Chapter One
The class was quiet, the snickering and whispering that had bubbled around at the back of the science lab had fallen still as the teacher gave them a quelling look over the top of his glasses. He read the name of each child without looking up to see who had answered, Sofia took this to mean that he would not be learning their names any time soon.
"Sofia Robbins"
"…Sloan Torres" the words had come out of her mouth before she had, had a chance to stop them. Flushing slightly, she kept her gaze fixed on the teacher. She was no chicken and once she committed to something, she would go with it, no matter how hard the stare that the teacher gave her in that moment was.
"I'm sorry?" Mr Knight had taken off his glasses to see her more clearly.
"It's Sofia Robbins Sloan Torres… Not just Robbins"
"Yeah… I have twenty-five other kids in this class. Do you think I have time to spend on saying three surnames every day when it comes to your name?"
"Well I…"
"No. I don't. So in this class you're Sofia Robbins. Got a problem with that, you can change class" Mr Knight put back on his glasses and continued down the list as Sofia heard some sniggers from the row behind her. She knew that she was blushing, but she kept her head up and her face calm.
"That was brave" the little voice came from the girl sitting to her right and was hardly audible but Sofia turned to look at her. She was petit, with mousy brown hair that curled up, messily around her shoulders. She had a sprinkling of freckles over her slightly upturned nose and her shy smile was lined with silver braces.
"Thanks…" Sofia smiled. It was a relief that someone was talking to her. Moving to High School was scary and none of her middle school friends had come to study here. The science program was the best and her Moms wanted her to have the best. No matter how many friends Sofia lost.
"I'm Amy"
"Sofia"
"Yes… Robbins Sloan Torres" Amy smiled cheekily, and Sofia giggled.
"Robbins!" Mr Knight called from the top of the room where he had taken his place at the whiteboard. "Still thinking about transferring class?"
"No sir"
"Then be quiet"
Sofia lowered her gaze with a half glimpse and smile at Amy. Mr Knight may not like her now but she was sure that once those exams came around, and he realised that she came from a family thick with surgeons, he would change his mind.