EPISODE 1 — CRACKS IN PERFECT THINGS
204 Words
SOPHIE'S P.O.V
"Mom, I'm leaving!"
"Wait, Sophie!"
I stopped halfway toward the apartment door while struggling to wear my cheer jacket properly. The tiny apartment already felt too hot even though it was barely seven in the morning. The smell of burnt pancakes filled the kitchen while old bills covered almost every inch of the counter.
Past due.
Electricity warning.
Final notice.
I quickly looked away before Mom noticed me staring.
She walked over holding a lunch bag wrapped carefully in foil.
"You forgot this."
"Thanks." I smiled softly while taking it from her.
Mom looked exhausted. Dark circles sat under her eyes from working late shifts again, and guilt instantly twisted inside my chest.
"Sophie," she started quietly, "you don't have to work tonight. You barely slept yesterday."
"I'm fine."
"You have school, cheer practice, and then the diner—"
"We need the money," I interrupted gently.
The silence that followed hurt. Because both of us knew it was true. Mom hated depending on me financially, but things had gotten harder ever since Dad left years ago. Rent kept increasing. Bills never stopped coming. And no matter how much Mom worked, it somehow never felt enough. So I worked too. My phone
- Writer
