Sophia and Donovan interaction! What you've asked for and here it is for you! Yo welcome!

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Sophia stared at her phone, knowing what her next move in the chess match should be but didn't make it. She didn't move, didn't listen to the constant chatter of the invaders of her table, or acknowledge the world around her.

Looking back, she could see where she'd been at fault but a step further back was a fault that wasn't hers.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught movement. She glanced over to see Zander inching an origami frog over to her. The sight of the perfectly folded paper and Zander's tiny smile at nudging it to her made her want to smile. But she didn't feel like she had the right to smile, not with what she'd done.

When she lifted her gaze to Zander's, she didn't smile, didn't react.

Instead, she pushed her tray of uneaten food away and stood. Around her, she became aware of how the conversations had stopped and everyone at the table watched her and Zander.

She wanted to lash out at them, tell them to leave a table that had never been theirs, and let her life be her own to live without their curious looks.

But she thought of the incident of before and held her words back.

As she walked away, she knew her mother would approve of her self-control, even if what she wanted to say still sat heavy in her mind.

At her locker, she opened it but didn't do more than that. She'd left the cafeteria but hadn't formed a plan beyond that. Coming to her locker felt like a natural and logical step. It felt normal when she currently felt like a mathematical equation with a mistake in it.

"You can tell me what I did wrong," Zander said, coming up beside her. "If you do, I'll know what to do to fix it. Or even if I don't I'll ask someone to help me fix it. I could even ask you and you'd tell me how to fix it. So you can tell me. Please don't go quiet on me."

When she faced him, she found wide, caring eyes looking at her. She liked the way he looked at her because it was always honest to who he was. She knew how to respond to him.

"My silence has nothing to do with you or anything you have done. You don't need to worry."

"Oh." Zander relaxed and fiddled with something in his hands. Only then did Sophia notice the origami frog. Zander held it up to her.

"Since you're not mad at me, can you still accept my gift?"

"I don't feel like I should be given a present right now."

Zander cocked his head then nodded once. She didn't know what the nod was for but didn't question it, since Zander would explain. She'd learned this about him, and liked it, he spoke his mind clearly. She never felt confused with him.

"You might not feel like you deserve a gift now," Zander said, gently placing the frog in her locker. "But when you do, it will be there because I want to give you a gift."

"Okay."

The bell rang and Sophia looked at her gift for a long moment.

"Is there anything I can do to help you with what you're going through?" Zander asked. "I don't always have good solutions but I know how to listen."

"Thank you, but there is only one person I feel I can talk to."

"Oh, okay. Can I at least walk you to your class?"

"Yes, but I don't feel like talking."

Zander smiled. "Okay."

******

When Sophia climbed into the back of Harrison's car, she didn't say anything to either him or Kennedy. She felt Harrison watching her in the rearview mirror but continued to stare out her window.

"Want me to drop you off at your place?" Harrison asked.

"No. I will be coming over to Kennedy's apartment."

Out of the corner of her eye, Sophia saw as Harrison took his gaze off her and turned it to Kennedy. Neither of them spoke, but Sophia felt the weight of the exchange. She knew with that shared look what was to come next and took a breath.

She easily predicted Kennedy's next action and wished that she could avoid it. But growing up with Kennedy she understood at this point the best path to take was to let Kennedy have her say, assure her that what she said or suggested was not necessary, and let that be the end.

But today, already burdened with her own mood, Sophia didn't want to have to deal with Kennedy's.

But before she could formulate a way to head Kennedy off, Kennedy had loosened her seatbelt and twisted around in her seat to look at Sophia.

"Okay, what's the person's name?" Kennedy said. "And what did they do to you?"

Sophia didn't answer right away. She wondered if she could misdirect Kennedy.

"I am normally silent," she said.

"Agreed, but not this type of silent. We know the difference."

At that statement, Sophia wondered if Kennedy and Harrison both cataloged people's silences and organized what meanings were portrayed by each type of silence.

"I'm serious," Kennedy said. "No one gets to hurt you and get away with it."

"No one hurt me," Sophia said.

