❝ SPIDERS OR LADYBUGS? ❞
▬▬ New York City's heroes, Ladybug and Spider-Man, refuse to admit the other is better than the other. And yet when chemistry class begins, they are oblivious to their very rival sitting just a few in...
BUGGING BUGS ; ACT ONE "I swear to you that to think too much is a disease, a real, actual disease." Fyodor Dostoevsky,Notes From Underground
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SOFIA'S FEET DRAGGED her down the stairs and to the kitchen where her dad was already finishing his cup of coffee, dressed in a black and white suit and sitting on a stool by the kitchen island. She refrained herself from letting out a sigh or a snarky remark about how often he's gone. She already knew what was coming so why bother asking or leaving comments about it, and wasting her breath and time doing so.
"I've got business to attend to in D.C. so I'll be gone for a few days," Her dad started, as expected after he gulped down the last of his coffee. He stood up from the stool and placed the mug by the sink. "I left you some money for food and necessities. It should be more than enough to last while I'm gone."
Sofia said nothing as she reached for the refrigerator handle, pulling it open. The cold temperature slightly hit her, but she ignored it, and instead reached for a carton of chocolate milk. Her dad frowned at her silent behavior. He expected at least a comment or a confirmation that she heard him, but he received nothing but radio silence.
He let out a sigh. "I'll see you, soon. Call me in case something happens, okay? I love you." He placed a hand on her shoulder when he passed by her and headed out to the house's front door.
Sofia made herself the same quick breakfast she ate every morning before school: a bowl of cereal and a glass of chocolate milk - she occasionally drank coffee but that's just when she felt like a corpse being forced to wake up from the grave and live again. She took the train to school, arriving at Midtown High within ten minutes and forced herself to endure multiple hours of sitting in class and pretending to pay attention to whatever it was her teacher was saying.
By the time the bell rang to alert the students it was time for lunch, Sofia was dragged along into helping Liz put up the Homecoming banner by holding the ladder she was standing on and passing on tape when needed. Meanwhile, Andrea was helping with just her presence by making the air lighter and giving something to talk about.
"So my dad isn't home again for what feels like the millionth time since I was born," Sofia began. "He's in D.C. now - didn't tell me what for, but he's there."
"You can spend the night at mine if you want," Liz offered, looking down from where she stood. She looked towards Andrea. "And Andrea can spend the night, too. We can have a sleepover and watch classic romcoms that are half cringey, half adorable."
Sofia shook her head, giving the girl a thankful smile. "No, it's fine. It's not the first time. I can deal with it."
