Friends

Sofia stared blankly at the school which stood tall in front of her, the memories were clear and vivid now. She took in a breath and held it in for awhile before she gave a release.

She cocked her head backwards and saw the guards who had escorted her gazing up proudly, she rolled her eyes and began walking into the school with her head bowed down. A few students would still recognize her, not many things had changed, she noticed as she secretly surveyed the environment.

Sofia got into the main school and headed for the principal's office immediately, those who saw her gazed at her surprised. She could already imagine their thoughts.

"Sofia!" a student bumped into her just when she was arms reach to the principal's office. She looked up to see a brown haired girl smiling surprised at her, it was a friend of hers, Emilia. They weren't all that close but they chatted when they had the opportunity to.

"Emilia!" Sofia exclaimed happily and threw her in for a hug.

"I can't believe I'm seeing you" she said surprisingly, returning her hug.

"Well better believe it or not" she giggled and let go of her "Catch you up later, I've got to check in" she pointed at the principal's office.

"Sure" Emilia said and waved her hand as Sofia entered into the Principal's office.

Inside the Principal's office, Sofia stood and stared at the Principal who hadn't changed one bit. Still the same woman with a slender upper body, tiny eyes and wrinkles. The office smelt of old books making the air around a little stuffy.

"Good day ma'am"

"Ah, Sofia" the principal smiled as she assessed her, probably for any change. "How have you been" she asked.

"I've been alright Mrs.Ginevra" Sofia replied.

"Have a seat then".

Sofia flopped her back down on the chair, freeing her shoulders from it, before she made space to seat.

"You are here to check in right?" Mrs.Ginevra asked once Sofia was settled.

"Yes". Obviously.

Meanwhile, Isabella was sent to report to the Principal's office for a reason she didn't know why. At least her dad's bodyguards kept their distance away from the main school, that was something to be thankful of. She jogged down to the office and flocked the door open without knocking. Sofia and Mrs.Ginevra stifled their gaze to her as everywhere became silent.

"Uh.... I'm I interrupting something?" Isabella asked with her hand still lingering on the door knob, ready to leave.

"No, no. Infact you came just in time" the principal smiled, pulling out a file from it's document.

Bella let go of the door and marched forward, she waved at Sofia as a polite gesture before facing Mrs.Ginevra, Sofia too did return the wave. The principal handed her the file and Bella glanced at her and the file questionly.

"I want you to read it" Mrs.Ginevra said expectantly.

"Okay" Bella received the file and glanced at the heading, before looking at the principal amusingly. The woman only smiled and nudged for her to go through it.

Isabella flapped the page over to the next and scrolled through until she was done. "Okay?, I guess this is a new student's file" Bella said handing the file back to her.

"Yes, and that person is right beside you" Mrs.Ginevra said as she traced her eyes to Sofia, who sat down smiling awkwardly.

"Hi there" Bella waved her hand once again and faced the principal, she asked what she should do through eye contact.

"Ah well..." she hesitated then said "I want you both to be friends".

"Friends?!" Sofia exclaimed, more like she screeched, but she covered it up with a laugh.

"Friends you say?" Bella asked surprisingly inquisitive.

"Yes, I want you to show her around now Bella" the principal answered "So..." she leaned forward "Why don't you carry on then" her tone bright and a smile extending across her lips.

"I'm only new here Mrs.Ginevra" Bella said promptly.

"Ah!, you'll be both fine. Just go" she gestured with her hands.

The chair squealed as Sofia stood, she gave a sheepish smile to Bella before drifting towards the door. Bella gave the principal a thumbs up giving her the, you've-got-to-be-kidding-me look.

"Go on. Shoo" she whispered, loud enough for Bella to grasp.

Isabella and Sofia got out and began trotting away together.

"So...?" Bella gazed at her trying to build up a conversation.

"My name is Sofia"

"Nice name, I'm Bella".

"Yeah, hey. I'm actually new and not really new" Sofia blurted out.

"What do you mean?" Bella furrowed her brows in confusing.

"I was once attending this school, but something happened so I left. Now I'm back here" she giggled.

"I never wished to come here" Bella smiled.

"Me either".

"That makes us even then" Isabella faced Sofia and smiled widely.

"Yeah it does".

"Being friends with you ain't gonna be so bad after all" Bella remarked.