41. NEW CHAPTER

Sofia's ranch in Chestnut Ridge welcomed Bastian with all the colors of autumn. After Sofia’s phone call, he came here immediately. Recent events required quick action, although Bas himself still didn’t know what he should say to his daughter, who had just been expelled from school.

Sofia: I’m glad you came. Maybe you’ll be able to reach her.

Bas: I don’t know… she didn’t really want to talk to me lately.

Sofia: What happened at school really affected her. I’m worried about her, Bas. But… I don’t know how to talk to her. I don’t know how to help her. Maybe you’ll manage.

Bas: Can I come in, Ollie? I heard what happened. You can talk to me about it.

Olimpia: What’s the point? I can’t do anything about it anyway. Neither can you. I’m totally cooked… complete disaster. Guess I just have to accept it.

Bas: Don’t say that. We all have our ups and downs.

Olimpia: Not you…

Bas: Me too.

Olimpia: Everything always works out for you.

Bas: That’s not true. A lot of things in my life didn’t turn out the way I wanted.

Olimpia: But you didn’t get expelled from school…

Bas: That’s true. But when I was your age, I had trouble making new friends.

Olimpia: So what? That’s nothing. You always had your group of friends, I know that. So you didn’t need new ones. And in everything else, you were always the best. You graduated with honors! And me? I won’t even finish school! I can forget about college!

Olimpia: I’ve let you down. And Mom too. I’m nothing. You should just call me an outcast. I’m the complete opposite of the whole Drozd family.

Bas: For Watcher's sake, Ollie, let's not exaggerate. Getting expelled isn’t the end of the world. There are other options. You could, for example, get a job. Or you could finish school part-time.

Olimpia: I can… for real? And you’re not mad at me?

Bas: I can’t say I’m not concerned. Because I am.

Bas: But I’m not angry. If anything, I’m angry at myself. Because I know that somewhere along the way, I failed you. I should have been there for you more. Supported you more, taught you how to deal with problems. Instead, I was often not around.

Bas: Of course, like any parent, I’d be happy if you followed in my footsteps, finished school, then college, and so on. But what matters more to me is that you find your own path, whatever it may be.

Olimpia: What if I don’t know what I want?

Bas: A lot of people go through life not knowing what they really want to do. And right now, you have a chance to break free from expectations, discover yourself, try things out - see what suits you and what doesn’t. Even if you make mistakes along the way.

Bas: But right now, I think what you need most is some distance.

Olimpia: Distance?

Bas: From this whole situation. Stop thinking about what happened and why.

Olimpia: I can’t. I keep thinking about it all the time, and I don’t know what I should do next. 

Bas: That’s why we need an adventure. Instead of sitting here and going over everything again and again… we could go somewhere. Wherever you want. And when we come back, the three of us will calmly figure out what to do next. What do you think?

Olimpia: I think that’s a great idea. Thanks, Dad.

Bas: Then let’s go tell your mom you’ll be gone for a few days.

Sofia: Are you sure about this? You really think it’s a good idea?

Bas: I think a change will do her good. Nothing worse can really come out of it. She’ll get some fresh air, think things over with a clear head. And when we’re back, we’ll figure out what’s next.

Sofia: I hope you’re right.

Olimpia: You know what, little horse? I’m going on a trip with Dad! And I think I already know where I want to go. Dad will definitely be happy. Maybe everything will work out after all? Maybe I’ll get a second chance from fate?

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