Work Text:
Small background detail that I didn't know how to incorporate into the story smoothly but will be important:
- All the girls met during their first year of college since they're visual and performing arts majors
Daniela stood in her apartment with Sophia, rifling through her closet as she got ready for her date.
"Okay, how does this one look? Am I trying too hard?" Daniela asked, stepping in front of the mirror for the sixth time that night.
Sophia leaned back on the bed, arms crossed with an amused smile. "You look hot. Just like you did the last five times."
Daniela huffed but couldn’t hide her grin. "I know! I just really want this date to go well. I think I could actually like him." She turned to examine herself in the mirror again, smoothing her dress.
Sophia watched her, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes. "I don’t know anything about him," she said softly, "but just be yourself. He’d be crazy not to fall for you."
Daniela paused, finally meeting Sophia’s gaze. Her expression softened. "You really think so?" she asked, her voice quieter, more vulnerable.
Sophia held her breath for a moment before nodding. "Yes. I know so."
She didn’t say the rest out loud. I know all too well how easy it is to fall for you.
Sophia glanced down at her phone and saw a text from Megan. Her eyes widened.
"Okay, we gotta go! Megan’s here!" she said, rushing Daniela even more.
"Okay, okay! I think I like this," Daniela said, taking one last look in the mirror.
"Good, because Megan’s not gonna wait much longer."
As they scrambled to put on their shoes, Daniela huffed. "Why did we agree to let her drive again?"
Sophia smirked. "Well, I can’t drive, and if we went on your time, we’d never get there."
Daniela rolled her eyes but couldn’t argue. With a sigh, she swung open the front door, ready for whatever the night had in store.
As usual, Megan sped all the way to the carnival, parking in record time. The moment they reached the entrance, she took off without a word.
"Of course she ran off," Sophia said, rolling her eyes fondly. "That girl has zero patience."
"I'm gonna go find her," she added, already turning in the direction Megan had disappeared.
Before she got too far, she glanced back at Daniela. "Good luck on your date! I know he’s going to love you."
Daniela smiled, a touch of nerves in her expression. "Thanks! And good luck keeping Megan in line." She smirked.
Sophia chuckled. "Thanks, I might need it." She took a step back. "We’ll meet here later—unless, of course, it goes so well he offers to drive you home."
Daniela hesitated. "I don’t know… we’ll see."
"It will," Sophia said, her voice soft but certain.
Daniela waved. "Bye, love you!"
Sophia swallowed and forced a smile. "Bye, love you too."
If only Daniela knew just how deep that love ran—and how much Sophia wished she meant it in a different way.
After about two hours of rides and games, Megan grabbed Sophia’s wrist and dragged her toward the nearest food stall.
“Hurry up, Soph! I’m literally wasting away here,” Megan groaned dramatically.
Sophia rolled her eyes but followed, laughing. As they waited in line, a voice suddenly called out.
“Oh my god! Fifi, is that you?”
Sophia turned around, her eyes widening. “Oh my god, Tommy!” she squealed, pulling him into a hug.
“It’s been forever! How are you? How’s your family?”
“I’m great!” Tommy said excitedly. “I missed this place, so I thought I’d come back for college. My family’s doing well—they still talk about you sometimes. But what about you?”
Sophia beamed. “I’m great! I go to college here too. I can’t believe we haven’t run into each other before.”
Tommy grinned. “If I remember right, you always went on about how amazing the performing arts program was. I’d be shocked if you weren’t in it. And I’d be even more shocked if you were anywhere near the engineering building—numbers were definitely never your thing.”
Sophia gasped, laughing. “You still remember that? It’s been years!”
“It’s all you ever talked about,” Tommy teased.
“Okay, fair enough,” she admitted with a chuckle.
They were so caught up in reminiscing that they completely forgot about Daniela and Megan—until Megan suddenly shoved Sophia’s food into her hands with an exaggerated sigh.
“Here. Before you starve to death and forget we exist,” she quipped.
Sophia blinked, snapping back to reality. “Right. Thanks, Megan,” she said sheepishly, taking her food as Daniela smirked in amusement.
