The evening stars

The road home

In the morning, Sophie woke up with a heavy feeling, as if the night had been soaked in endless tension. She felt shattered, her sleep was interrupted and restless, and fragments of dreams she didn't want to talk about kept creeping into her mind. These dreams were vague, but their content left a pleasant aftertaste in her mind.

She got out of bed and, trying not to think about what had happened during the night, quickly changed her clothes. Sophie chose a short black skirt and a coffee-colored vest, which she wore over a black turtleneck. As she got dressed, she tried to focus on how to look her best to hide her inner turmoil.

When Sophie came downstairs, she felt the aroma of coffee that filled the kitchen. It was soothing and familiar, but even he couldn't completely dispel her hazy state. In the kitchen, she saw everyone sitting at the table. Rachel, Nigel, and Alex were already there, discussing something with smiles and a good mood.

Nigel, noticing her, lifted his head and smiled.

— Good morning, Sophie! How did you sleep?

Sophie smiled in response, trying to hide her inner turmoil.

— Good morning. I didn't sleep very well, but I think everything will be fine.

Rachel, pouring coffee into the cup, politely said:

— Sit down. I just made breakfast. We've already had a little chat and discussed our plans for the day.

Alex, sitting at the edge of the table, looked up and nodded in greeting. His face was calm, but Sophie noticed that his eyes revealed a hint of concern.

— Good morning, Sophie, — he said, — how are you feeling?

Her smile became a little more genuine, and she replied:

— Better, thank you. I'm just a little sleep-deprived.

Alex looked at her with understanding and gentle concern, but he didn't delve into the details. He poured himself some coffee and continued the conversation with Nigel and Rachel.

Sophie sat down at the table and tried to focus on breakfast to forget about the worries of the night. On the outside, she tried to appear normal and calm, but her inner world was still in complete chaos.

After breakfast, when everyone was satisfied and chatted about their plans for the day, the friends began to pack their things.

— Well, it's time to head back to the city, — Rachel said. — It was great to spend time in nature.

— Yes, indeed, — Nigel agreed, — it was a great weekend.

Sophie, feeling that her mood had improved a bit after the conversation and fresh air, nodded in agreement.

— I agree, it was great. Thank you for your company.

Alex, who was helping to pack things into the car, noticed that Sophie looked a bit tense. He approached her and said:

— Sophie, if anything, I would like to talk to you later when we get back to the city. If you have the time and desire.

Sophie looked at him in surprise, but nodded:

— Of course, Alex. As soon as we return, we'll find time to talk.

After that, everyone continued to gather their belongings and load them into the cars. Quickly checking that nothing was forgotten and the house was in order, they said goodbye to the place that had left warm memories in their minds.

Alex and Rachel set off first, leaving a soft trail of dust in the morning sun behind them. A few minutes after their departure, Nigel, Sophie, and Skye also set off on their journey, following a quiet retreat in nature.

Sophie sat in the front seat, her thoughts still revolving around the events of the previous evening. Nigel, noticing her immersion, decided that it was a good time for a conversation.

— Well, my friend, go on, — Nigel began, glancing at Sophie, who was sitting in the car, lost in her thoughts. — Your appearance speaks for itself. What happened?

Sophie sighed, looking out the window at the passing landscapes.

— The evening was... difficult, — she began, — and the night too. It's just hard to forget what happened. We almost kissed.

— Wow, — Nigel looked at her with surprise. — So, you and Alex... almost? Why "almost"?

— I don't know, — Sophie sighed, rubbing her forehead. — Everything was so unexpected. I just didn't expect this to happen. I just don't want to find myself in an awkward situation again.

— I see. — Nigel nodded. — So, you don't know how to act around him now?

— Yes, — Sophie confirmed. — And I still don't know what to think about what happened. Maybe it was just a coincidence?

— Listen, — Nigel turned to her, — coincidences are rarely so... memorable. It could mean more than you think. But the main thing is — don't rush to conclusions. Let's see what happens next.

— You're right, — Sophie sighed again, but this time with relief. — But still, it wasn't easy. I don't even know how to behave now.

— We'll figure everything out, — said Nigel. — For now, let's just enjoy the ride home and try to relax.

Sophie smiled in response, feeling that his words helped her calm down a bit. They continued on their way, and Nigel's conversations and light laughter helped ease the tension that still lingered in her heart.

At that same time, Rachel and Alex were driving in complete silence, which hung in the air like a heavy blanket. It was that very loneliness that seeps into the soul even when you are next to someone. Alex was intently focused on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, but inside him, a hurricane of emotions was raging. Rachel sat beside me, her gaze fixed on the window as if she were trying to find an answer in the passing landscapes.

— Alex, — Rachel began, breaking the silence, — don't you want to talk? I feel that something is wrong.

Alex turned his head and looked at her. His eyes met hers, and he noticed the same vague anxiety in them that he felt in his own soul.

— I don't know, — he finally replied. — Perhaps I'm just overwhelmed.

— If you want, I'm ready to listen, — Rachel offered, her voice soft and caring. — What's bothering you?

— Everything... just everything, — sighed Alex.

Rachel felt her heart tighten at those words. She knew that Alex was a person who valued stability and order, and her own feelings were secondary.

— We can figure this out together, — she suggested. — You are not alone. And I am here to help you.

Alex nodded, but Rachel's words, like her presence, could not fully dispel his inner demons. Silence enveloped them once more, but this time it was a little less suffocating. Alex continued to move forward, listening to his thoughts, searching for meaning in what had happened and how it would affect his future.