8
Sofia was sat in Nathanial's Cadillac as he drove up the smooth winding lane towards Clarissa's house. It was 9 o'clock on the dot, and the cloudless Philadelphia night sky was starry and calm. Sofia sung along to some Rihanna on the radio while they made their way to the party. "Having fun over there?" Nate grinned.
"Just trying to unleash some of the party spirit!"Sofia had been waiting for this all week and the anticipation grew when they turned right into the open gate and went up the driveway of the luxury house she knew very well. Once Nate had driven around the fountain to Clarissa's front door, a tall, thin valet walked up to his car. Elegantly, Sofia stepped out the vehicle, adjusted her black, backless cocktail dress and grabbed her phone and Chanel clutch. Nate waved his keys in the air as the valet approached.
"Make sure this car stays flawless!" Sofia said as she gave the valet a once over.
"Of course!" The valet held out his skinny twig like arm. Nate dropped the keys into his hand and continued staring at him as he went to do his duty. The large, arched front door stood in between two arched windows of a similar size. Luckily, a few girls opened the front door and left the house for a cigarette just before they were forced to knock. The event was already in full swing and Sofia could feel that amazing Roseford party vibe as soon as she stepped inside. After a few moments of searching, she noticed Clarissa leaning on the second floor banister, trying to ignore a boy that was seemingly trying to flirt. He was average looking, but definitely not good enough for Clarissa. Clarissa saw Sofia and Nate and realised this was her opportunity to get away. She said something to the boy and then walked down the winding staircase towards Sofia. She disappeared for a moment, but a few seconds later the crowd parted to make way for her.
"Glad you made it guys!" Clarissa shouted over the music and gave Sofia and Nate kisses on the cheek.
"You know we wouldn't miss this for the world!" Sofia exclaimed. She waited for a reply, but Clarissa said nothing. She just stared past them with her eyes open wide.
"What's up with her?" Nate said to Sofia.
"Look!" Clarissa pointed towards her front door. When Sofia turned around, her heart sank.
"Oh my god!" Sofia grabbed Nate's arm for support. Suddenly, everyone saw what she was seeing and tons of teenage jaws fell open. The loud banging of the music was the only sound that remained and all eyes were fixed on the same place.
Sofia heard things like, "How is this possible?" and "Is this for real?" in the crowd. The girl at the door stood confidently as she rocked a short, satin, blue dress. She flicked her golden, blonde hair and clearly loved the attention. When no one said anything, the girl smirked and opened her mouth to speak. "Well don't stop partying on my account. You can go back to whatever you were doing!"
Clarissa backed her up. "You heard her! Go on!" Conversation, drinking and dancing slowly started up again, but some still found it hard to tear their eyes away from the new addition to the party. The girl sized Sofia up, but she didn't know what to say or do.
"It's been a long time Sofia!" She stepped closer to Sofia. Clarissa and Nate awkwardly walked off into the crowd. Sofia didn't know where to look.
"Why are you here?" Sofia rolled her eyes and folded her arms.
"If I were you, I'd watch the way you speak to me! Nate's looking rather smokin', as usual! You could lose him, you're friends and your status at any given moment!" She said. Sofia turned to walk away but she grabbed her arm, pulled her close and whispered in her ear. "All I have to do is say the word."
"Whatever!" Sofia yanked her arm away. Distraught, she ran up the staircase to the first bedroom she could find. When Sofia opened a door on the right in the upstairs hall, she was shocked to find that someone else was already inside.
"Well whose stalking who now?" Laura said before turning back to the window she was gazing out of.
"I just needed a minute to think," Sofia closed the door. "Do you know who's downstairs?"
"Uh huh. I've seen her." Laura gave Sofia a knowing smile. "Is that the real reason you're up here?" Sofia looked down. "Look, I think we should go back downstairs and show her we're not afraid of her!"
Sofia looked as if something had just clicked in her head. "You're right! I'm the Queen Bee, not her!"
Laura sighed. "Yup, you definitely are."
Sofia bit her lip. "I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to be so rude...I was just in a hurry."
"Don't worry about it." Laura fixed her emerald, green, strapless dress. "Let's just go downstairs and show her what we're made of!"
"Let's!" Sofia held the door open for Laura and followed her back through the second floor's hall. They passed a few drunken party-goers on the way, one of which was Sofia's friend Danielle Harding. "Danielle you've totally had enough for one night." Sofia said as she walked past. Danielle didn't say anything. All she did was put her middle finger up and grin. When Sofia and Laura were back downstairs, the noise, laughter and craziness returned.
"Where is she?" Laura scanned the place looking for the girl in the blue dress.
"I can't see her." Sofia was on edge and the buzzing of her phone startled her. She pulled it out of her clutch and checked the text message she had just received.
Sofia darling don't you worry. You'll always have this to take your mind off things! ––A
"What?" Sofia said with a puzzled expression on her face. Laura looked at her. There was a picture attached to the message. When she opened it up, she gasped.
"What is it?" Laura asked with a trace of concern in her voice. Sofia didn't reply. "I got a text that scarred me too earlier today!"
"Who was it from?" Sofia questioned. "Was it...someone named A?"
"Yes!" Laura put her hand on her forehead. "Was the text about something you haven't told anyone?"
"Yes! Well...one person knew," Sofia looked back down at the message. "Abi knew!" She tried to conceal the picture of her using crack, and then re-read the text. When she looked back up at the second floor landing, she saw a flash of blue.