This was not the whole truth but the hurt she'd caused far outweighed the hurt she'd received, she knew this.

"I don't believe you and I want-"

"Kennedy!" Sophia swallowed and clutched her fists. She counted to five in her head and breathed slowly. "I apologize for yelling. But I would like it if you'd stop asking about the matter. If you find that too hard then I can take the metro home."

"You don't have to do that," Harrison jumped in. He tugged at Kennedy's blazer. "Sit down. You can be as quiet as you want Sophia. We are here if you need to talk but Kenny will be shutting up right now."

Kennedy looked at Harrison, mouth open but he twisted his head to her and she sank back in her seat. Sophia returned to staring out the window. Though she appreciated that Kennedy stopped interrogating her, she now had to sit in the silence of the car.

This silence she knew to be conflicting since Kennedy's silence never felt subtle. Harrison's silence she didn't mind though she knew it was tangled with her own as he kept glancing at the rearview mirror.

When they all entered Kennedy's apartment, Kennedy dropped her silence and moved about loudly.

"Do you want something to eat? I'm hungry," she said, as she turned on music and walked into the kitchen.

"No thank you," Sophia said.

She claimed a spot at the dining table as Harrison joined Kennedy in the kitchen. They discussed what to eat and Sophia relaxed a fraction, knowing she had slipped into the back of their minds for the time being.

Through snacks, and talk of homework before the talk got put into action, Sophia remained in her spot and built a tiny, isolated world for herself with textbooks and notes.

Only when the door to the apartment opened a few hours later, did she break from her self-made fortress.

Donovan and Carter walked inside and took in the trio spread out at the table and on the couch. Sophia efficiently gathered up her things and packed them up. Leaving her backpack by the chair, she approached the pair now putting groceries away in the kitchen.

"Hi, Sophia," Carter said.

She smiled at Sophia. Sophia always appreciated Carter's smile. It was kind but never exuberant. It meant that Sophia could still feel what she currently felt at the time without feeling like she needed to hide it in order for the other person to feel comfortable. Right then she didn't smile back and knew that Carter wouldn't be offended.

"Hello," she said. She waited for Donovan to turn away from the fridge and could make eye contact with him. "Donovan, can I talk to you in private?"

Donovan nodded. "Of course."

Sophia liked that he didn't react like Harrison and Kennedy by looking at Carter before answering. He simply accepted her request.

Together, they left the apartment and ascended the stairs to the roof. Sophia directed them to the edge of the roof and away from the comfy chairs set up. It wasn't the type of talk that deserved comfy chairs.

At the railing, Donovan rested his arms on the stone and gazed out on the city. He didn't ask what Sophia wanted to talk about or even look at her and pressure her to talk right away by doing so.

Where her father's silence was familiar and comfortable to her, she always knew his silence held thousands of thoughts, half of them being about her.

With Donovan, his silence was like an open door into an empty room. Inside there were no preconceived notions or assumptions.

This was why Sophia had come to him.

"I made someone cry today," she said.

Donovan looked at her but she saw no judgment, no accusation, no disappointment. He was. That was all she needed.

Sophia broke contact with him and studied the stone railing. Pebbles dotted the top of it and one by one she collected them and laid them out in a line.

"His name is Charlas Wellmen. He is a junior. We share a table in math."

She collected more pebbles and made a second line that exactly mirrored the first.

"He called me a robot freak."

The second row complete, she made a third.

"I told him... I told him he was a simpleton that would spend his life living off his family's wealth, never making a name for himself. That he'd never live up to anyone's expectations."

Sophia stopped collecting pebbles and looked at the fine layer of dust that had accumulated on her fingers.

She finally lifted her gaze. "You can tell me I'm a terrible person now."

"Is that what you want to hear?" Donovan asked.

"It's the truth."

"No, it's a general statement that makes you feel less guilty about what you did."

Sophia didn't say anything, this time it was her silence that let Donovan speak without encountering any barriers.

