Portal D

When I got outside Adrian was sitting in my car on her phone. Music blared through in the car loud enough to hear through its steal walls. I felt my pockets for my keys. Adrian had stolen them...again. The first thing I did when I got into the car was turn down the music.

"Hey!" exclaimed Adrian. "You killed the jams!"

"You can ruin your ears when you get home." I replied. Adrian rolled her eyes. The keys were in the ignition running on battery. I started the engine, backed out of Shannon's drive way, and drove in the direction of Adrian's house.

"So since Shannon wasn't much help today, can you help me study after school tomorrow?" asked Adrian.

"You know I suck at tutoring you. Our learning styles are very different," I said. "And I can't anyway. I have something I have to do after school tomorrow."

"What is it?" She asked.

"I just...have to help my mom..."

"Cool story bro; now tell me the real one."

"That is the real story," I pushed.

"Oh come on Sofie. I've been your best friend since kindergarten. I know when you’re lying." She was right. I was lying. But what would she think if she knew the truth? "Tell me what's really going on Sofie. You can trust me." I swallowed the lump of fear in my throat. Although to didn't really know why I was scared. Adrian's my best friend and I could tell her anything...right?

"Ok, ok you got me," I admitted.

"Yes I knew it!" Adrian exclaimed pumping her fist in the air. I rolled my eyes keeping them on the road at the same time.

"Ok I'll tell you but you have to Pinkie Promise not to tell anyone." Adrian held out her pinkie finger. "You know what I mean," I said, glancing at her finger. She sighed and then did the movements to the Pinkie Promise. I took a deep breath, let it out, and said, "Ok…I'm trying out for the musical tomorrow."

"That's not so bad...I mean, like do you think that you're cut out for something like this?" She asked.

"Well I'm not expecting a huge part but I thought; why not try for the chores."

"Do you even sing?" She questioned.

"Yes…just not usually in front of people..."

"You know that doing a musical will require you to sing in front of people right?"

"Yeah, I know, I thought it was high time I start."

"Ok fine. Sing for me."

I bit my lip. Adrian was so judgmental. But I guess I did need someone's honest opinion. "What should I sing?"

"I don't know; maybe your audition."

The musical this year was called Guys and Dolls. The audition song for the girls was If I Were a Bell. "Um ok…I still have a bit of practicing to do, if I...."

"Just get on with it Sophie." I swallowed the lump I'm my throat and began to sing.

“All I can say is if I were a bell, I'd be ringing

From the moment we kissed tonight

That's the way I've just got to behave

Boy, if I were a lamp I'd light

And if I were a banner I'd wave

Ask me how do I feel

Little me with my quiet upbringing

Well sir all I can say is if I were a gate

I'd be swinging

And if I were a watch I'd start popping my springs

Or, if I were a bell I'd go ding dong ding dong ding.”

Adrian stared at me with a blank expression for a while. I knew I wasn't cut out for this whole singing on stage thing. Then Adrian piped, "Wow Sofia, I didn't expect that from you."

"I know I should have never even tried."

"No, that was really good!" Adrian exclaimed.

"Wait what?"

"Yeah! Like, I expected you'd be good but not that good. Sofia, you might really have a chance at a lead!"

"No, not with Vanessa trying out," I glumly said.

Vanessa's Aunt Tiffany directed the plays every year. Which meant Vanessa would always get the lead. "There's no way I'm getting the lead. Besides, I don't even want a lead. I mean sure, it would be nice but I'm only doing this to make my college application look better."

"Of course you are... come on Sofie. You’re so much better than any of those wanna be's. It's not fair that just because the director and Vanessa are related, Vanessa gets the best parts."

"The world isn't fair Adrian. I understand your frustration, but just try not to let it get under your skin." I replied.

Adrian groaned.

We kept driving in silence until I turned right into Oak Acres, the beat up old neighborhood Adrian called home. The houses were built in the early 1950s and most were vacant. I turn left into Brush Street and the third house on the right was Adrian's; a beaten, broken driveway lead up to the place Adrian called home. Shutters hung from the house just a storm away from completely falling off of the house. A basketball hoop with no net stuck sadly out of the dead ground the paint was chipping and the shrubs were overgrown. Although at Shannon's, not a cloud was in the sky, at Adrian's house the sky always seemed to be overcast with dark clouds. Adrian opened the door to my car and got out, backpack in hand.

"Well I hope you at least get a line or two." Adrian said with a smile.

"Doubtful," I said with a sigh. Adrian smiled and slammed the car door shut, for she knew I was right.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The drive home was uneventful as usual. I grabbed my bag from the back seat of my car. My house was practically a castle.

