Addict || Cody Fern

O n e

It's been 5 years since our friendship blossomed. Michael is sweet and intense, loyal and a major dork. he's an ideal friend.  And I love him. Not in a  romantically-attracted-love way but in a grateful, appreciative, platonic-kinda way.  If it wasn't for him, I'd still be sitting alone and have my name mentioned with disgust by every passerby.

I used to just let it slide because hearing foul comments never really did any physical harm, so I let it go. But Michael- well he can be a bit overprotective. I really am grateful though, ever since he came around people started to respect me, and smile at me, although insincere. Most people eventually erased my title of "bastard Soph" and replaced it with "the girl hanging with the hot dude." I know, still not very complementing but it's a noticeable upgrade.

     . . .

November 29 2017
06:37

I yank my self out of my warm and comfy bed while my phone buzzes with multiple alarms. Vigorously tapping my phone I wince and rub my temples, begging for some silence. Lifting my head up I'm confronted with my reflection that hangs from my wardrobe mirror, my eye bags and swollen face greets me with a "you dumb bitch" and with that I realise that I should honestly stop doing all nighters binge watching shows.

Proceeding with my morning rituals, I minimise the effort in getting ready because only a miracle would be able fix my sleep deprived visuals. And by the time it hits half past 7, I make my way outside where Michael waits for me in front of his Toyota Corolla. Although I'm old enough to get my license, there's just something about being in control of a moving device that scares the hell out of me, so I've always just walked to school or get dropped off by my best friend who just happens to be my neighbour.

"Did you wait long?" I ask noticing he's made his way half way through the novel that he'd just borrowed from me last night.
"Nope. I skipped a few chapters" he replies smiling like an idiot"
"Nice" I sarcastically remark, rolling my eyes.
Chuckling, he opens the door for me.
"I mean honestly Soph, I asked for a good - action kinda book and you gave me something that requires me to do a google search with every second word. How can I enjoy the book, when trying to understand the title of each chapter is a mission itself?"
Giggling at his whines I remind him "You also need to remember I gave that book to you in hopes of helping you with your poor English. We've got the HSC coming you can't expect to get into uni when your atar's gonna be dragged down by your appalling English marks."
Scoffing he mumbles something around the lines of "Ill just go to TAFE then."

The rest of the 20 minute car ride we blast obnoxious pop songs and crack jokes that probably only we find funny. And by the time we reach school my stomach and cheeks are burning with pain as a result of all the laughter.

After hugging Michael and wishing him good luck for his classes I hurriedly take out my timetable to see what I have for the first period and upon noticing capital c-h-e-m's I scrunch my face in disgust- chemistry bleh. Hate is a strong word, but I can confidently use it to explain my feelings towards this one certain subject. Don't get me wrong, the teacher's awesome and teaches well. But the content just really doesn't appeal to me. Not to mention the classmates that I've unfortunately gotten the opportunity to be with. I know I said that people have changed in terms of their behaviour and attitude towards me, but a minority of those people who've known me a while back, seem to possess firm negativity towards me. I put up a tough and friendly facade but I've mentally murdered them a million times over.

"Oh my god! Soph, You're here too. How lovely, I've missed conversing with you" I hear coming from a cm behind- way too close for comfort. "Haha Lexi, almost forgot you were in my class." I try smiling but from the sour expression on her face I most likely failed and ended up looking constipated instead. Lexi Morgan has been stuck up my ass since kindergarten. On our year 6 formal, she took me to the bubblers and whispered in my ear that she had a crush on me. As an innocent 11 year old I laughed thinking she was just joking but turns out she's Bi. I never really revealed it to anyone  just because if it came between believing the Sydney hottie and the bastard child, it's a bit obvious who had the upper hand. After that she became the bitch she is today. Rejection hit her hard, but I think it hit harder coming from me. It's a real pity though, before all this I thought of  her as a sister. "Ugh Lexi babe, don't talk with trash, you'll end up stinking" Isabella clicks her way over with her inch heels, and I wonder  two things; how someone so pretty can be so vile, I mean she's definitely much prettier than Lexi, but Lexi seduces way too many guys to not be that popular. Also, how the hell has she not been sent home to change those ridiculous shoes already. "Yes yes, but you see when someone's so trashy, one simply gets curious as to how they managed to get screwed to be that low." The oh-so-funny comment ignited laughter from the bunch of students that already filled up the class. I take my seat to start taking class notes. I don't have the energy to deal with this bullshit. I turn over my textbook to see today's topic: balancing, great.

