Chapter 6: Preparations

Alden held Sophia's hand as they exited the Student Union Office. Once they were outside, he let her hand go. Sophia was confused with his actions and wondered what his intention was. Drake is his friend. If she knew him better, she could've found out what he was thinking. Alden's goal is simple. He wanted to show Drake that she is His.

Drake was even more confused. Alden is not someone careless, but he did blow his cover today. Also, he felt like they already knew each other. Sophia feels awkward whenever she sees Alden. When he saw her the first day, she was busy typing on her iPad after he saw Alden. He was there, and he saw how Alden felt annoyed when she didn't even look at him again.

Sophia and Alden walked towards their building. When they arrived at Sophia's classroom, Sophia entered. The teacher entered and said that they have a new classmate. Then, the girls yelled. Sophia was currently searching through her bag. She didn't even care what is happening around her. She felt like its normal for someone to enter the second day. As she was ignoring the new student, a very familiar voice caught her attention.

"Good afternoon everyone. I'm..." Before He could finish, a bunch of girls interrupted.

"Alden Cyrus! We know you." The girls, including Xin, shouted.

Sophia looked at him and widened her eyes. Alden is her classmate? Alden just gave him a teasing smile. She felt like her good days are gone. He then sits right beside her. Sophia felt uncomfortable. After some thought, she was able to conclude that it will make no sense if the President of the Student Union is not a Section A student.

Alden felt that Sophia doesn't like him. How can someone dislike him? Alden is a narcissist. He knew Sophia was the one from back then. Since that very day she bumped into him, he often dreamt of her.

He felt like he has seen the girl before. She exudes a very familiar aura. Alden can't help but feel insecure. How can Drake get close to her first? Although he couldn't remember where they first meet, his instinct is telling him to protect her.

After that day, Sophia was busy all day. The teachers let her join other club meetings to observe. No matter how she hated it, she needed to. Sophia climbed up to their car feeling dizzy. She didn't eat anything for lunch. Nam was still busy taking an exam.

Her uncle was kind of worried. The girl always has a weak constitution. The doctor forbids them to give her sleeping pills, so they can only make sure that nothing will disturb her if she's resting. Her room was made soundproof. Her brain is hyperactive ever since. She was able to cope through daydreaming. She was diagnosed with severe insomnia when she was ten. They don't have any idea what her coping mechanism is. Whenever they sense that she is not being herself, they would never dare to question her. They just make sure that someone will be there to protect her whenever a situation arises.

When they got home, Sophia lazily grabbed her bag and greeted her adopted parents. She ate dinner and fell asleep afterward. One may think it's normal but it isn't. This is scarier than her staying up until three in the morning reading novels. Because this only means that her body is weakening.

When she woke up the third day, instead of feeling livelier, she instead felt like throwing up. She tried to get up only to slump to the floor. She felt like the world collapsed and she was alone.

The next thing she knew, she was lying face down to the floor as her right hand was supporting her forehead. But even after experiencing such, she heads to the bathroom and takes a shower. Sophia hates attracting attention, so she kept her condition unknown to everyone.

When she arrived at the school, Drake was there. When Drake saw her, he offered help in carrying her bag. Drake looks dashing as always. If Sophia feels well, she could've thought of all the rhymes and words she will surely write on her iPad. But she can only smile at him and let him carry the bag.

Drake has grown concerned about her health and even chatted with Nam if she has eaten. Well, she did. But Drake still wanted to make sure if she was better than yesterday. He noticed that she was a bit distracted yesterday during their meeting. He just thought, Wolf pressured her but it seemed like he knows her too.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah." Sophia gave him a pure genuine smile that made his heart race like crazy. But behind this fair facade is but a cold dark void no one can't fill. They have decided to meet every Friday at 3:00 and practice guitar until 5:00. It's still Wednesday so, she just focuses on her classes. Grade seven is too easy for her. If only she can jump to another year, she definitely will.

Just like that her first week passed. She let Xin handle the matters of informing everyone about the Acquaintance Party. The class doesn't even know Alden is Wolf and assigned him to be the grade level model. In one condition though, he will choose his partner on the day of the celebration. Everyone agreed, even the clueless Sophia.

The whole school had been preparing all the necessary arrangements and decorations for the Acquaintance Party, a week before. But the students have been preparing their attires for almost a month. Nam is very excited and has taken out almost a whole collection of dresses. She wanted to look seductive and sexy. She even tried on, close to fifty dresses from different brands. But in the end, she just borrowed one of Sophia's dresses. As for Sophia, she has finished reading close to seven books in one month. Nam has already informed her aunt of the theme Sophia's grade level has chosen. Unlike Nam that's struggling to find the perfect dress inside a dresser, Sophia's mom called on the designer/make-up artist/a friend of hers to prepare the most fashionable dress or whatever it is for Sophia. As much as Sophia hated the idea, she can't just say no to her mom and the crazy excited Aunt Kylie that is so good to her. The attire she will be wearing is especially tailor-made for her.

A day before the Acquaintance Party, Kylie, Sophia's Aunt traveled to Panglao bringing her dress. Also, she will be the one assisting her then. The Acquaintance Party will start at 1:00 PM and will end at 10:00 in the evening. They will still have a shortening of class in the morning. They can either go home to prepare or just bring along their attires and change there. But since Sophia is part of the Student Union, All of them will be changing after everything is settled. Thus, they can only do it at school.

The Student Union Officers will be introduced to the whole school in the first part of the program. They will be wearing their school uniforms with an armlet in their right arm while everyone else is looking all fancy. This is the suggestion made by the principal. She intends to brag about her most beloved geniuses.

Sophia never felt excited about the activity though. She was thinking of all the possible ways she can kill time during the program. But everyone else around her can't wait how she will look. They bet that she will outshine everyone. Kylie has shown the dress she made to everyone except Sophia. She wanted to surprise her little niece and make her remember her sense of fashion. She was her little model back then. She even helped her think of designs while she was eight years old. But, she suddenly changed and doesn't even bother about fashion. This broke her heart. Now, she will make sure that she will be the fairest of them all!

Later that night, Drake chatted with Sophia.

Drake: Hey, How are you feeling? Are you ready for tomorrow?

Sophia: I feel fine. Yeah, I think so. I'm not sure what I'll wear though.

Drake: Seriously?

Sophia: Yeah. I have one but haven't seen it.

Drake: Oh, That's fine. You'll look good on whatever you wear anyway.

Sophia: Lol. Hope so.

Drake: Yeah. See you tomorrow.

Sophia: See ya~

After a while, Kexin called her.

"Sophie! Am not sure what to wear. Can you suggest which one will I look better with? I'll send you the pictures! " Kexin sounded troubled over small matters though

"Alright"

After the call, Xin sent her five pictures. The first one is a skirt and a university crop top. The second one is a dress with a bohemian design. The third one is a dress that looked vintage. The fourth and the fifth ones looked too casual. Sophia chose the second one. Xin is tall, and she can further flaunt her beauty with Bohemian style and colors.