The early morning sunlight breaks through our living room blinds, casting a warm golden glow across through the room. I load the car with the last of my things. A couple of suitcases, a box of books, and a few bags of clothes. It's a small but significant moment— one that feels bigger than any of the packing I've dont before. My family awaits me outside, watching me with mixed emotions as I move my things.
Enzo with his hands stuffed on his pockets, is standing on the porch, and Evaine is standing right beside him, with her eyes stinging red. Emilo is in the driveway, carrying a box of my things into the car, trying to look unaffected.
"Okay." I say, looking around the driveway, "that's the last of it, I think I'm officially out."
My mom steps closer to me, wiping her wet hands on her apron she's had since Enzo was born. "It doesn't feel real. You've been here so long, and now.." She tries to say, but her words are trapped by tears.
"She's off to make her mess in an apartment somewhere else." Dad says chuckling, trying to brighten the mood.
"Yeah, well im sure her roommate will be thrilled." Emilo says setting down my last box, grinning.
Enzo, still standing on the porch, snorting while his voice cracks slightly teasing me.
"We'll see how long it takes for you to start calling me for help with all your school stuff. Bet you'll be texting me in a week begging for Enzo The Great's advice." He jokes.
He can be a real pain in the ass, but he's still one of my favorite people. No matter what.
"You wish." I said, rolling my eyes. "But sure, when I'm drowning in homework, I'll definitely text you for your 'great' advice."
Evaine begins walking up to me, with teary eyes. It stings my heart, making a lump form in my through. "I'm going to miss you, Eloise. It won't be the same here." She says in her tiny weary voice.
"I'll miss you too, Ev. But I'm only a text or call away. Don't forget me if you get too busy with school."
"I'll never forget you." Evaine says sniffling. "I promise."
Enzo suddenly lets out a horrific cough, looking away, thought his expression is more vulnerable than he would like to admit,it. He clears his throat, trying to act unaffected.
"I guess I'll have to get used to you not stealing all my stuff, huh?" Enzo says grinning awkwardly, trying to suppress his emotions.
I walk up to him and ruffle his hair laughing. "You better, don't make me come back to find all my hoodies missing."
Enzo grinned at my sentence. "I can't promise that, sis."
"You'll do great, you know. College will be awesome. You've got this." Emilo says putting an arm around my shoulder.
I swallow hard, trying not to get overwhelmed. I think I'll miss my younger brother, Enzo, the most. I turn to my parents and pull them into the tightest hug ever.
"I'm going to miss you both soooo much." I say, now letting my tears fall from my cheeks, landing on my parent's shoulders.
"We'll miss you too." Both my mom and dad say together. "But we're proud of you, you're going to do amazing things. Just promise to take care of yourself." Mom says, tearing up harder than Evaine, at this point.
"I will mom. I promise." I responded.
Make sure you always call when you can, and don't forget us when you're busy with your new college friends." My dad adds, hugging me tightly smiling through tears.
"I won't forget. I never will. I'll be back soon, and I'm only a phone call away." I say, emotionally.
There's a beat of silence as they all hold each other in the driveway. Enzo clears his throat again, this time with eyes shining brighter than white diamonds.
"Okay, okay. Enough of the mushy stuff. You're leaving, that's that." Enzo says, awkwardly.
Emilo chuckles and slings an arm around Enzo's shoulder, while he tries to stop himself from crying, but the tears refuse.
"Yeah, but we're family, Eloise. Always." Emilo says smiling with a hint of sadness.
I give my loving family one last big hug before I climb into the drivers seat of my car. My family waves at me, each trying to hold back their own tears. I roll down my window and look back at my family. With one last wave, I drive away, the familiar scene of home, receding into the distance, with my family fading behind me.
Thank you for reading the final prologue of this story! Get ready for it to begin!
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Under the Same Roof
Short StoryEloise is ready for a fresh start as she begins her college journey, but when she moves into her new apartment, things don't go quite as expected. Her roommate, is nothing like what she imagined-cold, reserved, and distant. As they navigate the chal...
