It Ain't Easy Being Teen

It seemed Red had sneaked up on Kinsley, Gabby and Kellen. When hearing about the battle against Big Dick it was a sore spot for Maria as she stayed behind in the forest due to her injured leg. She felt like her leg was getting better still she did walk with a noticeable limp. Kellen seemed to not like the idea of going to the community center in fear of getting caught and possibly ruining his chances in the Militia. Juilo let out an annoyed sigh as he felt that bring the boy scout was a bad idea. "Yo man see I-" said Julio before he was cut off by Maria who hit him in the chest. "Shut up estúpido (stupid)" said Maria to Julio. It seemed Gabby was convincing Kellen much to Julio's hurt ego as he liked Gabby. As they walked towards the community center for the first time in a long time Maria felt safe. Even after they won the battle she thought the townsfolk would try to go after her or her father for siding with Richard. Sure some townsfolk gave her a nasty look but so far no one put their hands on her at least not yet. But right now in this moment Maria felt free.




The community center was in their sights and Maria was all smiles. "Man I so needed this after today. Hell I needed this before today." said Maria to the group half jokingly. None of the militia were in sight which was good. But a Hispanic woman was walking around a puppy bloodhound on a leash. The puppy was sniffing the ground and doing his busneiss. He then stopped to lay on the grass and eat it. "Come on Droopy we gotta get home and make dinner!" said the woman to the puppy. The woman looked like she was dressed very casually . Maria, Julio, William and Jozel looked at the woman and they wondered who she was. "Yo who is the bella dama?! (pretty lady)" asked Julio to the group his jaw nearly hitting the floor. William rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Someone out of your league." said William to Julio. The woman didn't seem to pay any attention to them as she seemed focused on the puppy. Soon she left and the teens made it to the community center entrance. 




"Don't worry you are going to have a fun time." said Jozel to Red as she tried to reassure her friend as she smiled at her.

Continuing towards the community center Sophia maintained her position towards the back of the group, providing a polite yet quick smile in return to the few attempts to convince her that she'd have fun or otherwise had no need to worry Sophia let the thoughts wash off her, growing complacent was how you lost your life and she wasn't about to let an island of people convince her otherwise any time soon. Passing a number of people on their way Sophia always made her glances too them quick and to the point, her gaze shifting from hand to hip to leg checking for a weapon everywhere as she went. Then, the group saw someone Sophia didn't expect, and frankly hoped they hadn't. Ysabel. Ducking Sophia put the group between her and her guardian as they crossed paths,

Waiting for her to pass by Sophia pulled back to her original position before answering the comments made by the group during their run in with Ysabel, picking up on the fact Juilo called her 'Bella Dama' she chose to answer his question in Spanish. "la bella dama es mi guardiana, Ysabel."(the beautiful lady is my guardian, Ysabel.) She answered bluntly in perfect Spanish before falling away to her original distance. "She thinks I went to her friends brothers house so if she asks. I wasn't here." Sophia added, putting a small amount of trust in the group, not that she expected them to keep it.

Reaching the community center the group passed through the doors and the main entry before coming to a pair of double doors labeled 'POOL', No question what was on the other side, not that Sophia cared, Swimming was never her favorite thing in the world. Following the others as they entered the young redhead chuckled dryly at the groups excitement, a chuckle that echoed when the concern of poison came up from Gabby. 'Imagine the pool being filled with crystal clear water that killed anyone who went in. Sounds like something Shaun would do.' Sophia thought. Remaining quiet Sophia moved to the nearby wall and leaned against it before pulling her hood up over her bright red hair. "So.. Where's this office?" She asked, Getting her answer shortly after some horse play between Gabby and Kinsley Sophia kicked off the wall and followed the group down the length of the pool and up a set of stairs against the back wall. Reaching a cluster of offices they entered one of the rear most ones and closed the door behind them, Kinsley closed the blinds of the windows and set to getting her party gear out.

