September 2009
Summer and vacations were ending, which meant that fall was coming, and with it, back-to-school. The New York sky was still very blue, as if holding back the last warm days before the leaves began to fall. Everyone was preparing for a new chapter.
Charlotte Fitzgerald came back from vacation. She had a difficult year, but now she had a whole new year to show her change. People knew her as the queen of parties and drinking, and one of Manhattan's most popular people. Her charm and personality made her the center of attention wherever she went. The It Girl herself. She had an elegant way of walking that attracted attention in the airport, and her confident smile was hard to miss.
After getting off her flight from Europe, Charlotte picked up her bags and waited for her parents, Emma and Ben Fitzgerald. They were two well-known lawyers and important people in Manhattan. Charlotte was an only child, and her parents had a great she got to the lobby, she saw the limousine.
Charlotte called out to her mother, who walked up to her, smiling and feeling relieved. They knew that this trip was important for their daughter's recovery.
Charlotte hugged them tightly, still feeling bad about leaving.
"We missed you too, Princess" her dad said, hugging her. "Everyone was waiting for your return."
Charlotte smiled, but she was still a little nervous. She knew that her absence caused a lot of speculation, and everyone in Manhattan was always talking about something.
"There's a lot of gossip going around" she said, trying to sound lighthearted, but her voice showed some knew that people were curious about her absence. She hadn't told many people the exact reason for her trip, only that she needed some time away. It was better to keep the details secret.
"It's always going to be like this, dear" Emma replied with an understanding look, helping her daughter with her bags. "People will always talk, especially when you're so... targeted. But what really matters is that you're back. Come on, the driver's waiting for us."
The three of them went to the limousine parked at the John F. Kennedy airport's entrance. Charlotte felt a mix of relief and anxiety when she saw the familiar shiny black car. As the doors closed and the vehicle started to move towards the Upper East Side, she looked out of the window, looking at the busy streets of the city she knew so well.
New York always made her feel alive, as if the bright lights and constant movement brought a unique energy. But this time, she felt the city's pressure. It was as if every corner held a memory of who she used to be — the girl everyone saw at parties and events, always in the spotlight, but rarely showing who she really was.
The limousine drove smoothly through the streets, and Charlotte was lost in thought. The past year had been hard, and she felt overwhelmed. It had been necessary to get away in Europe — not just to escape the judgmental stares, but to find some inner peace, which was increasingly difficult in Manhattan.
"Dad, Mom," Charlotte said, looking at them with sincerity. "I'm sorry for everything I've done in the last two years. This trip was important to me to connect with myself...I...I...I..." she hesitated, her eyes showing uncertainty. "I really want to be a better person, I promise."
She took both their hands, her gesture filled with a mixture of despair and hope. Perhaps was looking for confirmation, a guarantee that she wasn't alone in this new phase that was approaching.
Emma smiled, proud of her daughter's vulnerability and determination.
"We trust you, my love" she said, squeezing her daughter's hand. Her eyes showed love and understanding.
Ben, standing next to her, leaned forward and also squeezed Charlotte's hand. His expression was firm but affectionate.
"You know we'll always be here for you. Always" He spoke in a firm but gentle voice, wanting to make it clear that she would never have to carry this burden alone. "The most important thing is that you're feeling good about yourself."
Charlotte smiled, but this time her eyes shone with emotion. It was comforting to know that, even after everything, her parents were on her side. They didn't judge her for the past's mistakes, and that gave her strength.
A few moments later, the limousine arrived in the familiar Upper East Side neighborhood. The elegant streets were lined with trees and luxurious buildings, and the place exuded exclusivity. As the car stopped in front of Fitzgerald's imposing penthouse, Charlotte sighed. She felt at home, but at the same time she knew that this city, with all its opulence, would bring new challenges.
As she stepped out of the car, she looked up at the facade of the building, the lights glistening in the windows. This place held so many memories... Some good, some not so good. She knew that a new chapter was about to begin, but what would it really mean? The parties, the meetings, the social life that had always surrounded her - what would it be like now, to be the "new Charlotte"?
"Welcome back, darling!" Emma said, placing a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder. "New York missed you."
Charlotte gave a small smile, a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
"I've missed it here too." But as she looked at the imposing entrance to the house, it was clear that her biggest battle would not be with the others, but with herself.
She promised to change. Now, it's time to figure out how.
...
The Blanc family lived near the Fitzgeralds. They were one of the wealthiest families in Manhattan. Harry and Lucy were the owners of a fashion empire. They had only one daughter, Sophie Blanc. She was known for her strong personality and ambition. Although she was usually very genius, the only people who knew her sensitive side were the people closest to her. Her best friends since childhood were Charlotte Fitzgerald and Jeremy Gallagher, but Sophie also had a lot of friends in Manhattan.
She looked at herself in the mirror, checking her hair, as if the way she looked on the outside could control the chaos in her life. "If I look perfect on the outside, no one will notice what's going on in here," she thought, standing up straight and holding the necklace her mother bought her. Every detail was a battle in her personal war.
"Miss Sophie" called the family's trusted housekeeper, Rosemary, when she entered the room. "Your breakfast is already on the table."
Rosemary Aldridge was more than just a housekeeper to the Blancs. She had been there for decades, and in many ways, became a mother figure to Sophie. Since the girl was born, Rose has been there, taking care of her with the same love and dedication that a devoted mother would have. Unlike Sophie's parents, who were always busy with their fashion empire, she was there for her in the most difficult moments, always with a kind word or a look of compassion.
She had been the quiet support during Lucy and Harry's frequent arguments, protecting Sophie from the family tensions and trying to fill the emotional gaps left by her parents' absence. Sophie trusted her like no one else, although rarely showed it explicitly. Rose was a discreet guardian of young Blanc's secrets, always attentive to the signs of her silent pain, but never forcing a conversation.
