"What Are You Waiting For?" || ORIGINAL STORY.

Chapter Eighty-Seven.

Tanya's POV.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ryan asked as I moved my boxes.

I gave him a faint smile, weary but resolute. 

"Yeah, I think it's for the best. Staying here, living in the same area... it hurts too much."

"I understand," Brandon chimed in, his voice gentle. "Where are you thinking of going?"

"I'm not sure yet," I admitted, looking around at the familiar streets and houses, now tinged with a sense of loss and nostalgia.

"Somewhere far, I guess. Somewhere new, where I can start over."

Ryan and Brandon exchanged a glance.

They knew they couldn't change my mind, but they were still worried.

Ryan put a hand on my shoulder. 

"Just... promise us you'll take care of yourself, okay?"

I nodded, a small smile appearing on my lips. 

"I will, I promise. I just... need a fresh start."

I appreciated their concern, their care.

They were the ones who'd been there for me the most throughout this whole ordeal.

Brandon gave me a slight smile. 

"Just... don't forget about us, alright? We'll still be here for you, no matter where you move to."

I nodded, smiling.

After everything was put in, Ryan offered to drive me to the airport, where I was also met with Claire and Miriam.

Claire and Miriam immediately surrounded me with tight hugs, their eyes welling up with tears.

"We'll miss you," Claire said, her voice choked with emotion.

Miriam sniffled, trying to sound cheerful. 

"You better keep in touch, alright? You can't just move without us keeping up with you."

I couldn't help but smile through the ache in my heart.

 "Of course, of course. I promise to call, text, video chat... you can't get rid of me that easily."

Despite the bittersweet feeling of leaving, they made sure to send me off with laughter and smiles.

They were like family to me, and I knew I would miss them terribly.

As I pulled my luggage behind me, ready to start this new chapter in my life, I looked back at them one last time, my eyes filled with equal parts sadness and anticipation.

I looked back at Ryan, "Ryan, don't forget to take the trash out of my apartment, will ya?"

I looked at Brandon, "Please make sure to cook lots of stuff for my brother. He will be hungry 24/7."

I then looked at both Claire and Miriam, "Don't forget about me, alright? Take care of yourselves."

Ryan chuckled, pretending to sound annoyed. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll take care of the damn trash."

Brandon grinned, his usual cocky self. "And don't worry, I'll feed your brother like a king."

Claire and Miriam both nodded, trying to hold back their tears. 

"We won't forget you. You better keep in touch." Claire said.

I smiled, touched by their words and knowing that, even though I was leaving, they would still be there for me.

We said our final goodbyes, promising to stay in touch.

And with that, I walked away, heading towards my new life, hopeful and bittersweet, but with a heart that was slowly starting to mend.

The flight to my destination was long and exhausting, but it gave me time to organise my thoughts.

I was starting over, from scratch, in a place where no one knew me, no one knew my story.

It was both a scary and exciting prospect.

There were bound to be bumps in the road, but I was determined to move forward, to make a new life for myself, to find happiness again.

I closed my eyes, resting against the window, feeling the hum of the plane and the faint rumble of the engine.

I wasn't sure what the future would bring, but one thing was certain.

I couldn't look back, I had to look forward.

For a moment, I imagined what Darren would think if he knew I was leaving.

But I quickly pushed the thought away.

It didn't matter anymore.

But deep down, I knew it would always matter to me.