Sophia took off her purple-pinkish glasses, sliding them into her case with a sigh. Click. She gently tugged the pull switch and then leaped into her bed, snuggling her soft comforters to her chest, thinking about what happened earlier that day.
Today at school, Sophia’s class were working on their dioramas for science. Sophia was doing the ocean ecosystem, because it was simpler than the other projects, in her opinion. But obviously, Polly was doing it too.
Polly was the bully in the class. Whatever she did, was supposed to be the correct and the best way of doing it. She bragged, especially at Sophia. They did not have a good relationship, even though they were classmates ever since the start of preschool. Sophia didn’t like her because of her dishonesty, bragging, and copying everything she did.
Anyways, while Sophia was working one her project, Polly couldn’t find hers. And who did she blame? Sophie Kristensen. “She took mine because I added glitter!” Polly complained to Mrs. Henderson. “No, I didn’t!” Sophia told Polly with a stern face. “Okay, okay. Girls, stop arguing. Polly, stop accusing Sophia. Just start a new one, no big deal. You both are in detention for your childish behavior.” their teacher replied with a serious face. “Stay after school here or I will make you write lines!” she scolded, stomping away. Polly gave a “I will get revenge look”, grinding her teeth in anger at Sophia.
Sophia felt a rush of anger fill through her whole body when she thought about the story. Thinking about it made her sleep, a sleep that could change yourself, giving you the chance to step into someone else’s shoes.
***
Sophia woke up startled by the sound of her little brother stomping and yelling downstairs. “Ugh!” she said in an annoyed tone. She slid her feet into sleeper slippers and walked to the restroom to brush her teeth.
When she walked in, she looked into the mirror and shrieked. The most terrible thing had just happened…
She was Polly Patrickson.
This might have been a dream, no, it had to be a dream. Last night, she was Sophia Kristensen and now she was someone who she never wanted to be. This was horrifying, no, she was horrifying.
How was she going to go to school? What would her class think of her now? Sophia started trying to cool down.
After she was calm, Sophia decided to just get ready for school normally like everyday. If someone asked about her new look, she would say that she dyed her hair and accidentally got some pen dots on her cheeks.
It was getting time for the bus to arrive, so Sophia/Polly was ready. She was wearing a hat today to cover her face, and maybe Mrs. Henderson would understand. Maybe.
She ran downstairs, said “bye” to her mom without showing her face, and raced to the main door. Right in front of her was the bus line with lots and lots of kids. Like usual. When it was her turn to get on, someone pushed her. “Polly Patrickson isn’t allowed on the bus, can’t you see the sign?” a boy told Sophia arrogantly. Before he could say no more, the bus drove away. Sophia was still standing there on the road, alone.
“What?” said Sophia\Polly softly. “I guess this is how Polly’s life is. She doesn’t have any friends. She’s lonely.”
Sophia thought about Polly for a minute. She had no idea that Polly was treated this way. That’s why she never saw Polly on the school bus.
Instead of waiting there on the road for longer, Sophia decided to take her bike to school, so she wouldn’t get tardy.
Sophia reached school at 7:44 which was okay, because school started at 7:45 sharp when the bell rang. She just had to unpack her water bottle and snack (which was her bag of apples).
When she was heading to the classroom, the real Polly Patrickson came in.
“Who are you?” said Polly with a frown when she saw Sophia. “Are you my twin?”
“No. I-I’m Tina Robins.” Sophia said.
“Liar. There’s no one in our class called Tina Robins. You’re Sophia Kristensen.”