"I'll be right down." Sophie replied, standing up lazily. The night had been heavier than usual. She went to the bathroom and, looking in the mirror, whispered, "I need to lose more weight if I want to be the main attraction at school."
This obsession with beauty had been haunting her for a while, but no one knew about it, not even her closest cell phone started vibrating with glanced at it quickly before getting into the shower. The news was already spreading—everyone knew about Charlotte's return. She had disappeared over the summer, and now was felt a slight discomfort, but she ignored it. She had a back-to-school party to plan, and nothing could distract her.
"This year has to be perfect." she muttered, nervous but determined not to show weakness.
Her goal was to be the perfect hostess, the girl everyone looked up to. But what the others didn't see were the sleepless nights, the constant anxiety about what to wear, and the fear of being judged.
After taking a shower, Sophie went downstairs for breakfast, mentally preparing herself for the family's tension. Since the vacation, the fights between her parents had escalated. She took a deep breath as she sat down at the table, taking only some fruit and a black coffee without sugar.
"Be careful not to overdo it, Sophie. You need to stay fit" Lucy said calmly. Sophie sighed, trying not to show that she was uncomfortable.
"Leave her alone" Harry grumbled, rolling his eyes.
"I'm talking to my daughter!" Lucy retorted, impatiently. Sophie, already used to it, took several deep breaths as the argument began.
As Lucy and Harry argued, Sophie knew it was the same old story: Lucy pointed out the flaws, Harry defended himself, and in the end, nobody won.
"Do you think it's easy to keep up our family reputation? It affects Sophie too!" Lucy said coldly, casting glances at her daughter as if her worries about her body were a reflection of an invisible pressure passed down from mother to daughter.
"I'm going to eat in my room" she whispered to Rosemary, who nodded sadly. Her parents didn't notice her departure.
Sophie noticed something in Rose that she hadn't seen in her mother for years: compassion. She felt a tightness in her chest, and a desire to hug her, but was unable to do it. It was easier to hide her emotions and pretend that everything was fine than to admit that she felt invisible in her own home.
Rosemary was never intimidated, even though the Blancs were very important. She knew how important it was to take care of a house like that. It wasn't just about looking perfect, but also about making sure that Sophie was taken care of, even though she was under a lot of pressure.
In the bedroom, she found a chocolate box hidden in the closet. Locked in her room, Sophie felt like the world was ending. The room, once a refuge, now felt like a she reached for the chocolate, her fingers trembled from fear, not from hunger. Each candy that disappeared into her mouth made her stomach churn, but didn't stop. She knew that relief would only come in the bathroom, where the sound of running water would drown out the echoes of her shame.
Sophie looked at the box with hungry but hesitant eyes. Each bite felt like a small betrayal of the control she was trying to keep up. With each bite, the pleasure lasted a few seconds, soon replaced by a sense of guilt that tightened her chest.
"Why am I like this?" she thought. "Why am I never enough?" She immediately ran to the bathroom, ready to expel it from her body. It was a non-stop cycle, a silent struggle that no one could see.
...
In the Gallagher apartment lived Grayson, a famous doctor and businessman, and Miranda, a socialite and entrepreneur. Together, they managed the family's medical services company. They had twins, Jeremy and Elizabeth Gallagher.
Jeremy was in his room, dealing with a bad hangover, taking advantage of the fact that his parents were on a business trip. The young guy knew that his parents had high expectations for him, just as they did for Elizabeth. But unlike her, he always felt overwhelmed by his parents' high expectations. The weight of being expected to succeed like his father was always on his shoulders. He used partying and drinking as a way to escape this pressure, at least temporarily. But he always had an emotional headache the next day.
Elizabeth was focused on her studies, always being generous and kind. Although they had some similarities, their attitudes were quite opposite.
He heard footsteps in the hallway and quickly hid the marijuana joint in the drawer before Elizabeth entered.
"What a headache" he muttered, looking for some medicine, but when he opened the door, bumped into his sister. "You scared me!" he said, jokingly.
"Imagine what you'd see if you looked in the mirror!" Elizabeth laughed, teasing her brother. "Go take a shower. You look like you've been sleeping in a dump."
"Stop being nosy" Jeremy replied, rolling his eyes."You didn't look so good yesterday either"
"I always look impeccable" she shrugged, but her gaze turned sad for a moment, then wandered down the corridor. "That's a lie. I'm sure that I look worse than you."
"What happened?" Jeremy asked, sounding concerned. "Did you drink too much?"Jeremy looked at Elizabeth, and for a moment, he didn't recognize the sister who always seemed to have everything under control.
Her eyes showed a tiredness he recognized; perhaps she was also dealing with more than she let on. The truth was that, behind the perfect image, both he and Elizabeth were lost—each in their own way.
"Mike and I split up." Elizabeth replied, her voice sounding firmer than it had seemed. "We already knew it wouldn't last. We're from different worlds, and in the end, it was clear that it wouldn't work. I know he's your best friend, but things got complicated during the vacations."
Jeremy watched his sister for a moment, not sure what to say. She liked Mike, but knew that their relationship hadn't been going well for some time.
"And how are you feeling?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
"I'm not too bad. It was a mature conversation. We're still friends." Elizabeth said, but her smile faltered for a moment. Jeremy noticed the hesitation and knew there was more there than she was letting on. He knew his sister well enough to know that she was hurt, even if she was trying to hide it. The pain was there, hidden under layers of control and pretending.
"That's what everyone says," he replied, laughing, but Elizabeth didn't let it go and pinched him on the arm. "This is the second time you've messed up." he teased, remembering his sister's past relationship."You'd better be like me and carry on without commitment." Jeremy said this with a carefree smile, but he knew there was more to it. The parties and drinking were a way of numbing the emptiness he farther he got from responsibilities and expectations, it made him feel more at ease. But he knew it was only temporary, and he always got a hangover.
