章 9: SOFIA

My pits itched. Sweat drenched it and certain parts of my body. My sides burned.

I have been running. Ever since I left Gary and now I must wade through these herd of onlookers.

"Sorry. Pardon me. Coming through" I kept saying as I tried to push my way through the packed crowd.

"Girl!, you better not step on my sneaks. They're limited edition" a girl said as I pushed past her.

"Sorry" I called, not bothering to look back. In truth, I wanted to retort "If they are, then why don't you move them out of the way" cause clearly she didn't deserve an apology. She was one of those people 'Live' on PipPop.

PipPop was an app that allowed people to go 'Live' in situations like the one before me. In doing so, they kept people informed of what's happening at the present. Those watching then comment and react.

The app also allowed uploading of videos and clips which can also be reacted or commented on.

"You are a prick!" The man in blue overalls shouted.

"Your brokenness is your problem. Better quit this waste of time for a job you have. I can even help you with one if you can put your pride aside" The other man in polo and jeans called back.

I had wanted to move through the crowd, and I did, but somehow I had managed to get in front of the situation.

Inches from where I was, the yellow and black "DO NOT CROSS" tapes of cops marked the crime scene. Beyond the tapes, the men were restrained by two hunks of cops. But apparently, they couldn't do much about the curses they hauled at each other.

"Privileged prick! How can someone like you give me a job when at this time of the day, you are drunk and high already? Looking at you, I can already tell that you've never worked a day in your life, so leave me to waste my time, but at least I don't go around crashing into others and denying responsibility." The man in overalls retorted.

On the left side of his overalls was a gold and blue threaded embroidery of a man carrying a box with the words just below the silhouette.

"RealTime Delivery Services

(Keeping deliveries real and quick)"

A white van with the same logo in blue and gold blocked the road with all four of its tires punctured. And just a few inches from the taillight was a dent. The silver gray Porsche blocked by the van wasn't looking so nice either. All four of its tires were punctured too and the fender looked like something that received a Superman punch.

"Maybe if your folks had worked as hard as you are working now, then you wouldn't have to be broke."

"Asshole, how dare you drag my parents into this!" the man in overalls yelled, trying to break free from the arms holding him in place.

I doubt he would do much with the cuffs on his hands, but I could be wrong. The anger that reddened his face and the hate in his eyes really could give me a run for my money.

The rich prick, yeah, I certainly think he is a prick. He made to offer a retort, but a girl pushed past me and her words drowned out his.

"Oh Pan46, I totally agree with you, the delivery guy should be released. After all, it was the rich asshole who ran into him and tried to speed away. Can you believe people? Rosedan55, you get it. The rich can be real bitches. Hey, AnnaT66, don't come onto me, I just echoed a comment. You don't have to take it personal…"

It was the same girl on PipPop, and apparently she was really generating reactions and comments. Her phone screen was blowing up with thumbs up and different heart colored emojis.

"Hey, would you like to make a live comment?" she asked, tapping my shoulder.

I hated being thrown into the spotlight like that. Don't get me wrong, I reveled in attention, but not when it's sprung on me.

I watched an awkward me from her screen as she threw her arm across my shoulder.

"Em.. erm, what sup guys" I began.

"Definitely Sassy44, she's cute, but shy. Oh don't be rude, Terry18, you can't tell her to fuck off."

Different reactions colored her screen - red and purple devil emojis, red 'X', even clown emojis and most comments were hateful.

D-D53

"😻 got your 👅, sweetheart 💋?"

Gab😇31

"You are cute as hell when you are shy🥰"

Fuck😈23

"Just say something or get the hell out of there!"

"You hear them girl, say something or bounce!" the girl practically yelled at my ear.

Believe me, I wanted nothing more than to get as far away from them as possible, but knowing my generation. If I leave, I could trend as a coward for weeks, if not months. I may keep a low profile on my socials, but with my face, they would find me and troll me as long as they wanted.

After repeating "I can do this" several times in my mind, I squared my shoulders and spoke,

"Hello guys, you really have to give a girl a break. My life is crazy right about now"

"❤️🥺😍😢😞🤍💔" emojis reacted to my words.

"4Ever, thank you, but I believe I can get through it and thank you guys for your support. Anyways, yeah I totally agree, some rich folks can be real bitches. They are privileged pricks who think their wealth gives them an edge over others. I mean, why would someone crash into another and instead of apologizing, he tries to race away and wait, I hear he was as drunk and high as fuck when he did it. Should he even be driving on such state?, like seriously WHAT THE FUCK!"

I excused myself, embarrassed that I had allowed my anger to rise that much. It really didn't need much motivation, the situation with the blond guy earlier was all it needed. But not before seeing the girl's screen almost blinded by likes, emojis and comments.

"Heww! That girl really hate them rich folks. But can you blame her…" she was saying, before I walked beyond earshot.

I wasn't really proud or happy about some of the things I said, but I kinda felt lighter after that vent.

Still it doesn't make it right nor does the drive to document everything, to trend, which is slowly becoming a virus with my generation, right.

I have seen situations where two grown ass men or women are fighting, the kind where clothes are shredded and fatality holds a tier. But instead of people trying to separate them, they rather go 'Live' and generate comments and reactions.

Only after that, do they actually give a fuck about those fighting. And most times, a lot of damage has been done already.

I shoved through the crowd again, this time not even bothering to be polite or apologetic. Seconds later, it was all behind me, the screams, the raised phones, even journalists reporting the situation, little help that would do when more than twenty persons had been screening the event minutes before their arrival.

I stopped to button down my coat, hiding the lewd crop shirt I knotted below my midriffs and tied my belt.

The look was really not giving a fashion sense, but there wasn't a look Sofia Blake couldn't pull off. Tossing back my hair, I continued my dash.

Two more turns, and I screeched to a halt as the pencil architectural design skyscraper of the famous Wellington Empire loomed in front of me.

Set between shorter glass buildings with LED screens showing ads. Fashion ads, trending designer jewelries, tech, movies, shows and even recent news. In the very heart of the hub of New City, it cast a shadow of dominance and rayed the early morning light of the sun.

"My future here I come" I said with optimism as I approached the building.