Chapter 46
Sophia didn’t mind the quiet mornings. She liked the breeze brushing against her arms and the way the sun made everything look so pretty, making her enjoy the rest of the walk from the bus stop to school.
It was her usual path, just past the corner. She was already thinking about the math test and wondering if she had really understood yesterday’s class when someone spoke.
“Excuse me?”
She turned around quickly, her hand tightening around the straps of her bag.
A man stood a few feet away from her. He had a wool cap pulled low on his head and wore an orange vest like the kind road workers wore. He was tall but not overly so, and he looked kind of nervous.
“Do you know where the nearest bakery is?” He asked, when he saw that she had turned to him
Sophia hesitated, then shook her head.
She did know where the bakery was. It was just a few blocks away near the intersection. But something about the man made her feel off. She didn’t know how to explain it.
She shook her head.
“Sorry. I only school here. I don’t really know the area.”
The man nodded slowly.
“Ah. Makes sense. It’s alright, I’ll find it myself.”
“Okay.” She said, stepping sideways, ready to keep moving.
But he didn’t walk away.
“Is that your school?” He asked, pointing vaguely in the direction she’d been headed.
Sophia nodded again.
“Yeah.”
“Nice. I’m new here. Just started working. Street cleaner.” He said, lifting his chin a little like he was proud of it.
Sophia offered a small, polite smile.
“That’s really cool.”
She turned again to leave, but he spoke once more.
“What’s your name?”
Sophia blinked.
“Huh?”
He smiled wider, too wide.
“Your name. Just curious. You look like someone I used to know.”
“I—I should go. I’m going to be late.”
She didn’t wait for him to say anything else. She took off quickly, only slowing when she was near the school gate and saw other students.
That was weird, she thought. Really weird.
By the time she got to class, her pulse had settled a little. The classroom was half full. Students were chatting, tossing books around, and sharing snacks, but the teacher wasn’t there yet.
Sophia sat at her desk and pulled out her notebook. She didn’t feel like talking to anyone. Not after what just happened. She was so caught up in her thoughts, that she didn’t notice Allison until the girl slid into the seat in front of her, taking Paige’s usual spot.
Sophia blinked.
“Uh, hey?”
Allison didn’t greet her. She looked irritated.
“Have you noticed anything weird going on at home recently?” Allison asked, leaning forward a little.
Sophia was thrown off.
“At home?”
“Yes.”
Sophia shrugged.
“I mean, not really. I thought it was normal for couples to fight. Our parents argue sometimes, so that is healthy—”
Allison cut her off with a hiss.
“No, it’s not normal.”
Sophia blinked.
“What?”
“They never used to fight like this. Not like that!” Allison said. “I came down at two last night to get water, and Mum was crying in the kitchen.”
Sophia frowned. “Crying?”
“Yes.” Allison sighed. “And Dad? He wasn’t even home. He came back around four. I heard the door.”
Sophia opened her mouth, then closed it again. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t hear any of that.
“I don’t know what’s going on, really.” Allison muttered, leaning back in the chair and crossing her arms. “And the worst part is, no one is saying anything.”
Sophia hesitated.
“Maybe it’s something small?”
“You don’t know anything! You can’t even think like a normal person!” Allison snapped. “I don’t even know why I asked you.”
That stung.
Sophia sat up straighter.
“I’m just trying to help.”
“Help how?” Allison narrowed her eyes. “You act like you’re part of the family, but you’re not. You don’t know them. You’re not even aware of what happens in the house. Mummy’s pet but you can’t even tell how she really feels, can you? And you say you’re what again?”
Sophia stared at her, stunned.
“I never said I was any of these things.”
“Then stop acting like it when people call you them.” Allison said, getting up.
Sophia clenched her fists under the desk.
“You’re just being mean for no reason.”
“Says the selfish girl who knows nothing about her parents and their married.” Allison paused for a second, like she wanted to say more, but then scoffed and walked back to her seat near the window. She didn’t look back.
Sophia bit the inside of her cheek. It wasn’t like she’d asked to be adopted into this mess.
A few seconds later, Paige slid into the seat Allison had just left, dropping her bag on the floor.
“Hey. What was that about?” She asked, tilting her head toward Allison.
Sophia shook her head.
“I don’t know. She just came here to pick a fight.”
Paige snorted.
“That seems to be her only personality. Don’t let her get to you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“I know.” Paige said, pulling out a gum stick. “She just likes being dramatic. If she wants to have a meltdown, she can do it somewhere else.”
Sophia smiled faintly.
“Thanks.”
“No problem. Are you okay?”
Sophia hesitated, then nodded.
“Yeah. Just had a weird morning.”
Paige raised an eyebrow.
“Weird how?”
Sophia looked around. The teacher still wasn’t in.
“This man stopped me on my way here. Said he was new. Wanted to know where the bakery was.”
Paige frowned.
“That’s not that weird.”
“He also asked for my name and kept on talking to me.”
That made Paige pause.
“What?”
“Yeah. He said I looked familiar. Asked if that was my school. Then wanted to know my name. Said he was a street cleaner.”
“Did you tell him?”
“No. I just left.”
“Good.” Paige said immediately. “Creepy. Probably lying about being a cleaner too.”
Sophia nodded slowly.
“I thought so too.”
Paige looked around the class.
“You should tell someone. The school or something. Just in case. All that stuff involving Allison shouldn’t be shifted to you.”
Sophia thought about it.
“Maybe.”
Just then, Caleb strolled into class, tossing his bag onto his seat and patting Sophia’s head gently.
“Hello to my best friend in the world!” He said with a smile.