Sofia’s POV

Standing from the floor, I move to crack my aching back with a sore stretch.

Sleeping on the floor was not the best form of sleep but it would just have to do right now.

I got myself ready for school, deciding to wear the blue tee and new jeans I had purchased from the thrift store yesterday, providing a sense of freshness from the clothes I usually rotated between these days.

My hair and body was now spotless after an hour of relentless scrubbing in the cold shower which needed to be done – and I was thankful that my hair dried naturally straight which meant that I didn’t have to style or attempt to fix it too much either.

With a heavy spray of deodorant and a scrub of my teeth, I pull my bag over my shoulder and head for the door – thankful that my two neighbours hadn’t yet emerged in the early hours of the day.

I followed the small map on the pamphlet, realising that the school wasn’t too far from the town centre which made things easier for me.

It was roughly a fifteen minute walk in to town and then no doubt a few more minutes walk from there. I liked walking, but recently find myself taking dizzy turns probably due to my lack of a healthy diet.

At first it was a struggle, trying to watch what I was spending by cutting back on my food, but at this rate it was a terrible habit that I often forgot about.

I was the skinniest I had ever been, which made me feel slightly queasy whenever I thought in to it too much. My old clothes didn’t fit the same, and I was angry with myself for letting go of my appearance so much over the months that I had ran away.

I was always slim, but had curves which I didn’t mind, but by now, any sort of ass that I once had was non existent…

If my forged paperwork had been accepted by the school then I should hopefully get a free lunch every day which will keep me going though.

I had gotten good at this forgery stuff, although it did worry me with what could or would happen if I ever got caught.

I had my oldest brother’s ID, but only ever used it for important stuff such as applying to switch schools. I claimed he was my guardian, and worked away in the army, which was why I was left to live alone.

Technically I was seventeen, almost eighteen, which meant that I wouldn’t need a guardian at all soon enough… but I had to be cautious with what I used the ID for.

Sure, I could attempt to take out a credit card in his name, but that would leave a foot print of where I was since I would have to do it online.

I have learned to be clever, because after the first two locations I had run off to, I realised how quickly they could find me with the smallest slip up.

Having now passed the town, I noticed a young guy with a backpack on and decided to follow behind him assuming that we were both going to the same place – being school.

Rightly so, within five minutes, we rounded a corner and the large building stood before me.

This was the worst part about moving, having to start a new school. The first day could go one of two ways, either everybody would notice I was new and could make my life a living hell, or I would go undetected which was my most favourable option.

Luckily I seemed to be early, as not many kids were here yet as I headed inside and glanced around.

“Lost?” I turn to find a man with glasses, cocking an eyebrow down at me as I nod assuming he was one of the teachers.

“I’m looking for the office.” I explain, as he nods and motions for me to follow him as he begins to walk in a quickened stride.

I push my feet quickly to keep up, turning a left and then a right before the large glass windows of the school office soon come in to view.

“Thank you!” I beam, knowing that I would have never found this place on my own.