to remain calm. "I care about Sophia deeply," I said. "I would never do anything to hurt her."
But Sophia's mom just laughed. "You're not good enough for Sophia," she said. "Stay away from her."
And with that, she hung up the phone.
I was left sitting in my car, feeling stunned and confused. I couldn't believe what Sophia's mom had just said.
I tried to shake off the feeling of unease, but it lingered with me for the rest of the day. I couldn't concentrate on anything, and I found myself thinking about Sophia nonstop.
What was going to happen to us? Would Sophia's mom ever accept me? And what would happen if she didn't?
I didn't have any answers, but I knew one thing for sure: I was going to do everything in my power to make things work with Sophia.