*~Sophie's Pov~*

It is every teenager's dream to meet their soulmate and spend the rest of their life with them. For me, though it has never been much of a priority. My priorities are mainly focused on school, helping with the animals after school, and fencing. I know that it seems dorky to fence, but I've always liked it, the confidence that comes with knowing I can protect my family with a blade. Anyway, back to what I was saying. When you turn 15 you get a special tattoo on your arm. You don't go to a shop and get it done, it just appears overnight. It's a picture that connects to your person. My best friends Marella and Biana are super excited! Biana's brother Fitz just turned 15 and has a black skull and bones. I guess it symbolizes her personality or something. He also sometimes feels little pinches or huge waves of pain that shows his soulmate's pain. We never really hang out with him that much, I just see him when Marella, Linh, and I go over to Biana's house.

"Sophie! Time to get ready for school!" my adoptive mom Edaline yells from downstairs.

"Alright, mom!"

This will be my freshman year at Foxfire High. I don't know how I got in, it's full of brilliant, talented people. We have to wear super ridiculous uniforms. The creators of the school decided it would be a good idea to put us in uniforms that correlate to a certain mythical animal for each grade level. I throw on my black collared shirt, roll on my tights, and put on a purple and black checkered skirt. I walk over to my mirror to tie my purple and black striped tie. Biana is always telling me that I should put this golden eyeliner on to my eyes pop. I don't like them that much though, they're not like Biana and Fitz's unique teal eyes. They're just brown. I stop the conflict going on in my head and decide to wear the eyeliner. I mean you only start high school once! I grab my backpack and water bottle and run downstairs. While going down the stairs I somehow trip and fall right into Grady's (my adoptive father) arms.

"Sophie you need to be more careful! You don't want to trip in the middle of the hallways," he laughs helping me get steady.

I roll my eyes, "Yeah no kidding. I thought maybe these combat boots might make it easier to walk in but so far it hasn't."

I smell a sweet aroma of Edaline's signature mallowmelt as she likes to call it and blueberry muffins. Grady walks with me over to the island where Edaline is setting up a plate for me. She places a small slice of mallowmelt, one blueberry muffin, and some eggs.

"How'd you sleep, honey?" Edaline asks pouring a cup of coffee for me.

"Great!" I lie not wanting to worry her with the recurring dreams of my parents and sister's death, "I'm a little nervous. I mean going to a new school and all. I'm just happy that Marella, Biana, and Linh will be there too."

"You are so lucky to have such amazing friends. Oh! And for this weekend why don't you have a girls night for your birthday, so that in the morning you can all see the tattoo." mom suggests.

I smile at her, "Thanks Edaline. Oh, shoot I gotta go!"

I jump out of my seat and grab the mug that my mom made for me. I grab my yellow beach cruiser bike off the side of the garage and throw my backpack in the front basket. I swing my leg over my bike and start on my way to school. I pass a big white moving truck that is parked next door. Yay! New neighbors! I think. After a while, I end up in front of the towering high school. Biana, Marella, and Linh wave me over to where they are standing with Fitz, Linh's brother Tam, and a tall blonde boy with striking ice blue eyes. I feel my heart flutter when his eyes meet mine. I ignore it telling myself that it's just school jitters, not the super hot new guy.

"Soph! This is Keefe, he just moved in. Fitz and Keefe have known each other ever since like preschool. His dad got a job in LA so that's where he moved and he's back!" Marella squeals somehow knowing the whole story.

I giggle, "Wow, well it's nice to meet you, Keefe, I'm Sophie Foster."

"Foster! Nice to meet you too. So you and B have been friends for long?" he questions winking at me.

Biana steps in, "Of course! We met each other like right after you moved actually. It's kinda a funny story though I was r-"

"But the point is we are really good friends now! Oh my gosh, we should probably go find our lockers before the bell rings don't you think Linh?" I rush cutting off Biana so she doesn't have to tell Keefe about her being so mean to me.

Linh clearly flustered takes my hint and agrees quickly. We hurry to our lockers which are conveniently right next to each other. I grab all the books out of my bag and stuff them neatly into the shelf of my red locker. I turn to my rosy-cheeked friend.

"Linh! I forgot to tell you and B and Marella, but I was wondering if you all wanted to come over for a sleepover. In the morning I will have my soul mark and we can try to figure out who the lucky guy is!" I exclaim.

Linh giggles at my energy and awkwardness, "That sounds great!"

"What are you two giggling about? Probably my awesome hair huh?" a voice says from behind us.

I roll my eyes but accidentally let a small chuckle slide, "Definitely not, and your hair is mediocre at best."

"I'm hurt, Foster," Keefe places a hand on his chest like he felt physical pain. "Honestly how dare you insult the hair?"

"You call your hair something? And I thought I was the weirdest one in our group," I gasp.

"Foster, Foster, Foster, you will soon come to realize that I am the weirdest on in the group," Keefe does a little dance embarrassing himself in front of the school on his first day.

The bell rings interrupting our conversation. I wave goodbye to him and take a deep breath getting ready for my first class of the year.

Chapter written by: @S0K33fe. Hope everyone is happy and healthy! Stay safe!

-Lacy