'Sophia! Wait up!' I hear a voice shout my name as I walk down the corridor, my heels tapping against the linoleum. I slow to a halt and sigh as I turn around; wondering who wanted me this time. Everybody's eyes swivel to me but this isn't unusual, I'm used to it.
'What?' I snap, irritated already.
'Are you heading to Spanish?' a boy asks me.
'Yes' my tone is clipped. 'What's it to you?'
'Can I walk with you?' I stare at him in disbelief. Did he seriously just ask me that?
'Do I know you?' I say rather rudely; glaring at him. I don't care about my attitude; I am Sophia de la Haye, for god's sake. I can do anything or say anything and no one will dare challenge me.
'I'm in your English Lit class and Spanish, too'.
'That's lovely' I say sarcastically.
'So, can I walk with you then?' He presses.
I look skyward; he wasn't going to give in. But neither was I.
'Sorry darling, but I've gotta run' I say; checking the time on my gold Rolex.
'Oh okay' he says dejectedly. 'Another time?'
'Sure' I reply, deciding to humour him. Did this boy honestly think I would walk to class with him? I wasn't even aware of his existence until today. And, if I did walk with this nobody; I would never, ever live it down.
His face lights up as I reply to him and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. If I'm being honest, I'm used to guys throwing themselves at me. I mean, I'm from the de la Haye family. I'm wealthy, popular, clever and, not to forget, beautiful. I know it sounds conceited but that's the brutal truth. I have it all.
I sling my new Prada handbag over my shoulder as I strut away, sending a quick text to my best friends: Isabella Beaumont and Ava Hawthorn, telling them to meet me at the local Starbucks in Reading city centre. My friends and I are allowed off site during the school day. Okay, we aren't technically 'allowed' but, as we're all from very wealthy families, the faculty turns a blind eye to us. We own the school. Well, technically, I kind of do, well, part of it. My father donated money to the new library last year.
I make my way down the crowded corridors and the other students part as I walk down, as if I'm Royalty. Well, I kind of am, I guess.
My phone vibrates in my hand, indicating a new message. It was from Ava, saying she would meet me there in 5. I keep my eyes glued to my phone as I walk out of school; not caring if anyone saw me. Hell, if they did, they wouldn't say anything anyway.
'HEY! HEY YOU!' Someone shouts after me. Jesus Christ. I look over my shoulder to see the boy from earlier running after me.
'What do you want?' I snap.
'Where are you going?' he ignores my question.
'None of your damned business' I reply haughtily, narrowing my eyes at him.
'Why are you going off site?' he says, his eyes burning into mine.
'Because I am, alright?'
'You're not allowed you know'.
I resist the urge to laugh in his face and, settle for an eye roll instead. 'You think I don't know that? I've been going off site for years and the school know, and guess what? They don't say anything. So I guess that means I'm allowed'.
He stares at me.
'Bye' I say, plastering a fake smile on my face.
'You don't even know my name do you?'
I shake my head in reply.
'Well Sophia' he says my name softly whilst staring into my eyes. I avert my gaze. 'I'm Dan. Dan Howell.