Crossing the room to the windows Sophia again separated herself from the others and took up a seat near the window, peering through the blinds she seperated ever so slightly with her fingers she surveyed the area below, seeing the pool and the door they came through before her Sophia nodded, this was a good spot, they'd see anyone coming a mile away. Letting the blind rest she looked back to the group but didn't get up to join them. "you people amaze me." She said under her breath. "How the hell did you go from people wanting to kill you and eat you to this Sophia?" She muttered again. Sighing she chuckled and shook her head. "Guess I'll try to enjoy it while it lasts." She then said with a shrug before getting up to join the others, sitting on the couch with Kinsley and the others she offered a half smile and lowered her hood again, 'suppose it's party time then.' she thought

Maria poured herself, Julio, William and Jozel some shots of vodka. "Cheers to a good time!" said Maria with a smile to her friends. The four of them raised their shots and cheers. soon after that they downed them. Maria winced for a moment as the vodka hit her. Julio started coughing as did William and Jozel shook her head but she swallowed it like a champ. Once the war, feeling hit her stomach Maria took a few deep breaths before looking at her friends. "I think I'm going to have Ayako tattoo me." she said to the group. Julio looked at her like she was crazy. He knew of Ayako and how she was one of Claudia's top people back in the forest but the woman gave off uneasy vibes to him and that tattoo on her face didn't help. "Yo man you're crazy Rez! I remember back in the forest she worked us to death when it came to hunting! I remember she chased Lucas around with her sword when he missed a deer." said Julio to Maria who rolled her eyes as did William. Julio always had a flare for the dramatic and make up stories was his way of being entertaining. "Shut up Julio she's not like that. She's my friend. Seriously she isn't as bad as you think. Remember how she found me?" she asked to William and Julio who both looked down at the floor. Jozel looked confused as she didn't know what happened. "What happened?" asked Jozel to Maria who looked at her. Maria poured herself another shot and then downed it before speaking. "You know how my leg got injured right?" asked Maria to Jozel who shook her head. Of course rumors were spread about Maria's injury to it happening in the battle of Bar Harbor to Claudia's treatment back in the forest.

"It happened when me and my family tried to escape from here. My father took Richard's side only to try and find us a way out. He had a boat set up for us and when we got it a few of Richard's men spotted us. Sara my older sister got on and just as I way going to I got shot in the leg and I was drifting away in the water for awhile. I thought I was going to die and I accepted it but out of sheer luck Ayako found me. She carried me back to camp and the rest is history." she said to Jozel who wiped away a few tears as it was a hard story to listen too. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry that happened to you." said Jozel softly. Maria just smiled and hugged Jozel. "No worries it's all good pinky." said Maria with a smirk. Despite her setback with her leg injury Maria wasn't a quitter and she was grateful for Claudia and Ayako making her who she was today.

Maria stood up and walked over to Monk who was laying near the door. While there she could heard Red and Kinsley talking to one another. "Alright boy keep up the good work." she said to Monk as she gave him one final pet and walked over to Kinsley and Red. She picked up just the end of the conversation hearing that Red's name was actually Sophia. "Well nice to meet you Sophia. I gotta say you killed it today at the track. You did better then Caveman that's for sure." said Maria with a chuckle as she put her hat on.

These kids were strange, somehow their teenage wonder, their carefree youth, had stayed intact. Had the island really been this sheltered from what the world really was now? The thought sent a shiver down Sophia's spine. Hearing Kinsley respond to what she said about her past in the same, surprised and somewhat shocked tone she had expected Sophia chuckled and got to her feet. Crossing to the window she once again peeked out, while doing so she heard as Kinsley continued on, saying that it was nice to know her real name and continuing on to say she should use it more. Sophia blinked and shook her head.

"No." She said sharply. "Names, are powerful things. One wrong person hears your real name, you're done." She finished getting to her feet. "I told you my real name, or a version of it, out of a sentiment for a better time, but I'd much prefer we stick with my nickname. Red is who I am, Red is who I will always be." She continued, getting to her feet and crossing back to the couch. Pouring another glass of liquor she downed it, slower this time as to let the burn of the alcohol sting her throat. Contorting her face as she swallowed she set the glass down. "Sophia died in Oklahoma."

Letting the moment pass in silence after that Sophia closed herself off again, she'd already told them too much. Leaning back in the couch she listened as the subject shifted, Maria complimented her on her athleticism which was, to no surprise from Sophia, followed up by Kinsley. Sophia simply smiled and nodded before closing her eyes again. Listening to her surroundings Sophia tuned out the conversation the other teens were having, only catching bits and pieces it didn't take much to know they were talking about 'That 70's show' which, as the title made no attempt at hiding, was about a bunch of teen's in Wisconsin during the 70's. What they were talking about it for was lost on the redhead, what wasn't however, was the sounds from outside, the sound of water from down the stairs back to the pool area, the sound of a solitary bird in the evening sun. Zoning out on the surrounding noises Sophia breathing slowed as she focused. It wasn't until she felt a tap on her shoulder a few minutes later that she opened them again.

