Freely Falling (preview)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2
SOPHIA

It was four days after I've had my outburst and I haven't seen any one of them yet.

It was not something new, but I had reasons this time. The house has been in chaos since our extended family members have arrived.

I don't know why they're suddenly there. I love them, I really do, but there are some things I can only tolerate for so long.

I am running on less than four hours of sleep because of them. It's a miracle that I'm still alive.
I am currently inside the library, reading. I have to review but I can't help myself from reading pages by pages of Elise Kova's newest steampunk book.

"Pst, Pia," someone in front of one suddenly sat in front of casting a shadow over my book. I looked up and saw Rhian looking like she finished a marathon.

"Hey, why?" my phone suddenly lighted up with a text and saw the time. I looked at her and asked, "Wait, why are you here? You have classes, right?"

"I know, Pia," she rolled her eyes before waving me off as if I directed the conversation on a different path, which I totally did. She's going to be late because she has 4pm class right as of this moment.

She brought her backpack down and glanced at her phone. She blew a breath and looked at me in the eye.

"I wanted to know how you are. We haven't heard from you since.... you know," she hesitated and looked away. I closed the book I'm reading and held her hand tightly.

Rhian is one of the few people I truly trust. She has become my confidant ever since we learned that we could be close friends, best friends even, even though it was a recent friendship in the seven years we met.

"Ey, I'm okay, Rhi. You know how I am. I do regret not sending you guys a sorry. The whole house is kinda hectic so..." I squeezed her hand and gave a small smile.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?"

I nodded. "Always, right?"

She smiled before standing up and hugging me tight.

"Stop being a major drama princess and get to your class, you crazy bitch," I shooed her away and settled back.

I decided to type a message in our chat group to apologize about what I did. I sometimes feel guilty of doing this though I do not intend to do it often. I hate myself for being the problematic individual.

Their responses were immediate as always. It all says one thing and that is they were used to that actions and that I should never feel guilty whenever I do that because they know nothing was intentionally done.

I know it should've made me feel better, but it does the opposite. I gritted my teeth and scolded myself internally. How should I stop being like this? How to stop being Sophia?

Hannah: »What do you think about the reunion?«

Jess: »It'd be fun, I think?«

Vince: »Another thing to think about. We're graduating, hello?«

I set aside the book and frantically opened the messaging app I was using. I haven't heard anything about a possible reunion this early? Aren't reunions done after 30-40 years? We haven't even reached and moved past the tenth year mark!

Me: »Uhm, what reunion?«

They all sent me a laughing emoji and gifs right after I asked. I opened the separate chat group where all of us were added into. It has the total of 45 students from each top two sections. It was a melting pot of high school drama.