The first Two periods end and the bell for recess rings I rush out to the field because if I take long enough the Lexi and Isabella gang are surely gonna do/say something to make my day even shittier. Making my way to my favourite corner spot, I sigh in relief that I hadn't been followed. I sit down and take out my recess and the novel Michael gave back. Might as well re-read while I wait for him. But before I can finish the third page I hear troll like stomps coming, and the only difference making me believe it isn't Michael is the stench of strong , overly used perfume that comes with it. Ugh

"Aww you're alone, I guess that means you've taken a break from sucking dick?" Lexi spouts making exaggerated hand gestures. Isabella stands at the back , earphones in. While Lexi and the rest of her gang hovers around me. "No, that'd be you" I murmur, apparently loud enough for one of the girls to hear. "Omg what?" She screeches. Hah! Nice going Soph, you're screwed. My hair gets dragged for a good meter and a half by two girls I'm guessing Lexi and the redhead Margret, but the pain forces my eyes shut, I scream out to grab the attention of the teachers on duty, and within a split second Lexi bounces in front of me like a wild cat and slaps me. They depart straight after, but Isabella stays. She gives me a pitied stare "If you didn't open your mouth, she would've just left" I look down to hide the inevitable tears building up. "I know" I flatly respond. She hesitantly leaves. Confusing me as to whether she actually cares. I hate this. I hate this school. I hate those girls. I finally burst out crying, my body recalling the sharp pain inflicted on my cheek. I should've just got up and hit back. My tears die down, when I try steadying my breathing. Devouring half a bottle of water, I tie my hair back and lean on the fence behind me. This too will pass I recite mentally.

The bell rings and Michaels a no show, thinking he probably stayed back to do some work I continue on with my day. But it isn't until home time that I realise, something must be wrong since he hasn't bothered messaging me. I may sound obsessive, clingy and needy, but really I'm not he just usually blows my phone with spams about absolute nothing. And so him not even messaging me once really worries me. I check his classes but he isn't there. I call, but no answer.

I run to the school gates swinging my head left and right, looking for him, not paying attention to anything other than finding Michael.
When I bump into something- someone, causing me to fall down "Ouch" I hiss. "Are you blind? watch where you're going" I hear from above. Dusting my self, I get up and apologise. "I'm so sorry I was just-" "Running like an untamed vermin? Yes I could see, now move out of my way I've got places to be, people to see." Failing to conceal my shock at his blatant rudeness , my mouth slightly drops and my eye brows scrunch up. Who does he think he is. If not for this encounter I'd think he'd be a teacher, but the tuxedo he's got on is far to posh for a teacher in a public high school. And he's way too young to be a parent. But one things for sure he's got something up his ass.

"Sophie!" I hear Michael calling. Turning around, I see Michael making his way to me, with a smug smile plastered on his face. "Gosh Michael, where've you been?" Worry spills from every word I utter. "Sorry, someone unexpected came by so I skipped school after first period." "Michael you never skip school, is something the matter?" "Nah everything is fine, I came back to let you know, we'll be going out tomorrow." I give him a questioning look "Okay?sure, but where to?" "I don't know yet, but I've got someone special I want you to meet, you'll love him." Him? I think to myself. During the years that I've known Michael. I've  met all his family members and acquaintances and learnt that Michael doesn't fancy friends, thus other than me he has close to no friends- heck I thought I was his only friend. "I'm curious now, who is it?" "I'm not telling you, you gotta be patient. Also wear something nice." "Noted." I reply back still studying his facial features in hopes for a hint, but stop when I'm given nothing but a bunch of giggles. He's up to something.