In a Hospital room sits a young lady named, Sophia, who is sitted in a room with a female doctor and her daughter, Sandra who sat beside her, resting on her laps. Around them was the headmaster and Sandra's teacher who stood anxiously waiting for the doctor's diagnosis.
DOCTOR: May I speak to the Patient's mother in private please..
The headmaster and teacher share a look of understanding to each other before exiting the room.
DOCTOR: Mrs Sophia Smith..was it?
SOPHIA: Yes Doctor..(she answered with a sad expression on her face)
DOCTOR: How old is your daughter?
SOPHIA: Sandra is four years old.
DOCTOR: Four??..hm..are you aware your daughter is malnourished Sophia?
SOPHIA: ..Ye..Yes Doctor (she replied with her head down)
DOCTOR: You're here because your child fainted while performing some sporting activities in school..is that right?
SOPHIA: Yes correct
DOCTOR: ...Has she even eaten at all today)
SOPHIA: ....
DOCTOR: I asked a question...
SOPHIA: She..she had a biscuit this morning (she replied holding back her tears)
DOCTOR: A biscuit?? (she exclaimed astonished)... how old are you Sophia?
SOPHIA: Listen Doctor, it's best we start going now, my daughter needs to rest, she's not well.
DOCTOR: And is that my fault?..Listen Sophia, I am a mother of five kids, my youngest is sure to be your age so I'm gonna talk to you as a mother..not a doctor, and I AM NOT going to let you leave this room until I ensure that this child will be taken care of, so it's either you talk to me..or I'm calling child protective services.
SOPHIA: M.. Ma'am please don't, I..I can take care of her, I'm trying my best please..(she pleaded as tears stream down her eyes)
DOCTOR: Well evidently your best is but enough, if you knew you weren't ready to raise this child then why did you have her?!
Sophia sits speechless on hearing the doctor's question, she looks at Sandra who laid weakly on her laps, clenching onto her stomach as she whimpers quietly... Sophia's heart shatters on seeing her daughter's state, and with her head bowed in shame, she finally opens up.
*. *. *. *. *. *. *
6 YEARS EARLIER
The Smith family are all sotted in the living room, both girls sit on the same couch across their mother (Laura Smith) who stood angrily with her hands folded as she glared at Sandra (The eldest daughter) whose eyes are fixed on her phone.
LAURA: Sandra are you even listening?!, drop that phone right now! (she demanded)
SANDRA: Fine (groans) Just give me a minute to reply this text (she replied still on her phone)
SOPHIA: Yeah I actually have alot of chats to reply as well (she said reaching out to her phone from her back pocket)
LAURA: Both if you, phones down, now! (She yelled)
'Both girls drop their phone reluctantly'
LAURA: Do you see what I'm talking about Sandra?, You're setting a bad example for your sister
SANDRA: Oh come on mum, not this again (she rolled her eyes)
LAURA: Sophia go to your room..
SOPHIA: ugh, can't I go outside instead
LAURA: To you room, now!
Sophia stomps out of the living room leaving her mom and sister
MRS SMITH: Sandra, you're not a kid anymore, you're 19 for goodness sake, most kids your age are already in college,some are working, chasing their dreams, aiming to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!..While you're here partying today, clubbing tomorrow, and you're trying to drag your little sister into your crazy and unproductive lifestyle!
SANDRA: I'm not dragging Sophia into anything!
LAURA: She's 15 Sandra!, She's at the age where she can easily be influenced,and Ofcourse she'd want to follow in her older sister's footsteps, but you aren't laying a good example!
SANDRA: So what exactly do you want me to do?
LAURA: Well for starters, stop taking her to those little parties of yours and don't deny it,I have my sources.
SANDRA: We're just having fun mum (she groaned)
LAURA: Fun?, Sophia was a good kid before with good grades, but now I'm having calls that she's been skipping classes, and he rgrades have gone down, I don't want that for her, You chose to drop out of school, that doesn't mean your sister should too
SANDRA: School is overrated if you didn't know mum, it's not like you finished school (she replied picking her phone back up)
LAURA: I didn't have the privilege to go through college because of my financial status, but your case and that of your sister is different because I have worked HARD to provide and care for you both ever since your dad left...but I am not getting any younger, you need to start building up your future
SANDRA: Gosh mom, just leave me be geez! (She yelled grabbing her purse as she heads out the door)
LAURA: Sandra!.. Sandra!
SANDRA: What?!
