Novel & Cerita This Is Where I Leave You

"Where are you going?" I looked back and smiled softly at her. "I just don't want to stay here anymore." … It was late at night as I walked out of Sadler Manor. I didn't bid anyone goodbye nor turn back. The house lights remained on as they were. I had folded that pink wedding gown up and left it in my bedroom. It would be my parting gift to this family. Goodbye, everyone. Goodbye, my former naivete. … The sounds of church bells ringing echoed early next morning.

Complete. Forever. ~~~~~~ Guys, don't leave without reading the last note. It is important 😊

'I want to run far, far away To a place where I feel I can stay Stay somewhere I feel welcome And not like an outcast Because it seems everywhere I go I feel like a victim eaten up fast For once I plead Someone to ask me Will you please...' The last line is not quite there. I can’t seem to reach into my mind to pluck out the correct piece in this poetic puzzle. "It's not the right time. I have to go home and do it." I couldn't think properly. The school bathroom is not a place to write poems.

"The system is running normally. There's no way anyone tampered with this footage." "Then tell me…" Liam's voice cracked, rough and strained. "Where did my fiancée go? How did she disappear?" The officer released him and stepped back, face blank. "We can't explain that, but there are no signs of editing or manipulation." I hovered above them, watching as they pulled Liam to his feet and started pushing him toward the door. He twisted around, staring at the screen like he wanted to burn the image into his memory. That gesture. A circle toward the moon. That was the key.

How silly of me. And nothing will ever make me leave. ***

I don't need to. Everything I need is right beside me. ***The End***

By the time I got there, the event had just ended. I watched as Vivian, Liam, and Desiree left the building with bright smiles on their faces. Trying to maintain my composure, I said, "You must've had a long day, Desiree. I'm here to pick you up." To my surprise, Desiree instantly hid behind Liam. With a look of contempt, she snapped, "I don't want to leave with you! You're an uncultured person. I want Liam to be my dad instead!" I froze for a brief moment. Then, I recalled how strangely she'd been behaving recently.

I didn't want to get into a drawn-out argument with Grace, so I pulled out a second divorce agreement, saying, "I agree to leave without taking anything except my own belongings in this agreement. Go ahead and sign it." Grace slapped her hands on the desk and leaped to her feet. "Are you that eager to leave me?" she roared furiously. Her phone started ringing before I could get a word in. The color drained from her face when she accepted the call. Seconds later, she delivered a hard slap across my face, leaving three deep scratches on my cheek.

She said with rage at me. “I am not planning to get him under my claws and actually, I recently cut my nails too.” I said, showing her my fingers where there are no extra nails. “Leave the house. You can’t stay here.” She said with more rage. “With pleasure!” I said and walked outside the house carrying my luggage. “Madam!” I heard two shouts and turned to see his fake Mom and Dad. “Yes?” I asked them frowning. “She is just upset with the photo. Please come inside Madam. You can’t leave like this at this time in the hour.” Ramu Kaka said, and I know he is right as it is night time.

We stand there for a long minute, holding each other in the middle of Mikhail’s living room, surrounded by his gifts, his roses, his cage. Then I pull away. Take his hand. Lead him upstairs. To my room. I lock the door behind us. Turn to face him. He looks confused. “Nora?” I take a breath. Deep. Steady. “We’re leaving.” He blinks. “What?” “We’re leaving. Tonight. For good. No cell phones. No credit cards. Nothing that can be tracked. I’ve had enough of this shitshow.” He stares at me. “You’re serious.” “Dead serious.”