It had well-kept shrubbery in front of the white, two story exterior. On the left side was our driveway that was connected to a pathway, which lead up to the glass plated door. A blue convertible mustang was parked in the street next to our house. I had completely forgotten! Lance was coming home for Thanksgiving a couple days early.

I practically ran to my front door. I was in a frenzy scrambling to get to the key that unlocked the front door on my crowded keychain. Just my luck; I didn't have to! My parents dressed in fancy attire, were rushing out of the house.

"Oh hello darling," my mother said in a sophisticated tone as she always did. She didn't make eye contact as she was packing her purse with last minute necessities for the evening. She wore a darker green snake print dress that was knee length and the top was a tank top style with a matching shall. She wore a clunky brownish greenish necklace to go with her dress as well. "Your father and I are off to the PLCH award ceremony. We’re hoping to be home by 11:30 tonight. Ta ta." Without even a glance from my mother she was already in the passenger’s seat of my dad’s black Buick. I stepped into the doorway to see my dad, who rushed past me with hardly even a glance nor a hello.

This didn't bother me.

My parents were busy, important people. Always off to some important event. Once I went a full four days without seeing them and our only form of communication were texts or notes on the kitchen table which were hardly legible due to their lack of time to even write a proper note.

I walked into the marble tile floored foyer and took off my backpack, shoes, and coat. The white walls glowed with the dim light of the setting sun coming in from the windows above the door. The large crystal chandelier lit up above me. I looked to the light switch to see who had done it. It was our temporary replacement maid Tina. She sported a red bandana over her black short hair and wore a short sleeve red shirt and sweat pants. She must have been almost 50. Our full time maid Mary was on maternity leave. I wished she was here. She's been the maid since I was about eight. It seemed like I could trust her with anything. And I really needed an adult figure to talk to about all the drama at school.

"Oh, good evening ma'am." Tina spoke with a Spanish accent. "Can I do anything for you?"

"No thanks Tina. And I told you, just call me Sofia," I said with a fake smile, as this was the third time I'd had to tell her this in the past 24 hours.

"Oh yes," Tina spoke. "Are you sure you don't need anything. I could prepare you dinner or perhaps paint your toenails?"

"No Tina that won't be necessary."

"Ok, I continue with my cleaning then. Good evening ma'am."

I was already walking towards the kitchen when I caught what Tina had called me. I went to turn around to correct her, but she had already disappeared into the next room. It's not that I was mad at her. It was probably something that just came naturally. As you can probably tell, my family is pretty well off. It may sound selfish, but I despise it. I had to beg my dad to let me go to public school so I could stay with my friends. Otherwise I would have been sent to St. Helens School for Girls. I always have to go by the rules and act like "Little Miss Perfect." At school, at home, and in public; because it's expected from a girl of my status. What wouldn't I do to be someone else for a day?

The kitchen smelled of beef stir fry and rice. To the left was the stove. Moving along to the right was the black counters with the sink and the dishwasher. To the far right of that was a small table. On the opposite side of the room were cabinets, an oven, the fridge, and a small table that held the microwave in the corner. The walls were painted blue and splattered with grease stains and the floors were hard wood. Two pots sat on the stove; though no flame was burning. I grabbed a plate from the cabinet and piled it with rice and stir fry. I walked over to the microwave and set it for three minutes. Tina still hadn't gotten to the dishes so while waiting for my food to heat I began to unload clean plates and silverware into their proper drawers and cabinets. As my food was in the last seconds of its cycle in the microwave, Tina rushed into the room. "No miss no it's fine, I do it. You go eat." Tina shooed me towards the microwave.

I let the fact she just called me "miss" roll off my shoulders. I think I might have messed up her system or something. Then a voice from the other room shouted. "Tina, is that you? Can I get another root beer in here?" I had completely forgotten Lance was here between the entire bustle from my parents and Tina.

"Yes Master Lance, of course." With haste, Tina rushed to the fridge to get his soda. I rushed over as well. Tina closed the black fridge door.

"I'll take it too him." I said with a real smile this time. With hesitation Tina set the soda in my palm then went back to her chores.

In the yellow painted dining room Lance was sitting at the head of the long dark brown table. The chandelier above reflected the remaining sun that shined through the window. I'd always hated this room. The yellow walls reminded me of a baby's room and we usually didn't eat in here. Not unless relatives were over which made for awkward conversations with Aunt Greta about how school was going and how old I was now. I walked over to Lance who was probably on his third helping of stir fry. He glanced up from his meal. When he saw me he got up to greet me. "Sopfffie!" He exclaimed excitedly, his mouth full. He was about a foot taller than me so he swept me off my feet when he hugged me, swaying me back and forth. He swallowed his food and I handed him the root beer.