"You mean addicted?" Elizabeth said, pointing to the drawer with a raised eyebrow. Her tone was light, but Jeremy could see the concern in her eyes. She knew he was taking a risk, and her silence on the subject always made him uncomfortable. He told himself he was fine, but Elizabeth knew better. "That's not exactly a lie." Elizabeth teased. "We know very well what your summer was like."
They laughed together, as they always did, but there was something unspoken. While they teased each other about dating and parties, they were both trying to hide the fact that things weren't going well. For a moment, they almost admitted it to themselves, even though they were trying to hide it.
"At least they're not here to see us like this" Jeremy said sarcastically, pointing at himself. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, but she knew he was right. It was always easier when their parents weren't around, busy with work and social commitments. But their absence also left a void that neither of them could fill. "Let's have breakfast" Jeremy said, quickly changing the subject. "We have a back-to-school party today. We'd better get ready."
The two of them went downstairs, ready to face another school year.
...
The Sorrentini family was composed of Gideon, a very rich businessman, and his wife Leah, a university professor at Columbia. Together, they were the parents of Daniel and Sebastian Sorrentini, and the family was one of the wealthiest in the region.
While his parents didn't return from a trip yet, Daniel woke up in his bed with a brunette next to him, but he didn't remember her name. Daniel was known for his womanizing and sarcastic side. He threw himself into parties and into the arms of any girl who could distract him from his own knew that his brother's sarcasm was a way of protecting himself. Daniel knew it too, but they never talked about these was easier to keep up the teasing and the game of appearances.
"Good morning!" The brunette, still lying down, said to him as he got up, "I'd love to stay for breakfast, but I have to get home." She tried to dress discreetly.
"I'm not going to eat here anyway" replied Daniel, indifferently, as he put on his shirt. He didn't attach much importance to these situations; all his "relationships" were like that.
"Are you going to call me?" " she asked, her hope hidden behind a veil of uncertainty as she finished getting knew how much she wanted him in the area.
"Who knows?" he said, his smile teasing and provocative." See you around. I'll call you" he lied, knowing full well that he wouldn't.
"See you later!" she said, leaning over to kiss his cheek before grabbing her things. When she opened the door, she bumped into Sebastian, who was looking at the scene with a neutral expression, as if it were routine. "Good morning!" she said, a little awkwardly.
"Good morning," replied Sebastian, polite but not the girl left, he turned to his brother. "Is this the fourth or fifth of the week?" he asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"You should try to enjoy your life more, little brother," Daniel said, as he walked into the kitchen with Sebastian right behind him. "You only live once. By the way, you've been pretty grumpy lately."
The waiters left quietly, as they did whenever the Sorrentini brothers were at the table. They were masters of being inconspicuous, but the glances they exchanged suggested that they saw more than anyone could imagine. They knew about the little dramas unfolding in that luxury apartment, but it was part of their job to keep quiet.
"When our parents get back, I want to see how you're going to hide your escapades," Sebastian said, with a wry smile. Daniel shrugged, unconcerned. Sebastian watched his brother, feeling a slight irritation grow. Daniel always seemed to get away with everything, while he, the 'responsible brother,' carried the burden of keeping up appearances. "At least one of us has to be sensible." Sebastian muttered, more to himself than to Daniel.
"They're never really here. They only need us for the perfect family photos." But they both knew that Daniel's words were more than just nonchalance. Gideon and Leah's absence was both a blessing and a burden. "And come to think of it, I think you're going to have a great time at the party tonight."
"And you'll be chasing Elizabeth" Daniel teased, but his smile was tense. As much as he made jokes, the idea of seeing Sebastian next to her bothered could get involved with all the girls he wanted, but he knew Elizabeth was different. And that was what scared him. Fighting with the brunette was easier than admitting how he felt. "Have you heard that she broke up with Mike?"
"I'm not going to throw myself at her like that." Sebastian rolled his eyes, having no patience for his brother's provocations. "Mike is our friend."
"Sweet, innocent Lizzie needs someone to console her at the party. Who better than our Golden Boy?" Daniel said with a wry smile.
"Shut up!" Sebastian said, ignoring him as he finished preparing his plate. His cell phone vibrated, interrupting the looked at the message and smiled slightly. "Guess who's back after disappearing all summer."
"Charlie's back?" Daniel asked, surprised. Sebastian nodded. "Now things are finally going to get better around here." When Sebastian mentioned Charlotte, Daniel felt a spark of excitement. Charlotte always knew how to bring fun to any situation, and he was excited to see how her return would shake things up. For him, parties just didn't have the same sparkle without her around.
"Let's see how things turn out this time" said Sebastian, as he replied to the message. The two had breakfast together, ready to face another day and the return to school.
...
Lola Foster had just left her suitcases in her new room. Everything was different since the plane crash two years ago. She and her brother, Eric Foster, lost their parents at a young age and now lived with their grandmother, Bernadeth, also known as Bina. The Foster family was one of the most well-known families in Atlanta, but Bina had decided to return to her hometown in New York, where the family's business had started. Now, her two grandchildren were with her, ready to start their studies at the famous Willowbrook Boarding School.
Bina wanted to be a strong support system for her grandchildren. She knew that Lola and Eric needed stability, and she was determined to give it to them. But on quiet nights, when the house felt empty, Bina had lost more than just a son and daughter-in-law. She had also lost the future she had imagined for her family. Now, everything was broken.
Lola closed the bedroom door and threw herself on the bed. She grabbed an old photograph from her bag. In the photo, she was standing next to Eric and her parents. They were smiling in a park in Atlanta. She hugged the picture tightly as tears rolled down her cheeks. Since the accident, she still hadn't gotten over the trauma, and her pain had made her withdraw from everything and everyone. Her rebellious phase only intensified the isolation she had created for memories of that fateful day invaded her mind.
