flecks of gold like sunshine | KOTLC

Muddy Brown | Sophie

I take a deep breath, taking a moment to steady myself for the chaos that I know will be school. Then I run up the steps, two at a time, before I can chicken out and run back home crying.

I suck in a breath as my ears get accustomed to the barrage of noise. My eyes scan the hallways eagerly, hoping to see those pair of teal eyes...

"Biana!"

I shout her name, and she immediately turns around at the sound of my voice, a smile slowly spreading across her lips. "Hey, Sophie," she giggles, running over to tackle me with a hug. Then she lowers her voice so only I can hear her, though the smile is still on her face, as big as ever. But that's for other people to see.

"I'm so sorry, Sophie."

I know what she's talking about. She's one of the only few who remember what happened to me on this day. What was taken from me, so abruptly. I give her a weak smile when she pulls away. "It's okay, Biana." Then I add after a thought, "I think I'll get over it this year." I settle that resolution firmly in my heart.

Biana smiles too, looping her arm through mine. "Come on! Marella's waiting." She winks. "And, she also got you something - I guarantee you'll love it!"

"Okayyy," I answer slowly, unsure of what surprises await me - and whether I should be scared. Last April Fools, Marella pranked me by giving me ice cream, which was, in fact, shaving cream.

You know what? I should be scared.

I approach a grinning Marella cautiously, who's sitting beside Linh Song, one of my good friends. "Hey, Marella," I greet with a wary smile. She beams, handing me a box wrapped in golden paper, also the colour of the flecks in my brown eyes.

"What's this?" I ask, slowly unwrapping the wrapping paper and eyeing it suspiciously - this better not be a jack-in-the-box -

Oh! It's a necklace. Actually, it's kinda pretty, considering I'm not one for jewellery.

Biana, on the other hand, totally is. She clasps her hands over her heart dramatically as her teal eyes flick to the necklace dangling from my palm. "Oh my gosh, Sophie!" she squeals, dancing ecstatic circles around me, "that's so pretty! I wish I could get that for my birthday present." She batts her eyelashes at Marella, and I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes.

Marella places her hands on her hips, shaking her head firmly. "Nuh-uh, sister. That cost me a bomb, and I'm not getting it again," she answers bluntly.

I wear the necklace around my neck. A metal ring hangs from the string, the tip of it just visible above my blouse. It's simple, but just the way I like it. Not too over-the-top. "Thank you so much," I say to Marella sincerely. Maybe I shouldn't have judged her for that April Fools' prank. Then again, this is Marella I'm talking about - she's full of surprises. Never mind.

Marella's face softens. "Your welcome, Sophie. I guess you can treat it as a reminder that we'll always be here for you, even if...they aren't. Right guys?" She looks to Biana, and Linh, who's been quiet until now.

Linh smiles brightly. "Definitely." Biana seconds her. It means a lot, especially when Linh rarely speaks. She's more of the quiet type, but once you get to know her, she's really, really nice. Come to think of it, she's the first real friend I ever got here, just that Biana's more energetic so we got closer instead. Still, Linh's my best friend. These three people are and, I hope, always will be. They're the only things that get me through high school, honestly.

Just when I was about to thank them again, I hear a clatter over to the side, and I realise a boy's dropped his books. They're scattered all over the floor, and right now, he looks like a flustered wreck, anxiously picking his books up only to drop them again a second later.

Biana's eyes widen at the sound, and she rushes over to help him. The boy looks up, an embarrassed red flush creeping into his cheeks. "Thanks," he breathes, pushing back his strawberry-blonde hair from his face. "I'm Dex Dizznee."

Biana holds out her hand, black curls bouncing, and he shakes it. "Biana Vacker."

Dex's eyes widen to the size of plates, and his mouth's slightly agape. "Vacker? Isn't your brother on the school football team?"

"Yeah," Biana confirms proudly, expression smug. "Captain, in fact. Actually -" She stops mid-sentence, face frozen with shock, and I wonder why.

Until I see his eyes.

They're periwinkle, with weird, muddy brown specks mixed in them - the same in Biana's teal ones. I used to tease her about it. Because, really, brown? For such a glamorous girl, it must be crushing to have brown flecks, of all colours.

I bring my mind back to the situation at hand (Stop reminiscing, Sophie!) and I think Marella and Linh have noticed too, because they're whispering furiously to each other and letting out an occasional giggle.

Biana quickly regains her composure, but Dex is left standing like a statue as his gaze never once leaves Biana's teal eyes. "I'm so sorry, Dex - Here you go - Oh, here's another one - You dropped this -" At this point, Biana's shoving books into his arms.

About six seconds later, Dex blinks and seems to remember why Biana's helping him in the first place. "R-Right, thanks," he stammers. "Could I get your, uh, name? Oh wait - Biana Vacker, never mind," he blubbers on. I cringe and sigh - Biana, you better be prepared for your soulmate.

Dex makes to leave, but he lingers on a bit. "Um, maybe we could meet up during lunch?"

Biana seems hesitant, but then a slow smile lights up her face. "Of course. See you, Dex!" Then he's off, grinning like an idiot.

I definitely feel happy for Biana, but I also die a little inside.

So she's found her soulmate.

And I'm still alone.