Sofia: Phoenix Rising - Fire and Water Book 2
Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

I’m pretty sure we didn’t end up leaving my bedroom until roughly 6 p.m. Sunday evening and that is only because Ash forced me to. We ordered pizza when we arrived back at my human house and invited Lori over. “I can’t stay too late though, I want to do well on that English exam, Sofie.” Crap! I had forgot all about that stupid test. I mean I know I was unconscious for the last week but still.

“Stay for a couple of hours and hang. I’ve missed you so much.” I look at Lori with sad, wide eyes; silently begging her to stay for a while. She nods her head that she will and then the doorbell rings, indicating that the pizza has arrived. And let me tell you, I am absolutely starving.

We sit in the family room on the large brown sectional that takes up a huge majority of the room with me sitting in the middle, Lori leaning against my right side and Ash snuggled against my left side. It was the most fun and all we did was stuff our faces full of junk food and watch silly sitcoms.

Around nine o’clock Lori stands up and announces that she is going to go home. I walk her to the front door and give her a big bear hug and then whisper, “we need to meet up in the morning. I’ve got some big news to share with you.” She takes a step back to look me in the eyes, arches an eyebrow and tilts her head to one side as she peers at me curiously. Just then I hear Ash walk into the entryway, so I smile at Lori and tell her goodbye and that I will see her tomorrow.

Ash and I drive separately because I want to get to school early so I can talk with Lori about what has happened between me and Ash. “Hey Sofia, wait up!” I hear someone shouting behind me as I walk through the entrance of the high school. Turning my head to whomever yelled for me to wait, I see Blake jogging up to me. “Can I chat with for a sec?” Looking around, I make sure that there isn’t anyone with him before nodding my head yes and then he takes my hand and leads me into the theater room just off to the left of the entrance of the school lobby.

“What’s up Blake? I don’t really feel comfortable chatting with you when Ashley has some sort of vendetta towards me. I’d rather avoid enraging her any more than I apparently already have.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I look at him expectantly for his response.

“I swear there isn’t a soul who knows I am here talking with you right now. And I promise, Ashley isn’t going to pick on you anymore. I didn’t know she had planned on tormenting, or I would have put a stop to it before she went through with it.” He sighs and looks at me apologetically. “I just wanted to ask you about why you haven’t attempted to rescue your parents yet?”

“Uh, what?” I stare at Blake in shock. “What are you talking about? I don’t even know where they are being held. How would I rescue them?”

“Are you serious? I told you in one of your dreams roughly a week ago where they are being held. I assumed you would have gone once you woke up Friday morning to break them free. Yet all is quiet, no commotion or news from my dad of your parents escaping. So, I was just wondering why you didn’t.”

Vaguely I recall being at my human house with Ash and Charlie and we were waiting for Lori because we were going to go somewhere and oh my stars, that was what we were getting ready to do before I became wicked sick and passed out. “Yeah, I became really sick and ended up passing out. I was unconscious until this past Saturday. My sickness must have made me lose my memories, because I don’t even remember being in a dream with you.”

Blake stares at me dumbfounded for a moment, processing my words, “holy shit! Are you okay Sofia? I didn’t know anything had happened to you. I haven’t really been going to classes, so I had no idea you’ve been absent for the last week.

“I’m alright now.” I have a couple of questions for him, and I was just about to ask them when my cell phone chimed. Grabbing it from my back pocket I see that Lori has sent me a message telling me she has arrived at school and that she is looking for me. “Shoot, I have to go. Lori is looking for me. Can we maybe chat a little more, later today?”

Blake nods his head yes and I turn from him, walking out of the theater and collide with Lori. “Hey, what were you doing in the theater?” She looks at me quizzically because I really have no reason to be in the theater.

“Oh, um, nothing. Thought I heard something and went to see what it was, but not a thing. I’m probably losing my mind.” I shrug my shoulders and roll my eyes at myself.

“You’re such a dork!” Lori states as we begin to walk down the hallway. “So... What’s this big news you want to share with me?”

I give her a Cheshire like grin and since we are near the women’s restrooms, pull her inside. After looking under the stalls to make sure no one else is in here with us, I hop on the counter where the sinks are. “Guess what Ash and I have done!”

“What! No way, you didn’t...” As she is saying this, I am nodding my head up and down that yes, we did. “You slept with Ash! But I thought that Ash had promised your father that you two wouldn’t.”

“Shh, not so loud. I don’t need people talking about me again.” I can’t seem to keep the stupid grin from my face though. “Stars above, I love him so much Lori.” She rolls her eyes at my statement which makes me smile all the wider.

“Ugh, you two make me sick.” She makes a face as though she is about to throw up and I shove her in the shoulder. “Ow, what was that for,” she asks pretending to be shocked. Lori grins and then adds, “come on Chicka, let’s get to our lockers before the bell rings.

Just as I push the restroom door open, I feel it being pulled away from me at the same time. “If it isn’t the perfect ‘little bird’,” I hear Ashley say snidely as I practically collide with her. I want to punch her so badly and probably would have if Lori hadn’t been with me.

“And if it isn’t bitchy Ashley!” Lori retorts. She then takes my hand and pulls me the rest of the way out of the bathroom, leading me down the hallway towards our lockers and away from miss priss.

“Thank the skies you were with me Lori,” I say as we stop in front of our lockers. “If you hadn’t been with me, I’m pretty positive I would have punched her and not have felt bad in the slightest for having done so.” We both grin at each other because we both have the same mental image of me swinging at Ashely in our heads.

“Oh, hey there lover boy!” I hear Lori say to someone as I am rummaging inside my locker.

“Ouch!” I rub my hand on the back of my head, having hit it hard against the top shelf as I try to quickly remove myself from within the metal walls of the locker. As I turn my head to see who Lori is talking with, I see her and Ash laughing loudly at me. You told Lori? Ash is speaking inside my head and my cheeks and neck turn bright red as I look at him. I hate blushing! Ignoring his mental question, I say, “hey babe,” and then give him a quick kiss on the cheek. Giving Lori a glare, I am just about to ask them if they are ready to head to class when the bell shrills overhead, indicating that ready or not, we best be getting our butts to homeroom!

Even though Blake had sought me out early this morning, I haven’t seen him the rest of the day. It is like he has vanished into thin air. This makes me even more curious as to why he feels like helping me but then the bell rings overhead letting us know lunch period is over and I become distracted with putting my tray up and gathering my stuff for my next class. Making my way down the hall, I realize I somehow managed to leave my cell phone back in the cafeteria. “Shoot,” turning on my heel, I dash back down the hallway to retrieve it.

“Gah! What the--” I shout out as I throw my hands out in front of me so as not to land flat on my face. I know I said I’m not the most graceful before, but I am not one who typically trips over my own feet. Somehow, I manage to stay fairly upright, and I look around wanting to make sure no one has witnessed my near catastrophe only to spot Ashley ducking around the corner of library door. So, I hadn’t accidentally tripped over my own feet. That stupid witch caused me to fall forward.

My vision goes red with hate. I want to hurt her so badly that my body begins to shake with the anger rolling through me. Phoenix calls to me, encouraging me to go after her. Flames begin to flare from my clenched fists, and I start to walk towards the library doors. Sofia! Where are you? I can feel the anger rising in you. What’s wrong? Hearing Ash’s voice inside my head brings me back to my senses and I stop myself from entering the library. Taking a deep breath, I force myself to return back to the lunch table grab my phone and quickly hurry to my next class.