[centre][img]https://i.postimg.cc/G2gWJ2WH/My-project-1.png[/img][/centre]
[sub] Interacts with Natsumi ([@Kuro])[/sub] 
[hr]

[center][i]A few months earlier...[/i][/center]

[indent][color=#87CEEB]"Aegis?"[/color] 

Sophia’s brows knitted together in confusion as she exchanged a puzzled glance with her mother, whose eyes seemed to carry the weight of unspoken worries. Her heart quickened at the expression on her face, and she swallowed hard, attempting to dislodge the knot of unease that had taken root in her throat. Her parents' words had set a storm of questions swirling in her mind, each more bewildering than the last.

"You know how things have been in the world lately, with metahumans and all," her father continued, his tone laced with a subtle anxiety that pricked at Sophia's senses."And with you struggling so much in school...."

Sophia's chest tightened at his words, her unease growing. She wanted to object, to defend her academic performance, but the truth was undeniable. Her grades had been slipping, a reflection of the growing distractions and anxieties in her life. She bit her lip, tasting the bitterness of the obvious lie that slipped past her lips. [color=#87CEEB]"I'm not doing that bad,"[/color] she managed to say, though the quiver in her voice betrayed her true feelings.

"We really wanted to give it another year," her mother began, her voice carrying a wistful tone, "until you graduated, you know." Sophia could see the regret in her mother's eyes, mirroring the heavy sensation that had settled in her own chest.

"But..." Her mother's voice wavered, and she paused, searching for the right words, "With everything that's happened this month…you and that...that girl," her mother continued, her voice trailing off, unable to hide the unease that recent encounters had stirred within her.

Sophia's throat tightened as the gravity of her situation sank in. She turned her gaze away for a moment, struggling to meet her mother's eyes, knowing they held both worry and disappointment. Leaving behind everything she knew—her school, her sanctuary, and her familiar life—felt overwhelming.

[color=#87CEEB]"Mom,"[/color] Sophia finally managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked back at her mother, her eyes pleading. [color=#87CEEB]"I can't just leave everything behind like this. What about my…. friends? What about school?"[/color] Desperation crept into her voice, impossible to conceal.

Her mother reached out, gently placing a hand on Sophia's shoulder, offering a soft, reassuring squeeze. "I know, sweetheart," she said, tears now freely flowing down her cheeks. "But we're doing this because we love you. Because we want to keep you safe. We just want to protect you, even if it means not being by your side. But…we’ll always be with you. Just remember that."

[hr]

Sophia's reaction to the chaotic scene unfolding before her was a potent mixture of shock, fear, and a deep sense of unease. She had come to Aegis to find answers and learn to control her abilities, but witnessing the raw display of metahuman power sent shivers down her spine. The sudden explosion of the table and the violence that followed left her trembling and speechless. Her eyes remained fixed on the redhead, Noah, whose abilities had undoubtedly caused the destructive outburst, judging by the sheer intensity in her eyes and the turmoil etched across her face.

Sophia couldn't help but be struck by the raw power emanating from the redhead. It was clear that her abilities were formidable, and the havoc they had just witnessed was a testament to that fact. The way Noah had defended herself, even if it had been in the heat of the moment, left Sophia in awe and apprehension.

And fear.

[color=#87CEEB][i]So…this is what it felt like.[/i][/color]

The guards rushed in quickly to control the situation, Sophia's heart racing all the while. She couldn't tear her gaze away from the injured boy, Billy, and the chaos that had erupted in the room. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions and doubts. How could she ever hope to control her abilities if she didn't even understand them fully? What if, in a moment of anger or fear, she accidentally harmed someone, just like Noah had done? However, something told her that Billy may have deserved her severe reaction. Sophia couldn't help but feel a profound twinge of shame for her earlier thoughts. At that moment, as she observed him, it became clear that Billy was no different from any ordinary bully she might have encountered outside these walls.

As the guards ushered them to the dorms, Sophia's thoughts drifted to her new life at Aegis. Would things truly be better for her here as her parents had said? The sterile corridors and the watchful eyes of the guards made her doubt the sincerity of their promises. The white walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating her with a sense of confinement she had never experienced before. She couldn't escape the feeling that she was being watched every moment, the cameras following their every move like unblinking sentinels.

As she arrived at what must be her room, going by what she was told before, the blonde was startled to find herself face-to-face with an unfamiliar girl. Her heart raced for a moment, her instincts on high alert, but then she noticed the weary yet friendly smile on the girl's face. It was a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the recreation room just minutes ago.

[COLOR=50c878]"Hi,"[/color] the girl greeted her, and Sophia felt a small measure of relief in the ordinary greeting. [COLOR=50c878]"I think we're supposed to be roommates."[/color]

Sophia managed a small, tentative smile in return, her initial wariness giving way to curiosity. [color=#87CEEB]"Hi,"[/color] she replied, her voice carrying a touch of uncertainty. [color=#87CEEB]"I'm Sophia."[/color] She took a step closer, offering a hand in greeting. 

[color=#87CEEB]"Nice to meet you."[/color][/indent]