Chapter Seven

Isabella’s POV

“I mean who on earth doesn’t have a phone” I said to myself. I just arrived at Sam’s block. I could’ve texted her when I was on my way so they could’ve met me outside.

“23-B” I keep repeating. And then I saw a little girl. I went down and walk towards her.

“Hi. Is this 23-B?” I asked her. I don’t know if she understands what I’m trying to ask.

“I am looking for Sam. Do you know her?

“Sammy?” she had a wide smile and immediately ran inside their house.

“Sammy! Someone is looking for you. She’s pretty like my barbie” I heard her shouting. I can’t help but laugh.

“Did you put your shoes on?” I heard Sam.

Her sister ran towards me. I didn’t know she was barefoot. She was carrying her shoes.

“Can you help me?” she asked.

“Of course” I bent down, put her shoes on and tied the laces.

“I’m so sorry” I looked up at Sam.

“She gets really excited every time we go out”

“It’s cool”

“By the way, I’m Isabella. What’s your name?” I asked her sister.

“I’m Sophia. My mom and Sammy call me Sophie. You can also call me Sophie. You’re really pretty” I can help but laugh at her. She can’t stop talking. But it’s really cute.

“Thank you. But I think you are more pretty than me”

“Sammy, am I pretty?” I looked into Sam.

“You’re not only pretty. You’re beautiful, gorgeous and cute. You’re everything, Sophie” while carrying her little sister.

I felt a little jealous of what I’m seeing right now. If only Maddie and I are still close like when we were kids. It would’ve been great.

“Let’s go?” I said to them.

——————————

“Where did you live before going back here?

Sam and I are watching Sophie play on the ball pit.

“In the city” here we go again with the short answers.

“Sam I’m trying here” she looked at me. Oblivious of what she’s doing.

“How can I write about you when you always answer me like that?

She didn’t even flinch with what I said. I give up. I stood up from my seat. Maybe I’ll just look a dress for my mom’s event.

“I’m sorry” she said. Her eyes are focused on Sophie.

“It’s hard for me, okay?

I went back to my seat and I just let her talk.

“I’m not comfortable around people”

I kinda felt that when I first met her.

She suddenly looked at me. I was taken back.

“But I will try” she said. Her eyes directly at mine.

“For the project” she added.

We were interrupted when Sophie came running at us.

“Sammy, I’m thirsty”

“Okay. Stay with Isabella. I’ll get us some drinks”

She looks at me. “Do you mind?” while tilting her head on Sophie.

“No. Not at all”

She smiled and went to buy some drinks.

Sophie sat beside me.

“Are you friends with Sammy?” she asked. She’s playing with her feet. The bench is too high for her.

“We are classmates sweetie. Why?” I mean we are not really friends, yet. I just met her. And I don’t think she wants to be friends with me.

“Sammy doesn’t really have a lot of friends”

I got curious.

“And why is that?

“She’s scared of people” I don’t really get what she means.

“Who is Cindy?” she asked again.

“She’s from our school. You know her?

She shook her head no.

“I just heard her from Sammy. Tell her don’t hug Sammy anymore”

Suddenly I thought of Sam’s reaction when Cindy hugged her.

“Why Sophie?” I can’t help but ask.

“Coz Sammy will get sweats on her. She can’t breathe and then she will go to sleep”

I think she meant she will pass out.

“Is that what happened on the other day?

“Yeah. She was sleeping in the room in your school. Aunt Amy let her sleep there”

Is she talking about the clinic? Did she have a panic attack? Is that why she ran after what Cindy did?

I took my phone out and searched for the word.

“Haphephobia” I said while typing it.

Haphephobia is a rare specific phobia that involves the fear of touching or of being touched.

I thought of what Sam told me before going to our fourth period.

“I don’t have germaphobia. But I have haphephobia”

She has haphephobia. That’s why she was so terrified when I touched her shoulder. And the thing with Mrs. Gonzales. When she avoided the hug. Cindy! When Cindy hugged her.

I let out a big sigh. I feel bad for Sam. But Cindy wasn’t aware of that. I can’t blame her though.

“You okay, Isabella?” Sophie asked while holding my hand.

I realized that Sam is okay with touching Sophie.

“Does Sammy get sweats when you hug her?

She shook her head no.

“Does your mom and dad hug her?

“Only mom” she said.

“What about your dad?

Sophie didn’t answer me.

I saw Sam walking towards us.

“Here you go, pumpkin” she gave Sophie her drink.

“Here” she was offering me a drink. I looked at her hand. I took the cup and made sure not to touch it.

Sophie didn’t say a word to Sam about what we talked about. I guess Sam doesn’t want her telling people about her situation. Sophie seems like a smart kid. I think she acts and talks above her age.

——————————

This is the fifth dress that I tried on. This is really aggravating.

“They all looked good on you. Can’t you just pick one?” She can probably see that I’m frustrated right now.

“You don’t understand. It has to be perfect”

Not for me though, for my mom. If it’s just me, we are already done by now. Yet I have to thoroughly pick a dress that will pass my mom’s standard.

Sam stands up and looks at the clothing rack.

I looked at Sophie and I can totally see that she doesn’t want to be in here anymore. I walk towards her.

“I’m so sorry, Sophie. Just a few more minutes. I’ll buy you an ice cream after, deal?

I asked for a high five and she immediately gave me one. Nothing ice cream can’t handle.

“Try this”

Sam gave me a blue dress.

“It’s really simple but I think it will look good on you”

I went to the fitting room and tried the dress.

“I’m not sure my mom would like this” I said while walking out the room.

I looked at Sam and Sophie. They are just staring at me.

“What?” I said.

“You look like a real barbie” Sophie said while smiling at me.

“What do you think, Sam?” I asked her.

“You.. you look”

“Can you zip me up?” I cut her off.

She stood up. I was standing in front of the mirror.

“Is this okay?” I asked her again. I was looking at her through the mirror.

She zips up the dress and stares at me.

“You look perfect” she said. Her eyes directly looking at mine.

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