The sun rose as the alarm rang, and Sophie woke up to a new day. She went to the bathroom, cleaned herself, wore her uniform, and headed downstairs for breakfast.
She went to the kitchen and saw her mom cooking while James was sitting at the dining table. A man was sitting on the other chair beside James.
The man was wearing a white collar shirt with a black tie and dark grey jeans, with his black hair combed back and perfect bright blue eyes, behind the glasses, focused on the newspaper.
"Good morning, Dad." Sophie greeted her father. "Morning. How is my sunshine?" Mr. Agustin asked as he folded the newspaper and kept it on the table. "I am fine, dad. How was the meeting?" Sophie asked as she sat on one of the dining chairs.
"It was good, dear; the client bought our products, and our company gained 2 million dollars," Dad replied excitedly. "Thank God, it went well," Sophie said merrily.
"Dad, does that mean I am getting a Lamborghini?" James asked with his big, round puppy eyes. Hearing that statement, Sophie laughed as she took it funny.
"Of course," Dad replied. "What!" Sophie exclaims, shocked. "A toy Lamborghini," Dad added and laughed. "Oh, phew." Sophie was relieved.
Mom then comes with peanut butter, jam and bread.
"OK, enough chit-chat and finish your breakfast, or you'll be late for school." She said this as she dropped the items on the table.
They started having their breakfast.
"Oh yeah," Sophie said as she remembered the letter. She went to her bag, got the letter, and gave it to her dad.
"Mom, Dad, our school is taking us on a school trip to rocky locations to do our report, so they gave us this letter."
Sophie said and continued eating her breakfast. Mr. Agustin reads through the paper.
"You are taking a trip to Harvard?" He asked while looking at the letter.
"Harvard?" Mom questioned. "Isn't that near the border of Adenville and Norvard? Why are you going that far?" Mom inquired Sophie.
"Well, it is the only rocky location near the city. But the school staff will be with us." Sophie assured them.
"Don't worry Adrina, it is written here. Here I have signed it." Dad said as he gave back the letter. "Thanks, Dad," Sophie appreciated. "Alright, hurry up now, or you will be late for school." Mom said.
They went back to eating. As Sophie was eating, she was also thinking about the trip, which caused her to remember the dream she had last night and get scared and roam in her thoughts.
Suddenly Sophie got snapped by the spoon that had fallen on the floor by her brother. She then checks the time and finds out that she is getting late for school. She quickly grabs her bag, takes her brother, and says goodbye to her parents.
Sophie dropped her brother off at his school and headed straight to school. She was glad to be in school on time. She then headed to her class, and as she entered, she saw Bella in her seat, reading. Sophie went to her seat, which was right next to Bella's.
"Hey, Bella." Sophie greeted Bella and sat on her seat.
"Hi Sophie, you are a bit late," Bella said. The girl with short brown hair, blue eyes, and glasses.
"Yeah, I know," Sophie replied with a nervous smile.
Sophie then remembered the dream again and was quiet. "So, what about the letter? Did you get permission?" Bella asked. "Hah? Oh...ah yeah." Sophie replied nervously. Bella noticed the weight in Sophie's tone.
"Hey, is everything OK?" Bella asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I am fine." She replied nervously again.
"You don't look okay; look, if something is bothering you, then you can tell me," Bella assured Sophie.
"Look, I am fine; it's nothing." Sophie implied. Sophie saw that look in Bella's eyes that indicated Bella knew she was lying.
Sophie sighs, "Okay, fine, I just had a nightmare. That's all," Sophie implied.
"A nightmare that is still disturbing you even now? Bella pointed. "What was it?" Bella asked. Sophie then told her everything about what she saw.
"Were you stressed about the trip yesterday?" Bella asked. "Well, yes. Since I had to get permission from Dad," Sophie implied. "That's the reason," Bella said.
"When you are stressed about something, you have dreams about it. So you shouldn't worry. Ok, Soph?" Bella assured her. Sophie then smiled. "Okay. Thanks, Bella." She said that and hugged her.
Just then the bell rang, and classes started. Even though Bella told her that it was just a dream and that she shouldn't worry, Sophie still felt uncomfortable because the dream felt so real, like a vision, and this made her unable to pay attention in class, but she tried to ignore it and focus.
