1a: Sofia Rivera

I am Sofia Annika Rivera. I am currently in my second year of college taking Fashion Design. My parents are both in the business world and I want to be like them too one day. Since I was a young girl, my parents have always been telling me to work hard so that I can become as successful as they are. I am doing my best in balancing all my academic and extra-curricular activities every day. Although it is hard to do so, I also do it well so that my parents will be proud of me. I don't like to disappoint my parents because they are working really hard to provide for me.

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It's a Saturday and I am in my room watching travel videos on the TV while scrolling through my social media accounts. I have been quite busy with school and other activities this week and I am resting today since I already finished everything for the week. I'm going to have dinner with my parents tonight so I have to go to the mall this afternoon to get a new outfit for tonight.

"I want to go to Japan during the summer break after this term. Luckily, I can watch a lot of travel videos about Japan that I can get ideas on what I can do there". I told myself

Watching video after video, I was able to list down a lot of things I can do in Japan and I became very excited to travel again soon. After watching lots of travel videos, I decided to watch my favorite series on Netflix that I haven't finished yet since I was quite busy the past weeks.

I lied down on my bed, brought out some food and water to have while watching since it's going to be a long one before lunchtime.

After a few hours, I finished the series and it was lunchtime. So I went down to the dining room and saw Dad and Mom already having lunch.

"Good afternoon, Mom and Dad"! I said

"Good afternoon, sweetie. Woke up late, I assume"? Mom said

"Oh no. I woke up when you went to the grocery. I had breakfast with Dad then watched travel videos and watched Netflix. I just came out now so yeah". I said

"That's good. Good thing you took a rest since you have been working non-stop the past weeks". Mom said

"That's true. What's the plan for the dinner tonight"? I asked

"We're having dinner with our relatives tonight. It's been a while since the family was last together so we decided to have dinner with them tonight". Dad said

"That's true. I haven't seen them in months already". I said

"Do you have clothes prepared for tonight, sweetie"? Mom asked

Mom always asks me that whenever there's an occasion where we need to dress up. I understand that since I do that to her too sometimes.

"Not yet. I'm going to the mall this afternoon to shop for clothes". I said

"Okay then. Do you need the driver"? Mom asked

"No, it's okay. I can drive myself. I haven't used my car a lot this month". I said

"Okay then. I heard there's a sale this weekend. You should go earlier so you can take your time there". Mom said

"Really?! I'll go after lunch". I said

My Mom knows how excited I am when there are sales in the mall since I buy a lot during sales.

After lunch, I rushed to my room and got changed into a white hoodie, sweatpants, and white sneakers. I took my cap and bag then took my car keys then ran to the car.

When I got to my car, I immediately drove to the mall as fast as I could and got there in 15 minutes.

I got off my car then ran to my favorite store and looked for outfits to wear there.

I got a few outfits to try out for tonight.

The first outfit I got was a light blue dress with a white collar.

"This looks cute but not quite formal". I said

So I changed into my next pick, a white off-shoulder knee-length dress with floral designs.

"This looks nice. I'll take this". I said

Then I changed into my third pick, a red short-sleeve dress with lace designs.

"I have a lot of this already". I said

So I changed into my fourth pick, a red and white striped dress with heart designs.

"This looks good too. I'll take this too". I said

Then I changed into my last pick, a white bodysuit with touches of light blue and silver.

"This looks unique. I can use this for another occasion". I said

After trying out all the clothes, I changed back into my clothes then went to the counter.

"Wow, shopping during sales is really hard. There's so many to choose from". I said

After paying, I went to another store and saw much better outfits there.

I went into the store, grabbed a few outfits then went to the fitting room.

My first pick was a bright red short-sleeve dress with touches of gold. I can pair it with my white and gold sneakers or my red boots.

"This looks nice. I'll keep this". I said

Then I changed into my second pick, a white off-shoulder knee-length dress with gold and red flowers.

"This is fantastic. This can go with my light blue or my gold ankle-high boots. I can also pair this with my white purse or my gold sling bag. This is the one". I said

After finding the outfit I want, I went to the counter then purchased it before going to have a snack.

"That was surely the most stressful shopping session I had ever. I need coffee". I said

So I went to my favorite cafe when I bumped into Karina, my best friend since high school until now. We are in the same course also in university and we joined the same extra-curricular activities. So we are always together every day.

