After seven years, Sophie finally decided to return to her homeland. She had grown up, gained experience, and made strides in her career, but there was always a part of her that longed for home. It wasn't just the familiar streets of Melbourne or the faces of old friends. It was the feeling of being rooted, of belonging. Yet, when she stepped off the plane and breathed in the air of her country again, everything felt different.
The moment she arrived, she knew something was wrong. She had expected things to change over the years, but she wasn't prepared for this. Her mother, Isla, had run away with Sophie's younger sister, Indira. The letter left on the kitchen counter explained it all—Isla couldn't stand the tension in the house anymore, and with no one to support her, she had decided to leave. Sophie's heart sank. It was a betrayal she hadn't seen coming.
Sophie called her father, her voice trembling with disbelief.
"Sophie, they're gone," Jack said gruffly. "It's done."
Her chest tightened as she responded, her anger rising. "How could you let this happen? You let them leave, and now look at Lucas. He's drowning in debt. What have you done?"
Sophie slammed the phone down, the weight of the situation settling on her chest. Her father's indifference made everything feel worse.
Frustrated, Sophie rushed out of the house. She headed straight to Zara's apartment, needing her best friend more than ever. When Zara opened the door, she immediately noticed the pain on Sophie's face.
"Soph, what's wrong? You look... like you've been through hell," Zara said, concern in her voice.
Sophie shook her head, the tears threatening to spill. "Everything's falling apart. Mom's gone. Indira's gone. Lucas... he's a mess, and Dad doesn't care. I don't know what to do anymore."
Zara pulled her into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry, Soph. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you."
Sophie sat down on the couch, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on her. Soon, their other friends—Ella, Kai, and Zane—arrived, each offering their support.
"You don't have to go through this alone," Ella said, her voice gentle. "We're here for you, Soph. Always."
Kai gave her a reassuring smile. "You're strong, Soph. I know it doesn't feel like it now, but you'll get through this."
Zane sat next to her, his tone soft. "We've all had our struggles, but you're not facing this alone. We've got your back, no matter what."
Sophie felt a sense of relief wash over her as her friends surrounded her. They were her anchor in the storm, and for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel quite so lost.
"I don't even know where to start," Sophie said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Everything feels like it's slipping through my fingers."
Zara placed a hand on her shoulder. "One step at a time, Soph. We'll help you figure this out. You don't have to carry it all by yourself."
As the night went on, Sophie slowly began to open up to her friends, sharing the pain she had been holding inside. The tears, the frustration, the betrayal—everything that had been building up inside her. And with every word she spoke, she felt the burden lighten, just a little bit.
"You're going to get through this," Zane said, his words full of quiet strength. "You're stronger than you think."
Sophie smiled faintly, grateful for the unwavering support of her friends. Despite everything that had happened, she wasn't alone. And for the first time in a long while, that gave her the strength to face the road ahead.
.....