In Love, Against All Odds

Between Who I Was & Who I Want to Be

Start Again – OneRepublic ft. Logic 🔄🌆
"Can I start again?"

----

The months since graduation had been nothing but a blur—days bleeding into each other, the same routines, the same suffocating quiet. Life had moved forward for everyone else, but for me, it felt like I was stuck in place, caught between who I used to be and who I was supposed to become.

I spent most of my time at home, helping my mom with house chores, guiding Austin through his college applications, and pretending I wasn't slowly fading into the background. When he got in, I was proud. Truly. But even that felt like something distant, something that belonged to him—his victory, his future. Not mine.

Then Adri called.

"Kat!" Her voice exploded through the phone like a firework, breaking through the numbness that had settled into my chest. "Guess what? There's an opening at Arymeline Fashion in New York!"

I sat up instantly. "Are you serious?"

"Dead serious!" she said, excitement practically radiating through the line. "The position just opened up, and I swear, you're perfect for it. I'll send you the details—just update your resume, and I'll handle the rest."

Arymeline. The dream we had whispered about for years. The place we had planned to work at together long before life twisted everything apart.

For the first time in months, my heart pounded for a reason.

"Adri..." My voice trembled. "You really think I have a chance?"

"Kat." Her voice softened, filled with a confidence I wished I had in myself. "I know you do. You're talented. You work hard. And if anyone deserves this fresh start, it's you."

I wanted to believe her. I really did. But the weight of the past held me down like chains, whispering doubts into my ear. What if I failed? What if I wasn't ready?

But then I thought of the alternative—staying here, trapped in a life that felt like it wasn't mine anymore.

I needed to do this.

"Okay," I breathed. "Send me the details. I'll do it."

---

The hard part wasn't updating my resume. It wasn't even the idea of moving across the country.

It was telling my parents.

That night, I found my father in his study, his usual stack of books and papers surrounding him like a fortress. The moment I stepped inside, I felt it—the heavy weight of expectation, the silent reminder that I was supposed to follow the path he wanted for me.

I swallowed hard. "Dad?"

He didn't even look up. "What is it, Katherine?"

I gripped the folder in my hands, bracing myself. "I've been offered a job at Arymeline Fashion. Adri works there, and she helped me apply. I want to take it."

His pen stilled. He finally lifted his gaze, eyes unreadable. "We've discussed this already," he said flatly. "The answer is no."

A familiar frustration burned inside me. "Dad, please. This is a huge opportunity. I've thought it through—Adri has an apartment in New York, and I can stay with her until I settle in. This isn't just some impulsive decision. This is my future."

His eyes darkened. "Is this about him?"

I froze. "What?"

"Patrick," he said, his voice laced with disapproval. "Are you still hung up on him?"

Anger bubbled up in my chest. "No! This isn't about Patrick. This is about me. About my career, about building a life I actually want. Why can't you see that?*"

My mother stepped into the room, her expression worried. "Katherine, sweetheart, how will you manage on your own?"

"I'll manage," I insisted. "I need to do this."

A tense silence stretched between us.

Austin, who had been lingering in the doorway, finally spoke up. "She can do this, Dad. Let her try."

"Stay out of this, Austin," my father snapped.

I clenched my fists. "Why are you fighting me on this?" My voice wavered. "You've always made decisions for me. Just this once—let me make my own."

For the longest time, he didn't say anything.

Then, finally, he spoke. "You promise me you won't see him? No contact at all?"

The words stung more than they should have.

I forced myself to nod. "I promise."

His sigh was heavy. "Fine. You can go. But if this doesn't work out—" He met my gaze, voice sharp. "Don't come back asking for help."

Relief and anxiety twisted inside me. "Thank you," I whispered before rushing out of the room.

----

The second I called Adri, she picked up on the first ring.

"Tell me you've got good news!"

"I'm in," I said, my voice shaking with a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Dad finally said yes. I'm coming to Arymeline!"

Adri screamed so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. "Best. News. Ever! I'm so proud of you, Kat! Send me your resume ASAP—I'll make sure it gets in.*"

For the first time in a long time, I felt light. Like maybe—just maybe—I was finally breaking free.

----

That night, I sat in my room, staring at the resume.

This was real.

New York. Arymeline. A fresh start.

But even with all the excitement buzzing inside me, Patrick's face lingered in my mind.

It had been months since I last saw him. Since I last spoke to him. The silence between us had grown so loud, it felt like a permanent presence in my life.

Would moving away really mean moving on? Or was I just running?

I pushed the thought aside.

I had to move forward.

I deserved to move forward.

New York was waiting.

And I wasn't going to let my past hold me back anymore.

---

If you enjoyed it, don't forget to hit that vote button and show your support! 💜✨