“So, how do you two know each other?” Daniela asked, a hint of something unreadable—maybe jealousy?—in her voice.
Sophia, completely oblivious, grinned. “Tommy and I were best friends since kindergarten! We lost touch after he moved in eighth grade.”
“Oh… that’s nice,” Daniela replied, her tone a little flat.
Tommy turned to Sophia with a warm smile. “Yeah, it’s really nice to see you again today, Fifi. I’ve missed you. Why’d you never call?”
Sophia hesitated, fiddling with the edge of her food tray. “I didn’t think you’d want me to, you know… after everything.”
“Of course I did,” Tommy said, his voice softer now. “You were my best friend. It’s not your fault it didn’t work out. Distance is hard.”
Sophia met his gaze, a flicker of old emotions surfacing. “Yeah… it is.”
Daniela shifted on her feet, her grip tightening around her drink as she watched the exchange.
Tommy’s eyes lit up as he spotted a dance floor (author’s note—don’t ask me why there’s a dance floor. I just need it for the plot). A mischievous smirk spread across his face.
“Are you still a terrible dancer?” he teased.
“What?!” Sophia gasped, lightly smacking his arm. “I am a great dancer.”
Tommy raised an eyebrow. “Well then, prove it.”
Sophia, never one to back down from a challenge, immediately marched onto the dance floor and started moving with exaggerated confidence. Tommy burst into laughter before following her.
As soon as he caught up, he grinned. “Yeah… still a terrible dancer.”
Sophia gasped dramatically. “Hey!” she said, feigning offense.
Tommy just shrugged innocently, which only made Sophia laugh harder.
After a brief pause, Sophia finally spoke. “So… you and Dani, huh?”
Tommy smiled. “Yeah, she’s amazing. Actually, that’s kind of why I wanted to talk to you alone.” He shifted on his feet, suddenly looking nervous. “Would it be weird if we dated? I mean, I know we went out years ago, and I don’t want things to be awkward. You’re such a big part of her life, and she’s always talking about how lucky she is to have you. I just— I don’t want to mess anything up between you two.”
Sophia blinked, taking a second to really look at him. Then, with a small smile, she said, “Tommy… I’m a lesbian.”
Tommy stared at her for a moment, caught completely off guard. “Oh. I— I didn’t—” He trailed off, processing.
“Yeah, no one really knows,” Sophia admitted. “I haven’t told many people.”
Tommy’s face softened, a genuine smile spreading across his lips. “Well, I feel honored. Seriously, thank you for trusting me.”
Sophia let out a breath she didn’t even realize she was holding. “Yeah… it feels good to finally say it out loud.”
Tommy nodded, then after a beat, asked, “When did you know?”
“My first year of college,” she said honestly. “It was a surprise, but at the same time… not, you know?”
Tommy chuckled. “Yeah, I get that.”
Sophia nudged Tommy playfully. “Now, go grab Dani and dance with her.” She gestured toward where Daniela and Megan were having a hushed conversation nearby.
Daniela hesitated, glancing at Megan. “Do you think I should be worried?”
Megan was quiet for what felt like an eternity before finally speaking. “To be honest, I don’t know. I’ve only ever seen Sophia smile that big with one other person. And while I don’t know exactly how she feels, I do know she’d never hurt you. She’s not trying to hijack your date. I think… she just got swept up in seeing an old friend and forgot everything else around her.”
Daniela’s heart sank as she processed Megan’s words. “Do you think I should back off? She really seems to like him.”
Megan paused before answering. “I think you should let her take the lead on this one. If she gives you any signs of disapproval, you’ll have your answer.” Her tone was calm but carried a hint of concern.
“Right, of course!” Tommy grinned, then turned back to Sophia, his expression sincere. “I’m really glad I ran into you tonight.”
Sophia met his gaze, her smile warm. “Me too. We should catch up soon. Still the same number?”
“Yep, never changed it.”
“Perfect,” Sophia said, her grin widening.
Daniela and Megan watched as Sophia and Tommy made their way toward them. When Tommy extended his hand, asking to dance, “Dani, m’lady, may I have this dance?” he asked, bowing dramatically with his hand outstretched.
