Finding Sophie

Chapter 3

Present

It's the last day of school, a day I've been waiting to come for a long time but also want to stretch the time out as long as possible. School has been the only consistent thing in my life since, well since my sister, my subconscious reminds me. Nothing has quite been the same since then. I have just taken life day by day, each day waiting for the night when I knew the nightmares would come. The same one comes back every night, it is like I keep reliving the moment.

I decide to have a shower and prepare myself for this day as I might as well look good if it's the last time I'm going to be going. The hot water on my skin is a relief to my aching muscles and I run my hands through my hair. I hope today will be a day to remember, and for all the good reasons. When I step out of the shower I wrap a towel around me and head to my mum's room to use her hairdryer and straighteners. I really need to buy my own when I move out I think. I finish up drying my hair and go back to my bedroom to pick out my outfit for today. I want to be chic but also be comfortable so I have no idea what to wear as usual. So instead I ask my mum who always knows the best combinations and outfits for the right occasion "Mum can you please help me pick out what to wear today?"

"Yes honey, just give me a minute I'm making you a coffee." She replies. Soon after I hear the sound of her walking up the stairs to my room, the crisp coffee smell also filling me up.

"I can't seem to figure out whether I should go for casual or chic today. Maybe a mixture, or neither." I say.

"Okay, I think you should go for something casual but comfortable. I like the idea of your skinny jeans, a simple t-shirt and maybe a nice flannel over the top?" She gives me the coffee while telling me.

"Why didn't I think of that, thanks, mum." I appreciatively take the coffee and smile at her.

"Okay don't take too long as you don't want to be late on your last day, or any day for that matter."

I sip the coffee between pulling on my clothes. I look into the mirror and can't believe she managed to do it again. The combination of my chestnut brown hair, which for today is straightened, and the outfit, looks great. I take a large gulp of my quickly cooling coffee and sit in front of my mirror just taking in this moment for the last time in my life.

I grab my bag and head downstairs to have some breakfast. "Mum do you want me to drop you anywhere on my way to school?" I ask.

"Oh yes please, I was going to walk to the café but it would be lovely if I could ride with you." She says, a grin filling her face.

"Well we need to hurry up then," I tease, "or as you said, we'll be late."

When I finished breakfast I grab my keys off of the counter and go to start the car and drive it out the garage. I put the keys in the car and the radio starts playing some sort of rock song. I recoil at the volume and lean over to try and turn it down cursing myself for leaving it on that loud. It has never been successful before so I don't know why I did it again. I check the tank to make sure I won't have to stop for petrol as well today. Thankfully the tank has enough to get me there and back again. I am starting to become a bit more nervous as this is all taking much longer than expected and I hate being late more than anything. "Mum, come on!" I call back into the house.

"Alright calm down I'm on my way, we still have three quarters of an hour until school starts we aren't in a rush!" She shouts back.

"I'm always early and this is the last day who knows what will be happening!" I sigh, this has been the same argument for years now. Every morning I get into the car and am sitting waiting for her to tell me that we are indeed not in a rush and still have ages until school starts. To which I have never had a good reply until now.

She opens the door and gets into the car, putting on her seatbelt, knowing not to push me any further as I really do hate to be late. The silence was making it very uncomfortable so I turned the radio back up. We eventually start to talk about the awful music that they have a tendency to play which lightens the mood quite a bit.

"I can't believe today is your last day at school, you've grown up so fast. It just feels just like yesterday I was holding your hand and taking you to your first day of school." She quietly says. I knew she is one to try so hard not to cry in situations like this as she would just set me off as well.

"I know mum, it's quite a lot to take in. But I have learnt so much in these years and you have helped me with a lot of that." I reach over and place my hand on hers.