"Making a blanket statement that you are a terrible person lets you off for what you did," Donovan said. "If you are only a terrible person then you acted as you always would. There is no changing your nature. It means that you don't have to feel bad for what you did since that is who you are. What you said was cruel. You knew it was and you decided to say it anyways. That was a choice."

Sophia blinked hard, her eyes stinging. "It was a choice. What he said really hurt. It hurt so much that I wanted him to hurt as much I did."

"I can understand that. And you made him hurt as much as you. Do you believe you are justified in what you did since you repaid him for the hurt he caused you?"

"No. I know I am not supposed to lash out even if others do. But... I do not know how to fix a problem that I felt I didn't start. If he had not hurt me I wouldn't have hurt him."

Donovan turned to the side and rested against the railing. Sophia looked up at him and found he still felt neutral. His emotions and thoughts were his and his alone, he put none of them on Sophia.

"Even though this might not make sense, it is a lesson that you will have to learn and practice every day: even when others choose to treat you unfairly what you must strive to do is treat them as you wished they would treat you. That means even if they insult you, do not insult them back."

"Why?"

"Because more than for their sake, it's for your own. How did it feel when you made Charles cry?"

Sophia dropped her gaze, thinking about the sickening twist in her stomach, the niggling pain in her chest, and the way everything around felt closed off from her for her action. How she didn't even want to accept Zander's gift because she felt that she didn't deserve it.

"Awful," Sophia said.

"That's a good thing. It means next time you will work at having more control over how you react. Do you understand?"

"Yes." She touched her grid of pebbles. "I never made someone cry before. I know I'm supposed to apologize but will words be enough to make it right?"

"Words are a good start but you might think of how you'd like someone to act if they hurt you and were trying to make it right."

"Okay. I can think about that." She gave Donovan a tiny smile. "Thank you. I knew you would be the right person to talk to."

"How come?"

"Because you wouldn't want to come to my defense but Charles'. Carter would not have been the same way."

"And your parents?"

"Mama would focus on making sure I fully understood where I was wrong while still understanding my hurt. Father. He'd want to know the name of the boy and hurt him as well."

Donovan nodded. "I see."

"Can you give me a ride home now, I have something I must do."

"Of course."

They left the rooftop and Sophia knew it didn't fully make sense since her weight hadn't changed as she stood on the rooftop, but she felt lighter.

In the Keller apartment, Carter looked up from her phone as they walked inside. She met Sophia's gaze but cut to her husband. Again, Sophia knew that they were sharing unspoken words. Something she'd seen them do often.

"Are you staying for dinner?" Carter asked.

"No," Sophia said. "Donovan is driving me home."

"Okay, it was good seeing you."

Sophia nodded and gathered her things. She didn't know where Kennedy and Harrison were but felt grateful she didn't need to answer the questions they would have most likely wanted to ask her. The issue didn't involve them and since she planned to handle it also without them then they didn't need to know. Though she imagined the next morning would mean being asked about it.

When they arrived at her house, Sophia opened the door but focused back on Donovan.

"Thank you for controlling your feelings," she said. "It makes it very easy to talk to you."

Donovan smiled and Sophia had that feeling she got when her parents smiled at her, like she was being wrapped up in someone's arms without ever having to be touched.

"I'm glad you know you can talk to me," he said.

"Do you want to know how it goes with Charles tomorrow?"

"Only if you feel like sharing that information with me."

"Okay. I'll text you."

Sophia climbed out and shut the car door. Without looking back she ascend the steps to her house and walked in. By the time she had hung her jacket in the closet and put her shoes on the rack, her mother appeared in the foyer.

"How was school?" her mother asked.

"Will you help me make cookies so that I can give them to someone as an apology?" Sophia asked.

"Yes. Will you tell me what happened as we do?"

"Yes."

As they worked, Sophia laid out the events followed by Donovan's advice, her solution, and the hope that it would have a positive conclusion. The whole time, her mother never spoke, listening and calmly instructing Sophia. By the time the first patch was going in, Sophia had finished talking.

"I do have something else to add," she said. Her mother merely looked at her with that always present patient expression. "I'm sorry I failed to control my anger and didn't count to five in my head and take a breath before responding. You taught me to do that and I didn't. I hope that you can forgive me."

