Hi everyone! So I know I said I would stick to the story and continue updating consistently... but I forgot about it again :(( I randomly remembered about it today and wow people actually read this! I was not expecting that! So I decided to write another chapter and it was actually really fun! Maybe I'll actually be consistent this time... anyway thank you so much if you're still reading this! It means a whole lot to me, especially when you guys review! Which reminds me... more reviews! I was so surprised when I saw!

Olve- Thank you so much!

Guest- Omg tysm! I know right, they deserve more page time! Thank you again, I will try to update more consistently!

KeefeIsBest- I know, she is such a good character! And thank you! I love your username!

Guest- I will don't worry! And yes, I have a plan for that to happen in the future.. :)

Thank you guys for reviewing 33 OK now read the chapter! I'm pretty proud of the parallels in this one!

Chapter 8

The heat from the San Diego sun wakes me up just enough for me to look over at my phone, which keeps buzzing from new messages. Weird. That's never happened to me before.

I unlock it and find that Biana has texted me a million times, asking what I was going to do with my hair for school today. I reply back with "not sure, hbu?". Actually, I was planning on just wearing it down, like I had the day before. What's so special about the second day of school? But I didn't want to admit that to Biana, so maybe I'll think of something.

I exit the chat and see the source of all the buzzing: A group chat named "Foxfire Buds". Keefe and Biana seem to be going back and forth about pranking the principal today.

I shake my head. Classic Keefe.

I scroll up a little, until my eyes land on Fitz. Oh wow.

His profile picture isn't anything special. Just a picture of him and his dad sitting at a table together. But that doesn't stop me from a couple of minutes staring at it.

A DM from Keefe breaks me out of my trance.

Hey Foster. You don't happen to have any water balloons lying around your house, do u?

I roll my eyes. No Keefe. And I don't want anything to do with your prank either.

That's what they all say… is all I get back in response.

I smile to myself.

"SOPHIE? Are you awake?" Edaline yells.

"Yeah! I am!"

I hear footsteps coming up the stairs.

"Hey hun. Ready for your second day?" she asks.

"Yes!"

She helps me get my uniform ready, while I feed Iggy.

After changing and brushing my teeth, I sit down at my desk. Edaline leaves to go make breakfast.

I open up my texts, checking to see if Biana replied.

Probably a braid! It's my signature hairstyle.

Oh nice!

Yess. I was thinking, you should do a half up half down! Your hair should still be slightly curled from yesterday, so it'll look amazing!

You think?

I know! NOW HURRY AND SEND A PICTURE

Okkkayy

I look in the mirror, unsure of where I'm supposed to start.

As if she read my mind, Biana texted a link to a youtube tutorial on the hairstyle.

Grateful for her thinking ahead, I click on the link. It takes me to a channel called 'Vertina's Corner' which seems to be a beauty channel. The girl, who I assume to be Vertina, is absolutely gorgeous. She has sapphire eyes and straight, silky black hair.

I balance my phone against my mirror and follow the process until my hair is secured in a half up half down hairstyle with my own hair serving as a braid, keeping everything all secure.

Biana was right. With my hair slightly curled at the bottom, it does look good.

I go through the rest of my morning makeup process, applying a little mascara to my eyelashes, which doesn't really help. I should invest in fake lashes. I continue with the lipstick Biana gave me after yesterday's makeover. I decide to skip the lip liner part. I doubt I could get it right. After a little lip gloss, I hurry to throw my textbooks and homework in my bag.

Edaline made pancakes for breakfast today. Unlike yesterday, I'm actually in the mood to eat. I put a pancake on my plate and drizzle it with maple syrup.

"Hey kiddo," Grady says as he walks into the room. He does a double take when he sees me. "Wow your hair.."

"What?" I say, touching the ends, suddenly self conscious.

Edaline sees the look on his face and says, "Don't worry Sophie it looks amazing! It's just…"

"It's just what?" I ask, starting to panic.

"That was the hairstyle that Jolie used to wear every day," Grady finishes.

Oh.

Jolie was Grady and Edaline's daughter. I don't know much about her. They don't like talking about her very much. All I know is that she died in a fire. Just like my parents.

Great! Now I'm thinking of my parents!

Ugh, this day was going so well!

I try to lighten the mood by talking. "I used a YouTube video to do it. I think it was called Valerie's corner or something?"

"Vertinas?" Edaline asked. I nod.

"That's the one Jolie used all the time as well."

"Oh," is all I can say.

"Nevermind that. Are you ready for your second day of school?" Grady asks.

"Yeah! I'm actually excited for announcements this time!"

"That's great!"

I finish up my breakfast and grab my bag.

"You up for taking the bus today?" Grady asks.

Oh no, I forgot about that.

Seeing the look on my face, Grady laughs. "It's ok kiddo, we can take you to school for the rest of the week. But next week, you're getting on that bus!"

