The Unassigned Mission

Questioned

After the nice encounter with Sophia in the darkroom, she made her presence known whenever Peter would pass her in the hall or on the streets. Much like Michelle she started off as an introvert and slowly made her way into the friend group. She still had her shy moments, probably hiding something much darker beneath her core but she was happy with them. If making her smile and laugh would distract her from her troubles that caused her to cry alone in her room, then Peter would make the cheesiest jokes just to make that happen.
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Peter and Ned sat opposite to Sophia at the lunch table. Michelle close behind but far enough to excuse herself from participating in a conversation if she wanted; which happens a lot. Peter and Ned were excitedly talking about the newly released trailer for some updated Star Wars film. Sophia smiled to herself as she looked through her photos on her camera. Peter self consciously looked over at her and quieted down; afraid of being teased or judged for talking about his 'lame' interests. Ned noticed Peter's sudden disinterest in the topic and just ended this conversation mid sentence. After a moment of silence, Sophia looked up,

"why'd you guys stop?"

"You don't think I'm being nerdy?"

"Why should liking what you like make you nerdy? It makes you different, but even being different shouldn't be looked down upon."

Ned stood up dramatically and did a slow clap as he did, "Inspiring. Truly."

Sophia rolled her eyes and nudged his tray, Peter laughed as he watched Ned. The faintest smile from Michelle could be spotted from behind her book. As Ned sat back down, Peter smiled at Sophia and then continued his conversation with Ned. After a good ten minutes, Ned turned his focus to Sophia.

"So what kind of photos do you take with that?"

Sophia shrugged, "photos for projects and personal photos."

"So like- nudes?"

"Oh my God, man." Peter groaned and shoved Ned's shoulder. Sophia looked uncomfortable for a quick second and then turned her camera screen to the pair.

"More like things that mean something to me."

The boys clicked through photos and Ned paused on one,

"Whoa, what's this photo about?"

Sophia took a look at it and looked away from the two, "I don't know I call it Lighting Storm."

"How did you take it? It looks like you had a hundred lights on behind that door."

"My dad helped," Sophia answered Ned's question about the photo of a dark room perspective of a closed door with blinding light bursting through the cracks of the door and door frame.

"It's really great, you need to teach me-...I mean any of us photography."

"Not interested," Michelle announced from behind her book, "I'm already in photography."

"Okay well Ned and I would love to learn."

Sophia nodded and took her camera back,
"Anytime but photography is open to anyone, so feel free to just join the group."

"Well we have Academic club most days, would that interfere with that schedule?" Ned asked and Peter looked over at him.

"Do you actually care? We could show up to two meetings and be able to win the competition."

"Yeah, I really don't. I just wanted to be involved in this chat."

Peter laughed and Sophia started talking to them about photography. She taught them about apertures, focusing, contrast; the basics of a camera. Sophia handed the camera to Peter and he took it gratefully. He focused the camera on Sophia and his finger nudged the flash button. Once he took the photo, he lowered the camera just to see Sophia looking like a deer in headlights. She stared blankly with wide eyes and sat frozen.

"You broke her, dude," Ned gasped.

"Uh, Sophia?"

Peter reached out and touched her wrist to get her attention, Sophia winced out of instinct and then focused in on the situation.

"Flash was unnecessary in this lit environment," she said blankly.

"Yeah it was an accident," he handed the camera back to her. "Are you alright?"

Sophia shrugged with a nod which confused Peter more,

"See you."

Sophia got up with her tray and camera, leaving the trio at the table. They watched her confusedly and Michelle got up soon after.

"As much as I'd like to discuss what just went on here, I'd prefer not to...so, bye."

Peter frowned and got up too, mumbling an excuse to Ned and hurried out of the cafeteria to find Sophia.
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Sophia was outside on the bleachers after school, taking photos of the soccer team at practice. Peter couldn't manage to find her until now, she seemed to go back into her habit of blending in to the crowd when she didn't want to be talked to. Luckily, he found her and he wanted to apologize so she could be put at ease.

"Hey Sophia," he sat down next to her and she instinctively rolled down her sleeve.

"Hi Peter."

Peter watched her curiously and just turned to face the soccer team,
"You're hiding something."

"That's a bold accusation coming from someone I barely know."

"Yeah because you're pushing me away. You're holding me at an arms length and I just can't reach you. Either way, I want to apologize for startling you but just know I can help you. Whatever may be the problem, I want to help."

Sophia scoffed and turned her camera off,
"Not knowing what I'm going through explains that you cannot help me. You're in way over your head, Peter. The secret I'm hiding is far beyond something your smart little brain could comprehend."

Peter looked at her again and sighed,
"Just tell me."

"This conversation is over."

Sophia stood up and left the bleachers, Peter cursed himself and covered his face. All of these encounters with Sophia just repeating over and over. He needs to figure out her situation because it sounds to be unsafe. He needs to help her before it's too late.