Love is all about timing

Chapter Five: A New Beginning

Paris looked nothing like home.

Sophia stood beside the large window of her new bedroom, watching the unfamiliar streets below. The buildings were beautiful, the roads were busy, and everything seemed to move at a different rhythm.

She had been in Paris for only a few weeks, but already, she was beginning to understand that moving to another country was more than simply changing houses.

It meant learning new routines.

New streets.

New faces.

And, most importantly, learning how to live without the people who had always been part of her everyday life.

"Sophy?"

Sophia turned.

Her mother stood at the doorway.

"Are you ready for school?"

Sophia smiled.

"Almost."

Susan walked into the room and adjusted the collar of her daughter's uniform.

"You look lovely."

"Thank you."

"Still nervous?"

"A little."

"You'll be fine."

Sophia picked up her school bag.

"You've said that every morning."

"And I'll keep saying it until you believe me."

Sophia laughed.

Her mother had changed since they arrived in Paris.

She seemed happier.

More confident.

Her new position had already given her a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in years. Her days were busy with meetings, presentations, reports, and new responsibilities, but she always made time for Sophia.

"I have another meeting this afternoon," Susan said.

"You're becoming very important."

Susan smiled.

"Don't remind me."

"You're enjoying it."

"I am."

Sophia hugged her.

"I'm proud of you."

Susan kissed her forehead.

"And I'm proud of you."

---

Sophia's first weeks at her new school were surprisingly easy.

She had expected everyone to ignore her.

Instead, her cheerful personality quickly attracted attention.

She joined a small group of girls during lunch and began participating in school activities.

She even joined the school's art club.

Her homeschooled years had not made her shy.

If anything, they had taught her how to communicate with different kinds of people.

Still, there were moments when she missed home terribly.

Especially during lunch.

Back home, she would have been sitting beside John.

So, on her third week in Paris, she pulled out her phone.

She already knew who she was calling.

"Johnny!"

John answered almost immediately.

"Sophy!"

She laughed.

"Why did you answer so fast?"

"Because I knew it was you."

"You're lying."

"I was staring at my phone."

"Why?"

"Waiting for you."

Sophia smiled.

"How was school?"

"Terrible."

She gasped.

"Why?"

"Because you weren't there."

Sophia laughed.

"You're dramatic."

"I learned from Chris."

"Where is he?"

"Probably somewhere talking to one of his many admirers."

She rolled her eyes.

"Tell me something interesting."

John began telling her about everything that had happened since she left.

A teacher had accidentally walked into the wrong classroom.

Someone had fallen asleep during mathematics.

Chris had been teased by one of his friends.

Sophia laughed throughout the entire conversation.

Eventually John asked,

"What did you do today?"

"I joined the art club."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You always said you wanted to."

"I know."

"I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Johnny."

There was a brief silence.

Then John said quietly,

"I miss you."

Sophia looked down.

"I miss you too."

"Come back soon."

"I will."

Neither of them knew when.

But both hoped it would be soon.

---

John kept his promise.

He called almost every day.

Sometimes their conversations lasted ten minutes.

Sometimes they lasted an hour.

They talked about everything.

School.

Friends.

Books.

Family.

Funny things that happened during the day.

Even the smallest details seemed important when they were far apart.

One evening, Sophia was lying on her bed when her phone rang.

It was Chris.

She sat up immediately.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Soph."

She smiled.

"Chris."

"How are you?"

"I'm good. You?"

"Good."

There was a brief silence.

Then Chris asked,

"How's school?"

"Really good."

"Making friends?"

"Lots."

"Already?"

Sophia laughed.

"You sound surprised."

"I'm not."

"You should see me."

"I can imagine."

She smiled.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing interesting."

"John told me you joined the art club."

"He did?"

"Yeah."

"He tells you everything?"

"Apparently."

Sophia laughed.

Chris smiled on the other end.

"Anyway, I just wanted to check on you."

"That's sweet."

"Don't get used to it."

"There you are."

"What?"

"Chris."

He laughed.

"Goodnight, Soph."

"Goodnight."

The call ended.

Sophia stared at her phone for a moment before smiling to herself.

It wasn't a long conversation.

But somehow, it made Paris feel slightly less unfamiliar.

---

Back at the Williams Estate, Annabelle and Susan had not allowed distance to affect their friendship.

Their calls had become almost daily.

"You won't believe what happened today," Annabelle said one afternoon.

Susan laughed.

"What now?"

"Chris tried to convince Mr. Williams that he needs a new car."

"Again?"

"Again."

"That boy."

"He says his current car is 'outdated.'"

Susan laughed.

"He's spoiled."

"Look who's talking."

Susan smiled.

"Sophia?"

"Of course."

"She gets everything she asks for."

"Exactly."

They both laughed.

Then Annabelle's voice softened.

"I miss you."

Susan became quiet.

"I miss you too."

"I didn't realize how much I'd gotten used to having you around."

"Neither did I."

"Promise me you're happy."

Susan looked around her Paris apartment.

The city lights were beginning to shine outside the window.

"I am."

"Good."

A pause.

"How's Sophia?"

"She's adjusting."

"Does she miss them?"

"Every day."

"I know."

Annabelle sighed.

"John still talks about her constantly."

"I figured."

"And Chris..."

Susan raised an eyebrow.

"What about Chris?"

Annabelle laughed.

"Nothing."

"Annabelle."

"I'm just saying he asks about her."

Susan smiled.

"That's sweet."

"Those children grew up together. It's strange seeing them separated."

"It won't be forever."

"I hope not."

---

As the weeks passed, Sophia slowly began building a life in Paris.

She discovered a favorite bakery.

Found a quiet bookstore.

Made friends at school.

Joined the art club.

And began learning that leaving home didn't necessarily mean losing it.

Every evening, she still called John.

Every few days, Chris checked on her.

And almost every night, Susan spoke to Annabelle.

The distance had changed their routines.

But it hadn't destroyed their bond.

Still, none of them realized that distance could sometimes reveal feelings that had been easy to ignore when everyone lived under the same roof.

And as Sophia's new life in Paris began to take shape, the lives she had left behind were quietly changing too.

Because sometimes...

You don't truly understand how important someone is until you have to live without them.