The Takeover | Meifiz

Chapter One -The New Girl

Dream high

Sophia Laforteza stands in front of the prestigious high school, staring at the name hanging above the entrance in big, bold letters.

Everything about the school from the large gates, to the trimmed planes and large trees screams money and privilege.

Sophia is used to that; she isn't however, used to wearing a fucking uniform. She looks down her frame and grimaces — sky blue and grey pleated skirt and a fucking tie.

She bites in the bitterness and reminds herself that this ridiculous uniform is a small price to pay for a fresh beginning — God knows she needs it.

And she can't ignore that this school offers the education and opportunity she needs to get into her dream university. Besides, it's her senior year so she just has to endure it for one year and she can continue with her life.

There are students milling around and Sophia has honestly never seen so many polished and preppy kids looking like they've got life all figured out in one place.

She watches a pair of girls with shining platinum blonde hair squeal and embrace each other as they reunite after a long summer apart; Sophia looks away. She isn't familiar with being the new kid but she frankly isn't worried about making new friends. Her plan is to get in and get out as fast as possible with top grades that'll land her a sweet spot in her dream university. Maybe even with a sports scholarship if all goes according to plan.

It's with this mindset that she enters the school, and she isn't expecting much — at least, being befriended by a blonde, overly friendly girl right after her first class.

She's standing by the locker attempting to organize the heavy books she got from the school library when a sudden voice exclaims.

"Hi!"

Sophia startles and spins around, staring at the girl who popped out of nowhere. She's a good few inches taller than Sophia, with long black hair and a smile that seems to glow brighter than the sun.

"Hi," Sophia says after a pause and blinks, "You scared me."

The girl giggles.

"I'm so sorry," she says, "I didn't mean to. Hi, I'm Daniela Avanzini!"

Sophia smiles because she can't deny that Daniela's smile is quite infectious.

"Hi Daniela , I'm Sophia Laforteza."

"I know," and wow, she really loves giggling, "we just had Physics together. Nice to meet you, Sophia!"

She pulls Sophia into an unexpected hug and Sophia's got issues with personal space and strangers, so she almost pulls away, but then she realizes how freaking soft and warm Daniela's hug is — and she smells so good. So Sophia lets herself be hugged as she pats Daniela half-awkwardly on the back.

Daniela pulls away after the litte-too-long hug and beams at her. Sophia smiles back and closes her locker after getting the books she needs for her next class.

"Nice to meet you too, Daniela," she says politely before she turns on her heels and walks down the hallway.

Daniela follows her and struggles to keep up with her long strides, "What class do you have now?"

"Biology."

Daniela lights up. "That's my class too! And, oh you're going the wrong way." She giggles as Sophia stops.

"I've got no sense of direction whatsoever," Sophia said with a soft laugh.

"No problem. Come, we'll walk together."