A Whole New World

-A NEW FRIEND-

Sofia decided to go for a walk to try and clear her mind from what just happened. She didn't get why she felt disturbed about this, she was not even involved with all this drama. She couldn't handle the tension and depression with Jeff, so she politely excused herself.

'Where am I going?' She thought
She didn't even know where she was heading, but she just needed some time alone.

After a while Sofia started to feel jaded, her legs were shaky and wobbly but she didn't want to leave; not just yet. She flopped onto a bench under a very shady tree, which appeared on her path, without realising that it was occupied.

"Sofia, Sofia?"

"Huh, what?" She said coming back to reality.

"Are you okay?"

She focused her vision and realised that a boy, around 5'6 with fair white skin and curly jet black hair, was looking at her concernly.

"Have you been crying?"

Sofia studied him hard, 'Is he talking to me?'
'Why does he look very familiar?'
'Is he from my school?'
'Wait...' she thought.

"You're Eddie, right? Eddie Johnson?"

"Uh, yes, but you...um...are you...uh.."

Sofia chuckled lightly, "I'm fine, its nothing,"

She was flattered by his concern. Eddie gave her a warm smile, a smile that made Sofia feel ten times better; that feeling like someone cares about you and that you're not alone. If only someone could show that to Emily, 'No, she's still alive' she reminded herself.

"Uh so what are you doing here?" Eddie asked.

Sofia hesitated. 

"I... I was just going for a walk,"

Eddie could tell that something was wrong but he decided not to push her.

"What about you?" the curious Sofia asked.

Eddie waved his book at Sofia, "Just reading"

"Ahhhh i see, what's the book about?"

Eddie looked at his book.

"It's a study about other dimensions in the universe, and there's a theory about hidden portals where we can enter other dimensions, but it moves constantly and has never been found. Philosophers who went out to find the portal never came back, some say they died in the other dimension and some say they went mental for trying to find something that doesn't exist."

Sofia was so impressed at how interested Eddie was about this stuff. He looked like he was just waiting to tell that to someone.

"But I don't know if it's true, I mean, I read it out of curiosity and this stuff just takes me away from this awful place." Eddie suddenly realised that he's been talking nonstop for about ten minutes.

"But yeah, you shouldn't belive in everything you read," he covered.

He turned bright red and looked at his shoes thinking about how he'd made such a fool out of himself.

"Do you mind if I see the book?" Sofia asked, smiling brightly after seing how cute Eddie's expressions were.

Eddie handed the book to Sofia. Sofia read the title 'ARE WE ALONE OUT THERE'.  She flipped through the book, reading the title of the chapters.

"Looks interesting."

"Yeah it is," Eddie said, still all red.

Sofia glanced at her watch and realised that it was getting late and she probably should head home before her mom starts to worry.

"I should get going" Sofia passed the book back and stood.

"Um yeah... sure, i should get going too," Eddie got on his feet.

"It has been nice talking to you," Sofia smiled sweetly and walked away.

Eddie stood there, looking at Sofia as she disappeared from his sight.

"Eddie! You did it didn't you? You confessed!" Said Alex Stewart, excitedly hugging Eddie.

"I'm so proud of you!" He patted Eddie on the back.

"FINAL...!"

"What! No!" Eddie cut Alex off.

"What are you talking about?" Alex asked.

"What are YOU talking about?"

"I'm talking about you confessing to Sofia Davis about having a huge crush on her for nine freakin' years,"

Eddie turned red again.

"No, we just talked,"

"Just talked? You were giving her the googly eyes and she's clearly into you,"

"Wait, have you been spying on us?"

"I've been hiding behind that bush the whole time, look at how many splinters I've gotten," he showed Eddie his splinters.

"No wonder you didn't come back with my ice - cream,"

"But come on man, seriously,  you guys just talked?"

Eddie glanced back at Sofia who almost vanished from his sight.

"Well, it's a good start,"