Flashback:
She and Eric were playing in the living room, arguing animatedly after Lola had stolen some banknotes from the game money. Suddenly, the door opened, and Bina walked in. Her face showed that she was very sad, her eyes were red, and her shoulders were bent because she was carrying a heavy burden.
"Grandma!" Eric said, running up to her. He looked confused.
"What happened?" Lola asked, feeling tried to speak, but she couldn't stop crying. She tried to stay calm, but she couldn't hold back the tears.
"There was a plane crash" she said, her voice shaking. "It was the flight to Paris..."
The words hung in the air, and the two brothers didn't understand them. Eric looked at his grandmother, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"No, Grandma, don't say that" he said.
"I'm so sorry" said Bina, hugging her two grandchildren tightly. Eric began to cry, while Lola stood still, like a statue. She couldn't cry or scream. Her body just stood still. It couldn't be true. Bina took them both to their rooms and, with a kiss on each of their cheeks, whispered."It's going to be okay" before leaving and closing the door. But she knew that nothing would ever be the same. Not after losing her son and daughter-in-law so suddenly.
Later, Eric went to his sister's room.
"Lola, talk to me. I need you," he said, but she didn't answer. She was lying on the bed, her eyes open, but it was as if she wasn't there. Eric didn't know what to do, so he went back to his own room and cried himself to sleep.
Lola's world always seemed gray. Even when people smiled or tried to talk, she couldn't focus. She started to withdraw from the people and things that mattered to her. Everything made her feel vulnerable. The photograph in her hands reminded her that things used to be better. But it felt so long ago that she didn't even remember what it was like.
Lola shook her head to clear away the memories. She got out of bed and went to get a glass of water. When opened the door, saw Eric lying on the sofa in the living room, listening to music on his headphones. She smiled slightly at her younger brother, but didn't approach him.
Eric was a constant but silent presence. He never complained, never demanded. Perhaps he knew that Lola was struggling to keep her head above water. Sometimes she wanted to hug him and tell him that everything would be all right, but couldn't. She felt guilty for not being the sister he needed, but also didn't know how to break down the wall had built around herself.
She went back to her room and crawled under the covers. She didn't feel like facing anyone else on what would be her last peaceful day before school started. Willowbrook Boarding School was a new beginning for many students, but for Lola, it was just another place to Eric seemed eager to adapt, Lola felt that this place couldn't fill the void in her heart. Nothing seemed to be able to fill the empty feeling in her soul. She knew that everyone hoped that this new phase would help, but all she could think about was how to escape from yet another environment where she felt invisible.
Lola was distancing herself from everyone and everything. While her grandmother and brother cared about her, trying to reach her only made her pull away more. Deep down, she wanted to open up to Eric, to cry in his arms, and talk about the pain that was consuming her, but another part of her, bigger and more powerful, kept her from doing so. It was as if Lola was trapped in a prison that she had built, without knowing how to get out.
...
Karl and his father, Burt Herman, had just arrived in New York this week, ready to start a new stage in their lives. Burt had managed to grow his family's business, even in a city as big as New York, and the future looked promising. The two of them came straight from Nashville, Tennessee, and for Karl, the move couldn't have come at a better time.
Nashville was a silent battlefield. Every hallway at school felt too narrow, every glance felt like a judgment, and the mean laughter and whispers behind his back made him feel small. Unlike others, Karl never found a safe haven, and when they finally left town, it was as if he had been released from an invisible prison.
He had never made many friends in Nashville and, in fact, felt relieved to leave it all behind. The bullying, judgmental looks, and cruel laughter were memories he'd rather forget. New York was an opportunity to make a fresh start, but he was still afraid that it would all happen again.
Karl was orphaned at the age of seven when his mother died of an incurable disease. Since then, his father had carried the burden of raising him alone, always afraid of failure.
Burt was a man who rarely showed his insecurities, but he knew that ever since his wife passed away, he carried a constant fear of failing as a father. It was a silent weight between them, something they never spoke about, but which their son felt in every hug and every look of concern. Karl, for his part, tried to be the best son he could, which wasn't difficult, since he had never been very sociable. The Hermans had enough money to live in Manhattan, thanks to their German roots, although they were not among the island's wealthiest families.
"I'll have to go to work now" Karl's father said, giving him a hug that might have been a little tighter than usual. Karl felt the weight of worry in his arms, but neither of them knew how to put it into words.
"I'll be fine" Karl said, but his voice didn't sound very wanted to tell his father everything he was feeling, but he couldn't find the words. Burt walked away, smiled slightly, and left Karl alone with his worried thoughts.
When Burt left, Karl turned on the television to watch a program, but he didn't pay any attention. His thoughts were elsewhere. He just wanted this change to mean a new beginning. Karl wasn't much interested in socializing, but he hoped it wouldn't be as scary as it had been at his old school.
However, there was something else that worried him, something he knew was inevitable. He still didn't know when he would be ready to admit that he was gay. The prejudice he suffered in Nashville had been one of the main reasons for his exclusion. Although he didn't care what ignorant people thought, he knew that the hardest part would be telling his father. Karl wanted to be the son his father had hoped for, but he feared that if revealing his true identity, everything between them would change. And he wasn't sure that he was ready for this.
Karl knew he couldn't hide who he was forever, but he was afraid to open up to his father. He imagined how Burt would react, from feeling relieved to disappointed. Karl's father had always been his protector, but what if this revelation changed everything? What if Burt didn't understand him? Karl had no answers, only the growing fear that, when the time came, he wouldn't have the courage to tell the truth.
He had a dream, though. He wanted to be in the theater, where he could be himself without worrying about what other people thought. On stage, he could be free from all that. But in real life, he kept his theater dream a secret. New York seemed like the perfect place to finally follow that path, but at the same time, the fear of disappointing his father kept him trapped.
...
