Don't forget me

Chapter 9- Sophie

Today was it, my first day back at Foxfire. Maybe it was because I was sleep deprived yesterday, but I was now finally realizing what a disaster going to school would be. I woke up early at 4 since I couldn't sleep and did what I would do with my human parents when I couldn't sleep.

I walked down to Grady and Edaline's room and shook Edaline awake.

"I can't sleep," I said when she opened her eyes. Instead of answering she moved over to make room in between her and Grady so I could lay down, the second I laid down she wrapped her arms around me.

"I love you," I said before closing my eyes.

"I love you too, sweetie."

---

I woke up later that morning at a reasonable time all alone in Grady and Edaline's bed. I was confused when I opened my eyes until I remembered last night's events. So I went back up to my room to get ready for the day.

I prayed as I tried on Biana's uniform and thanks the gods it fit perfectly, life was definitely easier when both you and your best friend were short. For the first time ever, Vertina told me my hair looked good when I french braided the two front pieces and tied them together in the back to have some kind of half-up half-down situation. Then I put on some mascara and lip gloss before heading downstairs to get breakfast.

"Are you ready?" Asked Edaline as she set down a plate of some sort of food on the table right where I usually sit.

"Yes?" I said when I sat down, not really sure how I was feeling.

"That didn't sound very...convincing," she recognized, looking at her adoptive daughter in the eye.

"I don't know...last night it seemed like a great idea but now that I actually have to go and be there it's making me want to throw up," I admitted.

"Well," Said Edaline, thinking about what to say to make her feel better. "You're Sophie Foster! You've stopped the Neverseen multiple times, you were to first elf to manifest, ever. You have done more in your few years of life than some adults I know. Trust me when I say Foxfire has nothing on you."

I smiled at the sweet words from my mother. "Why do I feel like I'm getting deja vu?"

"That's because you are. By the way, I was talking to Juline this morning and I might've told her about your plans about returning to Foxfire, so I wouldn't be surprised if Dex is waiting for you by the leapmaster when you're leaving for school."

"Normally I would be mad about you gossiping about me to your sister, but this is actually really helpful. The only way I'm getting through this day is if I'm constantly surrounded by friends."

"Well you should probably get going. If you need a break during the day just drop by the healing center or hail me. I'll be right there to pick you up," Edaline said as she gave me a tight side hug and kissed my temple.

"Thank you, mom. Thank you for being so supportive in this. I love you."

I took deep breaths as I walked up the stairs all the way to the leapmaster. Maybe I didn't think this through. Maybe I should've just waited until next school year. What would people say when they saw me walk through the halls, risen from the dead? What if I'd already forgotten everything I learned after the gap year?

"Took ya long enough," remarked Dex when I finally made my way up to the leapmaster. He was leaning next to the wall wearing a bright-colored level five uniform and fluffy hair that he seemed to have grown out over the year I was in the forbidden cities.

"You know you really didn't have to do this. I can leap to school all by myself. I'm a big girl, remember?" I joked, trying to keep myself from panicking. Dex didn't have to be an empath to recognize that I was drowning in anxiety.