Chapter 25.

"Sophia! I cannot believe what you've done! I got a phone call at work saying you swore at your tutor, then walked out of school!" My mum shouts.

"You don't understand!" I shout back. "I've had to put up with his sarcastic comments since year 7, and I've finally had enough- you haven't heard what he says to me day in day out!"

"It still doesn't give you the right to swear and walk out!"

"Trust me, it does." I mumble.

"Sophia! Until you understand what you did was wrong, and start to behave like normal again... No seeing Perri and no singing lessons, oh and your grounded." My mum announces.

Wait.

What?

Did I hear her right?

No seeing Perri.

Is she mad?!

"Are you f*cking serious?!" I exclaim, my heart beating faster. "Why are you bringing Perri into this? He's helped me so much recently with everything that has gone on- and now your stopping me from seeing him! Are you trying to ruin our relationship?!"

I don't even care about the other things, just not seeing Perri.

"Now Sophia, you know that's not the case." My mum sighs, shaking her head.

"Well it sure seems like it." I say bluntly, storming up to my room.

I slam my door shut and collapse onto my bed, screaming into my pillow.

Why would she do that to me?

Alright, I know what I did was wrong- but I'd had enough of him.

But stopping me from seeing Perri is a step too far- I can't not see him! I need him.

I've got to get out of this place: clear my head.

It's all getting too much, I can't cope.

I pull a bag out from underneath my bed and begin throwing pieces of clothes into it.

Once I'm done, I grab my laptop and search train times, seeing when the next train to Essex is.

"Sophia?" Jason calls from the landing. "Can I come in."

"Yeah." I reply, kicking my bag under my bed and minimising the website.

"You understand where your mum is coming from don't you?" He sighs, perching on the end of my bed.

"No not really." I say bluntly.

"She trying to get you to realise that if you do something like walking out of school, there is going to consequences." Jason explains.

"Look, I'm not 5!" I say, putting my laptop down. "He was saying that the bruises on my arms were put there by Perri when we 'have fun'- but obviously that's not a good enough comment for me to have a go at him." I say finally getting my point across, since my mum wouldn't listen.

Jason looks shocked.

Good, at least now he knows why I flipped out at Mr Graham.

"Soph I-"

"Don't bother, it's fine- I can't see Perri, it's not like mum's going to change her mind." I sigh, turning on the TV to make it look like I aren't bothered.

Even though it's killing me inside.

"Well, look, I'm sorry Sophia- I know it must be hard." He says, standing up and heading to the door. "I'm sure your mum will realise how important he is to you."

He leaves my room and I'm left thinking about what to do.

Should I go down to Essex?

Or should I stick it out here?

No, I'm going to end up going crazy. I need to get out of here- otherwise I will just get snappy with everyone and cause more arguments.

I open up the website and scroll down to the train I will have to take. The latest one is 10:30pm. Perfect- everyone will be in bed.

I order my tickets and check the nearest hotels to see if they have spaces; they do- which is good! This all seems to be working out perfectly.

I logout of my laptop and push it to the end of my bed, standing up and trudging downstairs.

Act like everything's normal.

I slide into my seat next to Archie and pick up my fork, stabbing it into a chip.

You could cut the tension with a knife.

"So, are you still mad Sophia?" My mum asks, pushing some food around her plate.

Really mum?

Really?

"I'm fine." I say, putting some food in my mouth, so I don't have to speak.

I finish my food and put my plate into the dishwasher before jogging back upstairs.

I change into a fresh pair of leggings and a warm hoodie, pull a pair of fluffy socks over my feet before collapsing onto my bed and grabbing my phone.

To Perri 🙈: hey is it cool if I come down soon?👀💙

I lock my phone and sit up, getting my makeup wipes and removing all of my makeup.

From Perri 🙈: yeah of course! You don't have to ask ❤️😋

I smile at my screen and put the dirty makeup wipe into the bin before replying.

I tie my hair up into a messy bun before climbing into bed and closing my eyes.

My door creaks open and my mum creeps closer towards my bed.

"Oh Sophia. You know I would let you see him, if only you wouldn't of swore at your teacher."

A twinge of heartache occurs in my chest. If she feels that bad, then why doesn't she just let me see him.

At 10pm, when the house is deadly silent, I grab a piece of paper with a pen and use my torch as a light.

Look, your probably going to be angry at me. Well I know your going to be angry, and I don't blame you. But I need to go for a few days to calm down and sort myself out with everything that's happened recently.

Don't worry, I'm fine and I will text you later today.

I'm sorry...

Sophia x

I push back the covers and climb out of bed. I wiggle my feet quietly into my superstars and make my bed, placing the note in the middle.

I drag my bag out from under the bed and stuff my phone into my hoody pocket.

I tiptoe my way along the landing, trying to make no sound- yet when everything else is silent, every little noise you make is 100 times louder.

I reach the bottom of the stairs and unlock the door as quietly as I could. I pull open the door and feel the cold air on my face and notice the taxi parked outside, one that I called for earlier.

Am I doing the right thing?

Should I just close the door and climb back into bed?

No, I feel like I have to do this, for myself.

I step outside and gently close the door to. I jog across the gravel, pulling a face at how loud I was being, and climb into the back of the taxi.

"Station please." I smile, sighing back into the seat.

10 minutes later and we pull up outside the station. I sniff and wipe away a tear that was crawling down my cheek.

Everything since the incident with my dad has really effected me. Nothing used to get to me, but now everything does.

"You okay miss?" The driver asks.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine- here's your money." I reply passing him a fiver.

"Cheers."

"Thanks." I say getting out and making my way to the familiar platform.

--------

The screech of wheels wakes me up. I rub my eyes and check the time on my phone. 23:40.

I fling my bag over my shoulder and make my way off the train, finding a empty taxi and telling the driver Perri and Mitch's address.

15 minutes later we pull up outside and I climb out, paying the driver on the way.

I blow out all the nerves that have been building up inside of me and knock on the door.

I will not cry.

I will not cry.

The door cracks open and a confused Mitch stands behind it.

"Sophia?" He asks, pulling me inside. "What are you doing?!"

"I don't really know." I say shaking my head, my bottom lip quivering.

The next thing I know I'm engulfed in a tight hug. I sniff into his shoulder and he pulls us apart, studying my face.

"What the hell has happened?" He asks, concerned.

"Mitch, who was it?" Perri asks, emerging from upstairs, a gaming headset around his neck. "Soph? Sophia?!"

"Hey." I say quietly.

"What's happened?" He asks rushing over.

"I don't really know myself." I reply, my bottom lip quivering again.

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Heyyy!

Bit of a longer part today 🙌

Hope your enjoying the storyline- trying to put some more drama into it. 😁

Vote and comment 💙 I love reading it and responding 💛