Samara had spent the last two years in a strict boarding school in Europe, where everything from her behavior to her clothing was controlled with an iron fist. She hated every second of it. The routine, the rules, the stifling expectations of teachers and parents. And now, back in New York, she felt like a feather about to burst. Her parents thought sending her to the city's most prestigious boarding school would make her change, but all she wanted was to rebel against any authority that tried to control her.
Sending Samara to the new boarding school was their last attempt to mold her into their vision of the 'perfect daughter'. But she felt the opposite. Every rule broken, every day away from home without explanation, was a way of resisting the control they tried to impose on her. Her family, known as one of the richest in Mexico, had moved to the Upper West Side when she was four. And now she knew she would be studying with the highest elite on the other side.
The Upper East Side was a gilded cage. To Samara, it was a place where everyone cared more about how they looked than how they really felt. It was easy to sneer at the "spoiled rich" when, deep down, she was part of that world, too. That was the paradox that consumed her - she wanted to get away from it all, was still trapped by the expectations her last name carried.
The big city was supposed to be her home, but after a while away, Samara didn't feel like home anymore. It was as if she had changed too much while the city remained the same. All her old friends had moved on, while she tried to figure out who she was, apart from the rebellious girl everyone knew. This feeling of not belonging only added to the frustration she felt every day.
Alone at home, Samara felt boredom suffocate her. Her parents had left to visit her beloved abuela, but she wasn't interested in going. She was not known for her patience. Boredom quickly seeped into her body and turned into irritation. If she stayed in that apartment one more minute, she would surely explode. Her impulsiveness was her greatest ally and enemy at the same time - she always acted before thought, and that had caused her enough problems in the past.
With each passing second, her irritation grew until she decided to take a walk around the block. She grabbed her bag and left without leaving a message, just wanted to feel the chaos of the big city.
"I can't stay here any longer," she muttered in frustration as waited for the elevator. She didn't have a clear destination, but eventually decided to stop at a snack bar near her home as her stomach began to rumble.
" What can I get for you? " asked the attendant as he looked at her.
"A strawberry milkshake" Samara paid for the drink, but the place was full and there were no seats available. With nowhere to sit, she approached the door to wait for her order. That's when she bumped into someone, almost knocking the glass of liquid onto her own clothes.
"I'm sorry, I really am! - The blue-eyed blonde hurried to apologize, her expression desperate.
She was ready to burst - that's what she always did when someone upset her. But somehow, the blonde's awkward manner made her hesitate. Maybe it was the sincere way she apologized, or maybe it was Samara's desperate need for a break from her constant state of war. The fact was, in that moment, the rebellious girl let her guard down for a second.
"It's okay! was the only thing Samara could say, still not understanding the reason for her calm reaction.
"I'm a bit clumsy myself" the girl giggled nervously and Samara smiled back to her surprise.
" I think a seat just opened up over there" Samara pointed to a free table. " If you like, you can sit with me. I was a little lonely.
"Sure" the blonde girl accepted with a smile. The two quickly sat down before anyone else took their place.
"I'm Bethany Parker, by the way" the blonde said, holding out her hand.
"Samara Lozano" she replied, shaking Bethany's hand. "And where do you live?"
" I live in Brooklyn" Bethany smiled. "I got a scholarship to Willowbrook Boarding School. Not because of my grades, but because I was the best cheerleader and dancer in the school. That's how I got in.
"Cool! I've just moved to the Upper East" Samara explained." I have to admit, I didn't expect the first person I met to be from another neighborhood. I thought I'd only meet the most spoiled rich people here.
Bethany laughed out loud.
"Yeah, I didn't expect to meet someone like you either. Looks like we're not so out of place after all"
The two of them talked for a long time, and even though Samara didn't know exactly why, felt like she had made a friend. For the first time in a long time, her daily bad mood seemed to dissipate, at least a little.
...
Another family who recently settled on the Upper East Side were the Mariksons, who had moved the headquarters of their large company from London to New York. Swedish-born entrepreneurs Marcus and Eleanor Marikson, who had built their business in England, had four children: Elliot was the eldest and had already entered MIT, Kendrick was entering his senior year of high school, while Kyle was the son who caused them the most problems because of his discipline issues. Rosalie, on the other hand, was the youngest daughter who was very excited about her new home as she hadn't adjusted well to her old school.
Kyle always felt overshadowed by his brothers. Elliot, the genius of the family, and Kendrick, always dedicated to his studies. Him? Well, he was the rebel. What bothered him most wasn't even his lack of discipline, but the constant feeling that he didn't fit into the perfect mold that his parents, especially his father, valued so highly.
He dozed off in his room until he was awakened by his mother's screams and got up, startled. He went to the living room and found her sitting on the huge sofa. Immediately, he became irritated, expecting to have to do some urgent favor.
"What is it, Mom?" Kyle rolled his eyes. His clothes were wrinkled and his expression was one of sleep.
"Go to the market!" She pulled out her purse and handed over a certain amount of money along with a shopping list. "The staff is off today, I need this favor."
"Oh, no! I don't want to" he threw himself on the sofa, annoyed." Why can't Rosalie or Kendrick go?" Kyle hated being the 'handyman' when the employees were off. To him, it was like his parents were trying to discipline him somehow by making him do insignificant chores. Elliot and Kendrick never had to deal with it, so why should he? Sometimes he felt it was his parents' way of showing him that he needed to "grow up" or "take responsibility" - as if sending someone to the market was the key to building character.
"Rosalie still had the flu, and Kendrick is busy with your father." She picked up the money with the list again and handed it to him. Kyle, unhappy, took the money and put it in his pocket. He walked over to Rosalie, who was fast asleep in bed, and kissed her on the forehead.
It wasn't long before they were at the market. The Marikson family had moved from London to New York for better business opportunities.
Behind the rebellious boy's facade, there was much more to Kyle than he let others see. He didn't want to admit it, even to himself, but the constant comparison to his brothers was eating away at him. It was easier to run away, to take on the role of the "problem" than to try and fail like Elliot or Kendrick. America was a chance for him to start over - maybe even to find himself. But at the same time, the weight of his family's expectations was always there, smothering him in every decision.
