Wildflower Wildfire (Hazel Callahan x fem! oc)

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     Sophia stood in the doorway of her new home, a sprawling mansion in the affluent neighborhood withtin Rockbridge Falls. The grand foyer opened up to high ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and a marble staircase that seemed to wind its way up to the sky. Everything about the place felt vast and overwhelming, a stark contrast to the cramped but cozy apartment in New York City that she had always called home. She let out a small sigh, still adjusting to the idea of moving in with her dad's new family and leaving the city she loved.

     After her dad got remarried, everything had changed so quickly. It was hard to believe that just a few months ago, she was navigating the busy streets of Manhattan. Now, she was surrounded by quiet streets, manicured lawns, and large houses that all looked perfect but somehow seemed to lack character. The silence was almost unnerving.

     Sophia's thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling out to her. "Hey! You must be Sophia!" A girl with long, dark hair bounced down the staircase, her smile wide and bright. She was about Sophia's age, maybe a year younger, and had an energy that filled the room. "I'm Stella, your step-sister!" she declared with a cheery tone, as if the title of "step-sister" were the most exciting thing in the world.

     Sophia offered a small, polite smile. "Yeah, hi," she said, still taking in the surroundings. "I guess I'm still trying to wrap my head around all of this. It's... different."

     Stella nodded enthusiastically. "I bet! I mean, coming all the way from New York to Rockbridge Falls? That's a huge change! But don't worry, you'll love it here," she assured, her voice full of optimism. "We have a pool, a movie room, and there's even a tennis court down the street. It's not the city, but it's still pretty cool."

     Sophia managed a chuckle. "I don't think anything could be like New York," she replied. "It's just... there's so much life there, you know? This place is beautiful, but it's so quiet. It's kind of hard to get used to."

     "Oh, I get it," Stella said with a wave of her hand. "I grew up here, so I'm used to it, but I've always thought NYC must be amazing! I'm sure you'll find fun stuff to do. There's this coffee shop downtown where all the cool kids hang out. We can go there sometime!" Her voice was light, almost ditsy, but there was a sincerity to her friendliness that made Sophia feel a bit more at ease.

     "Yeah, maybe," Sophia said, her gaze drifting to the enormous windows that overlooked the perfectly landscaped backyard. "I guess I'm just hoping to feel like I belong here at some point."

     "You will," Stella said with another reassuring smile. "You've got me to show you around, and I'm, like, a local expert." She leaned in and whispered, "Plus, this place is way less boring than it looks."

     Sophia couldn't help but smile at that. Maybe Stella's bubbly personality was exactly the sort of thing that would help her adjust to life in Rockbridge Falls. The mansion might not be home yet, but perhaps it wasn't as lonely a place as it seemed.

     Sophia followed Stella through the long hallway, the click of her boots echoing off the polished floors. The walls were lined with artwork, each piece seemingly more expensive than the last. It was a far cry from the colorful chaos of New York's streets. Here, everything felt curated and intentional, as if life itself was just another exhibit on display.

     "So, do you wanna see your room?" Stella asked, glancing over her shoulder. "I helped pick out some of the decorations. I didn't really know what your style was, but I figured I'd give it a shot!"

     "Sure," Sophia said, her voice tinged with curiosity. She appreciated the effort, even if she had no idea what to expect. She hadn't seen the house before moving day. Her dad had taken care of all the arrangements while she packed up her old life.