Daniela glanced at Sophia for any signs of disapproval. Instead, all she saw was an encouraging smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth. With a hesitant smile, Daniela took a step forward and curtsied. “Yes, you may.” She placed her hand in his. Megan gave her a reassuring nod as Daniela followed Tommy toward the dance floor, leaving her uncertainty behind for the moment.
As they walked toward the dance floor, Daniela teased, “You’re so chivalrous,” then, after a small pause, added, “And a bit of a dork.”
Tommy grinned, "I'd say a lot a bit."
Once Daniela and Tommy were out of earshot, Megan whisper-shouted, "Why'd you hijack their date?"
Sophia immediately tensed. "I didn’t mean to. It’s just… I hadn’t seen him in so long, and I got lost in the bliss of it."
Megan crossed her arms, skeptical. "If you liked him, you could’ve just told Dani. She would’ve backed off. I’ve only ever seen you smile that big with one other person."
Sophia’s stomach dropped, and she sighed. "Megan. I’m gay."
Megan blinked, dumbfounded. "Oh..."
Sophia nodded, her voice quieter now. "Yeah, oh. There’s nothing between us. Just old friends catching up."
Megan hesitated, as if processing. "When did you know?"
"Our first year," Sophia replied simply, not offering any more details.
Sophia could feel Megan’s mind working, piecing things together. Despite Megan’s occasional cluelessness, Sophia knew her friend would eventually figure it out. She turned her attention to the dance floor, watching Daniela laugh and have a great time with Tommy.
After a moment, Sophia spoke again, her tone softer. "Listen, I’m just gonna go. I’ll be at the snow cone booth with Darcy."
As Sophia walked away, she heard Megan’s voice call out quietly, "I’m sorry, Soph. I know how much it sucks to like someone who doesn’t like you back."
Sophia gave her a weak smile, whispering back, "It’s okay."
Because what else could she say? Daniela didn’t feel the same way, and everyone knew that. But it wasn’t her fault—it just really sucked to be in love with someone who didn’t feel the same.
Sophia immediately spotted her kindergarten best friend, Darcy, working the snow cone booth. She walked up to her and didn’t waste any time. “I saw Tommy today.”
Darcy raised an eyebrow, glancing up from her task. “Like, Tommy Robins? The one we went to kindergarten with? The one who moved away a few years ago?”
“Yeah,” Sophia replied, her tone casual, though her heart wasn’t quite as unaffected. “We caught up. He’s actually out on a date with Dani.”
Darcy’s eyes sharpened slightly. “And how do you feel about that?”
Sophia tried to shrug it off, but the words came out quietly. “I want her to be happy, but it still hurts. I know nothing will ever happen between us, but that doesn’t stop the pain in my heart.”
Darcy studied her for a moment, her expression softening but still blunt. “Yeah, I’m sorry but I think it’s time you move on.”
Sophia sighed, feeling the weight of the words. “I know… It’s just, she’s always there. I can’t move on easily.”
Darcy paused, offering a solution. “Maybe take some time away from her. Distance will be good.”
Sophia shook her head slightly, her voice tinged with frustration. “Yeah, but that would hurt everyone. It would put all the girls in an awkward position. I don’t want them to feel like they have to choose between us.”
Darcy let out a long sigh but relented. “I get off in five minutes. Then I’ll take you home. We can watch a movie or something.”
Sophia nodded, a small sense of comfort washing over her. “Thanks, Darcy. I really appreciate it.”
Sophia quickly shot Megan a text, letting her know she was heading back to her apartment with Darcy and that Megan didn’t need to wait up for her.
“Hey, can we play music off your phone? You have the best playlists,” Darcy asked once they were in the car, her voice light and casual.
“Sure, play whatever you want,” Sophia replied, handing over her phone without thinking much about it.
As Darcy scrolled through the playlist, Sophia stared out the window, her mind wandering. She couldn’t help but replay Darcy’s advice in her head. Maybe some distance would do me some good. It’s been three years, and my feelings aren’t going away anytime soon, she thought, the weight of it all sinking in. The idea of pulling back from Daniela was hard to grasp, but maybe it was the right thing to do for her own peace of mind.
