Hi

Sophia looked up to see an elderly woman sitting a few feet away, her silver hair tucked neatly under a floral scarf. Her kind eyes sparkled with genuine worry.

"I’m fine," Sophia replied quickly, forcing a faint smile. She shifted Michael in her arms, brushing her fingers gently over his cheek. "Why do you ask?"

The woman tilted her head, her brows furrowing. "You’ve been talking to yourself for a while now. And the look on your face..." She trailed off, gesturing vaguely with her wrinkled hand.

Sophia blinked, realizing the woman was right. She had been muttering under her breath, lost in her thoughts. "Oh," she breathed. "I didn’t realize. But thank you— I’m fine, really." She smiled again, this time more sincerely, hoping to end the conversation.

The woman nodded slowly, though her expression didn’t ease. As if sensing Sophia’s desire for solitude, she adjusted her handbag and turned her attention back to the road.

A bus rumbled into view moments later, its brakes hissing as it came to a stop. The elderly woman stood, her movements deliberate and slow. She glanced back at Sophia. "Take care of yourself, dear," she said warmly before boarding the bus.

"Thank you," Sophia called after her, watching as the doors closed and the bus pulled away. She followed its path with her eyes, her mind racing.

It hit her then— like a sudden gust of wind. Leave. Leave Ivry Hall. Leave Rivervale. Disappear. The thought was both terrifying and liberating. The idea of starting over, of leaving everything behind, sent a jolt through her system.

Her grip on Michael tightened as she whispered to him, "We’re leaving, baby. Somewhere far away. Somewhere safe." Her voice cracked, the weight of her decision sinking in. She couldn’t afford to hesitate anymore. Natasha’s threat was real, and the longer she stayed, the greater the risk.

Sophia stood abruptly, her legs still shaky from the long walk through the woods. She paced the bus stop, her mind darting between plans. She needed to stretch every dollar she had, to find a place where no one could follow her.

The sound of an approaching bus snapped her out of her thoughts. She watched as it slowed to a stop, the doors sliding open with a hiss. A young couple stepped off, their laughter filling the air as they walked past her.

Sophia glanced down at Michael, who stirred slightly in her arms but didn’t wake. Pressing a kiss to his forehead, she whispered, "This is it, sweetheart. A new beginning for us." Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the bus, the weight of her resolve grounding her.

\--------------------

The bus emitted a low rumble as it idled at the stop, doors hissing open. Sophia adjusted Michael in her arms, his soft breaths warming her shoulder as she stepped onto the bus. Her shoes made faint taps on the metal stairs as she climbed aboard, her eyes scanning the passengers seated in rows. Most were buried in their own worlds — headphones snug in their ears, heads leaning against the window, or fingers swiping across phone screens. The air carried a mix of faint leather, cleaning detergent, and the lingering scent of morning dew.

She moved carefully down the narrow aisle, the rocking of the bus under her feet causing her to steady herself with one hand on the seats as she went. Near the back, her gaze settled on an empty seat beside a young man who seemed to be around her age. His hoodie was pulled over his head, and he was scrolling through something on his phone. She stopped in front of him, cradling Michael tighter as she softly asked, "Excuse me, is this seat taken?"

The man looked up, his dark eyes meeting hers briefly before he shook his head with a polite smile. “It’s free,” he said, shifting slightly to give her more space.

Sophia nodded in gratitude, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Thank you,” she murmured, carefully lowering herself into the seat. Michael stirred briefly but settled quickly against her chest, his tiny hand clutching at her shirt as if seeking reassurance.

The bus jolted forward, and Sophia felt the rumble in her chest as the engine roared to life. She turned her face toward the window, watching as the world outside began to blur. Trees and buildings zipped past, their forms distorted by the morning light that filtered through streaks on the glass. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her reflection in the glass staring back at her — a mix of exhaustion, uncertainty, and a fragile sense of hope.

Her thoughts drifted, carried by the hum of the wheels and the occasional chatter of passengers. It had been almost three years since she first set foot in Ivry Hall. Three years of highs and lows, friendships forged and broken, love found and lost. And now, here she was, leaving it all behind. Was this goodbye? The bittersweet thought pressed against her chest like a weight she couldn’t shake.

“Hello,” a voice said, jolting her out of her reverie. She blinked and turned slightly, unsure if it was directed at her. When there was no further sound, she assumed she must have imagined it and turned back toward the window.

“Hello,” the voice came again, this time accompanied by a slight wave from the very man beside her. His voice was warm, his smile polite but curious.

Sophia hesitated for a moment before responding softly, “Hi.”