At recess, Sophie went to the school garden, sat on the bench, and started reading her novel. After a few minutes, Nick saw that she was sitting alone for a while, so he walked over to keep her company.
"Hey, Sophie." He said this as he sat on the bench.
"Oh hey, Nick," Sophie replied.
"I saw you sitting alone, so I thought I could give you some company. Where's Bella?" He implied and asked.
"She went to practice for the upcoming debate competition," Sophie replied.
"Oh, that's why. I was surprised that Bella was not here. Well, you two are best friends after all." Nick signified.
"Yeah," Sophie replied nervously, as she was still thinking about the dream.
Nick then saw the sadness in Sophie's reply. Concerned, he asked, "Hey, is everything okay? Did you and Bella have a fight or something?"
"What? No. I am fine; it's nothing." Sophie replied.
"You can tell me; I can help," Nick assured her.
"No, it's ok, Nick. I am glad you gave me company." Sophie appreciated him.
"Well, you are my friend; it is my job." Nick implied.
Hearing what Nick just said made Sophie happy. She smiled warmly and replied, "Yeah."
Then, after a few seconds, they heard Bella's voice coming from behind them.
"There you are. I was looking for you both." Bella said as she reached their side.
"Bella? You are done already." Sophie asked, surprised.
"Unfortunately, our debate teacher is absent today, so we just revised, and now I'm free." Bella replied and added, "And come on, the others are waiting in the cafeteria; aren't you guys coming??."
"Is Miles there?" Nick asked.
"Not yet; he said we would be there in a few minutes," Bella replied.
"OK, then let's go," Sophie suggested.
Bella and Nick went to the cafeteria, while Sophie took a quick stop in her class to drop her stuff and then headed towards the cafeteria.
She found her friends sitting in their usual spot for lunch. She went to the table and sat near Faith and Bella, who were by her right and left, respectively. There, we are introduced to Sophie's 3 other friends, namely; Phil, Brian and Lucy.
"Where were you guys?" The boy with dark brown skin and brown eyes asked.
"We were in the school garden," Nick replied as Miles sat beside him.
"So guys, I have news that I have been hearing around the school." The boy with indigo hair and brown eyes implied.
"What is it? Is it about the teachers? Students? The trip? Oh, come on, say it already." The girl with the red hair, a high-side ponytail, and light green eyes said continuously and excitedly.
"Lucy. He will say it when you stop talking." Sophie said while loving the joy of her friend.
"Oh right, sorry." Lucy apologised.
"What is it, Brian?" Faith asked.
"I heard that the school is doing a new school curriculum programme for the school board." Brian implied.
"OK?" Nick said.
"And?" Bella added.
"And they're going to select a student to represent the school on the front page of the yearbook," Brian added.
"So, who is it?" Bella asked.
"Now that's what I don't know," Brian replied nervously.
"Seriously?" Miles said, annoyed.
Suddenly the cafeteria door opened wide, and a blonde girl entered the cafeteria while swinging her hair like a model and doing a catwalk. Two other girls followed her like minions.
The cafeteria filled with excitement as they saw the most beautiful and despicable girl coming into the cafeteria. She was surrounded by all the students as if she were Miss Universe. Then, with the help of her minions, the blond girl climbed up onto one of the tables and she snapped her fingers.
"Hello everybody, I'm here to announce some exciting news. I've been selected as the representative for the high school's yearbook program." In a braggart voice, the blonde girl announced.
All the students were cheering and applauding the Queen of the school.
"Of course," Sophie said, expressionless and annoyed.
"It is always Brenda." Bella implied.
"The most braggy...…" Lucy said.
".....obnoxious..." Faith added.
"...And the meanest girl in the whole school." Phil completed.
Some minutes later, the bell rang, indicating that recess was over and everyone had gone to their classes. Sophie was still worried because of the dream, but she was starting to get over it little by little. After the last period, Bella was called for a meeting for the competition. So Sophie, without meeting anyone, was heading out of the school when she heard her friends.
"Hey Sophie, are you leaving without saying goodbye?" Phil said.
