Chapter 3:

Growing Up

Greenstone

"Little monster..."

"I am not!"

Sofia grumped back at the boy from the other side of town; whose name she already didn't care to learn.

"You've got horns - so that makes you the monster."

One of his slightly smaller companions added.

"Monsters are bad guys... I'm not bad!"

Today Sofia was determined to be different, take a stand and hold firm in their bullying, instead of just taking it or rushing off to her parents, who she felt bad for always having to deal with her troubles.

Mama and Papa have enough problems... And now I'm getting bigger - I should learn to take care of it on my own...

Already nearly a teenager, she had sorted things out with the local kids on the outskirts of town, but there were still others she'd not met yet, and those she wanted nothing to do with.

"Only weaklings call people names..."

That irked the other group, who'd already come over and disrupted the other local crowd.

"What'd you say?!"

"You heard!"

Luke Bowen, who was a little older and bigger watched on, with growing concern, but probably wouldn't get involved, unless the other smaller kids, including Sofia got into a real fight. But Sofia - who had never pushed back so forthrightly, had never engaged another before, and now took a stand, so he seemed at a loss as to what to do.

"I say we have a test..."

Sofia pouted, but had an idea.

"Why would I bother with that?"

Sofia might have looked like a little scrawny kid, but she knew she had hidden power, that was sometimes difficult to contain, but these bigger bullies needed a loss, otherwise they wouldn't stop.

I know I'm strong... much stronger than those my own age, but I should still be alright...

"Fine! Let's play the game of strength - and if you can push me over, then you can tease me as much as you want! But if I win - you can't at all!"

"Sure, I'll take you on!"

The most annoying of them took the bait and stepped up.

Sofia did her best to turn into a little brick, bracing herself against the attempts by the others to dislodge her or make her stumble, but one after the other, the boys from the far side had their go, but none won. Even the much bigger one, who was chaperoning the others, took a turn, but Sofia beamed triumphantly when they all eventually failed.

"That dosen't count!"

Huh... but we made a deal...?

Luke intervened though.

"You saying your word doesn't matter, that makes you lower than a demon - that makes you a worm..."

"Dose not!"

"Dose too - worm's words don't carry weight, so they can lie all the time in the muck."

It was an odd argument, but it worked.

"Fine then... come on guys."

The 'leader' directed them to follow him away, breaking up the larger gathering.

The youngest of the immediate neighbour's family lingered with Sofia.

"Thank-you for helping... Luke."

"Its fine - you have just as much a right to go about your day... without getting called names."

Sofia felt a little warmer now that someone else about her age said so to her face.

"If anyone troubles you again, I'll help out."

"Sure, thanks."

She gave a big grin his way till he stepped away a little.

"You're so strong Sofia..."

Maya, the slightly older girl who was roughly her height stepped over, in a light pink dress, towing along a soft doll behind her.

"Thank-you..."

"Can we be friends?"

"Sure why not?"

"My brother says you'll grow up and then try to eat us all..."

Uh really... do people really fear differences so much...?

"Eat you? No way... I don't even like meat all that much."

It was like a realisation, so Maya smiled pleasantly to Sofia from then on too.

"I really like you're flowers... they suit your uh..."

"Horns?"

"Yeah... can I maybe touch one?"

No-one had ever asked that before.

"Oh... uh sure."

She carefully reached up and gently ran her finger on Sofia's small left point.

"So smooth..."

Maya smiled and her regular timidness disappeared as she finished.

Perhaps there are some who embrace difference...?

"Mm... let's be good friends Sofia."

"Yeah, that would be great!"

Sofia sat waiting, with her legs and fingers crossed, nervously anticipating seeing Luke again.

It was only yesterday... but I feel like an age as gone by... is it because I'm wary of what he'll think of my new outfit...

She sat in her latest dress: a mostly yellow coloured item, with white loose crinkled frills along the edgings, hem and shoulders, with a colourless and slightly tighter midriff, something she'd had an eye on for a little, since it was quite cute.

I really like it... so I hope he says something about it... maybe...

She'd recently 'blossomed', according to her mother, and had indeed grown, not just taller too, hence the need for the new outfit, that while it was still a little too big, with a few minor altercations - Tia had gotten it to fit just right.

That sort of thing also somehow seemed very important now, not just donning any old dress, she had a need to wear something nice and cute, especially when it came to having a chance encounter with the nice neighbour - Luke.

I wonder when he'll show up...

There was something about him that drew her eye, but she couldn't pin down what. It wasn't his black hair, not much different from the usual dark hair about here, he was an average height, build and, honestly, looks too, but he'd been nice, not so much of an annoyance, or mischievous child - so perhaps his grounded more responsible side was the reason.

Now that they'd both almost completely grown, maybe, she'd come to look at him differently, wanting to attract his eyes also, even though she didn't know what it could all lead too.

Oh, there he is... looks like he's coming in here..!

It didn't matter that being neighbours meant she saw him nearly every day; it still gave her a tiny flutter inside when she saw him near.

Okay Sofia... Play it cool, act all normal like...!

She stood as he entered the main cafe of the town, hoping to subtly wave and catch his attention, then maybe he'd join her for a little sweet snack.

Or at least she tried to stand - as she couldn't find her feet.

Stumbling, she grabbed the table for support and shook the fine cups with a clatter, not only bringing Luke's eyes her way, but everyone else's in the small cafe too.

My hearts going explode...!

"He... he... Hi."

"Hi Sofia."

He walked up casually with a little grin.

I am so embarrassed... but I have to push through...

"Fancy meeting you here..."

Luke stood by the table's side, while Sofia still made it quiver slightly.

"Make a swap at the grocers?"

"Oh, uh yeah... how did you know?"

She finally went still.

"Because you've knocked your bag over..."

He indicated to her feet, that were now surrounded by spiled product.

She dived down and hurriedly picked the loose items up, until a hand offered her a runaway fruit.

"Here you go."

Luke had also bent down to help, kneeling beside the small table, even nearer than before.

So close...!

Her heart went from rampant to still, as he offered her kind assistance.

She broke her stare when the tomato in her other hand burst apart.

"Ack... I'm so sorry!"

I lost control... what a sight I'm made... but at least I didn't get any on us...

"You feeling alright?"

He showed concern, since she'd been acting odd lately.

"Oh yeah, I'm totally fine - not losing it at all here."

"Uh huh..."

He looked at her unconvinced as they stood back up, so Sofia attempted to move things along.

"You want to join me for a little squash - snack."

"Sorry I just ate before coming, so I'm just dropping off a few beans then heading back."

Luke's family grew several ingredients that were used about town in the number of little stores, so she knew he'd be in today, but his earlier meal ruined Sofia's plan.

"Oh..."

His news disappointed her, but she tried to cover it up.

"Well I'm done here... so maybe I'll come with?"

"You're drinks still half full there though -"

Luke pointed out, but Sofia grabbed the mug and downed the warm chocolate in one go, before thumping it back to the table.

"All good I said... Mm so good!"

I never used to act like this... why am I so... jittery around him now...

She caught herself stating again, as they both stepped outside and she snapped back to reality as they started walking.

"Hey uh... well..."

What do we talk about again...?

"Nice clouds we're eating to-!"

Sofia snapped her mouth shut, now she really started to stumble on a simple conversation.