SOPHIA LOOKED at herself in the mirror and sighed.

She cried last night, nothing new but it's been a while since she cried.

She heard footsteps come from outside and jumped in her bed.

"Cough, cough."

"No, no, no, no. You can't be sick. We don't know how to do this life thing alone." Maya said.

"I think I have the foo-foo plague." Sophia said.

She knew it was stupid.

"You do? And what do you take for that?" Riley asked.

"Foo foo medicine. And it makes you really sleepy. 'Night 'Night. Bye."

She pulled the covers over her face.

"Okay, so I'm looking up your fake disease on the fake internet..." Maya said.

"Can I have a sick day, please?" Sophia asked.

She was practically begging.

"It wants to know if you have a crushing weight on your chest. Do you have a crushing weight?" Riley asked.

"Yep. Crushing weight. Yep, yep. Oh, no! Oh, no! Maya, Riley, I really do. I have the foo foos! It's like there's an elephant on my chest." Sophia said.

"I am at most a labradoodle." Maya said pulling the covers.

"Maya, Riley, you have to get far, far away from me. I don't want you to catch this." Sophia said.

"I know. That would be terrible." She said rolling all over the bed.

"Okay, now can we please go to school now and get out of Hopetown?" Riley asked.

It was like something clicked, "What?"

"She just said, "Can we get out of Hopetow--" Maya was cut off.

Sophia has pushed them off the bed.

"Oof. What is it with you?" Maya asked.

"That's just a word I made up." Riley said.

"I know what it means. It means that I'm goofy and silly and weird." Sophia said.

"It means you're unique." Maya said.

"I don't want to be unique. I don't want anybody to notice me." Sophia said.

"Since when? Hopetown is where you live. We even made your own flag and national anthem, remember?" Maya asked.

"Hopetown, oh Hopetown. Whee." They sang.

"Yeah, that took us four days to write." Maya said.

"Is this serious or are we having fun?" Riley asked.

"You two are bullies." Sophia said.

"Okay, that's not fun." Maya said.

"I don't like being laughed at, guys. Nobody likes being laughed at."

"We're not laughing at you. Who's laughing at you?" Riley asked.

"You never should have come up with it, and you guys are bullies. Okay?"

Mr. Matthews History Class

"In what ways do human beings resolve conflict?" Mr. Matthews asked.

"Bring in the mama." Zay said.

"They talk it out." Farkle said.

"They go to war." Lucas said.

"Why can't they talk it out?" Farkle asked.

"They go to war." Lucas said.

"Oh, okay. You and me against Farkle and Thomas." Zay said.

"They talk it out." Thomas said.

"They go to war!" Lucas shouted.

"Let's get him!" Zay said.

Farkle and Thomas take out a styrofoam ball gun and shoots at Lucas and Zay.

"You shoulda talked it out." They say at the same time and sit down.

"Many conflicts escalate and do not end well. The story of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr is a prime example. Anybody know what happened? Sophia?"

She wasn't paying any attention to what was going on around her, "Please stop picking on me."

"What?"

"They had a duel. Burr killed Hamilton." Farkle said.

"In seventeen ninety-one, Burr captured a senate seat from Hamilton's father-in-law, which launched their rivalry. Then Burr accused Hamilton of publicly insulting him." Mr. Matthews said.

Sophia's phone buzzed she hesitated to pick it up, but she did anyway.

It was getting worse.

"Sophia, no one should be texting you in class." Mr. Matthews said.

"I agree, I don't want you guys to say Hopetown anymore."

"I like Hopetown. I like you and I like to say whatever I want." Maya said.

"Now, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel to resolve their conflict." Mr. Matthews said.

"Maybe that's what we should do." Sophia said.

"Maybe you want to hear what happened to them first." Riley said.

"Hamilton believed the duel wasn't morally right, so he fired his pistol in the air. Burr, believing he had been shot at, fired at Hamilton and killed him. So, why am I telling you guys a story about what happens when you fail to resolve a conflict peacefully?" He asked.

"Lucas?"

"People get hurt." He said.