"Yeah, you never leave without saying goodbye," Lucy said as she was concerned.
"I hope you are okay," Faith said.
"If something is bothering you, you can tell us." Brian implied.
Bella then returned and saw that Sophie was feeling nervous with all those questions.
"Guys, give her some space," Bella said.
"Sophie, what is it?" Miles asked.
"Guys I am fine. I appreciate your concern, but there is nothing to worry about, honestly. I was just thinking about the trip; that's why I am going to meet Miss Rose for more information. That's it." Sophie replied.
"Oh, ok," Brian said. They were all satisfied, but Nick was still worried and was not satisfied.
"I guess we overreacted," Faith added.
"OK, then see you guys tomorrow," Phil said.
Everybody said bye to each other as they left. Nick was still sure that there was something wrong, and Miles caught him lost in his thoughts.
"What is it, Nick?" Miles asked expressionlessly.
"Nothing; I just have this feeling that something is bothering Sophie; she has never acted like this before," Nick replied, concerned about Sophie.
"Did something happen before this?" Miles questioned.
"I mean, even in recess, she was like that," Nick added.
"Just don't worry; maybe she is just stressed." Miles signified.
"Yeah, maybe you're right. Let's go home." Nick agreed. They both then headed home.
Outside Miss Rose's office.
'Knock Knock'
"Come in," Miss Rose replied.
Sophie walks in.
"Oh, Sophie, right? Come in." She inquired.
Sophie sat on the chair.
"How can I help you?" Miss Rose asked.
"I just wanted to know more about the trip," Sophie signified.
"Oh really?" Miss Rose asked with an intimidating face as her glasses shined. "Well, it's just a simple trip. You will have a partner, and then you and your partner will search for stones. When you do, you and your partner will write a report on it and do a presentation, and if your presentation is accurate, then you will get your scores. That's it. Is that all?" Miss Rose explained.
"Oh, ok, yes, that's all. Thank you, Miss Rose." Sophie appreciated her.
Sophie stood up and was about to leave when Miss Rose spoke in a deep and creepy voice from behind.
"Are you sure nothing else?" She asked in a serious and slow voice.
Sophie suddenly froze while facing the door. She then snapped and answered with a smile when she turned around.
"Yes, nothing else. Thank you very much." She appreciated her again.
"Okay then, have a nice day." Miss Rose replied happily.
Sophie slowly got out of the office and quickly ran out of school. The thoughts of all that had happened and the dream were just making her go crazy. She then stopped a few metres away from the school and snapped out of it. She then started heading towards her brother's school.
On her way, she had a weird feeling. She was not sure, but she could feel that she was being followed. She turned around but saw no one. She then stopped at a corner and used her mirror. She saw a figure coming her way.
Scared, she quickly started running. As she was running, she turned around and saw the person running after her. She couldn't see their faces because he was wearing a hood and mask. She quickly took a turn and reached her brother's school. She told the school security guard about the person, and the guard went to check, but the person was no longer there. Sophie felt relieved; she then took her brother and went straight home.
At home, during dinner.
"Mom, Dad, as I was coming from school, I was being followed; I think it was a kidnapper." Sophie implied.
"What!!" Mom exclaimed.
"What? Are you hurt, my dear?" Dad asked.
"No, because I lost him when I was running. Then, as soon as I reached James' school, I told the guard. He went to check, but he wasn't there." Sophie assured them.
"Sophie, from tomorrow on, you are never going alone. I will go with you." Mom suggested.
"Don't worry dear, I will drop Sophie and James off." Dad signified.
"But Dad, won't you be late for work?" Sophie asked.
"No, dear, it is close to your school," Dad responded.
"OK, Father," Sophie said.
"Now off to bed, you two," Mom said after eating.
"OK." Sophie and James replied in unison.
Sophie went to her room, changed into her pyjamas, and went to bed. As she was about to go to sleep, she saw something in her window. She went to check, but there was nothing. So she went back to sleep. As she was sleeping, there was a figure standing on one of the rooftops of the house.
"You may have escaped today, but you will not again. Let's see what makes you so different, Sophie." The mysterious person stated.