With her thumbs poking out of her pockets, Sora never felt as free as she did walking through the halls after third block.
None of Kari’s girls even looked at her, and she couldn’t care less if they did.
Since discovering her enhanced senses, she’d been testing them out in class.
Amazingly, she could smell the perfume, cologne, and even cat piss—which she was less enthusiastic about—left on other students’ clothes.
When it came to the unique stench around many of Kari’s gang, it came in varying strengths.
Even odder, Kari had a somewhat pleasant scent, if a bit overpowering.
If she was concentrating, she could also hear conversations down the halls while listening to the teacher, and it wasn’t just her sense of smell or sound, as sliding her fingers over her desk showed her grooves and sensations she’d never experienced.
Having no plans to return for fourth block, Sora scanned for her best friend while making her way toward her locker, hearing her voice before rounding a corner, where she spotted Wendy together with Theo.
Not hesitating, she edged around a few students to join them.
“Yo, Wendy, Theo.” “Hmm?
Oh, umm… who?” the boy sheepishly questioned with a smile.
“Sora,” she huffed, adjusting her purse strap at Wendy’s sudden frown.
“We’ve been in the same school for a while.” The brown-haired girl cleared her throat.
“Umm, Theo, can you give me a second?” “Sure.
Uh, yeah, I’ll go get in line.
Pizza, right?” “Sounds good.” Sora scooted closer to the lockers as he waved them off, shooting a glance back.
Once he turned the corner, Wendy crossed her arms and stumbled through her words.
“What do you want?
I’m sorry I cut your hair—looks like you’ve got a nice wig, though.
But, please, don’t try and ruin things with—well, just… What do you want?” “Hey!
Hey!” Smile straining, Sora held up her hands in protest.
“I’m not here trying to get between Theo and you—I didn’t think you were dating anyone…” “We’re not dating,” Wendy mumbled, her shifting eyes saying what was on her mind.
Not yet, huh?
Nice!
Sora internally cheered for her.
“Okay.
I get it—” “What does that mean?
He’s a nice guy.” “No!
Woah, hey—I didn’t say he wasn’t.
Chill!” Wendy pulled on her dress, right fingers rubbing her upper arm.
“Sorry… I’ve just worked so hard, and… He asked me yesterday if I had lunch plans, a-and so…” Didn’t ask; tell me how you really feel!
Trying to suppress the snickers threatening to show themselves, Sora grinned.
“Nice!
I just wanted to let you know I’m going to start homeschooling soon—I mean, heh, you know what Kari said yesterday.” “Mmhm?” “Yeah.
So… I was wondering—if you wanted to—you could join me,” she shrugged, the pressure suddenly hitting her chest.
“Don’t say no right away!” “Sora, I, uh…” “Just hear me out!” A few other students turned their way at her tone, making Wendy swallow and lower her voice.
“Okay… What?” Taking a deep breath, she eased it out as her fingers found her purse straps for support.
“Umm… I know your mom hates me, and I know things are super difficult for you at home… but Kari’s group is bad, too… I know this isn’t easy to hear—I just thought… Just think about it.
Maybe we could find something for your mom, too—maybe…” Wendy sighed at Sora’s weak shrug and wandering gaze before a melancholy tilt came to her muddy brown eyes.
“Thanks for always thinking about me, Sora… even after everything I’ve done.” “It’s not you,” Sora grumbled, scratching her temple.
“It’s like the whole world was always trying to break our friendship, and… and you really are my only friend.
Not that I’m saying I’m desperate, and that’s why I’m asking!” Wendy bent over in laughter, holding her stomach.
“You’re funny sometimes, Sora!
I didn’t even think that.” “Ugh… sorry.” “No, it’s fine.
Umm… I should get going.” “Yeah.” Sora swallowed the sticky saliva in her mouth.
“Yeah, me too… I met two new girls, by the way.” Wendy’s brow furrowed after closing her locker.
“Who?” “I don’t know—eh-heh, they’re kind of weird… a lot of weird stuff has been happening lately.
Oh!” “Huh?!” “No, it’s just… Mary’s taking me off my meds,” she whispered, showing a beaming smile.
“No way.
Is she your new psychiatrist?” “Mhm!
I really like her so far.
Umm, can we talk about it later—maybe you can come by sometime soon?
You know, to talk… like old times?
I can get something we could cook on the grill or something?” Wendy tucked her lower lip under, not looking at her as a low hum rumbled in her throat.
“I, erm… I do have a lot I have to do today and tomorrow… I’m a janitor, and then I have a lot to do at home…” “No, I get it!” Sora quickly returned, waving her hand.
“I totally do.
It’s cool…” Brushing back her bangs, Wendy chuckled.
“I’m not saying no, Sora… Umm.
Yeah, we can catch up sometime.
Text you?
The same number, right?” “For sure!
Umm, yeah, yeah—the same number.” “Cool.” “Yeah… uh, talk to you later?” “Later!” Sora waved her off, feeling as if she’d just entered orbit.
Yes!
Yes!
Yes!
Releasing the squirming butterflies in her stomach, Sora practically skipped out of the school; her life was getting back on track.
Her dad was getting things set up to spend more time at home, Mary was actually trying to help her, Kari didn’t want anything to do with her, and now Wendy was open to patching up their friendship.
Sora’s teeth flashed as she caught the tall blonde and short Korean girl standing at the end of the parking lot, watching cars leaving for lunch.
Not many teens left the premises for food, but with a student body of over 2,400, plenty of cars exited the school grounds to hit up the many local restaurants in Miami Beach.
Eyia’s animated, unreserved waves and big grin contrasted Jin’s nonchalant gesture, making Sora giggle.
“I see the—d-dress is not a you!” “Really… you’re not skilled,” she shot back at the girl’s beaming grin.
“Yo, Sora.
Don’t mind the airhead; she thinks she’s a genius at English now.” “Pants fire, yo, girls stop—what chariot red paint?!” “Huh?” Sora’s lips parted in question as she followed her pointing finger to a used red car from over ten years ago, pulling out with laughing boys going out for lunch.
“A… car?” Jin sighed.
“She wants one so she can race… The stupid girl wants to compete in anything and everything.” “Best is I!” Eyia roared, puffing up her chest and causing many students to look her way, each probably wondering if a homeless girl was asking for money by her appearance.
“Jin, not good games with number slots like I!” “Wait!
Wait!
Wait!” Sora snickered at the revelation as Jin hit her face by rubbing her temples.
“Did you, heh—did you spend all the money you got on slot machines… how?” “We had to try and get it back somehow, and it worked for me in the past… Eyia spent five bucks and got two back—now she thinks she’s the Goddess of Games.” Eyia’s face shone with pride.
“Jin no win!
I win!
Haha!
Slot exchange Sora win much?
Sora and I battle!” “Hold up,” Sora laughed at the absurdity of it.
“You want to have a contest to see who wins a slot machine first?” Jin threw out her arms.
“Didn’t I tell you she’s stupid?” “I no dumb-dumb!” Eyia said, leering down at Jin as if she were a worm.
“You lose sore and keep red rump!” “You have no idea why I’m pissed… So stupid…” Sora motioned for them to follow her.
“Let’s go get you some actual clothes, Eyia, and then we can have a slot battle.” “War!” Eyia screamed, her vigor making Sora and those nearby jump.
“Whoa!” “Damn…” “Okay, girl… Yeah, war…”