LAURA: One day, you're gonna look back and realize that I have always been right, but by then, it'll already be too late, and you're gonna regret all the decisions you've been making your entire life, but I won't let you make that Sophia's fate...if you try to corrupt your sister one more time..you're out of my house!
Sandra says nothing but walks out, slamming the door behind her. Letting out a deep sigh, her mother falls into the sofa as tears escape her eyes.
Meanwhile Sophia already shucked out of her room through the window as she catches up with her sister outside.
SOPHIA: Heyy, well that went quicker than I had imagined
SANDRA: Ugh, I'm actually glad mum didn't bore me with one of her long sermons again (sighs) It's really getting frustrating, I'm honestly thinking about moving out.
SOPHIA: Oh but come on, you promised you'd stay a bit longer till I was 18, the house is always super boring when you're not around, I'd die of boredom if you moved out (she pouted)
SANDRA: So...you want me to spend three more years with our unbearable mother basically denying myself independence all so you DON'T GET BORED?? (She asks with a brow raised)
SOPHIA: Uhh..yes (she replied with a wide grin)
SANDRA: (squints) sure why not (she smiled)
SOHPIA: I love youuu (she squieled hugging her sister) So..where are we going?
SANDRA: Well Jason just sent me a text that Chase is back in town and he's throwing a welcome back party
SOPHIA: For himself?
SANDRA: Apparently so (she replied watching a live video of the party) Come on, we gotta get going otherwise we'll miss all the fun..Taxi! (She called)
SOPHIA: No but wait, I don't think I'm properly dressed for a party
SANDRA: Oh please, you're fine, now let's go before mum finds out you're no longer in your room
Sophia agrees and both girls rush into the taxi which drove off shortly afterwards. Their mother watched them upstairs through the bedroom window.
With a deep sigh Laura picks up her phone and makes a call
LAURA: Yeah Hi, could we please meet up at the coffee shop downtown?..I just really need someone to talk to right now..thanks honey,see you soon.
Hanging up the phone she grabs her car keys and head out.
Not long after the girls arrive at Chase's home, going inside they meet a crowd of people all with little coasters filled with snacks as they sat around Chase, who appeared to be telling some kind of story.
CHASE: Amd well after that we payed a little visit to Berlard Beach (he said with a proud smirk)
"What!..that like the most largest beach in D.C, it's crazy expensive to get in", a girl sitter said to her friend.
"Yeah, it would be a dream come true to go there..mayhe next time we could go there together Chase..what do you say?" Another girl asks flirtatiously
CHASE: Well that can b arranged (he winked flirting back)
SANDRA: Ugh, classic Chase (she rolled her eyes)
SOPHIA: I see Jason over there (she said waving at Jason who sat in-between the crowd, we waves back after spotting them, standing up, he walks over)
JASON: Hey babe(he greeted Sandra with a kiss) Whatsup Sophia?
SOPHIA: I'm fine thanks.
SANDRA: What's Chase going on about this time?
JASON: Oh nothing,just how he travelled around D.C visiting only the most luxurious of places just because he can, you know the usual.(he shrugged)
SANDRA: Hey Chase! (she called out) You're rich we get it!
Chase chuckles lightly from Sandra's comment, as he leaves the chattering crowd to say hello.
CHASE: Well well, if it isn't princess Sophia..
SOPHIA: Hi Chase, welcome back (she smiled greeting him with a hug)
CHASE: Oh how sweet, thank you (he smiled back) You see that Sandra?, You should learn a thing or two from your little sister.. simple courtesy
SANDRA: (scoffs) says the guy that didn't invite me to his welcome back party, a party you threw yourself?, So sad. (she shakes her head)
CHASE: Aww, Jealous much?..and plus if I didn't want you to know I wouldn't have told Jason now would I?
SOPHIA: Well yeah that's true (she chuckled) cause Jason tells my sister everything, they have no secrets
SANDRA: That's right... He doesn't keep anything from me (she said with a smirk kissing Jason on the cheek)
CHASE: Yeahh, such a cute couple...blink twice if you need help (he whispered leaning closer to Devon)
SANDRA: I heard that! (She replied smacking Chase in the arm)
CHASE: Oww, come on Sandra,not so hard, we talked about this (he whined)
SANDRA: (laughs) Welcome back bestie (she replied giving Chase a hug)
CHASE: Thanks (he chuckled) well anyways, WHO'S UP FOR DRINKS?!