"Karina"! I called her

"Sophia! You're here too"? Karina asked

"Yeah, had to shop for a dress for family dinner tonight. How about you"? I asked

"I'm here with my Mom. We're having a girls' day out together. I'm on the way to the cafe now". Karina said

"I am too. Let's go together. Is your Mom in the cafe"? I asked

"Oh no. She's doing some shopping for her new company building so she won't be back until 5 pm. So I have the whole afternoon to myself. Let's go to the cafe together then". Karina said

"Sure". I said

On our way to the cafe, we had our usual conversation and talking about anything and everything we saw online.

At the cafe, we ordered our usual orders then went to sit down.

"Any travel plans this summer break, Sophia? I'm curious where you're going next". Karina said

"Well, I've watched some travel videos on Japan since I really want to go there this summer break. How about you"? I asked

"I want to go to Japan also. My parents allowed me to travel on my own this time since they're both busy with work". Karina said

"We can go together then. It would be twice the fun if you come. We'll enjoy it together for sure". I said

"It's a plan then. Let's ask our parents about it". Karina said

"Okay. I'll ask them when I get home". I said

After hours of chatting, it's almost night and I need to get home to prepare for dinner and Karina has to go meet her Mom already. So we parted ways then I drove back home.

When I got home, Mom and Dad were having their afternoon coffee in the living room while watching the news.

"Hi, Mom and Dad"! I said

"Hi, sweetie. How was your shopping today"? Mom asked

"It was quite stressing somehow. There were so many outfits to choose from and there were so many people". I said

"Did you find one"? Mom asked

"Of course I did". I said

"What else did you do? You spent a few hours this afternoon". Mom said

"I met Karina at the mall then had coffee and a chat with her since she was quite bored waiting for her Mom". I said

"Oh, that's nice. At least you got to spend time with your friend". Mom said

"Yeah". I said

"You can go get changed now if you want. We're leaving in two hours". Dad said

"Okay". I said

I immediately went up to my room and took a long cold shower to soothe my aching body after being on-the-run for two hours shopping.

After taking a long shower, I wore my bathrobe and went back to my room and took out the dress I bought earlier.

After wearing the dress, I felt that I made the right decision in terms of my outfit. I took out my gold ankle-high boots, a black long coat, and my gold sling bag.

After getting changed, I dried up my hair then tied it into a ponytail. Then I went down to the living room where Mom and Dad were already there and already changed their clothes too.

"Wow. You look very beautiful, sweetie. Did you buy that dress"? Mom asked

"Yes. It looks much better with my shoes and bag". I said

"She's right. That dress is wonderful. I'm sure our relatives will love it as much as we do". Dad said

"Thank you. Mom, your dress looks familiar. Is that the one we bought before"? I asked

"Yes, it is. I was saving this for an occasion like this". Mom said

I never expected that Mom really kept this dress in a really good condition. I'm happy that she really protects it a lot.

"Like always, my two girls are always beautiful no matter what they wear". Dad said

"Thank you, Dad. You are the most handsome man in our lives. Right, Mom"? I asked

"Of course. We all fit with one another (laughs)". Mom said

After our happy family conversation, we went to the car then drove to the hotel where the dinner will happen.

On our way, it suddenly started to rain and it felt much colder.

"It's raining again and it's so cold. Good thing I brought a coat with me". I said

"It does feel cold. Good thing I wore a long-sleeve dress". Mom said

After 30 minutes, we arrived at the hotel. We got off the car then went to the restaurant.

When we got to the room that we reserved, I saw all our relatives and my cousins there.

I immediately went to my grandmother who was sitting at her place.

"Hi, grandma! How are you"? I asked then kissed her cheek

"Sophia, my eldest granddaughter. How have you been"? Grandma asked

"I'm doing well, grandma". I said

"You look beautiful. I like your dress, it's so nice". Grandma said

"Thank you. You look beautiful as always". I said

"Thank you (laughs). Go take a seat with your cousins". Grandma said

After chatting with my grandmother, I went to sit with my cousins who were talking with each other.

I sat beside one of my cousins who is also in university as well. Her name is Danielle Rivera, daughter of my dad's brother.

