Ch50

NOVA

End of discussion?

Just like that?

I'm supposed to pack up my entire life, leave my friends, leave my school, leave everything I've barely managed to put back together, because my parents have decided they know what's best for me?

And I'm supposed to smile and thank them for it?

"Fine."

The word comes out so quietly that Mom's eyebrows lift.

"What?"

"You heard me." I swipe furiously at my cheeks, refusing to give her the satisfaction of watching me cry any longer. "Fine. I'll pack my bags. I'll go to your stupid academy. I'll start over. Happy now?"

"Nova, don't be dramatic."

A laugh escapes me.

"Of course. Because apparently, I'm the only person in this house who's allowed to have feelings as long as they're convenient for everyone else."

"That is enough."

"No, it isn't!" I shout, startling even myself. "You don't get to tell me when I've said enough! You don't get to make decisions about my life and then act like I'm ungrateful when I don't jump up and down with excitement!"

"Watch your tone!"

"Or what? You'll transfer me to another school? Oh, wait. You already did that!"

"Nova!" Noah barks.

I whip around to face him. "What?"

He looks between Mom and me, visibly uncomfortable. "You're making this worse."

I blink at him. I'm making this worse? Of course. Because apparently, crying is wrong, shouting is wrong, and defending myself is wrong, too. The only acceptable response is to nod obediently while everyone else rearranges my life.

"You're right," I whisper.

Noah's expression changes.

"I'm sorry. I forgot that I'm not allowed to inconvenience anyone with my problems."

"That's not what I said."

"But it's what you meant!"

"Nova, stop putting words in my mouth!"

"Then stop giving me reasons to!"

Mom slams her palm against the counter. "Both of you, enough!"

The kitchen falls silent. I look at her for one final second, hoping, even... that she'll see something in my face that makes her reconsider. That she'll realize this isn't me being difficult or throwing some childish tantrum.

I'm genuinely terrified.

Terrified of losing the one person who has finally started making me feel like myself again.

But Mom only exhales and reaches for her phone.

"I have a few things to discuss with your father. Noah, make sure your sister doesn't do anything ridiculous."

I almost laugh. Make sure your sister doesn't do anything ridiculous. As if I'm a toddler who needs supervision.

"Don't bother," I mutter.

Mom pauses at the kitchen entrance.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

She studies me for a moment before shaking her head and walking away. The second she's gone, I turn toward the sink and grip its edge. My hands are trembling.

I don't know how long I stand there, staring at the dishes in the basin, listening to my own uneven breathing.

Then Noah clears his throat.

"Nova."

"Don't."

"I'm just..."

"I said don't, Noah."

He falls silent. That's good. He should shut up. Because if he tells me to calm down, I'll fucking throw the entire bowl of chopped peppers at his head. A few seconds pass before I hear him move closer.

"Look, I didn't know Dad was actually going to do it."

I close my eyes.

"I didn't know."

"Congratulations. You and I are now equally informed about my own life."

"Can you stop being sarcastic for five minutes?"

"Can you stop being annoying for five minutes?"

He sighs. "Jesus. What happened to you? It's like you became a bitch after what you did to Enzo."

"A bitch?" I repeat. "You want to know what happened to me? I spent weeks begging Dad to let me leave that school. Weeks, Noah! And he wouldn't listen. He told me I needed to face the consequences of what happened, as if I woke up one morning and decided to ruin my own life for fun."

Noah's expression sobers.

I swallow the lump in my throat. "And now that I've finally started to feel okay, he suddenly decides I can leave? Does that make any sense to you?"

He rubs the back of his neck. "Maybe he thinks it's better for you to get away from everything."

"Everything includes my new friend, apparently."

"Nova..."

"And Enzo."

His mouth snaps shut.

Oh.

Oh, no.

I stare at him. He stares at me. Then Noah slowly tilts his head.

"Enzo?"