(Ava's POV)
"…Bored. I'm so unbelievably bored."
The highway stretched endlessly ahead, a gray ribbon winding through hills and forests that blurred past the glass. The family's old SUV rattled softly whenever its wheels hit the seams of the road, the steady hum of the engine blending with the hiss of tires on wet asphalt. Outside, the world was damp from an afternoon shower. Heavy clouds hung low, pressing down on the horizon like a weight.
Ava sat quietly in the back seat, her forehead resting against the cold window. Her eyes followed the trees flashing by, shadows and silhouettes that seemed to blur together. She didn't mind long drives. In fact, she welcomed them. Inside the silence of the car, she could retreat into herself, safe behind the calm expression she always wore. To her parents, she was their soft-spoken, steady daughter, always ready with a small smile when they turned her way.
"Ava, sweetheart."
Her mother's voice pulled her back. She slipped one earbud out and turned her head.
"Yes, Mom?"
"Isn't this exciting? We finally left that old house behind." Her mother's smile was gentle, hopeful.
Ava hesitated before answering. She had a habit of weighing her words.
"…Honestly, when you first said we were moving, I didn't realize it would be this far. A whole new city."
"I'm sorry, honey." Her mother's voice softened. "I know it's hard leaving your friends, but—"
Ava shook her head quickly and gave a small smile.
"It's okay, Mom. I know how hard Dad has worked for this. Getting promoted isn't easy. I'm happy for him. He deserves it."
Her father glanced up into the rearview mirror, his eyes shining as if her words were the best gift he could ever receive.
"Thank you, Ava."
His voice lifted, brimming with pride.
"My boss even said there was only one person fit to lead the new branch and that was me. All those late nights, the overtime, the endless meetings… it finally paid off. They believe in me."
Her mother reached over, her smile glowing.
"Of course they do. We've seen how hard you've worked."
Ava lowered her gaze, twisting the frayed edge of her sweater between her fingers. She didn't want them to see her face too long afraid her mask of calm might slip.
The truth was, she hadn't left much behind.
No best friend begging her to stay.
No group that would miss her laugh in the hallways. Her connections at her old school had been shallow, born out of group projects and little else.
But Ava never told her parents that. They were already busy enough; she didn't want to weigh them down with her loneliness. She always came home a little late, claiming she'd been at the library, when really she lingered there just to avoid looking friendless. Books had always been her companions, the quiet shelter she could rely on.
It was the same with her birthdays. Her parents were almost always caught up with work emergency meetings, last-minute trips, deadlines. They'd wish her a rushed happy birthday in the morning, then disappear into their day. And Ava always smiled, replying brightly,
"It's okay. We'll celebrate later. I already promised to eat out with some friends."
But there had never been any friends. Instead, she'd wander the city alone, buying herself a small treat a cone of ice cream, a warm roll from a street stall and sit on a park bench with a book in her lap. To anyone passing by, it looked ordinary. To Ava, it was her quiet way of celebrating: sharing the day with the only person who had always been there for herself.
She never blamed her parents. If anything, she was proud of them, proud to see them so driven. So she learned to mask her solitude with grace smiles, books, and the words she had trained herself to say:
"I'm fine."
Now, too, she smiled.
If this made her father happy, then she would be happy as well.
'At least… for him.'
Her father's voice broke through her thoughts again, this time filled with plans.
"With this promotion, things will get better for us. We'll finally be able to save for your college, Ava. You're smart we both know that. You could get into any university you want. Money won't hold you back anymore."
Her mother leaned in, her eyes shining.
"And your new school has such a great reputation. Lots of its students go on to top universities. Maybe there, you'll meet people who truly understand you."
Ava glanced up briefly, offering a soft, polite smile.
"Maybe."
It was the safest answer, but it didn't touch the hollow space inside her.
'They don't know… I've been walking alone for a long time.'
The car jolted as it crossed a long bridge. In the distance, the faint outline of the city rose on the horizon. Tall buildings pierced the sky, catching what little was left of the fading sun. From here, the city looked calm, almost too neat like it was waiting for them.
Her father lifted a hand from the wheel, pointing ahead with pride.
"There it is our new city. That's where I'll be working."
Her mother leaned closer to the window, her face glowing
"We're really here. From now on, everything will change."
Ava's lips curved into another gentle smile, one she reserved for her parents. She didn't want them to see the uncertainty beneath it. Quietly, she whispered to herself,
'I hope so.'
The sky was fading fast, the last strands of orange sinking into gray. Shadows stretched long across the highway. The wind carried the damp scent of asphalt, mixed with the faint green of the forest behind them.
Ava closed her eyes briefly, steadying the uneasy rhythm of her heartbeat. She thought of the library she used to hide in, the endless shelves that had given her sanctuary. Books had never asked for her friendship; they had simply understood.
But that life was behind her now. Ahead was a new city. A new school. A new start.
Her father's voice softened, as though he were sketching out their future.
"Once we're settled, we'll find a place where your mom can keep selling clothes. And maybe… if things go well, we can even think about a new car."
Her mother laughed lightly.
"Talking about a new car already? We haven't even unpacked."
"Why not?" He grinned.
"This is a fresh start."
Ava opened her eyes again, her gaze fixed on the city skyline that loomed closer, swallowing the horizon. A weight pressed against her chest, though she couldn't explain why. Maybe it was nerves. Or maybe… something else.
A faint sound drifted through the air, carried on the wind. The slow, deliberate toll of a distant clock.
Ava froze. Her fingers clenched the edge of her sweater, holding tight.
The sound felt… strange. As if it were calling her name.
And she couldn't know then that the road ahead wouldn't just change her life it would lead her to something she never could have imagined.
All she knew was this: the city was waiting.
And so was something hidden within it.
TBC...