Dear Diary

Chapter 52

The past week had been rather different for Sophia since she was silently declared 'Queen Bee' of Ridgeview High. The first few days found her phone being filled with appreciative essays from unknown numbers and it made her wonder how they even got their hands on her number in the first place.

Eventually Sophia grew so tired of the incessant notification beep on her phone that she switched it off altogether, and it has remained that way ever since. 

During school hours it was even worse. Sophia was not used to so many people clambering around her and copying her dress-style that Alice and Blair soon became her unspoken bodyguards. 

Fights almost broke out multiple times when Rachel's followers tried to push their way into being Sophia's closest friends. It was something Alice would not take lying down.

Rachel on the other hand, had become a ghost to the school. She was never seen in the hallways, only in class. She looked a little worse for wear now; her makeup and hair not as perfect as it was before.

Mindy however, was doing much better now that her bully no longer featured in her life. A bit of colour had returned to her cheeks and her eyes appeared brighter. Her appetite had improved too, but Sophia still kept a close eye on her just in case she had a relapse.

Sunday had come soon enough and Sophia felt rather happy to be back in the company of the Woods family. She had missed the twins' constant bickering and Mrs Woods' delicious food.

At the moment they were still driving home after church with Sophia and all three Woods children crammed in the backseat. Not that Sophia minded. She felt happy for a change.

"Oh yes, Sophia," Mrs Woods said as she turned in her front seat to look at her. 

Her pixie haircut had grown out a bit and Sophia could see a small amount of brown regrowth appearing. For a moment, Sophia wondered what the woman would look like with brown hair.

"I was thinking, because you and Luke are going to begin exams soon, I wanted to make a relaxed lunch by cooking some meat on the fire. What do you think?"

And just like that, Sophia's happy mood evaporated completely. Fire. She felt her expression drop while her heart accelerated, but she forced a smile. 

"That sounds nice, but aren't open ... fires banned?" she asked, hoping they didn't hear her pause before that word.

"Nonsense!" Mr Woods piped up from the front as he turned into their driveway. "People have fires in their homes all the time in winter. What's the difference if we cook food on it? We do it all the time. It'll be in the fireplace out on the patio."

Luke nudged her arm. "There's nothing better than a flame-grilled lamb chop straight from the fire," he said with a bright, excited smile. 

Sophia gave a tight one in return, trying to mirror his enthusiasm, but she couldn't stop the dread from filling her chest.

Everyone piled out of the car once it came to a stop and the twins rushed into the house to get out of their restricting clothes. Sophia, on the other hand, dragged her feet as slowly as she could. She was in the hallway when Luke came up to her with a broad smile on his handsome face. 

"Hey, do you want to help me start the fire?" he asked and Sophia wracked her brain to find an excuse. 

She heard a pot clatter in the kitchen.

"I think I should see if your mom needs any help. I'll help you next time," she said and quickly slipped into the kitchen before he could persuade her otherwise. "Do you need any help?" Sophia asked when she saw Mrs Woods place potatoes on the counter.

"If you don't mind, dear," Mrs Woods gave her a sheepish grin.

Sophia couldn't help but think of  how much the gesture reminded her of Luke.  Although Luke looked like his father, his mannerisms were exactly like his mother. 

"Could you peel and cut the potatoes so I can roast them? I'll get started on the salad," Mrs Woods instructed kindly as she moved to the fridge.

Sophia nodded and grabbed the peeler from the cutlery drawer. For the last little while, Mrs Woods has actually started teaching Sophia how to cook. She was still a long way off, but she was getting there. When she first started, she couldn't help but wonder if that was what it felt like to be taught by a mother.

The two females worked in companionable silence, but Sophia took slightly longer than she usually did with the potatoes, hoping to stall time before she had to go outside to the fire. She didn't even face the window, just in case she got a glimpse of it.

"Claire, don't forget to season the meat!" Mr Woods called from the backyard.

"Already done it, dear!" Mrs Woods called back as she placed the salad in the fridge and wiped her hands on her apron.

"Sophia, it'll still be a good hour before the coals are ready. Why don't you join us outside and enjoy the fire?"

Her? Enjoy a fire? That was literally impossible, but she didn't let Luke's mom see her thoughts. 

She forced a smile instead. "I'll just finish up here and come."

"Alright," Mrs Woods said as she hung her apron on its hook and walked out the kitchen. 

As soon as Sophia was alone she placed the knife on the counter and stared at her shaking hands for a moment. She clenched them into fists and let out a sigh, closing her eyes tightly and willing her racing heart to slow.

She took a moment to compose herself before finishing cutting the potatoes and placing them on a tray. Once they were safely placed in the pre-heated oven and after Sophia had spent an unnecessary five minutes washing her hands, she stared at the backdoor. 

Was she really going to go out there? She knew she couldn't hide in the kitchen for another forty-five minutes.

Reluctantly she placed her hand on the gold doorknob, the chill doing nothing for her racing heart. 

Just keep your eyes to the ground. 

She tried to turn the knob, but her body froze at the thought of what was beyond its protection. 

"No, it'll be fine," she chanted to herself. 

Mr Woods said it was in a fireplace. Nothing will happen.

But as soon as Sophia opened the door her eyes connected with the dancing flames and she felt her body turn cold as her heart thudded in her chest. 

"Hey, Soph!" she heard Luke call her, waving her over to sit next to him, but she didn't even budge; her body was paralysed.

"Soph?" Luke's voice sounded more concerned, but she couldn't look at him. 

Her eyes were glued to the orange and red flames that twirled over the blackening wood. 

She felt her heart sprint in her chest as her breathing grew laboured. She had to look away, but she couldn't. The sight before her pinning her to the spot.

"Sophia, are you okay?" Mrs Woods asked, but Sophia couldn't respond. 

Even though she stood a good ten metres away she could feel the oppressive heat of the flames all around her and press down on her, trying to crush her. A shrill cry rang loudly in her ears and she felt sweat pool at the back of her neck as her body began to tremble violently. She couldn't breathe. It felt like smoke clogged her airways and she heaved.

"Sophia!" she heard Luke yell when her knees suddenly buckled beneath her and darkness greeted her as soon as she hit the floor.