The clocked ticked. And with every passing minute, Sophia rolled over the bed. It was a terrible night and she wanted to run away from the reality that was set before her.
The alarm rang. It was 7.am. She stared blankly at the calendar. Surviving the night was something she never imagined.
It was supposed to be a day of excitement but all she wanted to do was do lock herself up in the room.
She stood from the bed and walked to her reading table. Tears welled up her eyes as she stared at the photograph. Her heart was filled with sorrow and fear. She was scared to believe that the accident was true. Everything that happened the previous day played in her head again.
This moment, they were talking over the phone and the next moment, she got a message that her friend was rushed to the hospital after an accident and never made it alive.
"Oh, Lily! Why did this happen to you?" She broke down in tears as she clutched the photograph of them together.
"How do I survive without a friend like you?" Her voice could be heard in the sitting room.
Her night gown was a bit loosed and anyone could walk into the room but she didn't care. "Lily, please come back!" She groaned.
Kyla and James stood at the doorway, exchanging glances at themselves. They needed to do something. With a shared nod, they quickly went out to make a plan to lift her spirit.
As Sophia sat on the bed, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard the faint music playing. She stood up to listen and she heard the low sounds of 'happy birthday' ringing through the air. Confusion mixed with sadness was written on her face.
Quickly, she ran downstairs to know what was going on. Her mood lightened up. "Who's celebrating a birthday?"
By the time she got down from the stairs, it occurred to her that it was her birthday. Her grieving self had forgotten about that.
Stepping outside into the warm sunlight, her heart skipped a bit as she saw Kyla and James standing before her, smiling and holding out gifts to her.
Kyla had called a singer to perform a short song for Sophia. James held balloons and a bouquet of flowers, smiling at her. Kyle held a cake with beautiful decorations.
"Oh my! I don't know what to say." Sophia cried.
"Sophia, we couldn't let today pass by without celebrating you." Kyle replied, her eyes twinkling.
With a nod, she hugged Kyle.
"Oh, James. These are beautiful." She gave him a peck.
"Aww. Thank you so much." She hugged them.
Happily, she led them into her room and allowed herself to be led into a day of unexpected laughter and joy. They shared stories of Lily and talked about the moments they shared together, filled with happiness.
As they set to cut the cake, Sophia felt a burden lift from her shoulders. Her feelings were that of gratitude to James and Kyle for helping her out in her down moment.
As she stared outside the window, a beam of light shone brightly on her face. She looked at James and Kyla with a renewed hope. She knew that even though the death of her friend hurt her, she had two more friends who were willing to carry the burden with her. She would never have to be alone.
"Thank you so much." She whispered, tears forming in her eyes. They were tears of joy. "Thank you for everything."
And in that moment, as she stayed wit her friends, surrounded by love and laughter, Sophia knew that no matter what life brought her way, she would always find reasons to stay happy.
Thanks for reading.
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