Emma and Sophie had been best friends since they were five years old. They had grown up in the same neighborhood and attended the same schools. Their friendship had survived through all the challenges of childhood and teenage years. However, everything changed when Sophie received a job offer in another country. It was an amazing opportunity that she could not refuse. Emma was happy for her friend but also felt deeply sad about the news. 'I cannot believe you are moving to Canada,' Emma said with tears in her eyes. 'I know, but we will make it work,' Sophie replied, holding her hand tightly. The months before Sophie's departure were filled with bittersweet moments. They spent as much time together as possible, creating new memories. Finally, the day of Sophie's departure arrived. Emma drove her to the airport and helped her with her luggage. They hugged for a long time at the security gate, not wanting to let go. 'Promise me we will video call every week,' Emma said. 'I promise,' Sophie replied with a warm smile despite her own tears. The first few weeks after Sophie's move were the hardest for both of them. Emma missed having coffee with Sophie at their favorite cafe. Sophie felt lonely in her new apartment in a city where she knew nobody. But they kept their promise and video called each other every Sunday evening. During these calls, they would talk for hours about everything in their lives. Emma shared stories about her work and the funny things her cat did. Sophie described her new colleagues and the beautiful Canadian landscapes she had discovered. They also sent each other text messages throughout the week to stay connected. Sometimes Emma would wake up to a funny meme that Sophie had sent in the middle of the night. The six-hour time difference made scheduling calls challenging, but they always found a way. After six months, Sophie had settled into her new life but still missed Emma terribly. Emma decided to surprise Sophie by booking a flight to visit her. She kept it a secret for three weeks, which was incredibly difficult. When Emma arrived at Sophie's apartment door, Sophie screamed with joy. 'I cannot believe you are here!' Sophie exclaimed, hugging her tightly. They spent two wonderful weeks together exploring Canadian nature and cities. Sophie showed Emma her favorite spots in the city and introduced her to her new friends. Saying goodbye at the airport was emotional, but this time it felt different. They both knew now that their friendship could survive any distance. The months continued to pass, and their communication remained strong. They developed new traditions, like watching the same movie while video calling. They would press play at the same time and share their reactions. Sophie also started sending Emma small packages with Canadian souvenirs. Emma loved receiving the maple syrup and handwritten letters that arrived in the mail. In return, Emma would send Sophie photos of the places they used to visit together. These small gestures helped them feel closer despite the physical distance between them. One year after Sophie's move, Emma faced a difficult time in her personal life. Her long-term relationship had ended unexpectedly, leaving her heartbroken. Sophie immediately arranged extra video calls to support her friend through the pain. Sometimes they would just sit in silence together on the video call, and that was enough. 'I wish I could hug you right now,' Sophie said during one of these difficult nights. 'Just knowing you are there means everything to me,' Emma replied gratefully. This experience showed them that true friendship transcends physical presence. They could support each other from thousands of kilometers away. Two years passed, and both women had grown in different ways. Sophie had advanced in her career and had made wonderful friends in Canada. Emma had recovered from her breakup and had started a new hobby of painting. They continued to share every important moment of their lives through video calls and messages. Sophie was even present through video call when Emma adopted her new puppy. Their visits became a regular tradition, alternating between Canada and their home country. Each reunion was filled with laughter, shared meals, and endless conversations. They realized that the distance had actually made their friendship more intentional. They could no longer take each other for granted or let days pass without communication. Every conversation became precious, every visit became a celebration. Looking back, both Emma and Sophie agreed that the distance had taught them valuable lessons. They learned that true friendship requires effort, commitment, and genuine care for each other. They also learned that technology, when used thoughtfully, can keep hearts connected across oceans. Five years after Sophie's move, something unexpected happened. Emma received a job opportunity in the same Canadian city where Sophie lived. She could hardly believe the coincidence when she read the email. After much consideration, Emma decided to accept the position and move to Canada. Sophie cried tears of joy when Emma told her the news. 'We are going to be neighbors again!' Sophie exclaimed excitedly. Their long-distance friendship had come full circle in the most beautiful way possible. They proved that with love, effort, and modern technology, no distance is too great for true friends.
English Story (B1)Long Distance Friendship
This B1 English story is designed for intermediates learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Emma and Sophie have been best friends since childhood. When Sophie moves to Canada for work, they maintain their friendship through video calls, messages, and visits. After five years, Emma also gets a job in Canada, reuniting them as neighbors once again.
Translations in English
Linked wordUnderlined wordOther words
Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
Why did Sophie move to another country?
2
What new tradition did Emma and Sophie develop for staying connected?
3
What difficult event happened in Emma's life one year after Sophie's move?
4
What unexpected news did Emma receive five years after Sophie's move?
Vocabulary
40 words from this story
