At a busy train station in a small town called Willow Ville, a girl was sitting on a bench and tapping her fingers nervously on the handle of a suitcase beside her. She wore a simple white dress, and her chestnut hair shimmered in the sunlight that poured through the station windows. Her hazel eyes scanned the crowd. She looked so lost in her thoughts as if she weren't a part of the hustle and bustle around her.
This was Sarah Mills. She had spent her whole life in Willow Ville, a tiny town between rolling hills and the river. Willow Ville was a charming place, featuring cobblestone streets, ivy-covered cottages, and a slow rhythm of life. It was home, sure, but for Sarah, it felt like a trap. She wanted more. Much more than what she could get from Willow Ville.
She was raised by her grandmother, Cynthia, in a little cottage. Cynthia was a superb cook and baker. Her home always smelled of fresh bread and cookies. Sarah's grandfather passed away a few years ago, leaving behind Cynthia and their little dog. Sarah had been her grandmother's companion since her grandfather's death. Now, Sarah was about to leave for her cause.
After Sarah packed her suitcase and was about to head to the train station, she saw tears in Cynthia's eyes. She walked up to her and gently hugged her. "Grandma, I will come back and visit you often. Please do take loving care of yourself."
"Dear. I am most worried about you. You are just turning eighteen, and it will be the first time getting out of your home to a new place. You should look after yourself too."
The early morning sky outside was a mix of pink and gold. The smell of fresh grass and blooming flowers drifted in through the station's open doors. It was peaceful, too peaceful for the change that was about to happen in her life.
Sarah heard the distant whistle of the train. It was time. She took a deep breath.
She stood up, grabbed her suitcase, and made her way to the platform.
Sara boarded the train and found her seat by the window. Her heart raced as the train lurched forward. The hills and meadows of Willow Ville started to slip away, disappearing bit by bit. Her mind wandered back to Willow Ville. The long days spent in the library, reading about far-off places, dreaming about escaping. She remembered the quiet moments in her grandmother's kitchen, the warm smell of cinnamon rolls filling the air. And then, the awkward family dinners at her parents' house, where she always felt like an outsider.
Where were Sarah's parents? They lived in the city, running a restaurant with her sister, Lara. Sarah did not visit them often. When she did, it was all superficial talk—polite, but distant. Her relationship with her parents and sister had always been... complicated.
Lara was the golden child. Sarah, well, she was left behind. "Why am I the disliked one?" That question echoed in her head numerous times. But she never dared to ask. Instead, she kept her distance. It was easier that way.
But not anymore. Sarah had decided. She was not going to be the forgotten one forever. She was going to leave Willow Ville, get a degree, and finally prove she was more than just the lonely kid her parents left with Grandma.
"Are you okay?" A voice pulled her from her thoughts. It came from the man sitting next to her, raising an eyebrow in concern. "You looked sad. Are you going on a trip to visit someone?
Sarah blinked. "No," she shook her head. "I am going to study at Sea Salt University."
"Wow. Congratulations! It is one of the best schools in the province," he said.
The man smiled kindly. "Ah, a new adventure then. Are you ready for it?"
"Yeah, you could say that." She smiled nervously. "It is the first time I leave my hometown."
"Are you living in Willow Ville too? The population is small, I do not think we have met," she said softly.
The man paused and answered, "No, I just came to visit a … long-term friend. I live in Sea Salt City. May I know your name?"
"You can call me Sarah. Your name?"
"You can call me Robert. Nice to meet you, Sarah."
Sarah was so obsessed with her thoughts of her future life in university that she did not carry on further conversation with the man, though the middle-aged man looked well-educated and had good manners.
She watched the scenery change from the familiar to the unknown. Rolling hills faded into flat farmland. Mountains appeared on the horizon, shrouded in a hazy mist. It felt like her life was shifting along with it.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. It was a message from her grandmother.
Safe travels, my love. I am so proud of you.
Sarah smiled, typing a quick reply.
Thanks, Grandma. I will miss you.
She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes briefly, but her mind kept racing.
Would she find what she was looking for? Would her parents finally see her value if she succeeded in school and career later? Or would they not even care?
The train sped up, taking her farther from Willow Ville.
Sarah stared out the window, watching the landscape rush by. Her phone buzzed again, this time it was a message from her sister, Lara.
Good luck at school. Mom and Dad are proud of you, even if they don't say it.
Sarah stared at the screen, feeling a mix of emotions rise inside her. Was it true? Would success finally earn her a place in their hearts? Or was she chasing something that was never really hers, to begin with?
She took one last glance at the message and then tucked her phone into her handbag. Ahead lay the unknown, and she was getting ready to face it.