The drive felt long, and by the time the car came to a stop, Sophia didn’t even realize they had arrived at her apartment. She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, and felt the car's stillness.
“We’re here,” Darcy said, glancing at her with a small, knowing smile.
Sophia nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Thanks, Darcy.”
Darcy shrugged, not questioning the choice, and made herself comfortable by curling into Sophia's side. It was a familiar, easy thing to do—a kind of silent understanding between the two of them. They had spent so many nights like this, watching movies, eating snacks, and talking about everything and nothing.
The movie played in the background, and Sophia let herself sink into the familiar scenes. For the next hour and a half, she didn’t have to think about anything—anything at all—just the lighthearted story and the nostalgic comfort of a movie that had been a constant in her life.
When the credits rolled, Sophia sighed, feeling a mix of peace and lingering frustration. I should probably get some sleep, she thought. It had been a long day, and the emotional rollercoaster hadn’t helped.
“Alright, I’m going to bed,” she said softly, standing up and stretching.
“Good idea,” Darcy agreed, standing up as well. “I’m going to crash in the guest room, so don’t worry about me.”
“Thanks again for sticking around tonight,” Sophia said, giving her a tired but grateful smile.
“No problem,” Darcy replied. “I’m here whenever you need to talk. Good night.”
“Night,” Sophia echoed as she made her way to her room.
As she closed the door behind her, the silence of her apartment settled in. She changed into her pajamas, then crawled into bed, the weight of the day pressing down on her. Maybe some distance is what I need, she thought once more, but the idea felt strange and painful.
With that last thought, she closed her eyes, trying to let the exhaustion overtake her mind. Tomorrow was another day, and maybe things would feel clearer then.
Sophia was jolted awake by a loud banging on her door. Groggily, she dragged herself out of bed, rubbed her eyes, and stumbled toward the door. When she opened it, she was taken aback to see Daniela standing there, looking disheveled and clearly frazzled.
“What are you doing here, Dani?” Sophia asked, confused and still trying to shake off the sleep.
“You think I wouldn’t come here after you randomly told me to stay away from you and then blocked me?” Daniela said, her voice a mix of exasperation and concern. “Is this because of Tommy? If you like him, I’ll dump him. Or if you don’t like him, I’ll dump him. And Megan had to stop me from coming here last night, saying something about how you probably need space, which I don’t understand, but I can’t lose you.”
Sophia blinked, still processing Daniela’s words. “What message?” she asked, her confusion growing.
“And no,” Sophia added, almost as an afterthought, “Don’t dump Tommy. He’s a great guy.”
Daniela stared at her phone, scrolling for a moment, then turned it toward Sophia. “The message you sent last night,” she repeated, her voice cracking slightly as she showed Sophia the text.
Sophia looked at the screen, her brows furrowing. The message was clear: Stay away from me. And then, the block.
Sophia stared at the phone in confusion before her eyes widened in realization. “Wait—Darcy must have sent this message and blocked you last night,” she muttered, her mind racing. “She must’ve thought I needed space or something.”
Sophia’s anger began to build, her hand tightening around her phone. “Can you wait here for just a minute while I ask her why she did this?” she asked, trying to keep her tone as calm as possible, though her frustration was palpable. She couldn’t believe Darcy had taken it upon herself to handle something like that without even talking to her first.
“Yeah, sure,” Daniela replied, her voice softening as she noticed the shift in Sophia’s demeanor. “But please hurry… I just… I can’t handle this right now.”
Sophia nodded quickly before stepping away from the door. Her thoughts were scattered as she marched toward her phone, trying to reign in the anger swirling inside her. She needed answers, and she needed them now.
Sophia stormed into the guest bedroom, the door slamming behind her. Her chest was tight with a mixture of confusion and anger. “Do you want to tell me why you sent Dani that message and then proceeded to block her?” she demanded, her voice sharp.
Darcy, half-awake, sat up in bed, rubbing her eyes as she processed the words. “What?” she mumbled, clearly disoriented. “I would never do that.”
“Stop lying to me, Darcy!” Sophia snapped, holding up her phone as proof. “I have the message right here. I saw it myself.”
