Maybe

Chapter 35 Move out

I slump onto the bed, my thoughts swirling. I never expected I'd meet Ethan again after all these years. Just when I thought I'd finally moved on, I ended up giving him the key. Now I'm left with nothing. Ugh, that arrogant man! The anger still simmers in my chest, but as I lie there, a part of me can't help but feel lighter.

The door creaks open, and I hear Mom's voice from the hallway.

"Are you okay?" she asks, peeking her head in.

I glance up at her, forcing a smile. "It's nothing, really."

She steps inside, her eyes soft with concern. "You sure?"

I nod, though I'm not entirely sure. After a long pause, she sits down on the edge of my bed, her tone shifting. "Well, you know... I've been thinking."

I raise an eyebrow, not sure where she's going with this.

"You've been bragging for years about moving out, haven't you?" she continues, her lips curling into a small smile.

My heart skips a beat. "Wait, what do you mean?"

Her smile widens, and she leans back slightly. "You've been saying how you'll be on your own, how you'll get out of this house. Well, I think it's time."

I blink, my mind racing. "Time for what?"

"Time for you to finally move out," she says, her voice warm with a touch of pride.

I stare at her, dumbfounded. After all these years of teasing her, of telling everyone I was ready for independence, she's actually giving me the green light.

My emotions swirl, but the weight of it all suddenly feels... real.I sit up straighter, my heart pounding in my chest. "Wait, really?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper, unsure if I heard her right.

Mom nods, her gaze soft yet knowing. "I think it's time. You've been talking about it for so long, and maybe it's the right moment for you to go out there and do things on your own."

I pause, a mix of excitement and nervousness creeping in. "But-what about everything? The bills, the responsibilities..."

She chuckles softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You're not the first person to move out. You'll figure it out. And you've been preparing for this for years."

I exhale, trying to process everything. Moving out was always this distant, almost unreachable thing for me-something I talked about, but never truly expected to happen. But now... now it's real.

"I don't know..." I murmur, more to myself than to her.

Mom looks at me with understanding, her eyes soft but firm. "I know it's scary. It's a big change. But it's also an opportunity. You'll have your own space, your own rules. You've always said you were ready. Now, you can prove it."

I nod slowly. But then, a thought flashes through my mind, what about Ethan? What if he comes back?

He won't. He came 'cause of that stupid key anyway.

"Thanks, Mom," I say, my voice soft but sincere. I hug her.

She smiles, patting me gently on the shoulder. "You're welcome. And you'll be okay. You've got this."

A few days later, I stand in front of the new building, taking in the view. The sun is beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the sleek, modern structure that will soon be my new home. My heart beats a little faster as I take it all in-this place, this fresh start.

I can't believe it. After years of talking, dreaming, and waiting, I'm finally here. I look up at the glass windows reflecting the colors of the sky. This is it. My own space. My own life.