"Hi Dani"! I said hugging her

"Sophia! How are you"? Dani asked me

"I've been good. How about you"? I asked

"I'm doing well too. I miss you so much". Dani said

"I miss you too. How's life in second-year college"? I asked

"It's so much more fun now than in my second year. I'm enjoying my classes more and I made more friends this year". Dani said

"That's nice". I said

"How about you"? Dani asked

"It's exhausting but fun at the same time. There are a lot more things to do now than in my first year". I said

"I know that feeling. Have you heard about the applications for the exchange student program in Europe"? Dani asked

"I've heard about it. Are you applying for it"? I asked

"I'm thinking about it. Are you going to"? Dani asked

"Well, I'm considering it also. We might see each other there (laughs)". I said

"Hopefully". Dani said

"By the way, Karina and I are planning to go to Japan this summer break. Wanna join us? I'm sure Karina will be very excited to see you again". I said

"I would like to come. I haven't talked to Karina since high school. I wanna catch up with her again soon". Dani said

"Okay then. I'll tell her about it too. The three of us can have group study together every weekend if you're free". I said

"We should do that. Since we are all in the same course, we can share notes or help each other with tasks". Dani said

"Okay then. Let's ask our moms first if they're fine with it". I said

"Okay. Let's ask them later". Dani said

While we were talking, the food began to arrive already so we continued our conversation while eating.

As hours went by, we were enjoying the company of one another as we were catching up with one another after having not being able to meet for a long time.

After a few hours, everyone started going home already as it was getting late already. But Dani and I were still enjoying our company together even after the dinner.

My Mom noticed how close we were with one another that we were inseparable since the dinner began.

"You two are really close, I can say". Mom said

"That's true. We have so much we can talk about that we can spend almost an entire day together". I said

"You two should really spend more time together". Mom said

"By the way, we are planning to do a group study with Karina every weekend. She's our high school best friend and my classmate now in university. Can we do it"? I asked

"Sure, why not. I'm sure Dani hasn't seen Karina since high school. The three of you should bond again soon. It's been a while since the three of you together". Auntie said

"I'm okay with it too". Mom said

"Also we were planning to go to Japan this summer break with Karina as well. May we"? I asked

"Sure. We will support whatever you three want to do. We know how happy you are when you are together". Mom said

"Guess we can do a lot of things with Karina. I can't wait for the three of us to bond together again". Dani said

"So am I. I am very excited as well". I said

I am very happy to hear that my Mom and Dani's mom are supportive of the three of us spending a lot of time together. I really wish to do a lot of fun things with Dani and Karina in the days to come.

After the conversation, Dani and I said our goodbyes then we went our separate ways.

On the way home, we had a fun family conversation again in the car.

"I didn't know you, Dani, and Karina is really good friends". Mom said

"We have been since high school. But, since Dani went to a different university from us, they haven't had much contact with each other unlike Karina and I since we go to the same university. But, Karina usually asks me about Dani and Dani does the same too. So I am technically the way which they can communicate with each other". I said

"We haven't seen Karina for quite a while now. You should invite her sometime over for dinner or something". Dad said

"Your dad's right. I haven't seen Karina since your high school graduation. I also miss when I prepare food for the both of you when you study together". Mom said

"I'll try to invite her over soon". I said

After 30 minutes, we arrived home already and we changed into our pajamas then spent a few hours together before going to sleep.

"How was your day today"? Dad asked the both of us

"It's amazing. Although shopping was exhausting, I enjoyed it because I got to meet Karina again. The dinner was very fun since we got together with everyone today and I got to bond with Dani even more". I said

"I'm happy that you enjoyed your day. We're happy that you are enjoying every day". Dad said

"I am too". I said

"I really miss our family time like this. It's been a while since we last had a time like this, having fun talking and doing things together". Mom said

"We all do". I said

After a few more hours of chatting, Mom and Dad decided to take a sleep already so I went back to my room and took out my phone and texted Karina.

Karina,

I meet with Dani earlier at my family dinner and she said she wants to see you again soon. Also, we're planning a weekend study group every Saturday and also she wants to go to Japan with us. She is really excited to see you again.

Sophia

After sending the message, I create a group chat with the three of us in it. Then Karina replied to my message.

Sophia,

It's been a while since I last saw Dani. I really want to see her again soon. I can't wait for the study group and the Japan trip. So excited. We three are finally together again. Can't wait.

Karina

After seeing Karina's reply, I decided to put a message in the group chat.

Dani and Karina,

Hi! This will be our chat group for anything. We can talk about anything and everything here. Hope you two get along again soon. Good night!

Sophia

After texting, I went to bed and had a good sleep after a very fun day.

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Finally, Chapter 1 is finished. It took a long time but it's all worth it now. Hope all of you will enjoy reading it too.