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While Kai popped the popcorn, the others settled in for the movie.
All but one- Mia.
" Sorry, Jay. I can't."
" Why?" Jay asked, confused.
" 'Cause I'm busy."
" With?"
Mia shrugged. " Nothing much. Just.... Stuff."
Without Waiting for a response, Mia ran to her room and shut the door
Jay, puzzled by Mia's sudden departure, looked around at the others who were already settling in for the movie. "What's up with Mia?" he asked.
Kai, who was popping the popcorn, glanced toward the hallway where Mia had disappeared. "She’s been acting a bit off lately. Maybe she just needs some space."
Nya, adjusting the blankets on the couch, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, she’s been preoccupied with something. She might just need some time alone."
Jay, concerned, followed Mia’s path to her room and gently knocked on the door. "Mia? It’s me, Jay. Can we talk?"
From inside, Mia’s voice was muffled but clear. "No, Jay. I’m fine. Just... busy."
Jay frowned. "Mia, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? If something’s bothering you, I want to help."
There was a brief silence before Mia’s voice responded. "It’s nothing, Jay. I just have some things I need to figure out on my own. Please, just let me be for now."
Jay hesitated, his concern growing. "Alright, but remember, I’m here if you need me."
He lingered by the door for a moment before heading back to the living room. As he joined the others, the sound of laughter and chatter from the movie began to fill the room, but Jay couldn’t shake off the worry about his sister.
Meanwhile, Mia sat on her bed, surrounded by a jumble of papers and notebooks. She was working on a series of drawings and notes, her brow furrowed in concentration. Each sketch and note was a fragment of her thoughts, piecing together her feelings and ideas.
Despite the noise from the movie down the hall, Mia found solace in her solitude, using her creative outlets to process her emotions. She was determined to figure things out on her own, even if it meant missing out on a movie night with her family.
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The next morning, Mia woke up to the soft light filtering through her curtains. As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she noticed something at the foot of her bed—a small, worn-looking box with a note taped to the top. In big, bold letters, the note read, DO NOT OPEN.
Curiosity piqued, Mia sat up and pulled the box closer. She hesitated for a moment, but the temptation was too strong. Slowly, she peeled off the tape and lifted the lid. Inside, nestled carefully, were her old vet tools—bandages, a stethoscope, a magnifying glass, and even the little kit she used for treating animals when she was younger.