For a moment, Darcy was silent, her gaze shifting uneasily as the weight of Sophia's accusation sank in. But then, something in her snapped, the tension in the room thickening. “She doesn’t love you,” Darcy spat, her voice raw and bitter.
Sophia froze, her pulse quickening at the intensity of Darcy’s words. “Dani does love me. She’s a great friend!” she shot back, her voice rising with the heat of the argument, her chest tightening as the words left her mouth. She didn’t want to believe Darcy’s bitterness, but the sting of her words hit harder than she was willing to admit.“Yeah, a friend is all she’ll ever be to you,” Darcy sneered, her frustration bubbling over. “Why can’t you get over her, Sophia? Why can’t you realize that I’m here? I’m the one who’s been here for you, and I’m willing to be your everything, but no—you’re all about her. She’s the one who gets your love.”
Sophia’s voice falters slight, but she stood her ground, the weight of Darcy’s words settling heavy on her chest. “I’m sorry, Darcy. I can’t help who I’m in love with,” she said, the words coming out slower, more carefully than she intended. “Being her friend is better than not being anything to her.” Her heart clenched as she said it, but the truth was undeniable. Her feelings for Daniela ran deeper than anything she could control.
Darcy’s eyes widened with a mix of hurt and disbelief, but Sophia pushed forward, her voice now firm, resolute. “I’m sorry that I can’t return the love, but what you did is unforgivable. This friendship is over.” The words stung as they left her lips, but they felt like the only way to draw a line in the sand.
Sophia took a breath, looking Darcy square in the eye. “I should have listened to Lara, and Megan, and Manon, and everyone else who said you were a bad friend. They were right. You’ve always been selfish.” Each word felt like a weight being lifted off her shoulders, but it still cut to the core. “Now leave.”
For a moment, there was a painful silence. Darcy stood there, stunned, her lips trembling as if she wanted to say something, anything. But Sophia didn’t give her the chance to speak. She gestured toward the door with finality.
“I don’t want to see you here again. This is over.”
Darcy’s eyes filled with a mixture of shock, hurt, and anger. Without another word, she turned and walked out, leaving the door to swing shut behind her with a finality that echoed in the silence of the apartment.
Sophia stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, unsure of what she was feeling. Relief? Guilt? Both. But for the first time in a long while, she felt a little lighter.
Sophia turns around, making sure Darcy was actually gone, only to freeze when she sees Daniela standing awkwardly by the bedroom door.
"Uh... I'm sorry, I heard yelling and got worried. I... think we need to talk," Daniela says hesitantly, her voice trembling slightly.
Sophia nods, equally unsure of how to proceed. "Yeah, definitely," she replies, her tone laced with the tension of the moment.
They both stand in silence for a beat, the weight of everything unspoken hanging between them. Sophia swallows hard, her heart pounding. Finally, she gathers enough courage to ask, "So, uh... how much of that did you hear?"
Daniela exhales softly, a sad smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Enough to know you have feelings for me."
Sophia's breath catches, but she forces herself to meet Daniela's eyes. "Soph... you know I love you, but I don't feel the same way," Daniela continues, her voice gentle but firm.
"I know," Sophia whispers, her shoulders slumping as a wave of sadness washes over her. "I’ve always known. Having you in my life... that was always more important than anything else. But lately, it’s been getting harder."
She hesitates, words tangled in her throat, before she finally says, "Dani, I think I need space. To... to get over you. I'll never be able to move on if you’re always here, reminding me why I love you."
Daniela’s face softens with understanding, and despite the ache in her chest, she nods. "Okay. I’ll give you the space you need." She stands, her movements slow and measured, as if every step is a struggle. "And when you're ready... I'll be here. With open arms."
Sophia swallows the lump in her throat, grateful yet devastated. "Thank you, Dani. For... for understanding."
"Always," Daniela replies, her smile small but sincere.
As Daniela walks toward the door, Sophia calls out quietly, "Hey... go out with Tommy. I think you and him would make a great couple."
Daniela doesn’t respond, simply nodding as she exits, but she can’t let Sophia see the tears threatening to spill over. The moment the door closes behind her, Daniela lets out a choked sob, her heart breaking all over again. She stumbles to her car, barely able to hold herself together long enough to drive home.
