The Third Wheel

The Third Wheel - Part 7

"Nggh.."

Sophie looked up from the paperwork in front of her. Samantha was sprawled on the black leather sofa, endorsed by their school chairman, Mr. Carmichael. Samantha's face was contorted with confusion, mumbling 'What do you mean I took your mango pudding?'. Sophie let out a chuckle, amused by the word 'mango pudding'. She then stretched in her comfy black swivel chair, also endorsed by Mr. Carmichael. She took a glance at her watch and as if on cue, the grandfather clock near the student council room door chimed five times, indicating that it is 5 in the evening. After she checked her paperworks thoroughly and arranged it neatly at the side of her desk, she stood up and took her sweater. It may be spring, but she couldn't stand the cold weather. "It's because you seem to have a small amount of fat in your body than a normal person. You eat less too" Samantha once said while they were having their girl's night out. Sophie was hugging her body while Samantha was chewing on a hot dog and meat bun. Her statement is true. While Sophie seem to have no appetite at all, Samantha's appetite is like of a teenage boy, always hungry and growing. Sophie stopped growing at 15, her height 165 cm while Samantha is 169 cm and as she claims, still growing.

Sophie walked towards the sofa and shook Samantha gently. "Sammy, wake up. It's late". Samantha brushed off her wake up call with a "Just an hour". Sophie shook her head, and slapped Samantha's long legs lightly. This was ignored by Samantha, so Sophie resorted to pinching Samantha's side. This woke Samantha up, her face confused and half-asleep as she looked up at Sophie's smirk. She rubbed her eyes while saying: "I get it, I get it, Scorpion Queen", saying Sophie's nickname that was given by Robert due to her 'pinch is like of a scorpion. It stings rather than giving you pain'. Both girls walked out of the student council room and started to walk along the corridor. Samantha turned to Sophie. "Fifie, are you sure you're not going to find it now? Your locket I mean" she said. Sophie stiffened at the word 'locket' but regain her composure a second after that. She shook her head and said: "Maybe I misplaced it somewhere in the condo. Don't worry". Samantha pursed her lips. "You do know that I don't approve of you living alone in that condo, right?". Sophie ignored this remark, and tried to change the topic by saying: "So you and Robert coming? To the party?". Samantha knew that Sophie did this on purpose, but replied anyway: "Yup. I will". Sophie nodded at this remark. 

Samantha took a glance at Sophie. Sophie looked perfect. Heck, she always look perfect. Her long, inky black hair which was a bit wavy at the ends, which was tied loosely with a wine red ribbon, was perfectly placed on the right side of her shoulder. Like her ribbon, she was wearing a red baby doll dress, the ends were decorated with white lace, on top of her white leggings. If she were wearing the golden locket now, her outfit would look perfect, but instead she was wearing a black choker with a tiny red rose as decoration. With her beautiful sapphire blue eyes, beautiful omplexion and red lips along with a slender figure, she could get any guy she wants. But, Sophie remains single. Samantha knew why, though. It was because of the mysterious air that always hangs around Sophie, making her unreachable by all the men in the school. There may be someone out there for her, but he must be at the same status as her. These days though, she noticed the notorious playboy Jordan Watson has been making moves on her. What irritates her is that Robert is helping him out. Bobbles! That guy! Always doing unnecessary things! I bet he also talked about Sophie to him too! she thought. It's not like she wants Sophie to be single, but at least someone loyal. 

The first time she met Sophie was when they were 12 years old, Robert introducing Sophie as his close cousin. At that time, Sophie was even composed than she is now. If she could smile and laugh easily now, when she was younger she could not even stretch her lips into a smile. At first, she didn't like Sophie, for she was too serious for Samantha. She even wondered why Robert told her that she might like her. But as time passes by, Samantha warmed up to Sophie, since she seems to be attracted by her mature aura. She noticed that Sophie has an awkward way of showing her kindness. Like how all 3 of them were stuck under a big tree after being poured by the rain, and Sophie giving her and Robert each a dry handkerchief to wipe themselves dry while she sat there, all wet. Instead of using it, Samantha wiped Sophie dry and from that gesture, they became best of friends. 