"What do we need to learn?" Mr. Matthews asked.

"I need to learn how to resolve a conflict." Sophia said.

"What's going on?" Mr. Matthews asked.

"She thinks we're bullies because we keep saying something she doesn't like." Maya said.

"A bully isn't someone who says something you don't like. A bully is someone who uses power and intimidation to hurt others. There's a big difference between having a conflict with a friend and having a bully. So don't just throw that word around." He said.

"There are other words you shouldn't just throw around, either." Sophia said.

"What?" Riley asked, "Like Hopetown, the place where you live because you're there right now?"

"I asked you not to. Why do we have to keep on talking about this?" Sophia asked.

"Because the most powerful tool in the human being arsenal is the ability to solve conflict with words." Mr. Matthews said.

"You think I'm goofy, silly, and weird." Sophia said.

"No kidding." Riley said, "You're unique and wonderful, and I love it here in Hopetown."

Sophia stood up, "I challenge you to a duel."

"Okay, you're not really understanding this at all. Maya, Riley, please help her understand." Mr. Matthews said.

"We accept. Duel to the death." They said.

"Thank you very much." Mr. Matthews said.

Topanga's

Farkle stood in front of Sophia, "You will come back to me after the war, won't you, Darlin'?"

"Just give me the ice cream, Farkle." Sophia said.

Farkle could tell she's upset.

"What a second, Huckleberry? Shouldn't you be over there with Sophia?" Maya asked.

"Well, it was decided if things get out of hand, I was the best choice to... contain you two." Thomas said.

"Oh. You think you can?" Maya said.

"Yeah, but I'll probably pay for it pretty good." Thomas said.

"Why would you let them do this?" Mr. Matthews asked Topanga.

"Oh, it's a slow day and the ice cream expires tomorrow." She said.

They were all back to back to back when Maya was scratching her back against theirs.

"What are you doing?" Riley asked.

"I'm itchy." She said.

"Maya, Riley, as the ones challenged to this duel, you two get the first shot. All right, you'll take three paces, turn, and fire." Zay said.

They all had two cones each.

"How do you know how to do this so well, Zay?" Farkle asked.

"Well, back in Texas, we call this a Wednesday." He said, "Ice cream ready one, two, three, turn, fire! Wait a minute. Something's wrong."

The boys moved him out of the way.

"Oh, that would have been bad. Fire!"

Maya and Riley give their cones to Topanga and Cory.

"That's the best way to resolve a conflict I ever saw. This tastes one day before expired." Mr. Matthews said licking the cone.

"Sophia, take a hint, please, so we can all be done with this." Topanga said.

"This will be done when you two treat me like an ordinary person who nobody notices." Sophia said.

She was basically gripping the cones.

"You're not. You're a sweet, weird little goofball and we love you just the way you are." Riley said.

"Deal with it." Maya said.

The two came in for a hug. Sophia backed up and put the cones on their foreheads.

She huffed and walked out.

"No need to contain us, we're fine." Maya said grabbing the towel from Lucas.

"How are you fine? You don't look fine." Thomas asked.

"Because that's not Sophia at all. Something's really wrong. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews... Sophia, Riley, and I have a conflict. It won't teach us anything if you guys step in." Maya said.

"Okay. We're here if you need us." Mr. Matthews said.

"I know." Riley said.

"Why are you so calm?" Lucas asked.

"Because this isn't her. This isn't Sophia at all." Riley said.

"Well, what could have changed her all of a sudden?" Zay asked.

They all sat down.

"This is like when I always used to wear my turtlenecks and then there was somebody that didn't like that I...Oh, my Gosh." Farkle said.

"What?" Riley asked.

Farkle looks at Lucas for quite a while.

"What are you looking at?" Lucas asked.

"You gots to go." Farkle said.

"What?"

"We need more towels." He said.

"What?"

"Maya, Riley, needs more towels." Farkle said.

"I'm fine." They said.

"Get them more towels!" He shouted at Lucas.

"Okay."

"Yes, sir." Thomas said leaving with Zay.