Her mother wrapped her in a hug and kissed Sophia's head. Still holding her, she spoke.

"You are going to get angry," her mother said. "That's natural. You're even going to hurt people when you do get angry. I'm proud of you for understanding where you went wrong and seeing how to make it right. People often don't realize that guilt comes from hurting someone but also from not working to make it right." She leaned back and cupped Sophia's face. "I hope that Charles forgives you but know that even if he doesn't that you have done what you could to make it better."

Sophia nodded. The front door opened and a second later her father walked into the kitchen. He paused, taking in Yvette holding Sophia's face and the evidence of cookies being made.

"All right, who did what, and what do I need to do to them to make them pay?" he asked.

******

When Sophia got into the back of Harrison's car the next morning, she settled the two bags on her lap and waited. She knew it would likely be only a minute before Kennedy asked her what had happened and what was in the brown bags.

But to Sophia's surprise and confusion, neither Kennedy nor Harrison questioned her. Instead, they argued about who would win in a fistfight, Thor or Captain America.

Though Sophia didn't know how to process Kennedy not following her typical interrogation tactic, she felt relieved she didn't need to explain herself. Explaining first to Donovan then her mama and finally her father felt like enough.

When Harrison parked the car and they all climbed out, Sophia felt she'd cleared the confusion.

"Your mother told you not to ask me about yesterday, didn't she?" Sophia asked.

"Yes! And it's killing me! I mean, come on. If something is going on with you, I feel like we should both know. How else are we supposed to have your back if we don't know who is the one stabbing it."

"No one is stabbing my back," Sophia said.

"No, but if Harrison and I don't know anything, someone might."

"You think I'm important enough to be assassinated?" Sophia asked.

"That's not what Kenny meant," Harrison said.

Sophia smiled and Harrison and Kennedy froze.

"I was making a joke," Sophia said. "I hoped that it would help you both understand that I am okay and your concern is not needed for this situation."

"Oh," Kennedy said. "Fine, I still won't ask. You do seem better than yesterday so I guess I'll have to settle for that. But next time." She pointed at Sophia. "Next time you come to us, okay?"

"I am not going to promise that."

Kennedy didn't seem surprised by Sophia's refusal and Sophia appreciated that Kennedy understood Sophia was more likely to seek the wisdom and counsel of an adult before going to her.

It wasn't that she didn't feel comforted by Kennedy's want to help her, she simply saw that Kennedy's temper was more likely to cause additional trouble rather than solve the issue calmly.

Inside the school, Sophia excused herself from Harrison and Kennedy, cutting her way through the throngs of students. She found Charles among his group of friends. She strode up to him and tapped his shoulder.

When he glanced at her, she saw his eyes widen a fraction and didn't know if it was from surprise or possibly fear. She had made him cry, she didn't know if that was enough to make him nervous to see her.

"May I talk to you in private?" she asked.

Charles didn't answer right away, looking at his circle of friends first. Sophia waited, not knowing if they knew of the incident or not. If they didn't, she didn't want to talk of it in front of them in case that made it embarrassing for him.

"Yeah," he said.

They left the group, finding a more secluded spot in a hall that led to the staff room.

"What do you want?" Charles asked.

Sophia held out the bag of cookies to him. "I would like to apologize for what I said to you. I made you cookies because I know when I feel hurt that sometimes something sweet can feel comforting. What I said was cruel and I hope that you can forgive me."

Charles hesitated a second before taking the cookies. He stared down at them. Sophia said nothing, simply standing there. She didn't know how to interrupt his silence since she didn't know him well enough. She hoped he would answer and give her some clue whether her gift had been the right one and if she'd said enough to convey that she was sorry she'd hurt him.

"You made these for me?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Thanks," he said.

"You're welcome."

She still waited, wanting to know if her apology was accepted. Charles let out a breath and rubbed the back of his neck. He looked down the hall and then at her.

"I'm sorry for what I said."

"I accept your apology. Though it does not justify what I said, I was hurt by your words."

