A Call from New York

The morning after her talk with Daniel, Sophia woke up with the sun already spilling through the dorm window.

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

But for once, the silence didn't feel heavy.

It felt peaceful.

She sat up slowly, hugging her knees to her chest, replaying the night before in her head.

She had replayed those words so many times that she could almost hear them in his voice now.

And for the first time in years, she believed him.

She didn't rush to get ready.

Instead, she took her time — brushed her hair, put on a soft sweater, and finally looked at herself in the mirror without flinching.

She looked… lighter.

Like a weight had been lifted.

Like she could finally breathe again.

And as she sat on her bed, phone in hand, she hit the contact she hadn't spoken to in days.

Lena answered on the second ring.

"Oh my god. I was just about to call you."

Sophia smiled. "I beat you to it."

"Okay, spill. Did he finally say the words?"

Sophia bit her lip. "He said a lot."

She told Lena everything — how he had found her on campus, how he had explained the truth about Emily, how he had held her hand and looked at her like she was the only person in the world.

There was silence on the other end.

Then Lena whispered, "Oh my god. He finally sees you."

Sophia laughed softly. "Yeah. He does."

"And you didn't even have to fight him for it."

Sophia smiled. "I know."

Lena exhaled. "Okay, but now that you've got him, what are you going to do with him?"

Sophia blinked. "What?"

Her best friend laughed. "You heard me. You've spent years loving this guy. Are you just going to keep staring at him like a lost puppy or are you going to take him?"

Sophia groaned. "I'm not a lost puppy."

"You were five minutes ago."

"I was not!"

Lena chuckled. "Okay, fine. But seriously — you should go for it."

Sophia hesitated. "What if I'm not ready?"

"You've been ready since high school," Lena said. "You just didn't know it."

Sophia smiled.

Then asked, "So… how's New York?"

Lena gave a dramatic sigh. "Too expensive. Too loud. But I met someone."

Sophia sat up. "You did?!"

"His name is Ethan. He's a fashion photographer. He asked me out after I told him I wanted to design clothes for his shoots."

Sophia grinned. "That's amazing."

Lena giggled — actually giggled — and that alone made Sophia laugh.

"I think he's going to propose," Lena said suddenly.

Sophia blinked. "Wait… what?"

"Not yet! But soon."

Sophia shook her head. "You've been dating for what, two weeks?"

"Five weeks, thank you very much."

Sophia smirked. "Okay, Miss Romance Novel."

Lena laughed. "Hey, I just want you to know I'm not the only one who got a guy."

Sophia's smile faltered slightly.

Lena caught it.

"You're thinking about Daniel again, aren't you?"

Sophia sighed. "He's all I think about."

Lena paused.

Then said, "You deserve this. You've waited long enough."

Sophia nodded, even though Lena couldn't see her.

"Yeah," she whispered. "I guess I have."