Across The Distance

See? She's not so scary," Sophia heard Felix whisper to the new guy, Wale, as she added the final fix to the coffee machine and watched it sputter to life predictably. She gave it a triumphant pat and stepped back. "There you go. Good as new," she paused, then added, "Well, for now."

"Thanks, Sophia," she heard Felix say. "You are a lifesaver," he added, while stealing a glance at Wale.

She turned, walking back to her station. "Don't mention it." But as she walked away, she gave Wale a small smile.

"He seems pleasant," she muttered as she got to work.

Sophia's life had been anything but easy. Growing up in the UK, her home was a place of tension and fear. Her father, a man with an unpredictable temper, often lashed out at the smallest provocation. The sharp sting of his words was rivaled only by the bruises left by his hand. Her mother, though fiercely protective, was also trapped in the same cycle of abuse, both physical and emotional. Her efforts to shield Sophia often ended in her own suffering.

For Sophia, childhood had been a very delicate dance—trying to avoid getting on her father's bad side while yearning for the kind of love and mental stability she always read about in books. Over time, she learned to bottle up her emotions, guarding her vulnerability like a fortress.

When she left home for university, she had thought freedom would help her find what she sought after—peace. But independence wasn't as liberating as she'd hoped. The shadows of her past followed her, making it hard for her to trust anyone. Even friendship felt risky. Until she met Daniel, he was a seemingly sweet guy, and when she'd finally let her guard down for a relationship, it ended in betrayal. She had trusted him, believed in his promises, only to find out he'd been cheating on her. He had found her weakness—her wanting for love and acceptance—and exploited it. The pain was sharp and familiar—another reminder of how fragile trust could be.

Sophia even wondered if she was destined to carry the weight of her past forever. She longed for a fresh start, a way to break free from the scars that defined her. That's when she heard of the work-and-travel program. It sounded like the escape she needed—a chance to leave her old life behind and immerse herself in something new.

Her first experience with the program had been transformative. Arriving in the United States, she was thrown into a world of challenges, cultural differences, and the constant demand to adapt. But those challenges had given her something she hadn't felt in years: a sense of control. For once, she was the architect of her own life, and she thrived in the independence it offered. Returning home after that first experience had been bittersweet. While she had grown stronger, the familiar environment of her past brought back her old insecurities. She realized she wasn't ready to settle back into the life she'd left behind.

So, when the opportunity to join the program again arose, Sophia didn't hesitate. This time, it wasn't just about escape—it was about rediscovering and proving herself.

Arriving in Minnesota for her second work-and-travel experience, Sophia felt a quiet confidence she hadn't had the first time around. She knew what to expect from the program and was ready to take on the challenges. But she also knew her limits. While she had become adept at navigating the chaos of work and life abroad, she remained cautious when it came to letting people in.

Sophia had learned the hard way that emotional attachments could be a double-edged sword—a very sharp one at that. She valued her independence too much to risk her hard-won sense of self on someone who might not value it.

Still, there was a small, quiet part of her that hoped. Maybe not for love—not yet—but for connection. For understanding. For a reminder that while her past might have shaped her, it didn't have to define her.

The work-and-travel program was her way of taking back control, one day at a time. And as she stepped into her new life in Minnesota, she promised herself that this time, she wouldn't let fear hold her back.