Holding On To Hope

Chapter 9: A Reunion

Lina sat at her desk, the familiar hum of the office enveloping her. Despite the chatter around her, a lingering heaviness settled in her chest. Leon and Grayson had insisted on staying close since that day, offering comfort in their own ways, but she still felt the weight of her struggles.

She glanced at the clock, noting that Mia's return was just a few hours away. The thought filled her with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Lina missed her best friend, who always seemed to know how to lighten the mood, but she worried about how to explain everything that had happened.

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Mia.

Mia: Can't wait to see you! Hope you've survived without me!

Lina smiled, her heart warming at the thought of Mia's teasing. She quickly typed a response.

Lina: Barely! It's been way too quiet around here.

Mia: Good! I'm bringing the noise back! Meet me in the lobby?

Lina hesitated for a moment, then replied.

Lina: Okay! See you soon.

A flutter of nerves danced in her stomach as she stood up, smoothing her clothes before heading toward the lobby. She took a deep breath to steady herself, the air feeling thick with anticipation.

When she reached the lobby, Mia was already there, her vibrant energy unmistakable. The moment their eyes met, Mia lit up, rushing over to wrap Lina in a tight hug.

"Lina!" Mia exclaimed, pulling back to look at her. "You look... well, you look like you need a vacation!"

Lina chuckled softly, feeling a rush of affection. "Thanks, Mia. It's been a rough few days."

Mia's expression shifted to concern. "What happened? You know you can tell me anything."

Lina bit her lip, unsure of how to begin. "It's just family stuff... I've been dealing with some things with my mom."

Mia's brow furrowed, and she stepped back slightly. "Lina, you know I'm here for you, right? Whatever it is, you don't have to face it alone."

"I know," Lina said, her voice quiet. "It's just hard to explain. I don't want to worry you."

"Too late! I'm already worried," Mia said, crossing her arms playfully. "So, spill it! I'm all ears."

With a small sigh, Lina decided to let some of the weight off her chest. "My mom... she hasn't been great lately. She's been... out of hand."

Mia's eyes widened in alarm. "Out of hand how? Did she hurt you?"

Lina hesitated, recalling the sting of her mother's slap, then nodded slowly. "It just hurt so much to hear her say those things," she said, not meeting Mia's eyes.

Mia's expression shifted to one of anger and concern. "Lina, that's not okay! You don't deserve to be treated like that. You deserve to feel safe and loved."

Tears pooled in Lina's eyes as she spoke. "I know, but I've always been the one to hold everything together. I don't want to burden you or the guys."

Mia reached out and squeezed Lina's hand. "You've got me, and you've got Leon and Grayson. We'll figure it out together. I promise you're not a burden."

As they chatted, Lina felt a warmth spreading through her, easing some of the tension. It felt good to reconnect, to be reminded that she had people who cared about her.

"Okay," Mia said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Enough about the serious stuff! Let's talk about how I'm back and ready to bring some fun into your boring life!"

Lina laughed, her spirits lifting. "You're right. I missed your chaos!"

"Chaos is my middle name!" Mia declared dramatically. "But seriously, how about we celebrate my return with some lunch? My treat!"

"Sounds perfect," Lina agreed, grateful for the distraction. "Let's go!"

As they left the office together, Lina felt lighter, the worries that had been clouding her mind slowly fading. With Mia by her side, she was ready to face whatever came next.