The Third Wheel

The Third Wheel - Part 15

Sophie was in a total bad mood. Not only she had a headache, she's actually angry at the day that she will be facing. It was the memorial day of Scarlet High, and each and every one of her school mates were excited and enjoying themselves. As far as Sophie knows, the Golden Event will start at one in the afternoon. Now it was only eight in the morning, yet everyone had on bright faces, chattering away. Sophie could see unfamiliar faces, presumably visitors from outside. On such rare cases for events like the memorial day, students are allowed to bring visitors of their own, to increase the social network between the school and its students. Due to this, Sophie's spirits lighten up a little. She saw a few kids running about while their parents and older siblings yell out to calm them down. She felt a touch of sadness in her, when suddenly someone hugged her from behind. Sophie stiffened at first, but eased herself when she heard a weird giggle behind her. "Samantha, don't do that" Sophie warned her, letting herself go from Samantha's grip. 

"Well it ain't my fault for you to stare into space" Samantha quipped back, giving Sophie a goofy grin. Sophie looked around her. "Where's Robert?" she asked, curious of her cousin's whereabouts. Samantha gave Sophie a shrug then said, "We came to the school together when suddenly he said that he was tired, so I guess he's taking a nap at the large tree in the school yard". Sophie shook her head, in lost for words. "Typical of Robert. If I'm not mistaken, I think Ken's his ally in that place. He told me he wanted to take a nap for the Golden Event. I don't know why I'm surrounded by sleepy people" Sophie said, her tone even. Samantha gave out a loud laugh, making the people around them to turn their heads towards the two of them. Sophie noticed this, then elbowed Samantha at the side. "Samantha! Mind your manners" Sophie said sternly. Samantha stopped laughing, and looked at Sophie with an apologetic look. "Sorry. I was just thinking of the same thing and was planning to tell a joke about it, but instead you made that statement, so the laughter in me just let out" Samantha said, giving Sophie a puppy-dog face. 

Sophie shook her head at Samantha's goofy behaviour. "So you're going to accompany me in my patrol or something?" Sophie asked Samantha. She saw Samantha pondering for a moment when suddenly a junior called out to Samantha. Sophie studied the junior as she explained her dilemma to Samantha. She was wearing a softball uniform, a bit of dirt on her clothes. "You want me to show my play in front of the school visitors?" Sophie heard Samantha said. The girl nodded, "Please, Samantha. We really need you to show our potential school mates for next semester. You're the only female all-rounder of sports in this school". Samantha then rubbed her nose, which Sophie knew too well that Samantha was proud of her reputation. Before Samantha get all cocky, Sophie spoke up, "You should go, Sammy. I can handle the patrol. It's my duty as the student council president". Samantha did not have the time to reply when the junior brightened up at Sophie's statement. "Really? Thank you so much, President Sophie! Let's go, Samantha! We should change your outfit into the softball uniform!" said the junior, grabbing Samantha's arm, ignoring her protests. "Wha-? Hey! Sophie! You sure?" Samantha yelled out as she was dragged towards the softball pitch. Sophie just waved at her, and gave her a thumbs up for good luck.

Sophie continued on walking when she bumped into a huge senior. "Oh, forgive me, President" said the gruff voice. He was holding on so much food in his arms, a bread seemed to fall out of his arms, as if trying to have a life on its own. Sophie caught it, making his friend, a lanky guy, to say, "Nice catch". Sophie took a tray from a stand, gave the stand owner a 'may I?' look and in reply the stand owner gave her a nod. She held out the tray to the huge senior. "Here, put your food in this tray. This way it will be easier for you to walk around with that amount of food" Sophie said, giving the senior a nice smile. "Gee, thanks President! You can take the bread that you just caught, as thanks" the senior quickly put his food on the tray and took it from her, not wanting to burden her for holding on to it for too long. Sophie stood there, dumbfounded. "I can't-" she said when suddenly they heard a grumble, which came from her stomach. The two seniors laughed as Sophie's face turned immediately red. "Take it, President. If you weren't troubled by my offer just now, I would have given you more food. Have a good work in patrolling, President" the huge senior said, walking away with his best friend. As she took a bite of the bread(chocolate bread, much to her pleasure) she heard a voice behind her. "Such a nice President, aren't you?". Sophie looked behind her but instead she only saw people bustling around her, as if there were no indication that there were anybody there. She shrugged and walked on. What she did not realise, however, she was being watched by a a few pair of eyes.