"Thank you thank you thank you!" I hug him.

"I can drop Sophie off on the way to the clinic," Edaline tells Grady, while grabbing her purse.

"Great. I'll meet you there around lunch time!"

"Wait, you're not working this morning?" Sophie asks.

"Nah, I have a few files I need to drop off at town hall," he says. He doesn't elaborate so I don't ask about it.

"Ok, bye Grady!"

"Bye Sophie. Have a good day at school!"

"Thanks!"

I hop into the car and Edaline drives me to Foxfire. We don't talk much. She's probably still thinking about Jolie. It makes me wish I never tried the hairstyle. But then I look in the rearview mirror and it just looks so pretty!

"How is Verdi doing?"

Verdi is a cat that recently came to the clinic from the pound. She came in with a broken paw and was extremely malnourished. We took her in and Edaline and Grady immediately got to work fixing her up.

They gave her nutrients and wrapped up her paw. It's still healing but I have a feeling that after she's done, we might adopt her. All three of us got extremely attached during her healing phase.

"She's doing well! Only one more day until we can remove the cast!"

"Yay!"

We pull up into the drop off lane at Foxfire.

"Thanks Edaline!"

"You're welcome! Have a great day sweetie!"

"See you later!"

I walk into the main hall and immediately spot Dex.

"Hey Sophie!" he waves.

"Hey Dex!" I sit down next to him on a bench. "Have you seen Marella?"

"Not yet! But she normally comes late."

I look around the room and see people walking in. Everyone's eyes turn to one particular door. I look and see Biana and Fitz walk in. They talk to a few people before Biana and I make eye contact.

She breaks away from the crown immediately and skips towards us, dragging Fitz behind her.

"Hi Dex! Hi Sophie! OMG your hair looks AMAZING!"

I blush. "I couldn't have done it without that youtube video!"

"Right? Vertina is a LIFESAVER"

Fitz looks up from his phone and looks at me and says, "Oh, cute hairstyle Sophie," before going back to texting.

My blush deepens even more.

He called my hairstyle cute! That's practically like calling me cute!

And then I realized what he said. Wait, cute? Like adorable-cute? What if he thinks of me as a little sister? I am friends with his younger sister! What if I'm destined to be trapped in the sister zone forever? Nooooooooooo!

My downward spiral is interrupted by Marella. "Hi everyone!"

We all say hi (more like muttering in Fitz's case).
"Wait, where's Keefe?" she asks.

Biana looks around. "I'm not sure. He was dropped off with us this morning, but he said he had to go do something before the morning announcements."

She gave me a look. "In other words, he's up to trouble."

I laugh. "I wonder what he's doing."

"Hopefully nothing to make Ms. Cadence mad! I heard it's her turn to choose lunch today!" Dex says.

I shoot him a confused look.

"Oh yeah I forgot to tell you. Everyday, the staff members take turns choosing the day's lunch," he explains. "Let's see Normally Mrs. Alexine, Mr. Conley, and Ms. Dara have good picks."

"Yeah! But make sure to bring lunch from home on Elwin's day! He always chooses the worst stuff!" Biana warns.

"Who's Elwin?" Sophie asks.

"He's the school nurse," Marella explains. "He's super nice! Once I cut my hand during woodshop class and he was able to fix it immediately. He even gave me a lollipop!"

I smile but shiver on the inside. I hate doctors. Ever since I had a horrible allergic reaction when I was 5 and had to be strapped up to scary machines. Thankfully, I never had to encounter one again, other than the annual physicals.

"Welcome to your second back from break everyone!" A voice says, booming from the loudspeakers. "I hope to see everyone on their best behavior today. Anyway, our lunch for today will be.."

I see Dex and Marella crossing their fingers.

"Cheese pizza and curly fries."

"YES!" Dex pumps his fist in celebration. Cheers are being heard throughout the school.

"WHAT? This is not what Ms. Galvin has chosen today. This must be a mistake!" Principal Alina says angrily.

"It's fine. A simple adjustment. Ok! Today's words of wisdom are 'Keep calm and be Keefe.'" Everyone around us start laughing.

"KEEFE? WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?"

The microphone produces a bunch of static and then Keefe's voice is heard on the loudspeaker. "That is all from me today everyone. Remember to find my vlog on Instagram and comment ideas on what I should do next with my buddy Alina here!"

The static crackles and then stops. A bell signals the end of morning announcements.

"Oh my god. I thought I talked him out of doing that this morning!" Biana groans.

"Of course he did that. Has to get attention from the girls somehow," Fitz says jokingly.

Even Dex looks like he approves. "Hey, all I can say is can't wait for pizza during lunch!"

We all cheer.

"Ok we should head to first period," Biana says. "See you all at lunch!"