Sabrina learned how to grow up too early.
At twelve, she stood in a room that felt too quiet, staring at two lifeless bodies that were supposed to be her whole world. People said things after that soft voices, pitying eyes, words like "be strong" and "it will be okay."
But nothing was okay.
Nothing ever was again.
From that day, Sabrina stopped being a child.
And she never got it back.
Now, five years later, life hadn't gotten easier it had only gotten heavier.
"Sabrina… I'm hungry."
The small voice pulled her back to reality.
She turned from the tiny stove and forced a smile. Kate sat on the old couch, her legs tucked under her, eyes wide and hopeful. She was only eight, too young to understand why their meals were sometimes late… or small.
"Just a little more, Kate," Sabrina said gently. "It's almost ready."
Almost ready.
That's what she always said.
Even when there was barely anything in the pot.
Their apartment was small just one room, really. The walls were cracked, the paint faded, and the window barely closed properly. When it rained, water found its way inside like it belonged there.
But it was home.
It was the only thing Sabrina had managed to keep.
Every day followed the same pattern.
School. Work. Home.
Repeat.
She woke up before sunrise, prepared Kate for school, rushed to her own classes, and then worked until her legs ached and her head felt too heavy to hold up.
But she never complained.
She couldn't afford to.
Sabrina wasn't just surviving.
She was fighting.
And the only reason she kept going… was Kate.
"Did something good happen today?" Kate asked, swinging her legs slightly.
Sabrina paused.
For a second, she just looked at her sister.
Then, slowly, she reached into her worn-out bag and pulled out a letter.
"I got this today."
Kate's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
Sabrina hesitated before handing it over.
"It's… from a school."
Not just any school.
One of the best.
A place for students with big dreams, powerful backgrounds… and opportunities Sabrina had never even imagined.
She hadn't expected it.
Didn't even think she stood a chance.
But she did.
Because she was smart.
Because she worked harder than everyone else.
Because she had no other choice.
Kate struggled to read some of the bigger words, but her excitement didn't need understanding.
"Does this mean… you got in?" she asked, looking up.
Sabrina nodded slowly.
"Yes."
For the first time in a long while, something warm flickered in her chest.
Hope.
Kate jumped up, nearly knocking over the small table.
"That's amazing! You're going to a big school!"
Sabrina laughed softly, catching her before she fell.
"Careful," she said, but her voice was lighter now.
Happier.
But that feeling didn't last long.
Because reality always came back.
That school wasn't just big.
It was expensive.
Even with the scholarship, there were still things to pay for uniforms, books, transportation.
Things Sabrina didn't have.
Things she still had to figure out.
That night, after Kate fell asleep, Sabrina sat by the window, the letter resting on her lap.
The street outside was quiet.
Too quiet.
She looked at her reflection in the glass.
Tired eyes.
Worn-out expression.
But still… standing.
"I'll make it work," she whispered to herself.
"I always do."
Because failing wasn't an option.
Not when someone was depending on her.
Not when she had come this far.
Sabrina didn't know it yet…
But that letter
That single piece of paper
Was about to change her life in ways she could never imagine.
And not all of them would be good.
Monday came faster than Sabrina expected.
It didn't feel special.
It didn't feel like the start of something big.
It just felt like… another day she had to survive.
"Sabrina, wake up…"
A soft nudge pulled her from sleep.
She opened her eyes slowly to see Kate standing beside her, already dressed, her small hands holding onto the edge of the bed.
Sabrina blinked, then sat up quickly.
"Oh....Kate, you're ready already?"
Kate nodded proudly. "I didn't want to be late."
That made Sabrina smile.
Even in the middle of everything, Kate still tried her best.
"Alright," Sabrina said, getting up. "Let's get you to school first."
The morning was rushed, like always.
Simple breakfast.
Worn-out shoes.
A quick comb through Kate's hair.
And then they were out the door.
Sabrina held Kate's hand as they walked.
The streets were already busy, people moving like they had somewhere important to be.
Maybe they did.
Sabrina did too.
When they got to Kate's school, Sabrina knelt in front of her.
"Be good, okay?"
Kate nodded. "Will you come back early today?"
Sabrina hesitated for just a second… then smiled.
"I'll try."
Kate hugged her tightly before running off.
Sabrina stayed there for a moment, watching her go.
Only when Kate disappeared inside did she finally turn away.
Now it was her turn.
The bus ride felt longer than usual.
Maybe it was the nerves.
Maybe it was the weight of where she was going.
When Sabrina finally stepped down from the bus, she froze.
The school stood tall in front of her.
Clean buildings.
Wide spaces.
Green lawns that looked like they were taken care of every single day.
Everything looked… perfect.
Too perfect.
For a moment, she didn't move.
She just stood there, taking it all in.
Students walked past her, laughing, talking, living a life that felt so far away from hers.
Sabrina looked down at her uniform.
It was neat… but not new.
Not like theirs.
She took a step forward.
Then another.
"You belong here," she whispered to herself.
Even if a part of her didn't believe it yet.
As she walked further in, her eyes kept moving taking in everything.
The classrooms.
The large windows.
The quiet beauty of the place.
And then…
She stopped.
A sudden tightness filled her chest.
Before she could stop it
A tear slipped down her cheek.
She quickly wiped it away, looking around to make sure no one noticed.
I wish they were here…
Her parents.
They would have been proud.
They would have smiled.
They would have stood beside her on a day like this.
But they weren't.
And they never would be again.
Sabrina took a deep breath.
"No," she whispered, shaking her head slightly.
Not today.
She wouldn't cry today.
She straightened her shoulders.
Lifted her head.
And kept walking.
Because this wasn't just her beginning.
It was her chance.
Her way out.
Her way forward.
And Sabrina wasn't going to let anything take that away from her.