PART IV - SOFIA

This was horrible. Just as I foresaw. This year was going to be horrible.

Helen insisted on getting the upper half of the locker even though I was taller than she was.

"Why can't I have the upper half? It's the better half."

"Because it was my locker for the past three years. I am not going to let you take the better half."

"I am new here, you could be a little more welcoming."

"You invaded my life."

"You're being unfair. I didn't do anything on purpose. I just stood there, saying goodbye to my mom's boyfriend and you attacked me."

"I said 'Hi'."

"Yeah, that's when I thought you were a decent human being and then you were like: 'Go away, you're in front of my locker, you dumb child!'"

"I never said that! Besides, you stood in front of my locker!"

"You're so childish."

"I'm childish? You just imitated my voice and accused me of calling you a dumb child. If that's the way you see yourself, okay, but don't blame me."

I indeed was being childish, but I was not going to step down. "You insist on having the upper half of the locker because you think you're superior to me. Here's a news flash: You're not."

"Yes, I am. I am the student body president and the best student of my year. I deserve this. I am not letting you take what's mine."

"Oh, so this whole thing is about your pride. I get it now."

"You don't get anything. You don't know me. Just – take the upper half I don't care as long as you leave me alone."

"Deal." I reached my hand out. She looked at it, then turned and strutted down the hallway.

Bitch.

I followed her hoping that Mrs. Hudson was right when she said that we were in the same class.

When we entered the room, the unexpectedly young teacher looked surprised at us. From the first moment on she reminded me of Miss Honey from Matilda.

"Helen, come in, come in. And you must be Sofia, so nice to meet you. Close the door behind you, will you, Sofia? Look, there is a free chair in the third row, next to Jonathan."

Said Jonathan raised his hand and I sat down on the chair the teacher pointed out. I looked around. The other students looked pretty nice. Maybe, I just had bad luck with meeting Helen first.

"Like I just said, I need to prepare some things, so I brought something for you. It's just a short survey about what you might expect from this class, the curriculum, from me. Fill it out, and I'll be back in 10 minutes to start the lesson."

She smiled at us, waiting for approving nods and handed Helen in the first row a stack of paper.

People started to talk the moment she left the classroom, catching up on their holiday.

"Hey, new girl," said the boy, Jonathan, to my left with a heavy accent. British? "What's your name again?" No, Australian.

"Sofia is her name. Could you please be quiet now?" It was obvious who had said that.

"I can speak for myself, but thanks."

"Jonathan Baker, but Baker's fine. Nice to meet you, Sofia," he said, reaching out his fist for me to bump, then turned to Helen. "What's wrong, princess? Are you on your period?"

She looked up and smiled at him, not a nice smile though. "Me being irritated by your immature behavior, Jonathan, has nothing to do with my dying uterine lining."

"Baby," another boy chimed in, "don't be so harsh." Probably her boyfriend. Ugh, he looks like someone Helen would date. Shit, did I just face that out loud? I looked around. Fortunately, no one was paying any attention to me but Baker, and he grinned at me.

"I don't get it, Helen," Baker said, "you were so chilled in the holiday but now you seem to be slightly on edge." How he accentuated the slightly made clear that he did not mean slightly.

"Shut up, Baker." This was another girl.

"Oh, Alison, we all know you enjoy this," Baker remarked.

"No, I don't! Don't talk to Helen in that way."

It was quiet for a minute.

"Hey, new girl, where you from – oh wait, should I ask Helen?"

"Stop it, Baker." Alison might not enjoy the show, but I sure as hell did. Something was going on between Baker and Helen, and I was already intrigued. If I wanted to get to Helen, Baker was my best chance.

"I was born in Las Cruces."

"Is that in Mexico?"

"That's in New Mexico."

"So, you're American?"

"I'm Mexican-American."

"Do you have a boyfriend? A fella? A novio?"

He pronounced "novio" in such a funny way that I had to keep myself from laughing out loud. "No, I don't."

"You are cool. I like you."

"Great. Would you please shut up now?" Helen was clearly annoyed by Baker.

"Nah, I don't think so. Jamie, how was your holiday?"

"You know how my holiday was."

"I don't think you told me."

"That's because we went to Europe together."

"Oh, that's right, but you know – I really can't remember much. Too much alcohol and weed, you know?"

"What's the fucking point of this, Baker?"

"Oh shit," he said sarcastically, "didn't Helen know you've been smoking weed? Didn't you know, Helen?"

There was silent communication between Helen and Jamie. "Of course, I knew."

"What's wrong with you, dude?"

"Everything's great. Just great, mate."

Needless to say, nothing was great. Maybe this school wasn't so bad after all. Some drama always lightened my mood.

At that moment, the door opened, and the teacher reentered. She put down a box with books on the table. "Are you all done with the survey?"

Some people shook their heads. I stared down at the paper lying in front of me and read the first question.

Were you ever in my class before?

I ticked the box next to which it said No.

"Sofia?" When I looked up, I met my teacher's eyes. She smiled such a warm and sincere smile that I had no choice but to smile back. "I already did an introduction of myself, so I'm going to keep it short. I am Mrs. Carter, your English teacher for this year. I have been teaching at this school for five years, I am married and have a two-year-old son. My favorite writer is Celeste Ng and if you should ever have the chance, I would recommend you to read one – or all – of her books. Would you mind telling us a little bit about yourself?"

"I think I took care of that, Mrs. C.," Baker said.

"You did, Jonathan? What's her favorite book?"

"I asked more relevant questions." He made a hand gesture that could be read as Duh. "She doesn't have a boyfriend."

"The Narnia Books are my favorite," I chimed in.

"Oh, the classics. You know how to make an English teacher happy. What's your favorite movie?"

Booksmart. Carol. Disobedience. The Favourite. Could you be any more obvious? "That's hard. I remember that I loved Shakespeare in Love when I was younger." Shakespeare in Love? Really?

"Nice – and a bit cheesy. Ever read Shakespeare?"

"Hell, no."

She laughed. "Absolutely understandable." She looked around and said in a hushed voice: "Don't tell anyone I said that. So, Sofia, what kind of literature do you like, other than C.S. Lewis?"

"I just read whatever I like. I'm a huge Terry Pratchett fan."

She smiled at me. "Sounds very good."

Helens raises her hand. "Mrs. Carter, I've finished the survey. Can I leave, I need to arrange some things for the student council."

Mrs. Carter nodded. "Of course, Helen. Don't forget the meeting for the play this evening."

"I won't. Thank you." Helen packed her things and left the room.