He entered the market and started to look for the items on his list, but ended up bumping into Lola, who was distracted, almost knocking her to the ground.
"I'm sorry" Kyle said, reaching out to help her. Lola just nodded without saying anything. He was surprised at her unexpected behavior.
"Are you all right?" He asked worriedly. Looking into Lola's eyes, Kyle felt something strange. It was as if, for a brief moment, he could see through her - as if this girl carried an invisible weight, something he couldn't decipher, but which attracted him in an inexplicable way. He didn't know what it was, but somehow he felt a connection, as if his own feelings of inadequacy found an echo in her loneliness.
"Excuse me, are you mute?" He asked, and Eric came up behind him, worried about his older sister.
"What's wrong?" He asked Lola, who was walking towards her grandmother.
"Sorry to bother you, but what's wrong with her?" Kyle asked, watching her curiously from a distance. She somehow fascinated him and he couldn't stop looking at her. Eric looked at Kyle for a moment, his gaze clearly assessing whether he was a threat or just curious. The way he asked about Lola bothered him, but he also knew that it was hard to judge someone based on a single question.
"Our parents died recently. She hasn't spoken to anyone since, exchanging ten words a day at most." Eric explained the situation, really hoping that his sister would get better in time.
" I'm sorry" Kyle said sincerely, but he still couldn't take his eyes off Lola.
"I shouldn't be explaining myself to strangers. See you later." Eric turned and went back to Lola. Soon they joined their grandmother and left the room. The idea of explaining his sister's story to a complete stranger didn't sit well with him.
Kyle was confused. There was something about Lola that made him uncomfortably curious. It wasn't just her silence or her distant gaze; it was as if she carried a presence as heavy as the silence around her. As if every movement, every unspoken word held a secret far greater than the pain of losing his parents. And Kyle, against all his instincts, wanted to find out what it was. He didn't know if he would ever see her again, but that was what he wanted most right now.
He returned home, fascinated and curious about the mysterious girl with green eyes, waiting for the chance to meet her again.
...
The Bensons were in a taxi heading back to their old home. The family had spent the last year living in Ireland with Bianca's grandmother, who was very sick. After her death, they returned to New York. They were well-off, but not well-off enough to be part of Manhattan's elite circle.
Bianca had a scholarship since she was a child, and because of her beauty and captivating personality, she ended up with a group of wealthy friends. Being part of the "rich" group was always a challenge disguised as a privilege. Bianca knew that many of her friends admired her for her personality, but there was constant pressure to keep up, both in terms of looks and lifestyle. So she worked hard during the vacations, saving every penny to maintain her image. Sometimes she wondered how long she could balance being herself and the image she felt she needed to project.
Bianca couldn't stop thinking about her grandmother. She still felt the pain of her loss, and the time spent in Ireland felt like a distant dream. Every corner of her grandmother's house held memories: the smells, the sounds, the conversations that now only existed in her mind. Returning to New York without her felt like an unfair twist of fate.
The city had always been her home, but after a year away, Bianca wasn't sure if she still felt connected to it. The tall buildings and busy streets, once familiar, now felt distant. What would her friends think of her? Had things changed while she was away? These questions bothered her, even though she tried to smile at her parents.
"Are you all right, dear?" Abigail, her mother, asked in the car, seeing how distracted her daughter was.
"I'm just thinking about Grandma for a while" Bianca said, laying her head on her mother's shoulder. Her father was in the driving seat and took her hand.
"She'll always be proud of you, darling" he said, smiling and supporting her. "Now we're going back to our house."
"I've missed it here" Bianca said, smiling, her head down."My friends are all here."
"It's going to be a good year" Abby said, hugging her from the side. "I'm sure of it. You can rest assured, my love."
"I hope so" Bianca said, parents were optimistic, trying to get back to their normal routine, but Bianca felt that something in her life was still uncertain. Although her parents hugged her, she knew that the mourning for her grandmother would not go away so easily. It wasn't just the loss, but the feeling that an important part of her history had been left behind, buried along with her childhood memories.
It wasn't long before they arrived. The three of them picked up their things and returned to the apartment, which was exactly as they had left it. Every piece of furniture and every picture was in the same place, but for Bianca, something seemed different. The atmosphere felt familiar but distant at the same time, as if she had returned to a life that no longer completely belonged to was like stepping into an old portrait, where everything was in place except for the emotions that once lived there.
...
The Finnegans also lived in New York's Upper East Side. They were an important family, with two daughters. One of their daughters was Scarlett. She was quite frivolous and ambitious.
Scarlett was blonde, and she didn't want to be part of her family. Always wanted to be the perfect daughter, but she was alone. Her sister had married, and Scarlett was alone in a place that was very hard for her. Her father was demanding, and her mother didn't have much of a role at home, except to be quiet.
Scarlett loved her mother, but she also felt frustrated. Why didn't Judith impose herself? Why did she just accept everything? Scarlett promised herself that she wouldn't be like that. She would have her own life, far away from there.
Ever since her sister got married, she felt more alone than ever. She used to be a kind of protector, someone who shared the burden of expectations. Now Scarlett was alone, with all eyes on sometimes the silence in the house was unbearable, a constant reminder that it would soon be her turn to escape. On the outside, she seemed like the perfect daughter—always smiling, always in control. But inside, all she wanted was to escape.
Every day was a struggle to not show weakness, not to give in to the pressure to be perfect in her father's eyes. Many saw ambition as a positive trait, but for her, it was a way of surviving in an environment that seemed to suffocate her.
"Honey, are you ready for church?" her mother asked, entering the room already dressed."We're waiting for you."
"I'll be right there," replied Scarlett, forcing a smile. She loved her mother, despite everything, but she felt completely out of place in the family environment, especially because of her strict father."I'll get my bag."
