Queen in hell

Chapter 1 - Sofia

"Hi! My name is Sofia, and my Italian dad just sent me to my mom in the States because he didn't feel like keeping his seventeen-year-old daughter home with him anymore." That's how I was thinking of introducing myself at Montgomery High.

It's not like he couldn't have waited just two more years to send me away: by then I would have graduated from my Italian high school, and I'd have left on my own to finally go to college. I was barely home anyway, with school until 3 in the afternoon, dance classes until seven and tutoring middle school kids in the evenings. Well, there's nothing I can do about it now, I'm here, and I guess this will be my life from now on.

**

I woke up a good hour and a half before my usual alarm goes off, to get ready and find my way through a whole new world. I jumped in the shower, did my hair and my make up routine. My nerves were acting up and sitting down in front of my vanity, applying eyeliner, seems to calm me down every time. My mom brought me a cup of lemon tea with honey, just the way I like it, while I was brushing my hair and throwing on a couple of quick braids.

"Do you want me to drive you to school today? I have time before I have to go to the office".

I imagined she would ask, but that would only increase my anxiety levels. I might not be the typical shy girl, but my brain likes to scramble if I'm agitated. I needed to do this on my own and calm down on the way to school – not that you would ever tell I was going crazy from the outside.

"Thanks, but no."

I finished my cup of tea, picked up my backpack and got downstairs, our cat Leo purring in front of the door, waiting to be let out. I'm lacing up my black leather boots when mom picks up on what that means.

"Oh, come on, at least drive the car! Nobody drives that kind of thing here, you'll see, all of your classmates will be driving their car..."

"One reason more for me to drive the bike, more room to park".
I throw her a wink and close the front door behind me while I put my helmet on.

**

My mom lived in the classic as-shown-on-TV upper-class residential neighbourhood, in a big, white villa with a porch in the front and big garden with a pool in the back. I can't say I was completely sorry to say goodbye to the smaller two-bedroom apartment I had been sharing with my dad. The only thing sticking out was indeed my black bike.

I hopped on, zipped up my leather jacket and put the keys in the ignition. Just before lowering my sun visor, a glittering white Audi slowed down in front of me, a blond guy waving from the driver's seat.

"Hey, Sofia!", his smile almost blinding.
"Hi Lucas, nice ride you've got there," I said, acknowledging the clearly very expensive sports car.

Lucas lived with his parents on the millionaire side of town, and he was the first (and only) teenager I had met this far. My mom works for his dad at one of the biggest companies on the East Coast. I used to go with her to the office when I had just moved here, a little over two weeks ago: I saw Lucas and his curly hair flirting with my mom's secretary as soon as I stepped foot outside the elevator and when he saw a newcomer he threw a dazzling smile my way.
That's just who he is, he adores flirting with every girl (or woman, he doesn't particularly care about age) he sets eyes on - and yet that's also something he discovered didn't work on me as I just laughed every time he tried to hit on me.
Probably due to my ability to sustain his appear my unstoppable charm, he decided I would be a great friend to have, and I can't say I'm disappointed myself. At least I know someone here now, I won't be totally and completely alone.

"Cool, uh? Early birthday present from Dad - you only turn 17 once" he mentioned, winking.
Turning the key and revving the engine of the MT, I smiled, and I moved my hand, showing him I'd be following him to school.