"What's going on?" Maya asked.

"Of course she loves Hopetown. Of course, she's weird and goofy and unique. That's what we all love about her." He said.

"So what's the problem?" Riley asked.

"Somebody doesn't." He said.

"What?" Maya asked.

"Sophia doesn't want to be her because she feels like a nothing. Because a bully makes you feel like a nothing. A bully took something I liked about myself and made me feel bad about it." He said.

"But why would she think we would ever do that?" Maya asked.

"We're her best friend. Why is she yelling at us?" Riley asked.

"Because I think she's trying to get you to hear her." Farkle said.

"Hear what? Why does she keep talking about a bully if she knows We're not--Oh, no." Maya stopped herself.

She grabbed Riley by the arm and pulled her out.

"What? They're gone?" Zay asked.

"Yep."

"Well, what are we supposed to do with these towels?" Thomas asked.

"They're not for Maya or Riley." Farkle said.

"Well, who are they for?" Lucas asked.

"They're for you." Farkle said.

"What?"

Farkle grabbed Lucas's arms and tied them to the counter.

"Farkle, what are you doing?" Thomas asked.

"Don't... mistake my size and demeanor for a lack of crazy because I got it and I'll use it. So stay where you are." Farkle said.

"Okay."

"I am your best friend and I need you to trust me."

"Uh-uh. I'm his best friend." Zay and Thomas said.

"If you were his best friend, you'd know to tie him up right now."

"Look, I'mma just do it. I don't need an explanation." Zay said.

"I'm gonna tell you something bad and I need you to not turn into Texas Lucas." Farkle said.

"Farkle, nothing is going to turn me back into that."

"Something's happening to Sophia."

"What?"

Sophia's Home

Sophia sat at her own little bay window when Riley and Maya came inside.

"We have something to talk about, you and us." Maya said.

"I don't like it when we fight." Sophia told them.

"We're going to be your best friend for the rest of your life. We're gonna have some conflicts along the way." Riley said.

"What will we do?" Sophia asked.

"We will work them out. We'll always work them out because we're friends. And if things get rough, maybe we'll throw some ice cream at each other, but we'll still be friends because that's what reasonable people do." Maya said.

"So we have no conflict anymore?" Sophia asked.

"No. Now we have a new one. Why wouldn't you come to us?" Riley asked, "How could you not come to us if someone is bullying you?"

"I'm humiliated. I didn't want to let you guys see me humiliated."

"You thought it would just go away?" Maya asked.

"Mm-hmm. It's getting worse."

"You know what the difference is between a conflict with a bully and a conflict with a friend?" Riley asked.

"What?"

They slid over and hugged her.

"You're the worst bullies ever."

"We know." Riley said.

"Peaches and Riles the bullies just... doesn't strike fear into the hearts of anybody." Maya said.

"I called you guys a bully and I ice creamed you. I'm really sorry."

"It's okay."

"Will you get back at me for the ice cream?"

"Oh, yeah, and you're never gonna see it coming."

"Couldn't you tell me just before you were gonna do it?"

"No, Honey. That would hurt my enjoyment."

"I'm sorry I took everything out on you."

"It's okay. You had to take it out on somebody. I'm glad you felt safe enough to take it out on us. And we're sorry we didn't hear what you were trying to say earlier." Riley said.

"Well, I will never go at you again." Sophia said.

"No, it's okay. We can take it. Let it all out." Riley said.

"I'm better now."

"Oh, yeah. I'm sure you are." Maya said, "That's good."

It was quiet for a while until Maya said something.

"Hopetown."

"Stop saying that! People shouldn't make fun of other people. What did I ever do to you?" She stood up, "You exist. You exist, and you're weird, and you get in the way of where I'm looking, so stop being weird and stop being happy. Nobody should be as happy as you."

She paused to catch her breath.

"Stop being who you are... or I'm gonna put my foot in your weird, stupid face."

"Okay." They said.

"I'm fine."

"I'm not. How long?"

"A few weeks. This has been going on a few weeks."

"We got you."