Opening one eye Sophia glanced over at the group, all eyes were on her once again, for what, she didn't know. "What?" She asked, Which earned her a repeat of the question, something about what her ambitions were, and how she was going to achieve them. Sophia chuckled and shook her head. "Ambitions huh?" she repeated with another chuckle. Shaking her head Sophia leaned forward and looked at the floor, her arms resting on her knee's. "Before the end I'd of said Track Star. The 100 yard sprint was always my strong point." She added shooting a glance to the others before returning her gaze to the ground. "But now.." She paused and thought on it for a time. "To survive." She then answered coldly, looking to the group, her eyes spewing determination. "By driving my knife or a bullet in to anyone, that threatens that end." Her tone conveying little emotion, telling anyone with a brain that she had been scared more than physically by her experiences in the wastes, Sophia leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes again. "What about you?" She then asked, her tone brighter than it had been seconds ago.

Taking another swig of alcohol Sophia set her glass down and laid her head against the cushion of the couch as she finally felt the liquor begin to hit her, having spent months in the company of the shadows, more specifically Sean, who was never seen without a bottle of something in his hand at all times when not outside the walls Sophia wasn't a lightweight by any means. Closing her eyes after answering Kinsley's statement that she should use her real name more and having given her a rather harsh response to what her ambitions were Sophia tuned everything out once again. Her head foggy to some degree from the liquor she had consumed over the last hour and a half or so she tried to steady her breathing and listen.

The sound of the group talking was in the forefront of her mind though, even after trying her hardest to tune them out she couldn't, damn alcohol she cursed. Giving up Sophia kept eyes closed for a time longer and listened to what was being discussed, it didn't take long to understand just where that discussion had led, the question Kinsley had asked her had now been asked to another, and that other happened to be Gabby, who was currently giving a very interesting response. Firstly she was going to open a business of sorts, vodka and caviar. The thought of running a business in this day and age made Sophia chuckle. Second, She was going to be a 'baby-factory' as she so elegantly put it, and it didn't take long before who exactly she planned on doing it with became clear.

Opening her eyes Sophia was met with Gabby and Kellen kissing, and judging by the shock on Kellens face it was his first ever more than likely. Still, Sophia had nothing to add and so chose to stay quiet, leaning back on the couch again Sophia looked at the ceiling, the talking continued and quickly it shifted to Julio, who seemed to have had the hots for Gabby, the hots that led to what sounded like a broken heart masked by alcohol. Quickly Kinsley tried to divert his attention, mentioning that she would find him another, and continued on to say that she already had a perfect girl in mind and that she'd try to hook him up. All a lie though, at least that's the way it sounded like going off the unsure tones in Kinsley's voice every few seconds, she was defiantly making that up on the spot. 

Her attention peaked over who this someone Kinsley was going to find was Sophia opened her eyes and followed the blonde as she made her way over to Maria, watching on as she whispered something to her friend, a moment later Sophia caught site of the faces Kinsley was making at her, and it didn't take a rocket scientist to understand what she was wanting. Sighing Sophia looked over to Julio at the far end of the couch, his gaze to the ground Sophia shook her head and sighed again, maybe it was the fact she hadn't kissed anyone since one of the boys her age back in Oklahoma, maybe it was the booze and her somewhat inebriated state. Whatever the case may have been Sophia nodded and got to her feet.

Crossing the short distance to the other end of the couch Sophia stood over Julio for a moment. Then, without a word, she took a seat on his lap and placed a kiss on the boy, holding it for a time before releasing she looked him in the eyes and put her hand on his. "Anímate chico, hay más de una chica en el mundo."(Cheer up boy, There's more than one girl in the world.) Sophia said as she continued looking into Julio's eyes. "uno de ellos está sentado en tu regazo ahora mismo, ahora deja de estar triste y bésame."(one of them is sitting on your lap right now, now stop being sad and kiss me.)