"We'll wait for you in the living room" said Judith as she finished packing her things. She was ready to accompany her father, against her will, but knew that didn't have much choice. She went into the living room and found them.
"My daughter looks so beautiful" her father, Russell, said as he hugged her smiled as she returned the hug."Now that she's entering high school, we know she'll have a journey that will make us just as proud as her sister's did."
Her father's every word was like a silent order. Scarlett knew that Russell expected her to be perfect, just like her sister, and any failure would be unforgivable. Sometimes, felt as if she was being made to be exactly like him—rigid, inflexible, and cold. That idea terrified her. She needed to be different, but at the same time, the pressure to meet his expectations was overwhelming her.
"You know I'm dedicated to my things" said Scarlett, smiling. It was true; she knew how to juggle her responsibilities without getting lost, showing a lot of dedication. No matter how hard things got, she wanted to show that could be the best.
"Absolutely" agreed Judith, smiling. "Let's go, or we'll be late."
"Okay!" Scarlett nodded, and the three of them left the house.
Going to church was just another routine that she did without thinking, without question, without wanting to. In fact, she hated the hypocrisy behind it all. Her father was a respected and devout man, but Scarlett felt trapped. She felt like she had to play a role in her family, even though she didn't want to.
The only thing that kept her going was the thought that one day she would be far away from her father's control and her mother's apathy. She dreamed of having her own life, where she could make her own decisions without having to prove anything to anyone. But sometimes fear consumed her. What if, in the end, she was just like them? What if, even though she was far away, she still carried the shadow of her family?
...
Meanwhile, in the Bronx, Michael Dawson lived with his mother, Kim - a barista and alcoholic - and his sister, Vicky. The Dawson family was not well off, but the two siblings managed to get a scholarship to Willowbrook Boarding School from the time they were children.
However, Vicky's grades plummeted during her senior year after she began hanging out with a group of drug users. Vicky always felt overshadowed by her brother. He was the golden boy, the best athlete in school, the one with a bright future ahead of him. And her? Well, she just wanted to run away. From the pressure, from her alcoholic mother, and from a brother who always seemed to have one foot out the door. The group she started hanging out with was her escape, her way of silently screaming for help. They never met her father and didn't even know he existed because Kim refused to talk about it.
Mike was the star athlete and would be promoted to quarterback his freshman year. He had been dating Elizabeth since last year, but they broke up because of incompatible plans for the future. However, he still loved her and wanted to win her back. However, his main goal was to stay focused and cover the household expenses, which were quite difficult.
Being quarterback was more than just a title to Mike. It was the one thing he was sure he could control. The chaos at home, his father's absence, and his heartbreak over Elizabeth made him cling to football like it was his only way out. And with bills piling up, he knew he couldn't afford to fail.
"Is Mom still asleep?" Mike asked Vicky, already aware that his mother had come home drunk, as she did almost every night.
"Yeah, I didn't even see her come in" Vicky shrugged. "What are you doing tonight?"
"I've got a welcome home party to go to" Mike replied, reading Daniel's message. At the same moment he received the news that Charlotte had arrived in town after her summer disappearance. "Are you coming?"
"I wasn't invited" Vicky replied sternly. "I don't kowtow to rich people like you. Don't you know they despise us because we live in one of the worst neighborhoods in New York? You spent the whole year pining for Elizabeth, who dumped you the first chance she got."
"Unlike you, I try to socialize without worrying about these useless things and chase after a better future" Mike picked up his backpack. "I'm leaving, in case my mother asks."
"Bye, you stupid boy!" Vicky teased and Mike rolled his eyes. Vicky couldn't understand why Mike was trying so hard to be accepted by those 'rich kids'. In her opinion, they would never see her as an equal. They were from the Bronx, and no matter how many scholarships they got, they would still be the outsiders. And Mike, running after Elizabeth, only looked more pathetic in Vicky's eyes. She wanted to yell at him to stop trying to fit in, to stop chasing a future that might never be theirs.
He took the subway to the Upper East Side, where he had planned to go to Sebastian's house before the party. As soon as he exited the station, he picked up his cell phone to text, but bumped into someone on the busy street. When he stopped to apologize, he realized it was Charlotte.
"Charlie?"Mike smiled, surprised to see her. "I just heard you arrived."
"Mike!" She hugged him excitedly. "I'm glad to see you. People are very gossipy around here; I barely stepped foot in the airport and everyone already knew."
" Have you forgotten you're Charlotte Fitzgerald?" Mike said as if it was already obvious. "Where did you go on vacation? You disappeared without a word."
" I needed some time to sort things out. I stayed with my grandparents for a while" she replied, obviously uncomfortable with the subject. "I'm 100% better now. You know, I got into a lot of trouble." Mike smiled at her proudly. "I heard Elizabeth broke up with you."
"News flies" Mike laughed, humorless. "She felt a bit trapped and some things didn't add up, but we're still good friends, no drama."
Mike tried to keep his composure when he mentioned Elizabeth, but the weight of the breakup was still on him. He had dreams for both of them - he imagined what their future together would be like, maybe even moving out of the Bronx, building a life somewhere new. But Elizabeth wanted something else. She craved freedom; she couldn't handle the idea of being tied down to such concrete plans. For her, the future was an open road; for Mike, it was something he had to plan and control. It made him feel insecure, as if he had done something wrong by wanting something more stable with her.
"Do you still like her?" The blonde asked curiously, noticing that the sparkle in his eyes had faded at the mention of Elizabeth's name.
"Yes, but there's nothing I can do about it." Mike shrugged, not very hopeful. "Are you going to the party tonight?"
"Yes!" she replied without much enthusiasm. "I'd rather stay home, but I want to see everyone again."
"What happened to you?" Mike was surprised, as the blonde's reputation for partying was well known.