Charles held her gaze. "I'm really sorry."

"Thank you for saying that."

For a second longer, neither of them said anything then Charles took a step back towards the noisy hallway. "I'll see you around."

He walked away and Sophia remained there for a minute, not wanting to walk with him and make him feel he needed to be friends with her.

At her locker, she found the frog Zander had made her sitting inside. She took it down and turned it over, taking in the precious of its creation.

"Are you accepting my present now?" Zander asked.

"Yes, I am. And I have something for you as well." She handed him the second bag of cookies. "I had to make these to apologize to someone and I realized I could also make some for you as a return present."

"Woah! Really? No one has ever made me cookies before," he said. He opened the bag and shoved a full cookie into his mouth. "Thank you."

With the cookie in his mouth, it came out more muffled but Sophia understood. She set the frog back in her locker.

"I want to apologize to you if how I responded to you was rude."

Zander shook his head and swallowed. "No. You said it wasn't about me."

"Thank you for taking that at face value."

"It's what I like about you, you say exactly what you mean. I've grown up going to all-boy schools, they tell you what they're thinking and sometimes with an insult. It was nice you didn't add an insult. Besides, it's how you've always talked to me. The first time we met you said you struggle to make small talk with people you don't know but if I'd like to hear facts about pandas, you'd be happy to share."

"It was a phase I was going through."

"You don't like pandas anymore."

"I like them I simply don't feel the need to educate everyone I meet about them."

Zander cocked his head and Sophia wasn't sure how to decipher the look. It was curious and thoughtful but she couldn't pinpoint why her statement about pandas would produce such a reaction.

"What if your nickname was Panda?" he asked.

"I don't see the correlation between pandas and my name, which is usually how a nickname is formed."

"Or they are formed from connections between two things. When I think of pandas, I think of you. I thought of you as Panda Girl for a couple months after our first meeting. Also, pandas are lovable rare animals."

"Not most people find me lovable."

"That's because they don't take the time to know you."

"So I'm your Panda?"

"Yes."

Sophia could acknowledge how the link made sense to Zander but wasn't sure about how she felt being called panda.

"Can I think about whether I like that nickname or not?" she asked.

Zander grinned and took another cookie out of the bag. "Of course. We have years to figure out what nickname works for you."

Years to figure it out. Sophia didn't know why but that statement made her want to smile.

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My Little Snowflake!

(I say this because right outside my window it is currently snowing. And you are precious like a beautiful snowflake!)

Do you have thoughts? If not, I'm sorry that must mean life is stressful and you're just zoning out for a bit. If you're part of the rare few who still has thoughts and want to share them then I will stop zoning out and hear (read) them! 💭🗯💬❄️

What do you think of Panda for Sophia's nickname?

(Sounds freaking bizarre to me)

What are my thoughts? Currently it's why did I look in the mirror today?! That was a terrible decision.

Also I figured out my plan for world domination: tristate area. a platypus. a hat. kidnapping. Perry. I mean, I think it's a solid plan.

Thoughts about this chapter? Oh, yeah I think I have some about that. Actually it's just one thought: WHY IS DONOVAN SO WONDERFUL!

I mean seriously, I love how he is just this pillar of understanding and strength for the people around him. It's so nice. I think it's cute that Sophia knows exactly who to go to when she hits different problems.

And she's right about Mason, he's likely to blame everyone expect his daughter. But it's okay because we love him for that!

Am I slightly less amusing than most days? I don't know, sometimes I feel like I'm as boring as a blank piece of paper. Other days I think I'm as exciting as the potential of a blank piece of paper. I guess it's just how you look at life for that day!

Today since it's still early I'm going to say I'm a pencil hovering above that piece of paper. Who knows what will come with the rest of the day!

I'm going to dip now before I actually touch the page and just scribble a lot of nonsense.

Ha! Too late!

Vote, comment, follow but only if you fill like you are the potential piece of paper!

Solo shout out to Elle because you always got my back with helping correct my spelling mistakes! Love you! 💜

The question is who is who in this photo?