Chase yells and the crowd goes wild, Drinks are brought in from a couple of guys who came out from the back with bottles of vodka,and everyone cheers in excitement as the drinks are being distributed
CHASE: Come on, sit, sit (he gestures to Sophia and Sandra)
Drinks are passed down to both sisters but Sandra takes away the bottle.
SANDRA: You still arenyold enough Sophie (she said laying the bottle gently on the floor)
CHASE: Oh yeah, I totally forgot Sophia was still a kid
SOPHIA: I'm not a kid!,I'm just..not an adult yet, but I consider myself grown (she replied with her arms folded)
SANDRA: Yes Ofcourse she's grown, how dare you Chase (Sandra teases)
CHASE: Oh I am so sorry, Ofcourse you're grown, my bad (he laughs) Hey you Robin! (He called out to someone)
ROBIN: Whatsup?..(He replied walking over)
Sophia looks up and is dazzled to see a cute tall guy with curly hair standing beside Chase with his hands in his pocket.
CHASE: Oh guys by the way this is my cousin,Robin, he's going to be living with me for a couple weeks..Robin, this is my best friend, Sandra and her little sister Sophia.
ROBIN: Hey Sophia..um,it's nice to meet you (he smiled)
SOPHIA: Uh, Hi (she replied nervously)
CHASE: Sandra's there too you know,just in case you didn't see her sitting right next to her sister
SANDRA: (laughs) good one
Chase and Jason snickers along and Robin is flushed with embarrassment whioe Sophia just sat nervously fiddling her fingers
ROBIN: (chuckles lightly) Pardon me, Hello Sandra..nice to meet you
SANDRA: Hey dude (she waved)
CHASE: Yeah so, Sophia can't drink, so get her some juice or something
ROBIN: Sure, Orange or strawberry?
SOPHIA: umm.. strawberry would be fine
ROBIN: Okay,I think there's some in the fridge, just give me a minute (he replied before walking over to the fridge)
SANDRA: hm, he seems nice (she said taking a sip of her drink)
CHASE: ha!, Don't make me laugh l, he and I are practically the same we're supposed to be brothers (he chuckled)
SANDRA: Oh please,he doesn't look like he'd be anything like you Chase don't be mean now
SOPHIA: Yeah.. he's..I mean,he seems nice yeah
SANDRA:(Snickers)
SOPHIA:What?
SANDRA: nothing. (She replied taking another sip)
Robin walks back over with a jar of strawberry juice and a glass cup in hand
ROBIN: Okay, let me just our you a glass...(He said filling the glass cup with juice)
SOPHIA: Thanks.
ROBIN: Pleasure (he smiled with a wink before walking away)
Sophia smiles bashfully as he left
CHASE: Oof, now you're the one drooling Sophie (he teases)
SOPHIA: Oh leave me be okay? (She said before drinking her juice)
Hours passed and it's 6pm, the party was over and everyone started leaving,most walked home almost too drunk to walk properly while some got on Taxis.
Jason, although a bit tipsy from the drinks he had, offers to drop Sophia and Sandra off with Chase's car,but unfortunately,on their way there, they are pulled over by the police.
SANDRA: Oh no, that's the last thing we need (she groaned)
The park their car by the side and the officer walls over
OFFICER: Good evening...
JASON: Fine evening officer
OFFICER: Are you aware of how fast you were driving at sir?
JASON: I..I don't thinkI was going so fast
OFFICER: sir were you driving under the influence?
JASON: No...I, I just had a some soda, I'm not drunk or anything
OFFICER: You're clearly intoxicated sir, and your car reikes of alcohol, you know the laws of the city
JASON: Yes I do officer,but..
OFFICER: I'm gonna have to see some license and registration please,I'm also going to need you to step out of the car
SANDRA: oh come on (she groaned) It's not like we did any harm, we didn't hit anyone,come on officer we're almost home already, could you please just let us go? (She pleaded)
The officer's attention is shifted towards Sophia who's asleep at the back of the car.
OFFICER: And who is that?
SANDRA: What, who?..oh, that's just my sister... Sophia!..Sophia wake up! (She smacked her sister)
SOPHIA: huh, what.?(she exclaimed rubbing her eyes as she sat up)
OFFICER: She looks like a minor
SANDRA: Well,yeah she is but..
OFFICER: Was she out drinking as well?
SANDRA: What..no!, We..we just
OFFICER: I'm gonna need you all to step out of the car please (he ordered)
SANDRA: (groans)
SOPHIA: We're in trouble aren't we?
SANDRA: (nods)
NEXT: Episode 2
Seperated.