Chapter 3: 2 Days Left

Two days.

That’s all.

In two days, I’d be on a plane to another country. Not for vacation. Not for
fun. Just to prove to someone that I exist. That I’m more than just a voice in
her headphones or a username in the corner of her screen.

Honestly, I wasn’t nervous. I wasn’t excited either. I just… needed to do it.

The group chat was loud again.

Same people. Same recycled jokes. Same fake energy.

And then, as usual, him.

That one idiot—every group has one. The guy who types too much, says
dumb stuff for attention, clearly has no job, no hobbies, just drama in human
form.

He was trying to rile me up again.

I ignored it.

Didn’t even flinch.

But then—this fool turned his stupidity toward Eliana.

She didn’t deserve that. Not tonight. Not any night.

So I stepped in.

I didn’t roast him. I didn’t try to be clever. I just shut him down. Quick, clean,
no extra talk.

“Know your place.”

That’s all it took.

Silence.

People tried to act like it was no big deal, but the chat died down right after.
And just like that, I logged off.

Didn’t even bother checking replies.

---

My house was quiet. Like always.

I have a family. Technically.

But it doesn’t really feel like one.

They’re around, but it’s like I’m not there. Like I exist in the corners of their
lives, only noticed when I make a sound. I’m not adopted. Not a stranger.
Just… not needed.
So I ate alone. The usual.

After that, I figured I should start packing.

Didn’t think it’d be this hard.

Not the emotional kind of hard—just annoying. Folding things. Picking what
to bring. Wondering if I’d need a jacket. Checking if I had enough chargers.
Realizing I haven’t used a suitcase in years.

Halfway through, I sat on the floor.

Just stared at everything.

I wasn’t second-guessing. I was just… tired. Packing made it real. And real
meant I couldn’t go back.

That was fine with me.