"I tried dealing with her. She's not a reasonable person. How do I handle this? I don't know how to handle this." Sophia asked.

"Not alone." Riley said.

"But I thought I was supposed to learn how to resolve a conflict." Sophia said.

"You have a bully!" Maya said.

"And I have conflict?"

"You are incredibly screwy." Riley said.

"And I'm screwy, and I have a bully, and I have a conflict? What a tough day in Hopetown."

"Okay. So now we know two things. First, you are going to stay exactly who you are." Maya said.

"What else?" Sophia asked.

"We don't think Lucas will."

Topanga's

"So, I wanted to make sure you were tied up because I know how you were in Texas and I was worried about what would happen when you found out about what someone was doing to Sophia and got angry. " Farkle said.

"Did he do the right thing, Zay?" Thomas asked.

"No."

"What did I do wrong?"

"Well, you used towels." He said.

"What should I have used?" He asked.

"Ah, it wouldn't matter." Zay said.

He broke off of one counter with his right arm.

"Well, look at dat." Thomas said.

He broke off the other part of the counter with my other arm. He untied his the towels from his arms and walked out.

"It's been my experience that when it comes to protecting his friends, nothing can hold him back." Zay said.

Sophia's Bedroom

Riley, Maya, and Sophia were barricading the bay window from Lucas.

"Okay. This oughta hold him."

Lucas then broke through the stuff barricading the window which made all of us back away from the window.

"Why would you not tell me about this?" He asked.

"I should be able to fight my own battles, Lucas." She said.

"No, you shouldn't. And you don't have to, Sophia. That's the point of having friends. And did you really think there was anything you could put in this window to keep me from helping you?"

"We don't like it when you get like this. Tell him, Maya."

"Um... Lucas, pick up that bed with one arm." Maya said.

Farkle and Thomas then walked into the room.

"Sophia, you wouldn't let me keep this kind of stuff to myself." Farkle said.

"You think we're gonna let you?" Thomas asked.

Zay walked with a bowl of cereal.

"So what? You guys just come through the window and that's okay? I don't like it. Impolite. Oh, and I took some cereal. You're out of milk...now." He said.

"I don't think it's right that Sophia's always the first one to come help us but doesn't come to us when she needs help." Lucas said.

"Okay. I'm sorry. I should have told you. I just didn't want to put this on you."

"We're friends. We can figure out anything." Thomas said.

"But what if you're dealing with someone who-"

Sophia was cut off when her phone buzzed, "Who just won't stop?"

John Quincy Adams Middle School. Mr. Matthews' History Classroom

"I want to talk to you. I know there's something going on." Mr. Matthews said.

"Do you want me to tell you what it is?" Sophia asked.

"Do you want to, Sophia? Because so far, you haven't told me, and I respect that."

"It ain't good." Maya said.

"Yeah, I figured. But you two on it?"

"Yes." Riley said.

"And you're on it?" He asked Lucas.

"Yep."

"The right way?"

"We'll see."

"The right way, Lucas. You know why? Because Aaron Burr might have won his duel by killing his rival, but he never held office again and he'll forever be known for this. You understand?" Mr. Matthews asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Farkle?"

"Everything will be okay, Mr. Matthews. It always is."

"Yeah, why do you suppose it always is? Zay? Thomas? It's on the board." Mr. Matthews said.

"The first one." They said.

The first one said Friendship.

"That's right."

"And then you're going to tell us about the second one." Zay said.

Growth.

"I am."

"Yeah, I know how this goes." Zay said.

"There's nothing more valuable than friends when you have to go through life. But even if your friends aren't around, even if you're all alone, there's always someone to turn to. A parent or a teacher. It's okay to ask for help. That's because there's so much out there that makes it's way to you guys so much easier now."

"How do we fight that?" Sophia asked.

"Well, now we turn to growth. Rely on each other. Grow together. But sometimes you have to grow by yourself. But whatever it is that makes its way to you, it's just shadows from your intimidating world. Don't live in the shadow. Your growth can help you get back into the sun."

"Thanks, Matthews."

