supernova

48

I left high school seven years ago, and I sold my house six years ago.

I sold my house the summer after my freshman year of college. I moved out the dorms with a friend and we split the rent. After each year of college, I paid off my student debt with the money from the house.

I knew it was smarter to save up, but I wanted to be debt free as soon as possible.

I've stayed in touch with my friends from highschool, but not too much. Other than Daniyal, who got married to a girl he met in college named Fatima, and Amukta. I speak to the others maybe once every few months. Michael and I talk once every couple week.

I haven't spoken to Atlas since the morning after prom.

~~
"I'm moving back in with Charlie. Which ever parent's house he's staying," Atlas said. We were sitting on different couches in the living room. "Are you sure you want me to le-."

"Yes. Please," I begged. "I want you to leave." He just nodded.

"I'll see you later?" He asked. He got up and went to the door with his stuff all packed.

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Do you want to keep in touch?" He asked. I was dreading this question because I knew I was going to say no. I couldn't keep in touch with him because then I wouldn't move forward.

"No." His face fell and I almost broke down then.

"Goodbye, Turner."

"Goodbye, Phoenix." I'll miss you.

I broke down when he turned around and left.
~~
I had seen him around a few times the summer after my freshman year of college when I went back and sold my house. But neither of us said anything. I'm sure he's moved on with a smart and beautiful girl who can actually give him the big family he's wanted.

I've been working as an RN for the last two years while taking night classes for my NP license. I have three months before my exam.

I'm meeting up with Amukta today, who's going into her final year of med school next fall. She wants to do a Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency because she believes there need to be more Desi women in that area of medicine. She's at Tufts University of Medicine right now only thirty minutes away from me so we meet up once every couple weeks.

"Hey!" I went up and hugged her as I entered the café we were meeting in.

"I need to talk to you," she had an urgent look on her face, which was only emphasized by her dark circles from her hours of studying throughout the day.

"What's wrong? Does it have to do with Rahil?" I asked her. She had been in an on and off relationship with him for the last four months.

"Yes! I met up with Michael the other day."

"And?" I asked when she didn't continue.

"I don't know," she shrugged her shoulders. "Look, I really really like Rahil, but," I cut her off.

"Drop them both." I wasn't speaking from the bitterness of a relationship that ended seven years ago. If you can't decide between two men, you choose yourself because clearly none of them stand out to you in a way that matters if you're struggling to choose between them.

"You're right." She's still struggling to get over her ex, Laia. She was two years older than Amukta and moved when she matched to a residency in Illinois. "I need to just stay away from any kind of relationship or intimacy for a while. I should've done that a while ago."