Moving out.

MOVE DAY. 

Sally’s POV. 

I couldn’t stay put; I looked at the ton of boxes I still hadn’t packed into the car. 

Micheal poked his head through the door. 

“Hey Sal, how are you feeling about your move?” 

I sank into the bed, burying my face in my palms. 

“I don’t know…what if I don’t like my roommate, or she doesn’t like me?"

I inhaled. 

“What if this is a terrible decision?" 

“What if my grades go down and I have to come back after I have already gotten accustomed to the dorms!” 

"Sal...Sally...relax." Micheal walked into the room. "It's all in your head.” 

He sat beside me and gave my shoulder a squeeze. “You would do just fine; I am here, Nora is here… Justin is here and your new friend Cole.”

He grinned. 

I side-eyed him. 

“This is you literally leaving your comfort zone, and I am super proud of you!” 

I sighed and laid my head on the bed, gazing at the ceiling. 

“What’s a little move, You are bigger than this…I am Sally, and I am going to do just fine.”

Micheal punched the air. “That’s the spirit!” 

Nora walked in, clearing her throat. “Ummm, your parents are outside waiting.” 

She tucked her hair behind her ear. She only did that when she was nervous. 

I narrowed my eyes slightly at her. 

She wouldn’t look directly at Michael, and when she finally did, her eyes lingered for a second too long before she quickly looked away.

Michael didn’t seem to notice.

I waved it off. Instead, I grabbed the nearest box. 

“Let’s go.”

Nora quickly moved aside to let me pass.

I carried the box downstairs and stepped outside.

Mom stood beside the SUV; immediately she saw me, and her face changed. 

“Oh, my baby.”

She didn’t even let me put the box down before she pulled me into her arms. She kissed my forehead, then both my cheeks. 

“My baby is leaving me.”

“Mom…”

“You’re not so little anymore.”

She held my face between her hands, studying me for way too long. 

He stood beside the SUV, watching us quietly.

“Dad?”

He gave me a small smile.

“You’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

I frowned. Dad was quiet, but these past few days had been different. I couldn’t tell if it was work, the move, or something else. 

Something just didn’t feel right. 

I flashed him a smile and walked over to him to give him a hug.  “Thanks.” 

He gave my shoulders a light squeeze and turned towards the boxes. 

“Come on. Let’s get everything loaded.”

A few minutes later, everything was packed.

I took one last look at my room before getting into the car. 

It felt strange.

This room had been my entire world for years.

My book collection over the years. 

My neatly arranged shelves.

My little jars of pebbles.

My bed.

Everything I knew. And now I was leaving it behind. I climbed into the back seat.

Nora sat beside Micheal. She immediately shifted closer to the door, creating space between herself and Michael.

Michael looked at her.

She looked away.

What’s with them? 

Mom climbed into the passenger seat while Dad started the engine. 

“Remember what we discussed.”

I sighed.

“Yes, Mom.”

“Your grades come first.”

“I know.”

“Don’t stay out too late.”

“Okay.”

“Keep your room clean.”

“I will.”

“Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to do.”

“I know, Mom.”

“And call me every day.”

“Every day?”

“Yes. Every day.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Fine.”

“And don’t give your roommate your things just because you feel bad saying no.”

I nodded absentmindedly.

“And don’t walk around campus alone at night.”

“Okay.”

“And if you ever feel uncomfortable, call me. I don’t care what time it is.”

“Mom, I promise I’ll be fine.”

She continued anyway.

“Also, Sally…”

I turned my attention back to her.

“What?”

She hesitated.

Then she looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“If you must…”

I frowned.

“If I must, what?”

She cleared her throat.

“You know…”

I stared at her.

She sighed.

“Just be safe.”

“Safe from what?”

Michael suddenly started coughing.

Nora covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

Mom glanced at Dad.

Dad suddenly became very interested in the road.

“Mom?”

She lowered her voice.

“If you must do anything… use protection.”

My eyes widened.

“Mom!”

Michael burst out laughing. His face turned red. “Mum, you mean a condom!”

Nora had a wide grin on her face. 

I sank lower into my seat, completely mortified.

“I don’t even have a boyfriend!”

Mom shrugged.

“You’re moving into a dorm. You’re an adult. I have to tell you these things.”

“Please stop.”

Dad cleared his throat.

“I think that’s enough.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

Mom turned back around.

“I’m just saying…”

“Mom!”

She laughed. 

“Fine. Fine. I’ll stop.”

I covered my face with both hands.

I could already feel my ears burning.

After a few seconds, the car went quiet again.

I turned toward the window, watching the cars that breezed past. 

I hadn’t told Justin yet, not that I hadn’t seen him since then. It’s just… it never felt like the right time. 

I wanted to surprise him. He would be entirely shocked. Maybe with me closer to him and his after-school activities, he could finally look at me the way I want him too. 

A thread of hope formed in my chest.

My lips curved into a smile.