Duluth / A Keeper of the Lost Cities Fanfiction

Duluth / 2

It was only the first day of school, and Sophie hated it.

The classes were too easy (obviously), the teachers were overly nosey and mean, and the lunches were just big piles of goop. But most of all, Sophie missed her friends. 

Luckily, at lunch, Sophie didn't sit by herself, or in the library. She had a 'group.' 

Stirring the sloppy white mass of mashed potatoes (or what it was supposed to be), she listened to the conversations around her about cute boys and the new movie starring Zac Efron. The table was made up of Sophie, and five other girls, Trizzy, Ella, Sofie, Kayla, and Meredith.  Fortunately, they were happy to show Sophie around and let her sit with them at lunch. Unfortunately, they were terribly girly and overexcited. Sophie was sure that she had only seen these types of girls in movies. Mean Girls. High School Musical.  13 going on 30. Basically every Disney movie. 

They weren't exactly mean, per se, but they were bossy. And girly. And so, so, so, so not the crowd Sophie enjoyed hanging out with. Instead of Keefe and Fitz conversing about their favorite bramble teams, or Dex talking to Biana and Sophie about his enhanced Imparter, these girls talked about their favorite jeans brands and which boys were the cutest at the school. 

"Did you hear that Kimberly's mom apparently lost her job? That's why she looks so... drab." Ella said, leaning over the table, whispering it, as it was a big piece of gossip.  Trizzy dropped her fork with a clatter, and leaned back in her chair. "No kidding!" All five of them looked to the left, and Sophie followed their gazes. They landed on a redhead girl, who was wearing a grey sweatshirt and dark jeans.  Sophie let herself roll her eyes while they weren't looking. "You know guys, it really isn't our business." Sophie said, and went back to squishing her potatoes.  Kayla shrugged, "Fine... I guess." 

There was a moment of silence, during which all the girls shared condescending looks with each other, all of which Sophie pretended not to see. Finally, Kayla told Sophie, "Why do you wear your hair down? I haven't seen you wear your hair up since school started." 

"That was only this morning," Sophie pointed out, patting her hair. She didn't like fussing too much over her hair. As long as it didn't look like she'd been zapped by a Charger, then she just brushed it and she was done.  

Kayla stood up and made her way over to where Sophie was sitting. She picked up a piece of Sophie's hair and started to braid it. Sophie blushed. She didn't like other people touching her. "Stop it," Sophie said, swatting her hand away. Kayla sighed. "Sophie, I'm trying to do you a favor. Just let me braid, ok?" Sophie gave up, and let her hands drop to her side.

Soon, everybody else was fussing over Sophie's appearance. "Your eyes are so pretty, but if you outlined them in black or blue, they'd really pop!" Sofie said. Ella pitched in, "Maybe you should also use a darker bronzer- what shade are you using now?" Sophie blushed again, and tugged out an eyelash. "Um, I don't wear makeup. At all." 

All the girls raised their eyebrows, even Meredith, who had been relatively quiet. "Oh, honey," Kayla said from behind Sophie, as if she pitied her. 

"Sophie?" A voice said from behind her. Sophie silently sent out a thank-you to the universe as she turned to meet whoever spoke. "Hey!" Kayla complained, who wasn't finished with the braid yet. "Sorry," Sophie said. 

"Yes?" Sophie said as soon as Sofie said "Yes?" 

They looked at each other, then they looked at the boy who had said it. He was gangly, with glasses and braces. He gulped, as if being around this many girls terrified him. He stared down at the card he was holding. "Um, Sophie B?"

Again, both Sophies said, "Yes?"  "I'm Sophie Barret." Sophie said. "Sofie Borden," Sofie said. They looked at each other again, and shrugged. The nervous boy looked like he was going to explode. "Um... I think I meant you?" The boy nodded towards Sophie, not Sofie. 

"Mrs. Dailey, the school's secretary asked me to tell you that your dad called. He's working the late shift, so he won't be home until later. Don't wait up." He nodded when he was done. He couldn't stop nodding. Finally he swallowed loudly, and backed up into a chair, which was unfortunately occupied. He looked on the verge of tears as he ran out of the room. 

He reminded Sophie of Valin. 

And that made her sad.

"Done," Kayla announced as she plopped back into her seat. "Um... thanks? I guess?" Sophie said as she ran her hands down the braid. It felt pretty. 

"That guy was weird," Sofie said. Trizzy nodded like the boy, obviously making fun of him. 

Meredith looked at the table, as if she was working out a problem in her head. "So what's on your schedule, Sophie?" She had a sweet voice. Her long blonde hair was pulled back into a messy bun, the kind that you try at making it look natural.  She wore a plain purple T-shirt and a jean skirt.

Sophie took her schedule out of her backpack to read from it, but Trizzy snatched it. "Oh, you have math with Mr. Scumby. He's horrible. I had him last year. He's always handing out homework and reprimanding everyone." Sophie had a feeling that she was exaggerating. 

Trizzy's eyes scanned down the list a little more. "Oh, hey, you have Miss Keystone. She's new, but I heard she's pretty cool."

Keystone.

The name sounded familiar. 

Oh, well. 

Soon, the bell rang, and Trizzy handed Sophie back her schedule. "Good luck, Sophie. And..." Trizzy looked at Kayla, Ella, and Sofie, and when they all gave a nod, Trizzy continued, "You're welcome to sit with us tomorrow as well." Sophie gave a thanks, and snuck a look at Meredith who looked bored out of her mind.  

As Sophie turned to leave, she heard Ella say, "We're so nice. She definitely needs us."

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Sorry, this chapter was going to be longer, but I'm so tired, and I have dance tomorrow, so goodnight! 

P.S. Thanks for all the positive feedback!