Home Sweet Home

School, The familiar sights and smells filling Sophia's senses she took a seat in the empty seat halfway down the middle isle. The wooden floors creaking underfoot as she crossed the short stretch of room she took her seat quietly, ignoring the stares she was getting from the class she glared at a number of them and bared her teeth causing them to instantly look forward. 'What the fuck are they looking at?' she cursed to herself lowering herself into the seat, straightening out she examined her immediate surroundings. Directly in front of her rested her desk, it's long warn face covered in years and years of student graffiti she chuckled lightly at a number of them before moving on. Directly to her right sat a girl who, at first glance appeared to be a couple years older than her, but she had learned long ago that looks could be deciving so she opted to not put weight on what her age may be. Continuing down the row she noted a number of heads she didn't care to learn names of at the moment. Following the rows onward she soon circled back around and came to the row of older kids that lined the rear of the class, two seats behind her sat a rather ugly boy, his mop head haircut creaming daddy issues she figured he'd have something to say sooner or later.

Looking back towards the front of the class when the door opened again Sophia instinctively reached for her blade concealed underneath her pants leg, stopping short upon seeing who had entered Sophia straightened out and took a breath, months on the road, some of which spent alone she was still heavily influenced by her experienced there, and no matter how safe this place was she wasn't gonna let herself get soft. No way.

Watching the pair of figures make their way into the classroom Sophia found herself more than a little surprised to see that she was in the same class as the kid that had brought them to the boss the previous day, listening to who she could only assume was his older brother and how he had given the teacher the same excuse Justin had for her Sophia stifled a laugh. The older brother, Max or something like that, leaving the room shortly thereafter Sophia noticed the boy from yesterday begin making his way to the desk to her left. 'wait, he's sitting next to me too? Great..' she cursed silently. Leaning back in her seat she listened as the boys sneakers squeaked their way to the seat next to her, the chair pulled out and he took a seat. Sighing she heard him greet her. Reaching up she pinched her nose and blew air before sitting up again and looking in his direction. "Hey.." She returned awkwardly.

Leaning back in her chair Sophia crossed her arms and closed her eyes, tuning out everything but the teacher at the front she heard her explain that she wasn't gonna be teaching weapons, noting that it was Regotti's area she continued on to say that they'd be learning how to survive 'beyond the walls' and that they were gonna be learning about berries, a notion that caused Sophia to blow air through her nose and lay on her desk. 'I lived off those things for three months, teach me something I don't know..' she sighed, still, she listened on.

The teacher going on for a moment more she then asked who in the class liked berries, a question which Kellen instantly answered with enthusiasm and, just as she expected, the mophead behind him followed up mocking him. Clicking her tongue in annoyance Sophia opened her eyes just enough to see the mophead in question. subtly Staring him down she continued to listen, furthering her annoyance it appeared they were going to be splitting in to groups to 'discuss' what berries you can and can't eat. kindergarten work in Sophia's mind. To her side she heard Kellen speak up asking if she wanted to team up with him, shrugging she sat up. "I guess." Leaning back the inevitable occurred. Mophead noticed the scar. Sighing Sophia let her eyes gloss over as the boy made his comment. "Bet you'd like one to match." She muttered, surprised by what happened next however it wasn't mophead that spoke next, instead it was the girl to her right, the older girl with bright pink hair that screamed 'Notice me!', why she wanted to be noticed was beyond Sophia but, whatever. Chuckling at the irony of someone sticking up for her with all the stuff she'd done in her past Sophia sat back and sighed.

The situation escalating to the point the teacher moved Jordan forward and swapped him with a quiet kid with glasses that never talked to anyone Sophia heard pinky begin talking to her, looking in her direction Sophia listened as she introduced herself, apparently her name was Josie Rizel. 'Wow, they really are sheltered here. Just outright giving a stranger your full name. Brave.' Sophia thought, still, she was thankful to her for sticking her neck out for her, even if she didn't need to.

"You wouldn't think it's cool if you knew how I got it." Sophia commented. "But, thanks, for sticking up for me and all that." Sighing She looked forward. "Red, It's what everyone calls me anyway." She added, her hand moving up to her head she pointed at her hair and shot a sideways glance to Josie. "For obvious reasons." She said with a chuckle.    

