THE LIGHT IN HIS DARKNESS

Chapter 7: A Friend at home

Mirabel and Sofia finally got to the school gate after walking quickly all the way from the senior hallway.

Both girls bent down slightly as they tried to catch their breath. Their hearts were still racing from the nervousness they'd felt while passing through the seniors' territory.

After calming down a little, Sofia looked at her friend.

"Okay then, this is where we go our separate ways."

"Whoa, hold on!"

Mirabel quickly grabbed the handle of Sofia's bag when she noticed her starting to walk away.

"It would be rude of me not to know my friend's house, so come on. We're going together."

She grabbed Sofia's hand and motioned for her to lead the way.

"You sure you want to come with me?" Sofia asked, slightly surprised.

"Yeah, I'm sure. So let's go and stop wasting time," Mirabel said with a chuckle.

After walking for around thirty minutes, they finally arrived at Sofia's house.

Mirabel looked around at the surrounding area and immediately recognized the street they were on.

"Sofia?"

Her voice made Sofia pause just as she was about to press the doorbell.

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't you take the alley?" Mirabel asked, looking confused. "I think if we'd followed that route, we would've gotten here within ten or twelve minutes."

Sofia's eyes widened slightly.

The alley.

Of course.

She hadn't even considered that Mirabel might know about it.

Her neighborhood was tucked away behind several other houses, making it difficult to find unless you already knew where to look. Even though it was hidden away, the area was expensive and luxurious. Technically, it was an estate.

Only a few people knew about it.

"Ohhh... really?" Sofia said, forcing herself to sound casual. "I didn't know."

It pained her to lie to her new friend, but she couldn't bring herself to tell Mirabel that she'd already been to that alley.

She'd met Damien there.

And not only had she met him, she'd practically walked straight into his trouble.

"Oh, okay then," Mirabel replied.

Sofia quickly pressed the doorbell.

Within a few seconds, the front door opened, revealing Mrs. Gonzalez.

"Ouuu, you're back!" Mrs. Gonzalez exclaimed with a smile before pulling Sofia into a big, tight, warm hug.

"Yes, Mum! And I missed you so much!" Sofia replied in a fake baby voice, pouting as she hugged her mother back.

While the mother-daughter duo were still hugging, a particular someone stood awkwardly behind Sofia.

After a few more seconds, Mrs. Gonzalez finally noticed the stranger.

"Sofia, who's this?" she asked, still holding onto her daughter.

Sofia struggled slightly before finally freeing herself from her mother's tight embrace.

"Mum, meet Mirabel. Mirabel, meet my mum."

"Hi, Mrs. Gonzalez. Nice to meet you," Mirabel greeted with a smile.

"Ahhh, my child, call me Mum. You're my daughter's friend, so I see you as my own child."

Mirabel's smile widened.

"Thank you, Mum."

Mrs. Gonzalez smiled warmly at her.

It was the first time Sofia had ever brought a friend home.

I just hope she's a true friend, Mrs. Gonzalez thought.

"Okay, girls! Would you both like some cookies with milk?" Mrs. Gonzalez asked, looking between them.

"Yes, Mum. We're okay with that," Sofia answered for both of them.

But Mrs. Gonzalez wasn't taking any chances. She wanted Mirabel to answer for herself.

She looked at her expectantly.

Mirabel quickly nodded.

That was all the confirmation Mrs. Gonzalez needed.

"It's settled, then. Why don't you girls go upstairs and freshen up? I'll bring the snacks to you both."

With that, Mrs. Gonzalez headed toward the kitchen while the two girls went upstairs to Sofia's room.

The moment Mirabel entered, she couldn't help but stare.

"Wow..."

She looked around in amazement.

"Sofia, I must say, your room is amazing!"

She continued looking around, taking everything in. The room gave off a clean-girl and soft-girl aesthetic, and everything looked perfectly arranged.

"Thanks," Sofia replied with a smile. "It was my father who designed it for me."

She pointed toward a closed door.

"That's the bathroom."

Mirabel nodded before entering to freshen up.

A few minutes later, she came out feeling refreshed and relaxed.

"That was the most amazing bath I've ever had!" Mirabel exclaimed with a smile.

Sofia couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction.

"You're so dramatic."

Sofia entered the bathroom herself, and after a few minutes, she came back out feeling refreshed.

Just then, a knock sounded on the door.

"Sofia, open up!" Mrs. Gonzalez called.

Sofia walked toward the door and opened it.

"Thanks, Mum."

She smiled as she collected the cookies and milk, then lightly pecked her mother's cheek.

"No problem, honey. You both should have a great time," Mrs. Gonzalez said with a smile before leaving.

The door shut behind her.

"Wow, Sofia, your mum is so sweet and nice," Mirabel said.

She genuinely meant it. Mrs. Gonzalez was definitely one of those cool mums, and she had earned the title effortlessly.

"Yeah, she is," Sofia said, a gleam of happiness in her eyes.

Technically, the best mum ever.

The two friends chatted and laughed for a few hours, enjoying each other's company.

Eventually, Mirabel checked the time and stood up, packing her bag.

"Oh, it's already getting late. I need to get going."

"Okay then. Let me escort you," Sofia offered.

She took a coat from the rack and put it on.

The two girls headed downstairs, and Sofia was about to leave with her friend when she was suddenly stopped.