Chapter 3
On my way home, my phone suddenly rang. It was Mary. "Sophie, I've got a client looking for a live-in nanny.
"Honestly, after thinking it over, you're the only one I can picture doing the job right.
"So, what do you think?"
I worked at Mary's housekeeping agency.
Honestly, I never planned on doing this kind of work.
But after years of looking after Ryan, I found that cleaning and chores actually helped me chill out.
Especially after my grandma passed away, I needed something physical to keep my mind busy.
Ryan and I used to argue about it, but I never listened to him.
After a few fights, he gave up and let me be.
I answered right away, "I'm good for it, Mary. When should I head over?"
Mary paused for a second. "The client wants someone ASAP.
"But Sophie, you and your boyfriend seemed pretty tight. If you take this live-in gig, you won't see him much."
I smiled. "Mary, we broke up."
Mary let out a sigh. "Alright then, pack up and go when you're ready.
"But heads up, that family's not easy. They've already fired five nannies.
"Word is, their son is a real handful.
"So be careful over there, okay?"
I said okay, and after a few more reminders, Mary hung up.
When I got home, I looked at the doorknob cover for a moment, hesitated, and then finally pulled it off.
I curled up on the couch, letting myself breathe and unwind for a while before I finally dragged myself up to start packing.
After a few steps, my phone kept buzzing nonstop, and right away, a message from Mark popped up on the screen.
It was a video of them playing Truth or Dare.
Ryan was red-faced and slumped on the couch, Emily snuggled up next to him, grinning teasingly as she asked, "So, what's Sophie to you?"
Ryan stared blankly, listening to the question a few times before finally mumbling, barely audible, "The nanny."
Everyone cracked up, except for Chris, who gave an awkward chuckle, looking uncomfortable.
The video cut off abruptly.
Honestly, all I could do was laugh.
When I was about to put my phone down, Mark sent another message: [Some people are untouchable, you know?
[Once she walks in, you're yesterday's news.]
I never really understood why Mark had it out for me.
Every time he saw me, he'd always throw some snark or roll his eyes.
But soon, I'd be out of here anyway.
I texted him: [So, do you have a crush on Ryan or what?]
He kept typing forever, then finally sent: [Dude, you're crazy.]
He totally freaked out.
I was right.
*****
I ignored him and headed straight to the bedroom to pack my clothes.
I barely had any clothes of my own. Most of the clothes in the closet were Ryan's.
After I finished packing, I grabbed my suitcase and started to leave, but my eyes landed on the painting hanging on the wall.
I walked over and stood there, staring at it for a long time.
It was a drawing of Ryan and me, done by the kids at the orphanage.
The first time I met him was at the orphanage, during a volunteer event organized by our school.
When I arrived, he looked completely lost as he tried to help a troubled kid.
My senior introduced him with a smile, saying he was a good guy, but he's a bit of a clean freak.
I was laughing so hard at how flustered he looked that I lost my balance and scraped the skin off my hand.
Ryan rushed over, visibly worried, and gently put a band-aid on my hand.
My senior teased him, saying, "Guess you're not such a clean freak now, huh?"
He blushed and hurried off.
I took the drawing down and gazed at it for a long time, lost in memories, before hanging it back up.
Before heading out, I left the keys on the shoe rack by the door.
Goodbye, my youth.