I want to leave home.

Sally’s POV

I sighed and continued, “I have been here all my life, Mom… I am leaving college soon.”

I paused, looking at everyone’s faces. “I just want something… different.”

A whistle escaped Micheal’s lips.

Mum stared at me for a few seconds before finally shaking her head. "No."

I frowned. "No? Why?”

Mum picked up her fork again, as if the conversation was already over. "You have been here throughout college; why now? What’s different now? You don’t need to be in the dorms; there are all kinds of people there. A lot of bad influence.”

Bad influence? My fingers tightened around my cup.

“Mom, I’m twenty-one.”

“And?”

“And I’m an adult.”

She finally looked at me.

“You may be an adult, Sally, but that doesn’t mean you know everything.”

“I never said I did.”

“Then why are you suddenly acting like you do?”

I swallowed.

Because I was tired.

Tired of coming home immediately after lectures. Tired of having to explain where I was going every time I wanted to meet someone. Tired of watching everyone else make memories while I kept telling myself I had plenty of time.

And maybe I had just realized that I didn’t.

“You can’t shield me forever, Mum. I am an adult! And I have the right to make my own decisions.”

Micheal arched a brow.

Mum's eyes widened. She leaned slowly back in a seat.

“Sally Annabel Bennette," Dad muttered beside me. "What the hell has gotten into you?"

I took a shaky breath.

“I do everything you both ask me to. I get good grades. I come straight home. I don’t party. I don’t get into trouble. I don’t even—”

I stopped.

My throat tightened.

“I don’t even know what it’s like to just be a normal college student.”

Mom frowned.

“You have a wonderful life.”

“I know.”

“Then what exactly are you complaining about?”

I stared at her.

“I’m not complaining.”

My voice cracked.

“I’m just asking for a little freedom.”

Silence settled over the table.

Michael slowly lowered his fork.

Dad looked between Mom and me.

Mom shook her head.

“You think living in a dorm is freedom? You have no idea what you’re asking for.”

“Then let me find out.”

“Sally.”

“I’m not asking you to stop being my parents.” I felt the tears burning behind my eyes now. “I’m asking you to let me grow up.”

Mom’s expression hardened.

“You are not moving into a dorm.”

“Why?”

“Because I said no.”

Something inside me snapped.

“See? That’s exactly what I mean!”

My palm landed against the table.

Mom flinched.

“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, but I didn’t lower my voice. “But everything always has to go your way.”

“Sally!”

“I do literally everything you want me to do!” I continued, my voice trembling. “My grades are wonderful. I’m the perfect daughter. I come home when you tell me to. I follow every rule.”

My eyes moved to Dad.

“And you don’t even have a say.”

Dad’s jaw tightened.

Mom’s fist landed on the table.

“To your room. Now!”

“Dad!” I whined, looking at him for help.

He said nothing.

That hurt even more.

I pushed my chair backwards and stomped out of the dining room and up the stairs.

It took every willpower in me not to slam the door. We had a strict no slamming doors rule in the house no matter how angry we were.

So I closed it, gently.

Only when I stood at the other size of the door did the tears finally spill.

I wiped at my face with the back of my arm and looked around my room.

Everything was exactly where it belonged.

My books were stacked neatly on my desk.

My clothes hung inside my wardrobe.

My childhood photographs were still arranged on the shelf.

It all looked rehearsed.

I walked to my shelf and pulled out the first book my fingers could touch, tossing it towards the other side of the room.

Then I let myself slide to the floor.

I wrapped my arms around me; my body shook slightly.

Relief washed over my shoulders; I had never blurted those words out loud. It had always been a thought.

Mum’s expression earlier flashed through my mind. I pushed my pink frame back in place as they slipped down my nose.

Damn Sally.

I sighed and walked to the other side of the room, picking up the book I had tossed earlier.

It was a Harry Potter series. One of my favorite books of all time.

I hugged it to my chest.

“I am sorry.” I whispered, then slid it back into the shelf.

I buried my face into my pillow and gave out a quiet, muffled scream.

*****

It was quarter to midnight… I sat up in bed going through the assignment I had to turn in the morning.

My phone dinged.

Justin’s usual “Goodnight” message just before he goes to sleep popped up on my notification bar.

My lips curved into a smile.

Goo... I began to type and then paused.

No… wait a few minutes, Sally.

I slapped my palm into my forehead. Don’t be needy.

A rasp sound came from my door.

“It’s Micheal; can I come in?”

“Sure.”

The door opened slowly, and Michael poked his head inside before stepping in.

He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, studying me.

“You okay?”

I shrugged, keeping my eyes on my laptop.

“Yeah.”

“Liar.”

I looked at him.

He walked over and dropped onto the edge of my bed.

“You were practically screaming downstairs.”

“I wasn’t screaming.”

He arched a brow.

“Okay, maybe I was screaming a little.”

He smiled.

The room went oddly quiet.

“Does this have anything to do with the Ravenscotts?”

My head snapped towards him.

“What? No?!”

“Sally.”

“It has nothing to do with them.”

“Mmmhmm”

I rolled my eyes.

“It really doesn’t.”

“Sure.” He nodded slowly, clearly not believing me.

I sighed and turned back to my laptop.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

That made him sit up.

“Try me.”

I looked at him and sighed.

“They don’t lock you up like they do to me…you go where you want, come back when you want to. But if I just miss curfew by a few minutes, Mum is blowing up my phone like I stole her purse.”

I threw my head back and rubbed my tired eyes. "It's exhausting.”

He thought for a second. “I completely understand you wanting to get out of this house… I mean, I don’t stay here throughout college either.”

I straightened, and warmth settled in my chest. Someone did understand.

“But Mum and Dad are really just looking out for us… you know how Mum reminds us she made so many mistakes and she won’t want that for us?”

I nodded. “I know, but still... I want my own life too.”

“So do I.” He leaned on one arm. if you actually get into the dorms…”

I raised a brow.

“What?”

“You could come to my initiation party.”

I blinked.

“Your what?”

He grinned.

“My fraternity initiation.”

I sat up straighter.

“You got in?”

“Yep.”

A smile spread across his face.

“When?”

“Few days ago.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

“You have been busy, Sally. " He paused. "You are always busy with nerd shit.”

I rolled my eyes and said, "Shut up.”

He laughed.

“You’re coming, though.”

“I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

He pointed at me.

“You’ll come.”

I smiled despite myself.

“Maybe.”

“Definitely.”

He stood up and stretched.

“I should let you sleep.”

“Okay.”

He walked towards the door.

Then stopped.

“Oh, and Sally?”

“Yeah?”

He looked back at me.

“Whatever happened downstairs… don’t let Mum make you feel like you’re wrong for wanting your own life.”

My smile faded slightly.

“Thanks.”

He nodded and opened the door.

I watched him disappear into the hallway.

The door closed behind him.

Michael had always been my little brother. Too smart for his age.

The annoying one.

The one who teased me, stole food from my plate, and somehow always knew when I was hiding something.

But tonight, I realized something.

I didn’t actually know that much about him.

I didn’t know when he had joined the fraternity.

I didn’t know who his friends were.

I didn’t even know if he had a girlfriend.

I frowned.

Had Michael ever had a girlfriend?

I had no idea.

I slipped my laptop back open.

I wondered how much of his life existed outside the version of him I knew at home.

Maybe we were both growing up.

Maybe I just hadn’t noticed.