Read Online Sophie's Smile: A Novel by Sheena Harper - Free Book Online Page B

through college, insisting that I use my time to study and get good grades…that was my job, and would be my only job until I graduated.
    I accepted this. My goals were always shortsighted, always looking forward to the following year, as I graduated past elementary school, middle school, high school, and now I eagerly waited to complete my undergraduate degree.
    I yearned for that moment. Seemingly close enough to see the light, teasing me with its warmth. The end was near and once I walked across that stage in my cap and gown, diploma in hand, I would be free. Free of this glorified institution and hopefully also free of my own personal hell. I would be left to my own devices, free to do as I wish…to live out the rest of my life in solitude, peacefully.
     
     
    2
     
    Hormones…endocrine function and the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis…pages 205-232 .
    “Ugh…” sighing, I picked up my yellow highlighter, getting ready to do some serious damage, when my roommate, Tiffany bounced in.
    “ Watcha do’n ?”
    Tiff planted herself on my bed, riffling through the recent copy of Cosmo magazine. Her long legs stretched out and her crystal blue eyes gazed at the glossy pages in sheer boredom.
    “Tiff, what does it look like I’m doing?”
    “ Mmmm …not sure. Something boring as usual.”
    Her glossed-over eyes flickered in disgust.
    “Why are you studying anyways, it’s Friday night. You have like all next week to study. Let’s do something fun.”
    Tiffany Preston was strikingly beautiful with her slender frame, beach blond hair, and bright blue eyes. She also was lucky enough to be blessed with buckets of free time—she was taking one online class each semester and working part time, filling the rest of her schedule with dates, parties, shopping, movies, and all the other things people my age loved to do.
    “Why don’t you call Rachel or your boyfriend over to hang out?” I suggested.
    Tiff pursed her thin, red-stained lips, “Rachel has a date with Justin and Ethan is having a guy’s night at his place.”
    Tiff’s doe-eyes turned hard as ice as she suddenly became lost in thought over all the things Ethan might be doing at this very moment—unbeknownst to her, he and his friends were down the street ogling half-naked school-girls, chugging down jugs of frosty beer, and enjoying a belching contest between gorging on “wings” slathered in “secret” sauce. She was contemplating what excuse she should use to sneak over there later when I interrupted her.
    “Sorry, Tiff. I have two midterms next week that I have to study for. I promise, after the midterms I’ll hang out. Okay?”
    I was pleading now. I really needed to get back to studying.
    Tiff seemed to be contemplating something before answering, “ Alrighty .”
    “That’s it? You’re not going to whine or beg?”
    “No, silly. This weekend you need your quiet time to study. I understand.” She smirked. “But next weekend you’re mine and we’re going to celebrate my twenty-first birthday in style! I’m going to go start on the invites right now!” She squealed, extremely happy with herself for finding something to do, and left my room.
    Sigh…her twenty-first birthday party…drinking…dancing… strangers…ugh…I think I’d rather be studying. I decided years ago that a social life wasn’t for me. I was content with the facts: I would probably never find the love of my life, and I would be a virgin for eternity. Of course, that’s not what I really wanted, but I just didn’t think it was in the cards for me.
    I regained my focus for a few more hours until I started drifting off to sleep, dreaming of Prince Charming:
     
    I was walking through a field of sunflowers…golden rays of the sun washed over his handsome face as he brushed his lips on my cheek…I felt happy…but then he was gone…it was nighttime and I was alone…where was he?…I had to find him, be with him…I ran…I felt like I was running knee deep in