Once she’s in the safety of her bedroom, she curls into a tight ball, the weight of the day crashing down around her as her sobs fill the quiet room.
Meanwhile, after Daniela leaves, Sophia pulls out her phone and quickly texts Megan, explaining everything that happened and asking her to check on Daniela. She also asks if Megan would mind letting the rest of the girls know, knowing that Daniela could use all the support she can get.
After sending the message, Sophia finally lets herself break down, tears streaming down her face. It’s a rare moment for her—she rarely allows herself to feel so vulnerable. But right now, with everything hanging in the balance, it’s the only thing she can do.
Megan didn’t waste any more time as she made her way straight to the kitchen. "So, what kind of food do you have here?" she asked rhetorically, already pulling open cabinets and rummaging through the pantry with a familiarity that suggested she’d done this more times than she could count.
Daniela just watched her, still sitting on one of the stools by the island, her shoulders slumped, arms folded across her chest. She didn’t protest as Megan began sifting through the fridge. "Ooh, eggs," Megan said after a moment, pulling out a carton. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes bright with determination. "Is that good with you, Dani?"
"Yeah. That works," Daniela responded, her voice flat, but she didn’t argue. She was too tired to fight over something as simple as eggs.
"Perfect," Megan said, already pulling a pan from the cabinet and turning on the stove. She cracked a few eggs into a bowl, humming to herself as she worked, feeling the steady rhythm of doing something ordinary. Sometimes, silence was the best form of support.
She didn’t push. She didn’t ask questions. She just moved through the motions, letting the quiet settle between them. Every so often, Megan glanced over at Daniela, noticing the distant look in her friend’s eyes. But she didn’t prod. Right now, what Daniela needed wasn’t someone to fix things—she needed someone to make sure she wasn’t isolating herself, someone to keep her grounded in the present.
The eggs started to sizzle in the pan, filling the kitchen with a comforting, familiar sound. Megan slid them around with a spatula, careful to keep everything from burning. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she served up the eggs onto two plates and slid one toward Daniela, who looked at the food for a moment before taking a slow bite.
"You know," Megan said casually, as she grabbed her own plate, "this isn’t gourmet, but it’s the kind of food that says, ‘I’m here, and I’m not leaving.’”
Daniela gave a faint smile, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "Thanks, Meg."
Megan didn’t need to say anything else. For now, it was enough to sit there, eat eggs together, and let the unspoken words fill the space between them.
Sophia paced around her apartment, her nerves fraying with every passing second. She kept replaying the conversation with Daniela in her mind, wondering if she had said the right things, if she’d done enough to make things easier for her friend. But then her thoughts shifted, and a new worry crept in: would her other friends understand? Would they think she was putting them in the middle of her situation with Daniela?
Just as she started to spiral into another round of self-doubt, she heard the familiar sound of a knock at her door. Her heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, she rushed to open it.
Lara, Manon, and Yoonchae stood there, looking like they’d just stepped out of a comforting group hug. Lara was holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a box of chocolate in the other.
"Sorry we’re a little late," Lara said, her eyes soft with concern. "We had to stop at the store and buy you these."
Sophia’s breath caught at the sight of the thoughtful gifts. "Aww, you really didn’t have to do that," she said, melting at their kindness. It was the kind of gesture that made her feel loved and understood.
"Yeah, but we also know it’ll make you feel better, so why not?" Manon added, shrugging with a little smile.
"Yes, seeing that smile was totally worth it," Yoonchae said, grinning at Sophia as she made her way inside.
Sophia chuckled and stepped aside, letting them in. “Alright, let me put these in a vase, and then we can talk,” she said, heading for the kitchen with the flowers.
As she arranged them carefully, the warmth of her friends’ presence began to settle her nerves. They hadn’t made her feel awkward or uncomfortable, and it was exactly what she needed. When she finished, she turned to face them again, taking a deep breath as she made her way back to the living room.
***3 weeks later***
Daniela and Megan sat in silence on the couch, the room quiet except for the soft hum of the TV in the background. Daniela’s eyes had been unfocused for a while, but when her phone buzzed with a notification, she instinctively reached for it. Her fingers froze when she saw that it was from Sophia.
