This chapter is a little shorter but I really wanted to get it out to you guys!

Noah

Another school day. My second day at this school to be exact.

And I already have a mission.

I have been thinking about this back and forth the entire night. Can I really save someone who probably doesn't even want to be saved?

I think back to myself, how I was when mom died. How I thought that I didn't want any help from others. Little did I know, that deep down, that is what I wanted all along.

Maybe I can. If I can just become friends with this girl, maybe I can help her.

I spot my car in the hotel parking lot and walk over to it. I am just about to get in when I hear hurried footsteps. I glance around, not seeing anyone. I furrow my eyebrows and open my car door...

Only to hear a girlish yelp. My head swerves around the car door to see that I have accidentally hit a girl around the age of 7, smack in the face.

My eyes bug out. "Oh my god, I am so sor-"

She interrupts me, shaking her head from side to side frantically. "N-n-no," she stammers. "I'm s-sorry, I shouldn't have been-"

"No no, you are fine," I say, noticing a small stream of blood trickle down from her nose.

She touches her nose and her eyes widen when she sees the droplets of blood on her fingers.

"Here," I say, digging into my school bag and retrieving a tissue from a small package.

She looks at it hesitantly.

"It's okay," I come closer to her, and when she doesn't move back, I press it softly to her nose.

She looks at me with wide, chocolate brown eyes. I smile in return and she visibly relaxes.

I take in her appearance. She is wearing torn bootlegged jeans, a white sweatshirt that looks filthy, and tennis shoes that are caked with mud.

Where did this girl come from?

"Th-thank you," she stutters, taking the tissue in her own hands.

I smile softly. "Of course. Where are your parents?"

Her face blanches and she avoids eye contact with me.

"Do you want me to take you home?" I offer.

"No!" she almost screams. "I-I mean, no, I'm fine. Just.. just on my way home now."

I give her a look of concern. "Are you sure? I can take you there if you want me to."

"It's fine!" she forces a grin and starts to take off.

"Wait, what's your name?" I ask.

She pauses. Looks at me. Considers whether or not she should tell me. Then I see a hint of a smile, as if she decided I was worth trusting. "Sophie."

She doesn't ask for my name in return. And she runs off so fast I don't get the chance to tell her.

I stare off in the direction she ran.

I know her name now, but I can't help but wonder...

Who is that little girl?

*

I get to school and into English just in time for the bell to ring. I sit in my seat right by Hailey. She's staring out the window.

Her eyes, again, are empty.

For a second, I feel like I am back in my dark room. Lights turned off, shutters closed. Me with my face in my hands, knees pulled up to meet the backs of

my hands. Not eating, not sleeping. Just that swallow feeling.

Numb.

And for some reason, I smile. Not my normal smile. A sad smile. A sad smile for the memory of back then.

I look at Hailey again, wondering what's the best way to get her out of her small corner.

I think the only way I can get her to talk is to irritate her so much that she eventually gets pissed off and screams at me.

But to me, anger is better than emptiness.

"Hi Hailey," I say.

She continues staring out the window, as if she heard nothing.

"Ah pretending I don't exist, are we darling?" At the word "darling" she snaps her head in my direction. She gives me the darkest glare I've ever seen.

If looks could kill.

She rips out a sheet of paper and quickly writes on it before throwing it at my face. I open the piece for paper and read. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR DAMN PROBLEM IS BUT LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!

Ooooo she's a feisty one, eh?

"And why should I do that, honey buns?"

For the first time, I see color in her cheeks. She is flushed an angry red. It looks... good on her.

She scrabbles something else down on a another sheet of paper. BECAUSE YOU ANNOY THE SHIT OUT OF ME!!!

I smirk. "Well I'm glad I have your attention babydoll."

She looks taken aback. Another sheet of paper. Why? You should just ignore me like everyone else.

"Well I am not like everyone else, sweet stuff."

You are absolute trash at nicknames, she writes.

"Well what would you like me to call you?"

She grimaces and writes more down. NOTHING! LIKE I SAID BEFORE I WANT YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE! You are better off that way.

"Awwww angel cakes cares about me!"

In your fucking dreams, asshole. She writes.

"Hey, I wouldn't mind dreaming about you," I tease.

YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME!

"But I could get to know you. I am a really likable person once you get to know me."

I would rather die.

"Aww come on baby, don't be like th-"

"Is there something you would like to say, Mr. Harrison?" Mrs. Garner questions me, glancing between me and Hailey.

I grin widely. "Nope, not a thing."

"Good, now if you would please stop talking and pay attention to the lesson, it would be much appreciated," she states and turns back to write whatever she was writing on the board.

Hailey pretends to be absorbed in the work on her desk, just in case I try to talk to her again.

I follow along with the teacher during the rest of the hour.

Eh, I still have four more hours and lunch with her, I think to myself.

***

Anddddd there you go! Really short, I know, I know. 

Patience pleaseeeee.

What are your thoughts on Sophie?

Any ideas on her story?

It may be a few days or even a week before I get a new chapter up. Teachers are overwhelming me with the school work they are sending.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Love, Lexi! ❤️❤️❤️❤️