~~~~

Sophie was up abnormally early that day.

She had been up most of the night, using her knowledge of art to draw a realistic drawing of Amelia, with her wide, cute grin. She had carefully placed it in her binder, and had planned to give it to Amelia during lunch. Her adoptive parents were more than concerned on why she was up so early, but they knew she wouldn't answer any questions. She simply ran out the door with half a pop tart in her mouth and her backpack slung over her shoulder. For once, just once since the new school year began, she was able to catch the bus.

And who else but a bright red-haired, green eyed girl sat near the back.

When Sophie saw Amelia, her heart almost skipped a beat, she silently took a breath and sat in the empty space next to her. Amelia looked surprised. 

"I didn't know you were on my bus route!" She said with a smile. Sophie shrugged, unzipping her backpack and taking out her binder. Amelia watched silently, curious. Sophie pulled out the drawing without letting Amelia look at it, and then placed it face down on her lap.

Amelia looked a bit confused, as she turned over the paper. But once she did, her entire body seemed to writhe with happiness.

"Is this... me?" she asked excitedly. Sophie nodded eagerly. Amelia gave a small giggle, and then did something Sophie hadn't expected her too.

She hugged her.

////

Amelia wasn't thinking straight.

That was the one and only excuse she had for touching Sophie, even though she knew Sophie didn't like it. She knew Sophie would react terribly if she hugged her.

So why did she do it?

As soon as her body met Sophie's, she felt something odd. Beneath Sophie's pale peach dress, her skin was uneven, and rough. But she didn't get time to really grasp this, because Sophie immediately shot straight out of her seat, panic gleaming in her eyes. Sophie's breath was fast and rugged. It tore into Amelia's heart to know she had made someone feel bad.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She repeated over and over again. Sophie shook slightly, and then slowly, almost achingly, she sat back down. She was still shaking, and her eyes were glazed over.

This was terrible. She had done the one thing she had never, ever wanted to do to anyone. Especially not Sophie.

She had hurt her.