"movin' on was always easy for me to do it hits different it hits different 'cause it's you"

3rd person P.O.V

the winter night was clear and crisp as aubrey arrived at her family home, the stars twinkling in the sky above. she had been driven from the train station by a family friend. as she approached the front door, she felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. the comfort of home was a stark contrast to the emotional and physical struggles she had faced at college.

alan, her older brother, opened the door just as she reached it, his face lighting up with a bright smile. "hey, aubs!" alan enveloped her in a careful hug, mindful of her injury. "how's the knee?"

aubrey managed a small smile, the familiar warmth of her family easing the tension in her shoulders. "it's getting there. the physical therapy is tough, but i'm getting used to it."

alan took her bags and helped her inside. the house was beautifully decorated for the holidays, with a sparkling christmas tree in the corner of the living room, its lights casting a warm glow. the smell of freshly baked cookies filled the air, and the soft sound of holiday music played from the speakers. it was as if the house had been waiting for her return, a comforting cocoon from the outside world.

her father, adrian, was in the kitchen, busy arranging the dishes on the table. he looked up and smiled when he saw aubrey. "welcome home, kiddo," he said, his voice a mix of warmth and concern. "how are you holding up?"

aubrey shrugged, her eyes reflecting a mix of gratitude and fatigue. "i'm managing, dad. it's good to be back."

adrian was setting the last few dishes on the table. he turned, his eyes brimming with sympathy. "we know how hard it's been for you, especially with basketball being such a big part of your life."

her older brother, alan, who had been through a similar injury during high school, looked at her with understanding eyes. "yeah, i remember how frustrating it was when i tore my acl. it's rough, but you'll get through it. we all do."

they settled around the dinner table, the room filled with the sounds of laughter. the conversation flowed easily, a soothing balm for aubrey's frazzled nerves. they talked about their plans for the holidays, shared old family stories, and caught up on each other's lives.

as they enjoyed the delicious holiday feast, the warmth of the room and the love of her family started to ease some of aubrey's inner tension. the joy of being home and the familiar comfort of her family's presence made her feel a little lighter.

after dinner, as the evening settled into a quieter rhythm, aubrey found herself drawn to the soft light of the fireplace in the living room. she sat on the couch, her crutches propped up beside her, and watched the flames dance in the hearth. the room was decorated with festive garlands and twinkling lights, but the beauty of the scene only seemed to accentuate her own personal struggles.

her father, adrian, joined her with a steaming cup of cocoa. "i thought you might enjoy this," he said, handing her the mug. aubrey took it gratefully, the warmth of the drink seeping into her fingers. "thanks, dad. this is just what i needed."

adrian sat down beside her, his eyes scanning the room as if he could read her thoughts. "you've been quiet tonight. is there something on your mind?" aubrey looked into the cocoa, the swirling steam a mirror of her swirling thoughts. "it's just... there's a lot i've been dealing with. it's hard to keep it all bottled up."

adrian nodded, sensing the depth of her unease. "sometimes talking about it helps. you know we're here for you, right?" aubrey appreciated the offer, but her thoughts were tangled. "it's more than just the injury. it's about a friend... a friend i hurt before i came home."

adrian placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "whatever it is, we can talk about it. it's okay to lean on us." before aubrey could respond, she heard the soft patter of footsteps. vanessa, her older sister, appeared in the doorway, her face thoughtful. "is everything alright?"

aubrey looked from her father to her sister and nodded slowly. "actually, vanessa, can we talk for a bit? it's something i need to get off my chest." vanessa sat down next to her, her eyes filled with concern. "of course. what's going on?"

as they settled into the cozy corner of the living room, vanessa wrapped a warm blanket around aubrey and herself. the gentle light from the christmas tree cast a soft glow over them, creating a private little sanctuary.

aubrey took a sip of the hot cocoa, feeling the warmth spread through her. "it's about ariana. a girl from college." vanessa nodded encouragingly. "yes. what happened?"

aubrey took a deep breath, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her cup. "i've been thinking a lot about her and how i treated her before i came home. i think i like her. but she probably doesn't even like girls and seems like she has a boyfriend. i've been ignoring her for a while for whatever reason. i feel bad but she is different like the person you want to protect with your life. she is so sweer and caring and i was a literal dick with her just because i love her."

vanessa listened intently, her gaze steady and supportive. she reached over and took aubrey's hand in hers, her touch warm and reassuring. "it's natural to feel this way. have you thought about talkig it out with her? maybe it was just a misunderstanding and she is just close to that boy. and how would you know if she doesn't feel the same towards you?"

aubrey nodded, her voice trembling slightly. "i've been thinking about it a lot. i want to apologize, to make things right, but i'm scared she won't forgive me. or that i ruin our friendship."

vanessa squeezed her hand gently. "apologizing is the first step. being honest about your feelings and that you genuinely care is what matters most. ariana might need time, but reaching out is important."

aubrey took another sip of the cocoa, feeling comforted by vanessa's words. "thanks, vanessa. it helps to hear that. i guess i needed a reminder that it's okay to make mistakes as long as i try to fix them." vanessa smiled softly. "anytime, aubrey. just remember, you have a family who loves you no matter what. we're here for you, always."

as they continued to talk, the conversation drifted to lighter topics—memories from their childhood and their plans for the future. vanessa's presence was a soothing balm, and aubrey felt a weight lifting from her shoulders.

as the clock ticked toward midnight, the conversation began to wind down. vanessa yawned, stretching her arms. "i should let you get some rest. tomorrow's another day, and you'll need your energy." aubrey nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "thanks for listening, vanessa. i really needed this."

vanessa stood and gave her a warm hug. "anytime, aubrey. just remember, you have a family who loves you no matter what. we're here for you, always."

as vanessa left the room, aubrey felt a sense of resolve settling in her chest. she knew she had a lot to work through, but for the first time in weeks, she felt a glimmer of hope. she would find a way to make things right with ariana.