The morning air was thick with a quiet kind of nervous energy, the kind that clung to your skin and whispered, "You're really doing this."
Rae zipped up the last of her bags and glanced around the small apartment that had been both a cage and a cocoon. It was barely two rooms, old floorboards, and windows that didn't shut properly, but it had been hers. It had been part of her healing.
Now, she was leaving it behind.
Her mum stood by the table, arms folded, watching her with a soft, unreadable smile. She looked tired ,not from today, but from years of worry etched into her skin. Rae hated that she'd been part of that.
"You've come a long way," her mum said, voice gentle. "I'm proud of you for doing this. For letting go."
Rae paused by the doorway, her hand tightening on the strap of her bag. She didn't need her mother to say what she was letting go of. They both knew. The late nights. The locked bathroom doors. The calls that went unanswered. The girl who barely recognized herself in the mirror.
"I'm sorry," Rae said, her voice low. "For everything I put you and Dad through. I really am."
Her mum crossed the room and pulled her into a hug. It wasn't dramatic. It wasn't long. But Rae felt her mother's hands tremble just a little.
"You don't have to keep apologizing, Rae," she whispered. "Just live. That's all we've ever wanted."
Outside, the hum of the car engine signaled her dad was ready. He always stayed busy when he was emotional , cleaning, lifting, checking tires that didn't need checking. Anything but talking too much.
Rae stepped outside, squinting at the morning light. Her dad stood by the trunk, already loading the last box. He turned when he saw her, face cracking into a familiar smile , warm and full of that fatherly mix of pride and worry.
"There she is," he said. "College girl."
She walked over and hugged him tight, her head resting against his chest. He didn't say much right away. He never did. But his hand stayed on the back of her head longer than usual.
"You're my joy, Rae," he said finally. "I love you. And I know you'll be just fine."
Her throat tightened. "I'll miss you both so much."
"I know." He kissed her forehead. "But this is your time now. Go get your life."
She nodded, brushing at her cheeks quickly before they saw too much. The city she was headed to was hours away, and she'd be alone again. But not lost. Not this time.
They got into the car. Her dad glanced at her in the rearview mirror and gave her a wink, and Rae smiled despite herself.
They were headed to the airport, headed toward something new. She didn't know what waited for her in that new city , not the classes, not the faces.
But for now, she sat between the two people who never gave up on her, holding tight to the hope that maybe, just maybe, she was finally ready.
...
They reached the airport just after nine.
Her mum fussed over her passport, her dad double-checked the flight time, but Rae mostly stayed quiet, soaking in the last moments before everything changed again. When it was time, they hugged her one last time , tightly, like they were afraid she might vanish if they let go too quickly.
Then she turned, lifted her bag over her shoulder, and walked toward her gate.
She was twenty-four now. Young, but old in ways most people wouldn't see at first glance. You had to look closer. Past the green eyes that caught the light like glass and the quiet way she moved when no one was watching.
Her hair was a soft red , not bright, not loud, just natural and warm. It fell around her shoulders in loose waves, some strands pulled into a messy bun at the back of her head. A thin braid hung down one side, tied at the end with black thread.
She wore a pair of long, flowy pants that brushed the tops of her sneakers ,earthy brown, a little wrinkled. Her crop top was black, simple, with an open back that revealed two things people usually didn't expect: the fine line of a spine tattoo running from her neck to just above her waist, and a small dermal piercing that caught the light near the base of her back. Subtle. Striking.
Tiny tattoos decorated her hands , a moon near her thumb, a dagger on her wrist, and a snake curling along one knuckle. All done in fine line ink, like secrets whispered onto her skin.
Her nostril was pierced, a tiny silver ring that gleamed when she turned. Below it, her septum held a small black hoop, bold but clean, like her.
She didn't dress to stand out. She dressed like herself. Loose layers, earthy tones, soft fabrics, and bare shoulders that didn't ask for attention but always caught it anyway.
Rae didn't look like someone who'd just survived hell. But she had. And today, she was leaving the wreckage behind.
The drive from the airport was quiet. The city rolled by in flashes , unfamiliar buildings, people moving too fast, everything slightly louder than what she was used to. It was bigger, more chaotic, but Rae liked that. It meant she could disappear a little if she wanted to.
Her new apartment was on the second floor of an older but well-kept building. Brick walls, tall windows, and a view of the street below that actually felt kind of peaceful.
When she stepped inside for the first time, she paused at the door.
It was... better. Way better than she'd expected.
The walls were painted soft beige, the floors were warm wood, and the sunlight poured through sheer curtains like the place had been waiting just for her. It was small ,one bedroom, a tiny kitchen, and a living area with enough space for a couch and a TV , but it felt good. Like a clean slate.
The real estate agent, a woman named Linda, walked her through everything , how the locks worked, where the heating was, and what time trash pickup happened.
Then she hesitated a little and said, "Just a heads up... the landlord's kind of grumpy."
Rae raised an eyebrow. "Grumpy how?"
"He's... particular. Likes to keep an eye on things. Doesn't really do small talk. He might stop by without much notice to check on the property. Don't take it personal , he's just like that."
Rae nodded slowly, already picturing some cranky old man with thinning hair and reading glasses, grumbling about noise levels and water bills.
"I'll survive," she said flatly.
Linda smiled and handed over the last of the paperwork. "Alright. I'll leave you to it. Call me if you need anything, okay?"
After the door shut behind her, Rae stood in the middle of her new living room, suddenly aware of how tired she was. Her boxes and furniture were scheduled to arrive the next day, so for now, it was just her suitcase, a folded blanket, and her backpack.
She dropped onto the floor with a groan, lying flat and staring at the ceiling.
"Okay," she whispered to herself. "Fresh start. Don't mess this one up."
Hours passed as she unpacked what little she had , a few clothes, her sketchbook, a couple of books, her favorite hoodie. By the time the sun dipped behind the rooftops, she could barely keep her eyes open.
She ordered takeout from a random place on the app , some rice bowl and iced tea , then curled up on the blanket with her phone in hand.
Text Message to her best friend: Madi
Got in. Place is way better than I thought. You'd actually like it.
Agent says the landlord's a troll. Can't wait.
She sent a quick voice note to her mum too, just to say she arrived safely. Her mum replied with a heart emoji and a sleepy "Love you, Rae."
By the time night settled outside the window, Rae was half-asleep on the floor, her fingers still curled around her phone.
Tomorrow would be the start of everything.
New city. New school.
New version of her.