It's Okay To Start Over Novels & Stories

Because maybe that was the hardest part of starting over—not just learning to trust them, but learning to trust yourself. I didn’t know how long this pause would last. But I knew one thing. If we ever started again… it would be because I was sure of me. Not just him.

“I’ll be back lots of times. And we’ll get to eat all the ice cream we want. What do you think about that, huh?” At this, he lit up. “Promise?” I gave him an emotional smile. “Promise.” Now that the goodbyes were complete, I guess I had to leave. Start over with a clean slate. I strongly believe that starting over in Stanton City will be better, I’ll be able to put everything behind me and start over on a clean slate.

he replied in a haste, he didn't know why he felt her next words might really end things between them. "Let's start over, from the scratch..what do you say?"

That part lands clean. No hesitation. No room to misinterpret. I glance out toward the street. A car passes. Someone laughs across the road. A couple walks by, mid-conversation, not noticing us at all. Everything looks normal. But it doesn’t feel normal. “You’re starting over,” I say. He shakes his head immediately. “Not starting over.” A small pause. “Building forward.” I look back at him. That difference matters more than I thought it would. Starting over sounds like erasing something.

Before we drove back, I swore I heard Yvonne's apology, even though she was already far away. "I'm sorry, Sieghart. Please, live on." The End.

“Maybe I do. Or maybe I just hate that everything I built ended up in his hands.” “Then build something new,” I said. He looked at me then — really looked — like the thought hadn’t even crossed his mind. He paused for a moment. “You make it sound easy.” “It’s not,” I said. “But it’s better than drowning in what’s already gone.” He smiled a little, eyes soft. “You really think I can start over?” Easy to say. “Yeah,” I said. “You just have to want to.” For a second, he didn’t say anything. Then he reached over and brushed my hair behind my ear, his touch gentle in a way that almost broke me.

“I mean, after mom died… how did you know it was okay to move on? To start over with someone new?” He sighed heavily. “First of all, let me tell you,” he said, carefully, “there is no ‘starting over,’ ever. You just keep moving forward, turning the page of each chapter and meeting the characters as they come.” A flash of melancholy crossed his brow, and I wondered if I made a mistake bringing this up.

"It's time to go, Ava. You need to start over and rebuild your life." Ava nodded, tears starting to well up in her eyes. "I know, Dad. I just wish things could have turned out differently." George put his hand on her shoulder. "I know, Ava. But sometimes, we have to face the consequences of our actions. It's time to move forward and start over." Ava took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. She knew her Dad was right. It was time to leave New York and start over somewhere else before coming back when she is ready.

"I know it's different; I'm not saying it's the same. But he didn't try to do what you're doing right now, ei-ther, closing himself off from everything. He was wor-ried, but he at least tried to deal with his issues. I know your dream was crushed, but it's not as if it's the end of the world. You're still young, Mason. You can start over again." I sighed as my eyes slid closed and buried my face in the pillow. "You know, it's easy to say you can start over, but what am I supposed to do after I start over? I don't know the answer to that, Sophia." "Mason," she said, her voice quiet and pained. I squeezed my eyes shut, my arms flexing around her warm body for comfort.

“They’ve made it pretty clear how they feel about me. Leaving is the best thing I can do—for everyone.” He didn’t respond right away, letting my words hang in the air. “So, what’s next for you?” he asked finally. I shrugged. “Start over. Find a place where I can breathe, where I don’t feel like I’m constantly walking on eggshells. Maybe even figure out what I want to do with my life.” Ethan smiled. “That’s a good plan. You deserve a fresh start, Carina. Everyone does.” “Thanks,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.