"I'm a little tired of it" she says without humor. "I want to settle down more this year. For the sake of my reputation and my future, I don't want to disappoint my parents."
Charlotte smiled, but there was something different in her eyes. She was tired. Tired of the parties, of the expectations, of being the 'golden girl' that everyone expected her to be. The summer she'd spent away hadn't just been about resting - she'd been trying to find herself again, to get away from the pressure she'd put on herself. Now she was determined to change, and seeing Mike, who had always admired her for the person she could be, gave her a glimmer of hope.
"You're right" Mike was supportive, being one of the most responsible members of the group, especially since he wasn't as well off as the others." See you tonight?"
"Okay" Charlie hugged him again. "See you later!" They said goodbye and went their separate ways.
As they said goodbye, Mike couldn't help but notice how different Charlotte looked. It wasn't just the hair or the subdued smile - there was something else about her, something he hadn't noticed before. For a brief moment, he wondered if he would ever be able to see her as more than just a friend. But as soon as the thought came, he pushed it away. His thoughts were still with Elizabeth. Or so he told himself.
...
Sophie left that awful house to think. She had people around her who made her feel good, but she felt more and more depressed. The atmosphere at home was very stressful. Every argument between her parents was like a knife tearing through what little peace she had left. She felt crushed by the tension, as if she were slowly sinking into a hole from which she could not escape. She felt helpless, and she knew that if she didn't find a way to deal with her feelings, she would collapse.
Sophie had barely eaten in the last few days. Her stomach hurt all the time, but she told herself that it was just the stress, and that everything would be fine once things at home settled down. But what she didn't admit was that her body was in pain and her mind was trying to ignore her worries.
Sitting on a bench in the street, she watched the hurried steps of people, the typical fast pace of New York. As people hurried past, Sophie felt isolated from the city's frenzy. The sound of hurried footsteps, honking horns, and the distant buzz of the city was a cruel contrast to the overwhelming silence she felt was as if the city continued to spin indifferently while Sophie's world fell apart bit by bit. Soon, she felt someone sit down next to her and turned to see who it was.
"Hi, Sophie!" Jeremy said, smiling broadly. Jeremy's presence made Sophie feel like the world didn't matter as long as he was with her. The problem was, Jeremy couldn't express his feelings to anyone, especially Sophie. "Is everything all right?"
"No, nothing's all right" said Sophie, as her eyes filled with tears, which began to run down her face, smearing some of the light makeup she had put on to disguise the dark circles under her eyes from the sleepless nights.
"What happened?" Jeremy asked, worried, and immediately hugged her tightly. Sophie wrapped her arms around him, as if he were her only refuge at that moment.
"My parents... Things are really difficult at home. Nothing is working out. It's just fight after fight, and it's really getting to me." She continued to squeeze him, while trying to control her tears.
"The only thing I wish for is that it goes away soon and that everything gets better. You'll never be alone, I promise." Jeremy wanted to say more, much more. Every time he saw Sophie like this, vulnerable and fragile, he wanted to hug her and whisper that he would be there for her, no matter what. But he always stopped.
The words got stuck in his throat, and all he could do was stroke her hair, hoping that somehow that would be enough for her to realize how he felt.
"I'll always be here for you, Soph. You know that, right?"
"I know, Jer. I know I can count on you for anything." Sophie said, releasing herself from his embrace and giving him a slight eyes were red from crying, and she wanted to hug him was her the days when everything seemed to be falling apart, he was the one who kept her on her feet. Sophie knew she could count on him. No matter what happened at home, he would always be there to hug and comfort her.
Even as she cried, Sophie tried to keep a faint smile on her face. She wanted to convince herself and Jeremy that everything would be all right and that things at home weren't so bad. But inside, she knew she couldn't keep hiding her feelings. She felt like was in a storm inside, and knew that couldn't hold it back much longer.
Sophie remembered when she and Jeremy had built a small cabin in the backyard when they were 8. Back then, the world seemed simple, and their friendship was a safe place. Now, even though her life was chaotic, Sophie could still count on him. There was a new tension in the air, something she still couldn't fully understand.
Every time Jeremy looked at Sophie, he seemed to want to say "I love you," but he didn't. What if she didn't feel the same way? What if by saying those words, he destroyed years of friendship, the one thing he knew he would never change? This fear stopped him from acting, leaving him with a feeling of being stuck between wanting to be with her and being afraid of losing her.
For Sophie, Jeremy was a constant presence in her life, like the sun that was always there, even on cloudy had never thought about what it would be like not to have was important to her: he made her feel safe, he was her friend, and he understood lately, there was something different. She felt her heart race at strange moments, like when he looked at her for a second longer than usual, but she ignored it, thinking it was just didn't know that her heart was telling what her mind still refused to accept.
-"I think I'll go home and get ready" said Sophie, breaking the silence between them. Jeremy looked at her, as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right words.
"Already?" Jeremy frowned, clearly disappointed. "I thought we'd be here a while longer."
Sophie smiled slightly, trying to hide the slight discomfort she felt at the tension in the air, something that hadn't existed between them before.
"You know how it is, right? Party tonight. I need to at least look excited" she said, standing up from the bench and putting her bag on her shoulder. "What about you? Will it take you long to get ready?"
Jeremy shrugged, trying to sound casual.
"Me? I'm not going to worry too much about that. I'll just put something on and that'll be that."
Sophie laughed, feeling always had that effect on her, making any heavy moment more bearable.
"Of course, you and your always "sloppy" style, but that never goes wrong" she joked, pushing him lightly with her laughed, but soon the smile disappeared, and his eyes locked on hers again, in a way that made her heart race again.
"See you at the party?" Sophie asked, her voice light and playful, trying to dispel the awkward atmosphere.
Jeremy smiled again, but he was a bit hesitant.
"Of course. I'll be there" he said, taking a step back to look at her. Then they said goodbye and went home.