Sophia woke up to the sound of her alarm. It serenaded her with the sounds of the local radio, talking and singing loudly. She yelled a muffled word, moaning as if she was being born again. She sat up, hit her alarm clock, and made her way down the steps to the living room. Her mom had left her a note saying that she would be gone almost the entire day, for she had a meeting with the CEO of another company. Sophia grabbed a carton of milk from the refrigerator, and a cereal box from a cabinet, and sat down on the couch. She had just taken a big gulp of both of them mixed together when she heard a tap on one of the windows. She stopped mid-chew and looked out the nearest window. A girl suddenly popped up, making Sohpia jump. She choked on her cereal, and the newcomer looked concerned. A muffled “Sophia?” could be heard from outside the glass pane. Sophia held up one finger, and ran to the kitchen. She spit up her cereal in the sink, gasping and panting for breath. After a few moments she stomped over to the door, opened it, and prepared to yell at the person who had jumpscared her. Instead she was met with an enthusiastic young girl about her own age, if not a little younger. “Hi Sophia!” the girl said, clearly unaware that she had just caused Sophia to choke. “How are you doing?” Sohpia felt a wave of frustration. “Oh, I don’t know Carrie, I just choked. How do you think I'm feeling?” Carrie gasped melodramatically. “Oh, I’m sorry Sophia! I was wondering why you acted like you couldn’t breathe! Anyways, I was just checking to see if we have any homework-” “OUT,” Sophia said. “Go on, shoo. I’ll see you at school.” Carrie hesitated, then she sighed and waved good-bye. Sophia shut the door loudly, groaning with relief. She could handle Carrie somedays, but today was not that day. She grabbed her long-forgotten cereal bowl from the counter, and dumped it into the sink. She went back up to her room, brushed the tangles out of her hair, and changed into something more presentable than pajamas. Pocketing her phone, she unlocked the front door and slid out, breathing in the cool, fresh air.