"It might be a bit shaken." I said with a smile.

He chuckled. "No prob, Soph. Care to join me?" He gestured toward an empty chair next to him.

"Sure, let me go grab my food." I practically skipped into the kitchen without realizing it. I was so happy to see my brother. I went back to the dining room where Lance stood behind the chair I was soon to sit in. I sat down and like a gentleman, he pushed my chair in. I don't know if it was just him being a good brother or all the years of "training" our parents had given us from when we had to go to fancy events with them. Either way, it was a nice gesture.

I took a forkful of rice and slowly chewed and swallowed, all the time looking at Lance.

"What's on your mind sis?" He finally piped. My eyes widened as I realized I had been staring.

"Sorry," I said. "I guess I'm just happy you’re here. I'm also worried about Adrian and Shannon and school and..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…one topic at a time Sophie. Why don't you start with telling me what's up with Adrian and Shannon?" I relayed today's events to him. I told him about the test Adrian did bad on and Shannon's portal disaster.

"Wait, Shannon's trying to make a portal to travel to different dimensions? Last time I was here she was just trying to make her own car. This is quite a jump from that don't you think?"

"Exactly!" I said frustrated. "I'm afraid she's gonna burn herself out you know?"

"Yeah, I get it. I guess just try to be supportive. But don't let her bury herself in a project so much that she losses track of everything else in her life. Just kind of keep her on track."

"Yeah I guess. I just would hate to see her loose her passion for it."

"I don't think that'll happen Sophie. She's loved this kinda thing all the time you've known her. Just keep her safe from herself if she needs it. Now what's this about school?" I told him about the musical and about Vanessa and her aunt. "Sophie that's great that you’re trying out! I was hoping that you'd put that talent to good use."

"Wait but I've never sung for you…" I said, raising an eye brow.

"The bathroom walls aren't sound proof Sophie."

"Dammit!" I exclaimed with an annoyed tone.

Lance laughed. "Don't be ashamed. You have a beautiful voice and if that director can't see that then she's not worth your time."

"Don't tell me you actually believe that shit."

"You’re right, I don't. I was just trying to give you advice an adult might give. The truth is the director is an idiot if she doesn't see your talent and all you can do is try not to worry about it too much. Don't let her get under your skin because people like that will always try and all we can do is rebel and be the bigger person. And if that doesn't work, beat the shit out of them and don't get caught."

"Wait you got in a fight before?"

"Yeah in high school. Multiple. Don't tell mom and dad but I only fought the ones who were asking for it. They were repeat offenders. Most of the fights went down in the locker room when the coach wasn't there. And if they snitched about it, who do you think they're gonna believe?  A repeat offender or the captain of the football team and all A student?"

"Lance I don't believe you. And, 1, I don't really have that leverage. And 2, I'm a girl and I need to be a role model for Adrian and if she sees me beating up people left and right she'll think it's ok."

"What are you, her mother?"

"Yeah, sort of actually. Her mom’s not around much so I need to be."

"I guess I might not be the best person to talk about this with then." I sighed.

We finished our dinner in silence. I picked up my empty plate and stood up. "I have some homework to do and I wanna practice a bit more for the audition. Thanks for trying to help."

"No problem sis. When you finish maybe we can watch a movie together?"

"Sure I’d like that." I walked to the kitchen and snuck my plate into the already running dishwasher. I didn't want Tina to get mad again. I grabbed my bag and headed up to my purple room.

My double bed was the focal point of the room and had pink sheets on it. My desk sat in the corner under the window. Next to it was my dresser. On the opposite wall was my bookshelf piled high with books I had read twice at least. I needed to get some new ones. On a shelf next to it bolted to the wall was what Adrian called "The Pony Shrine," where I displayed the figurines from the show that I owned. I had the mane six three inch figures, two vinyl figures (derpy and doctor hooves), and two comic books. I wasn't an avid collector but it was nice to have a couple of pony related things.

I sat at my desk and pulled out Algebra 2 homework. After completing only a couple problems I found myself looking out the window. I was so worried about everything. My friends, school, the musical, Lance, my parents, and Mary with her pregnancy. Some more than others, but I just couldn't seem to focus.

After forcing myself to finish algebra, I laid down on my bed and just cried. I had no idea what caused me to break down like this; probably hormones, but I could usually keep those in check. But I just let myself cry. I cried myself to sleep. I still was wearing my clothes and hadn't done anything to prepare for bed, let alone the next day. But I figured I'd deal with that in the morning and went to sleep.