"Sarah, Darby, Jade, Yindra, Wyatt, Jeffrey, Haley, Nate, Yogi, Dave, Clarissa, know there are lots of groups of friends in here and I know you guys go through stuff, too. Your math teacher helps you guys out, right? And relates Algebra to your lives? You guys okay? Learn from each other. Continue to grow. And always know that I'm here for you." Mr. Matthews said and the bell rang.

Topanga's.

"I know what Mr. Matthews says is right, but, Sophia, if you want me to, whoever this is, I will take care of it for you."

Sophia smiled, "Thank you, Lucas. No."

"Riley, Sophia, and I got this." Maya said.

"Thank you, Maya. No."

"Okay, good. You're gonna face this one down, but how?" Zay asked.

"You know what she sent me?" I
Sophia asked, "A video of me being goofy... doing the stuff that I do. She's been filming me... and now she says she's gonna send it to the whole school."

"Honey, I hate to break it to you, but the whole school already knows you're goofy." Maya said.

"They don't know everything I do. Neither do you, Maya."

"What?" Riley asked.

"No- Yes, I do." Maya said.

"Deep in the heart of Hopetown, in the darkest secret corner of Hopetown...I can't believe I'm finally telling you. Once a week... on Friday afternoons... when the halls are empty... I have an singing competition."

"I think we know what happened." Farkle said.

"Somebody caught you..." Lucas started.

"And that's what she's sending to the whole school. Well, maybe it's not so bad-" Riley started.

"Sometimes I pretend there are judges there and if I do really bad I lay on the ground and pretend to cry."

"It's bad. It's really bad." Maya said.

She quietly sang a small song.

"Somebody doesn't love this?" Lucas asked.

"What do I do?"

"Uh... you look at your friends... and you realize that no matter how deep into Hopetown you go, we'll all be right behind you. Now go get her." Riley said.

John Quincy Adams Middle School Friday Afternoon

Sophia sat on the bench waiting for this person too show up and they finally she did.

"Thank you for meeting me." Sophia said standing, "I know you probably have something to say. You always have something to say. But now, it's my turn to talk. You need to listen. You need to watch. Welcome to Hopetown. I sing when I'm happy. I dance by myself. Because that's who I am. And if I do something good, I sing a song to myself so that maybe I'll do something good again. And you're not going to stop me by showing everybody your little video that shows everybody that I do it. Because I'm going to show everybody right now."

Her classmates appeared behind her.

"Welcome back to the talent portion of show. And now, your host, Brittany!"

"Hi, Brittany." Maya said.

"And now, the biggest performance of the evening. This here performance is for not only facing your fear, but doing it in front of everybody I know in my awful accent." Sophia said, "Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride, my mom used to sing that song to me when ever she was happy. So I sing and you caught me and I was embarrassed. I'd like to thank everybody who helped me get here...My friends. Because true friends let you be who you are. I'd also like to thank you. Because this was hard. But I've grown today, So, thank you."

"Where are you going?" Sophia asked.

But she was long gone.

"Look, Soph, the farther away she goes, the smaller she gets." Riley said.

"She does, doesn't she."

Topanga's

"We did good." Topanga said.

"Friendship and growth." Mr. Matthews said.

"What comes next?" Riley asked.

"I don't know, but whatever it is, I know you'll handle it." Mr. Matthews said.

"Here we are at the Sophia Talent Show after party, where we've been having ice cream. Because I challenged Maya and Riley to a duel, and then I ice creamed them, and then Maya said she'd get me back, And I'd never see it coming?" Sophia asked.

"Is that why we're having ice cream?"

Sophia sat and just watch Maya eat her ice cream with six scoops on it.

Good Luck, Sophia.

Word Count:3789

Updated on: June 25th, 2019

bro dramatic

I just watched Girl Meets High School Part 1 and it makes me upset and several ways

I literally just photoshopped a picture of Madison and China Anne McClain's room in A.N.T. Farm

I've already talked to all of them so yeah

But my other book is updated to so check it out ( please read my other stories they are better )

Thanks for 44.2k reads much appreciated

See ya soon