From Strangers to Soulmates
A new neighbour
Author
Hello everyone(。♡‿♡。)
Author
Writing my first chat story
Author
Hope you all like it
[Sophie's chat with her mom]
Sophie
Mom, who are we visiting today?
Margaret
We’re going to visit an old friend of mine, Mrs. Claire. She just came back from living abroad. She has brought Ethan with her—her son.
Margaret
You were too young to remember him, but he used to live here when he was little. You two will finally meet today!
[Arriving at Mrs. Claire's House]
Sophie
Excitedly
Yay! I can’t wait to meet him!
Margaret
He’s a bit quiet and reserved, Sophie. Don’t be too upset if he’s not very talkative at first.
Sophie
I’ll make him talk!
[Inside Mrs. Claire's House]
Claire
Sophie! It’s been so long! Come on in!
Sophie
(Smiling wide)
Hi, Mrs. Claire! Where’s Ethan?
Claire
He’s upstairs in his room, but I’m sure he’d love to meet you.
Sophie knocks on Ethan’s door
Sophie
Hi! I’m Sophie! I’m your new neighbor!
Ethan
(Glances up briefly, then looks away)
Yeah.
Sophie
(Bouncing in excitement) Wanna play? I have so many toys! We can build the biggest fort in the backyard!
Sophie pauses, feeling a little disappointed
Sophie
But... it’ll be fun! We could do something together!
Sophie
You don’t play? Oh... well, maybe we could do something else. What do you like to do?
Ethan
I just like to be alone.
Sophie
Okay, but... you don’t have to be alone all the time. My mom says we used to be friends when we were little. We could be friends again!
Ethan
(Coldly) I don’t need friends.
Sophie looking disappointed but still trying
Sophie
Oh... okay. I guess I’ll go play by myself then
The Truth Unspoken
Sophie
Why is he always so... cold?
Sophie
I’m just trying to be nice! What’s wrong with him?
[Feeling disappointed, Sophie came downstairs and overhears a conversation]
[Hearing her mom, Margaret, and Claire talking in the living room, she quietly sneaks down the stairs, curious]
Claire
It’s been so hard for Ethan.
Claire
He’s still adjusting to everything, you know?
Margaret
I can imagine. Losing a father at such a young age must be devastating.
[Sophie pauses, hearing the conversation clearly]
Sophie
What? What happened?
Margaret
I’m sure you’ve already seen it, but Ethan’s father passed away in an accident while they were living abroad.
Margaret
It’s been months, but Ethan... he hasn’t really processed it yet.
Claire
He shuts himself off from everyone.
Claire
It’s like he doesn’t know how to deal with the pain, so he just... keeps it all in.
Margaret
Poor thing. He’s been through so much.
Margaret
No wonder he’s been so distant. It must be hard for him to open up.
[Sophie whispers to herself, her heart softening]
Sophie
Ethan... lost his dad...
Sophie
Oh, no wonder he’s so upset...
Change of Heart
Sophie
[On her way home, walking beside Margaret, she remains silent, her head bowed in thought.]
Margaret
[Shooting a glance at her daughter]
Margaret
Sophie, is everything okay?
Margaret
You’ve been awfully quiet since we left Claire’s house.
Sophie
I’m fine, Mom. Just... tired.
Margaret
Alright, sweetheart. Let me know if you want to talk.
[Sophie after finishing her dinner, she pushes her chair back and heads straight to her room without saying much]
Margaret
What’s gotten into her?
In her room, she closes the door and walks to her bed, sitting down, her mind swirling with thoughts.
Sophie
Why does Ethan have to be so cold? It’s like he doesn’t care about anything or anyone...
She glances out the window, her gaze softening as she remembers the conversation she overheard.
Sophie
But... losing his dad like that?
Sophie
It must have been so hard for him.
[Hugs her knees, feeling a mix of emotions—frustration, sadness, and guilt]
Sophie
Maybe I’ve been too hard on him. He’s not mean... he’s just hurt.
[Her determination flares as she sits up straight, staring out into the night sky]
Sophie
I’ll try again. This time, I’ll be patient. He deserves that much, doesn’t he?
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