𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 │ 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

INSIDE HER ROOM, EMBERLY PLACED a neatly folded shirt into her suitcase, smoothing it down before reaching for another. The suitcase lay open on her bed, half-filled, while the rest of her room looked like she had torn through her entire wardrobe—shirts draped over her desk chair, shoes scattered near the closet, and a pile of clothes she still hadn't decided on.

She was leaving for Atlanta in two days. And yet, the reality of it hadn't fully settled in.

It wasn't like she needed to take everything with her, but this was the first time she'd ever spent the summer anywhere outside of California. The thought was both thrilling and terrifying.

She had made the decision to go after overhearing her mother and Lisa talking that night. At first, she had been hesitant, unsure if she was making the right choice. But Lisa's words stuck with her. And the more Emberly thought about it, the more she realized she needed this.

She wasn't running away—not really. She was doing okay, going to therapy, talking to her sponsor, trying to move forward. But even with all that, there was this weight on her shoulders, this constant feeling like she had to be strong for everyone. She didn't even know how to let go of that pressure.

Lisa had said maybe stepping away, just for a little while, would give her a fresh start. A chance to breathe. A chance to figure out who she was outside of everything that had happened.

And Emberly wanted that. But leaving was still hard.

She tucked a pair of jeans into her suitcase when a voice from the doorway made her pause.

"Packing already?"

Emberly turned to see Evelyn leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

"Yeah," Emberly sighed, pressing her palms against the pile of clothes. "I leave the day after tomorrow, and I still feel like I haven't packed half the stuff I need."

Evelyn stepped further into the room, glancing at the suitcase before her gaze flickered back to Emberly. "You sure about this?"

Emberly hesitated, her fingers trailing over the zipper of the suitcase. "Yeah. I think I am."

Evelyn sat on the edge of the bed, picking up a random t-shirt and folding it absentmindedly. "I mean, it's cool that you'll be spending the summer with Aunt Lisa and working on your music and all, but... I don't know. It just feels kinda sudden."

Emberly sighed, sitting down beside her. "I know. But it's not like I'm moving forever. It's just for the summer."

Evelyn shrugged, still looking at the shirt in her hands. "Still, it's gonna be weird without you here."

That tight feeling returned to Emberly's chest. She knew she wasn't the only one struggling with the idea of her leaving.

"You sure you're not just running away?" Evelyn's voice was softer this time, like she wasn't trying to accuse her of anything, just trying to understand.

Emberly let out a breath, shaking her head. "No. I mean... maybe a part of me wants to get away from everything for a little bit. But that's not the only reason I'm going."

Evelyn didn't say anything, just waited, giving Emberly space to explain.

Emberly ran a hand through her hair. "I just... I feel like I've been stuck in the same place for so long. Like I've been carrying so much—rehab, the shooting, trying to be this 'superwoman' for everyone. And I don't even know how to let that go." She exhaled, meeting Evelyn's eyes. "Maybe this will help."

Evelyn was quiet for a moment. She would never fully understand what Emberly had been through—how could she? She hadn't lived it. But she tried to put herself in her sister's shoes, and that was enough to make her nod in understanding.