Troy looked rather confused as he heard Mallory's mother mention "coterie classes". "I'm gunna be honest with you. I don't know what that is, I mean to me that's sounds like a brunch type thing or a club full of gossiping people. I don't need that." said Troy to Marlene and Mallory casually. It seemed like the dinner date idea was gunna happen but instead of Marlene going it would be Jake which Troy was fine with he had no problems with the Ranger. When Mallory started to get embarrassed Troy looked at his friend with a smirk. "Aww...Look at you. It's cute you getting all embarrassed." said Troy to Mallory. When they were alone it seemed Mallory was all good with the idea of him and Ysabel going for a ride but just to tell the patrols that they were there. When she mentioned a new project and for him to follow her, he just nodded and followed her lead. He was led to a large shed and upon the garage door opening and the tarp being removed he whistled at the sight of the car. He nodded his head in approval and then he learned the backstory of the car finding out that it was her father's project. Hearing the beast come to life it sounded good to go and when she asked his opinion he thought about his answer for a moment. "Well...It sounds good just need to slap some wheels on and change the interior. You like pink and all that cute shit right?" asked Troy jokingly to Mallory. When she mentioned that if he were to find anything just mark it on the map and he nodded. "Yeah no problem. It would be an honor to help build this beauty up even if it's just delivering parts." said Troy to Mallory. When they went back inside the house she asked him if he wanted to stay at her house or his and he thought about it for a moment. "Well she just moved in and her house is a little bigger then mine so I wouldn't mind hers." said Troy to Mallory. Troy looked at the time and he knew that Ysabel was probably starting to wonder where he was at. "Alright well I gotta hit the road but yeah I'll see you and Ranger boy for dinner later tonight." said Troy to Mallory. He gave her a hug and then he left her house heading towards the garage where Ysabel was at. "Hey you! Where have you been?" asked Ysabel to Troy who smirked at her. 

"So tonight we are having dinner with Mallory and her ex Jake." said Troy to Ysabel The smile from Ysabel's face slowly faded away and she looked at Troy in disbelief. "Troy I-" said Ysabel before she was cutoff by him. "Don't worry we will talk everything out over dinner. Let's just enjoy our ride." said Troy to Ysabel whose smile came back. Troy got on his bike first and then Ysabel got on the back holding onto him tight. The gate then opened and he started his bike. The bike roared like thunder and soon enough he took off heading towards the Arcadia National Forest with his one true love.




-----------------------------------------------------------------------


Jozel was all smiles as the new girl named Red introduced herself. When she was thanked by Red she just shook her head lightly. "No need to thank me just doing what I can to help out a new person." said Jozel to Red. Soon the groups were working together and after fifteen minutes the bell rang and Mrs.Yates let out a heavy sigh as she didn't even realize the time. "Okay well be ready tomorrow to name the berries." said Mrs.Yates to her kids as they ran out the door. Jozel and Kellen were near Red when she got out of class. "Hey do you know where you are suppose to go next?" asked Jozel to Red. "I'm pretty sure Claudia-I mean Miss.Rigotti class." said Kellen to the two girls. Jozel let out a heavy sigh and pulled out some gloss putting it on before offering to Red. "Want to try it?" asked Jozel as she smiled brightly to Red.

Troy and Ysabel finally arrived at the Acadia national forest and as he parked his bike he got on his radio. "Hey patrol this Troy just wanted to let you know I'm in the area. Just didn't want you to get spooked is all." said Troy to whoever was on patrol. Moments later he got a response. "Copy Troy, thanks for letting us know." said militia member. Troy just smiled at Ysabel as they got off his bike. He reached into his bag pulling out two bottles of Coors before he put his arm around her as they walked around taking in the sights. "This place is so beautiful! I can't believe we never came here before the world went to shit." said Ysabel to Troy who smirked. "Yeah well Maine never really was on my bucket list or anything...But yeah this is nice." said Troy to Ysabel. The two of them sat in the grass and Troy opened up their bottles with his knife before putting it away. Troy took a swig from his beer as did Ysabel who was nothing but all smiles as she looked to her man before leaning on him. 

The scene was perfect it was just them alone with no care in the world but in the back of his mind was Sara and he imagined the shit storm he would be in if he didn't tell her so now was a good of time as any. "Ysabel...I gotta tell you something." said Troy softly to Ysabel who looked at him as she noticed the bit of nervousness in his voice. "What's up? Everything okay?" asked Ysabel to Troy who looked away for a moment taking a swig from his beer before answering her. "Before you got here...I...I was seeing another woman. She left a few days before you showed up and she is coming back...I mean if she comes back...I just wanted to let you know." said Troy softly to Ysabel who looked hurt for a moment and she looked away at Troy letting out a heavy sigh. "So...What happens now?" asked Ysabel to Troy in a calm tone although her voice was somewhat shaky. Troy just bit his lower lip and shook his head thinking over his options and what to say carefully. "I love you Ysabel and nothing is going to change that. What me and this girl had...It wasn't serious...I mean look I was going to leave town and go to Texas to find you." said Troy as he tried to explain himself but his nerves were getting the better of him and he took another swig from his beer and tried to change the subject. "Mallory told me that you think I slept with her and I promise you I did not. Not in a sexual way...Just like a sleepover with friends." said Troy to Ysabel. He shook his head as he thought that was the worst thing to say all the while Ysabel was quiet not saying a word. "Just keep digging that hole Troy. Doin fucking great." he thought.




Silence went by and what was once peaceful a few moments ago felt like a time bomb waiting to happen. It was then Ysabel took a swig from her beer and moved her hand to Troy's right hand as she interlocked her fingers. "It's okay...I mean we are human after all and we are all adults here. If this girl comes back and has an issue with me being here then we can settle it like adults. If she gives me shit or you shit then we will deal with it together." said Ysabel softly to Troy. Troy felt a huge relief and it was then they both looked at their hands and noticed that they were wearing their engagement rings. In that moment the two of them shared a kiss before turning to look over at the ocean enjoying the scenery.