She tapped the notification, and her heart skipped as the first few pictures of Sophia appeared. She looked happy, glowing even, and Daniela couldn’t help but feel a little warmth spread through her at the sight.
But as Daniela swiped through the pictures, her expression shifted. The next one was of Lara making a kissy face at Sophia, the kind of silly, carefree moment that felt almost too intimate for someone who had been distanced. It was the last photo that really hit her—a picture of Sophia in Lara’s lap, Lara holding onto her waist and Sophia’s hands tangled in Lara’s hair. The image burned into Daniela’s mind, and she felt her jaw tighten.
Megan, who had been watching Daniela closely, noticed the change in her expression. “What are you looking at?” she asked, her tone casual but observant.
Daniela turned the phone toward Megan, showing her the photo. “Just this photo,” she muttered, feeling a strange knot tighten in her chest.
“Aww, Soph looks happy,” Megan said with an innocent smile.
“Yeah…” Daniela’s voice trailed off as she continued staring at the screen, her thoughts a jumbled mess. She could feel her chest tightening, an inexplicable feeling of longing and jealousy gnawing at her.
Megan noticed the shift immediately, sensing something was off. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice gentle but insistent.
“Nothing,” Daniela quickly replied, but the words didn’t sound convincing. She hesitated for a moment before adding, “I just wish that was me.”
Megan’s eyebrows arched in surprise, her face lighting up with a playful expression. “You wish Sophia was sitting in your lap?” she asked, teasing but with a hint of curiosity.
“What? No!” Daniela exclaimed, flustered, her heart pounding in her chest. “I meant—I wish I was with Sophia. I wish I was the one who was making her smile like that.” Her words came out in a rush, as if trying to explain herself before Megan misunderstood.
“Ohh,” Megan said, her expression softening as she put the pieces together. “That makes more sense.” She placed a comforting hand on Daniela’s arm. “Sophia will be back. You’ll be able to fix things.”
Daniela sighed, dropping her head back against the couch as the weight of her emotions hit her all at once. “I know. I just don’t know how much longer I can last without her.” Her voice cracked slightly, and she closed her eyes, as if willing the ache in her chest to go away.
Megan didn’t say anything right away, letting the quiet settle between them. She knew there was nothing she could say to make it easier, but she also knew that Daniela wasn’t alone. She was there, and so were their friends. And eventually, Sophia would come back. She had to.
The next day, Sophia receives a text from Daniela, asking if they could meet and talk. She stares at the screen, heart pounding. Am I ready for this? The past month had been agonizing—missing Daniela, trying to move on, pretending the space between them was helping when, in reality, it only made things worse.
After a long moment of reflection, she exhales and types out her response. Yeah, let’s meet.
They agree on their favorite coffee shop, the one where countless memories have been made. When Sophia arrives, she spots Daniela immediately, sitting at their usual table, an empty coffee cup in front of her, fingers nervously fidgeting.
"Hey, Dani," Sophia says, trying for casual despite the storm raging in her chest. "How have you been?"
Daniela looks up, offering a small, uncertain smile. “There are good days… and there are bad days,” she admits honestly. “But what about you? How are you holding up?”
Sophia gives a small nod. “Same. Good days, bad days.” She hesitates before asking, “So, what did you want to talk about?”
Daniela takes a deep breath, as if bracing herself. “I just… I missed you, Soph. And this month apart has made me realize some things.”
Sophia leans in slightly, encouraging her to continue.
“When you first started posting pictures with Lara, I felt jealous,” Daniela confesses, her voice soft. “At first, I thought it was because I missed spending time with you. And while that was part of it, it wasn’t the whole truth. It wasn’t until you posted those beach pictures that I really understood what I was feeling.” She lets out a nervous chuckle. “Talking to Megan and Manon helped me figure it out. Helped me realize that… I do have feelings for you.”
Sophia’s breath catches in her throat.
Daniela rushes on, voice tinged with nerves. “And I get it if you don’t feel the same anymore. I had my chance, and I blew it. But if you give me the opportunity, I promise, Sophia—I’ll give you the world and more.”
