Lines We Cross

Chapter 18

The familiar sights of New Haven blurred through the tinted car windows as YN sat in the back seat, her gaze fixed but distant. The last few days upstate had left her with an uneasy blend of emotions—anger, frustration, a simmering sense of rebellion. Her encounter with her parents had been more than just a fight; it had felt like the culmination of years of pressure finally breaking through the surface.

As the car turned onto her street, she spotted the house she shared with Maya and Nina. A mix of relief and anticipation washed over her as she saw the lights on, a comforting glow against the early evening sky. The car rolled to a stop, and she grabbed her bag, stepping out before the driver had even opened his door.

Inside, she was greeted by the low hum of music and the faint smell of takeout, something spicy and comforting. Maya and Nina were sprawled out in the living room, laughing at something on the TV. The cozy, slightly chaotic vibe was a welcome contrast to the sterile, controlled atmosphere she'd just left behind.

"There she is!" Maya called out, a grin spreading across her face as she saw YN. "Back from the land of the high and mighty."

YN chuckled, dropping her bag by the door. "More like the land of expectations and criticism," she replied, her tone half-joking but with an edge that didn't go unnoticed.

Nina raised an eyebrow, exchanging a glance with Maya. "Uh-oh. Sounds like things got intense."

YN sank onto the couch beside them, exhaling as if she'd been holding her breath for days. "You have no idea. It was... draining."

Maya leaned forward, grabbing a takeout box and offering it to her. "Food therapy?"

YN took the box gratefully, nodding. "Thanks. I could use it."

They fell into an easy rhythm, sharing bites of food and exchanging casual remarks, but her roommates could sense the tension clinging to YN. After a few minutes, Maya finally broke the silence.

"Alright, spill it. What happened?"

YN hesitated, the words caught in her throat as she tried to figure out where to begin. "It's just... my parents," she started, her voice wavering slightly. "They're always expecting me to be this perfect version of a Sterling. And anything less is like... a failure to them."

Nina frowned, crossing her arms as she listened intently. "And they made that clear this time?"

"Oh, yeah." YN let out a bitter laugh, her fingers clenching around the takeout box. "They practically told me I'm not allowed to have a life outside of what they expect. It's like I'm just a part of their 'legacy' and not... me."

Maya scoffed, shaking her head. "That's insane. You've always done what they asked, right? Like, you're top of your class, handling everything they throw at you. What more do they want?"

"That's just it," YN said, her tone laced with frustration. "Nothing is ever enough. Even if I do everything perfectly, there's always something else. Some new standard I'm supposed to meet."

Nina reached out, placing a comforting hand on YN's shoulder. "I'm sorry, YN. That's... that's a lot to deal with."

YN gave a small nod, her shoulders slumping as the weight of her words settled in. "Yeah, it is. And it's starting to feel... suffocating. Like no matter what I do, I'm just trapped in this box they created for me."

They sat in silence for a moment, each of them processing what YN had shared. Maya broke the quiet with a soft sigh.

"Look, I know it's not much, but you've got us," she said gently. "We're here for you, no matter what. And if they can't see how incredible you are... well, that's their loss."

YN offered a small smile, the sincerity in Maya's words cutting through some of the tension in her chest. "Thanks. I mean it."

Nina nudged her playfully, her eyes bright. "And hey, you're just in time for our party weekend. Nothing like a good distraction, right?"

YN managed a grin, though the fatigue still weighed on her. "Right. What's the plan?"

Maya's face lit up as she leaned forward, already in full planning mode. "Friday night is a mixer at Zeta—everyone's going. It'll be loud, packed, and a little chaotic. You'll love it."

Nina laughed, nodding. "And then Saturday, there's a beach-themed party at the club. Completely out of season, which makes it hilarious. Think inflatable palm trees, a kiddie pool, and way too much rum punch."

YN chuckled, the ridiculousness of it actually sounding like a welcome distraction. "Perfect. I could use a few over-the-top parties right about now."

Maya raised an eyebrow, smirking. "And by 'over-the-top,' you mean somewhere you can forget your name for a while?"

YN laughed, though there was a hint of truth in Maya's teasing words. "Pretty much."

Nina crossed her arms, giving YN a mock-stern look. "You better be ready for some chaos, because we're not letting you bail on us this time. You promised, remember?"

"Alright, alright," YN said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "I'll be there. Promise."

As the conversation drifted back to party logistics, YN's phone buzzed on the coffee table. She glanced at the screen, feeling a small flicker of warmth at Elizabeth's name lighting up her notifications.

Did you make it home alright?

YN's thumb hovered over the keyboard as she struggled to muster up the energy to respond. Everything from the past few days weighed heavily on her, and the thought of delving into it, even with Elizabeth, felt exhausting. She typed back a brief reply.

Yeah, all good. You?

A pause, then a reply eventually appeared.

Glad to hear it. Just making sure you're okay, before I head to bed.

YN's response was delayed, her fingers tapping idly on the screen as she considered what to say. But she couldn't bring herself to dive into her emotions or explain the tangled mess of her family issues. She didn't want to bring that weight into this space, not now. She replied with a simple:

Thanks. Have a good night.

Elizabeth didn't press further, and the silence that followed left YN feeling even more disconnected, like she was floating somewhere between her parents' world and her own. She tossed her phone aside and leaned back into the couch with a sigh.

Maya tilted her head, studying her with a hint of concern. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah," YN said, forcing a smile. "Just... replying to a text. "

Nina shifted closer, bumping her shoulder against YN's. "Well, let's get you out of your head and into some questionable decisions this coming weekend. Deal?"

YN laughed, grateful for the distraction. "Deal."

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1130 words

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