EMILY
I didn’t know how long I stayed there, curled up into myself on the floor, trying to keep my thoughts from tearing each other apart. My body was heavy but my mind… my mind was screaming.
Eventually, something clicked and I moved. My feet carried me like I wasn’t even in control, like something inside me had taken over to survive this betrayal. I went straight to my room, yanked an old duffel bag from the back of my closet, and threw it onto the bed. I stuffed it with clothes, toiletries, the emergency cash I kept taped under the drawer. My hands shook as I zipped it up.
I didn’t stop to think. I didn’t allow myself the luxury. I threw the strap over my shoulder and walked out. I kept my eyes low. Steady breaths. Normal pace. Pretending like everything is fine. Like I was just goin