Sophia just stares, her mind trying to catch up with what’s happening. “Wow… I can’t believe this. Please tell me I’m not dreaming.”
Daniela lets out a small laugh. “It’s real.”
A slow, radiant smile spreads across Sophia’s face. “Of course, I still have feelings for you. If anything, the distance only made me miss you more. I missed talking to you, having impromptu dance battles, just… you.” Her voice softens. “I missed your electric presence in my life.”
Daniela beams, relief and happiness washing over her. “Well then, Ms. Sophia Laforteza,” she says, gathering her courage, “will you go on a date with me?”
Sophia grins. “I’d be honored, Ms. Daniela Avanzini.”
As they leave the coffee shop, Sophia glances at Daniela curiously. “What happened with Tommy?”
Daniela sighs, tucking her hands into her pockets. “We never went on another date. Honestly, I kind of shut myself in my apartment for a while, only going out when I had to.” She hesitates before continuing, “I did text him a few days after our date to explain that I wasn’t in the right mental space to be dating. He understood. He’s a great guy—he even checked in on me at least once a week. If I wasn’t in love with you, I really could have seen myself with him.”
Sophia suddenly stops walking, eyes wide. “You’re in love with me?”
Daniela freezes, then exhales nervously. “Yeah… I hope that doesn’t scare you off. I know it’s probably way too soon to say it, but… I do. I love you, Soph.”
A brilliant smile spreads across Sophia’s face. “It’s perfect. Because I’m in love with you too.”
Daniela’s face lights up, and for a moment, they just stand there, grinning at each other like lovestruck fools.
“This day couldn’t be more perfect,” Daniela murmurs.
Sophia smirks. “Any day with you is perfect.”
Daniela groans, blushing. “Okay, Miss Smooth Talker, let’s go. The girls are waiting for us at the beach.”
Hand in hand, they walk off, ready to step into whatever comes next—together.
After the beach, Sophia decided to call Tommy. She figured he deserved to hear the news from her directly. As the phone rang, she tapped her fingers anxiously against her thigh.
“Hey, Fifi! What’s up?” Tommy answered, his voice warm and familiar.
“Hey, Tommy. I wanted to talk to you about something,” Sophia said, nerves creeping into her voice.
“Sounds serious,” he teased. “What’s on your mind?”
Sophia took a deep breath. “I’m just gonna come right out and say it—Dani and I are dating.”
There was a pause before Tommy let out an exaggerated sigh. “Wow. First, you used to steal my snacks and hoodies, and now you’re stealing my girlfriends. Some things never change, huh?”
Sophia let out a breathy laugh, relief washing over her. “Oh my god, shut up.”
“Nah, but seriously,” Tommy continued, his tone turning sincere. “I’m happy for you two. You’re gonna be a power couple.”
Sophia exhaled fully this time. “Okay, good. I was a little worried.”
“Dani’s great, but honestly, we're better off as friends,” Tommy admitted. “And between you and me… she talked about you a lot. Like, a lot. I knew there was something between you two, but it had to be something you both figured out on your own.”
Sophia felt a swell of gratitude. “Thank you, Tommy. For being such a good person.”
“Of course. You know I got you.”
A smile spread across her face. “We should plan a day to hang out. Maybe do a movie night like we used to?”
“That sounds amazing. Does this mean blanket forts are in our near future?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Sophia said with a grin.
“Perfect,” Tommy replied. “But I gotta go, Fifi. We’ll talk soon.”
“Bye, Tommy. I’m really happy we reconnected.”
“Me too,” he said before hanging up.
As Sophia set her phone down, she took a moment to reflect on the past month. It had been an emotional whirlwind—a friendship breakup with Darcy, heartbreak over Daniela, a painful but necessary separation, then, miraculously, Daniela confessing her love. And somewhere along the way, she’d found an old friend in Tommy again.
No, this wasn’t how she had imagined things unfolding. But if all the twists and turns had led her here—to Daniela’s love, to renewed friendships, to a future full of possibilities—then she wouldn’t change a thing.
Sophia smiled to herself. For the first time in a long time, everything felt right.