Samantha stopped moving when she noticed Sophie stopping in her tracks. She was looking at the side. When Samantha followed Sophie's eyes, she gave out a silent huff. Samuel Andre and his girlfriend, Kimberley Hawthorne were making out near the window. Before Sophie could act like the make-out patrol, Samantha let out a fake cough which sounded like she was having the late stages of TB. Kimberley turned around from facing Samuel towards the both of them. Samantha walked towards them without Sophie's consent, making her having a face-off with Kimberley, which looked really awkward, since Samantha's tall and Kimberley's short stature forced her to crane her neck up just to look at Samantha in the eye. "What seems to be the problem, Sammy?" Kimberley said, her large dark green eyes widened with puzzlement. "I don't mind you making out, but school's about to close, so you should leave the school grounds, like me and Sophie here" Samantha replied, nodding at Sophie's direction. 

Samuel then walked towards Sophie and took out a white notebook which Samantha recognised to be owned by Sophie, much to her discomfort. Sophie quickly took the notebook from Samuel's hand when she saw Samantha's glare towards Samuel. "Thanks. You're a lifesaver, as always" Samuel said, flashing his smile that has made almost all the female population to swoon. Sophie gave him a warm smile and a small nod. "Well, I'll be leaving now. Kimmy, come" Samuel said while taking a grab of Kimberley's small hand. While they walked away, they heard Kimberley saying in a jealous tone: "What do you mean, as always? Are you trying to say that this isn't the first time you asked for her help?". Samantha and Sophie continued on walking, Samantha unsure of what to do after witnessing that situation, Sophie gazing into space, possibly wondering about her locket. After stepping outside the school building, they met with Robert who was waiting for them with Jordan. 

Sophie's heart skipped a beat as Jordan looked up at her, giving her his gentle smile, but she kept her cool as she cocked her head in confusion by his presence there. Even Samantha was confused too. "Yo, Jord. Uhh, I don't mean to be rude, but aren't you hanging out with the wrong crowd today? We just saw Kimmy and Samuel, you know" Samantha said, her voice a tone lower when she said Samuel's name. Jordan let out a laugh of amusement. "You're the only one to call me Jord! And no, I'm not in the wrong crowd today. And what's with you holding contempt towards Sam? Just 'cause he uses your 'old' nickname?" Jordan replied, his face full with glee. Samantha gave him a shrug as she said: "I donno. I guess I'm used to being that way towards him". Jordan's face turned serious as he turned to Sophie. He held out a golden locket which Samantha and Sophie recognised so well. Sophie gasped, her face almost crumpled with tears as she held it in her hand, much to Jordan's surprise. 

"Thank you. I've been searching for this" Sophie said, giving him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. Samantha punched playfully at Jordan's arm. "You rock, Jord! Have you any idea that Sophie's been spacey this past few days since she temporarily lost the locket? Where did you found it, anyway?" she said, relieved that Sophie won't be restless any more. Jordan glanced at Sophie, then said: "Oh, I just seem to found it, that's all". Samantha, in disbelief, said: "No way! Sophie treasures that locket! She won't lose it just like that!". Jordan gave her a nonchalant shrug. This gesture made her press him further until Robert put a heavy hand on her shoulder, stopping her from doing so. Robert turned to Sophie and Jordan and told them: "Well, we're going. Jo, I trust you to take care of Sophie. She's got no transport, so drive her home" and without further ado, both of them left, Robert dragging the struggling Samantha towards his car.

Jordan and Sophie looked at each other awkwardly, and started to walk towards Jordan's black BMW convertible. He threw his bag into the back seat and opened the door for Sophie. When both people were in the car, Jordan started the engine. "So....where to?" he asked her. 

TO BE CONTINUED