MOVING OUT**
Morning sunlight slipped through the curtains, soft but cold.
Amara's suitcase stood near the door—packed, zipped, and ready. Her backpack leaned against the chair, holding the last of her things.
The apartment was filled with quiet tension, every breath feeling heavier than usual.
Kai sat at the dining table, calm and still, scrolling through his phone. His cup of tea sat untouched.
Amara entered the kitchen without a word, grabbing a glass of water.
Then she said it—flat, final.
"I'm moving out today."
Kai's gaze didn't lift from his phone. He simply nodded once, unfazed.
Ethan, however, groaned loudly from where he stood by the doorway, rubbing his eyes.
"Still going through with it?" he muttered, half-awake.
Amara's voice was steady, though her chest tightened. "Yes. I'm done staying here." She joked.
Ethan frowned, glancing between them. "You're both stubborn as hell."
Kai stood calmly, sliding his phone into his pocket. "I'll get the car ready."
"You're driving her?" Ethan blinked.
Kai's answer was simple, already heading for the door. "I promised."
Ethan hugged Amara and they said their goodbyes
Ethan promised to visit.
---
The car ride was quiet—uncomfortably so.
Kai drove with his usual calm focus, his eyes steady on the road, saying nothing.
Amara sat beside him, clutching her phone tightly in her lap, her mind spinning. She stole a few glances at him, but he never looked her way.
When they arrived, he helped unload her suitcase without a word, leading her to the apartment building.
The landlord greeted them with a warm smile and handed over the keys.
The apartment was simple but perfect— just like she'd imagined. White walls, tiled floors, and large windows letting in the city light. A bed frame, a small desk, and a kitchenette that smelled faintly of paint.
It wasn't too fancy— and it was hers.
The apartment was officially hers.
Kai carried her suitcase inside, set it down neatly near the wall, then turned toward the door.
"Take care of yourself," he said quietly.
Before she could gather her words, he left—quiet and calm as always.
---
Her phone buzzed just as she was unpacking her suitcase.
Jane.
Amara picked up quickly.
"Ama, she always Englishifies my name. Amara taught.
Don't think you'll settle in without us," Jane's bright voice teased. "Bella and I are coming over. We're grabbing snacks and drinks. You're not allowed to unpack alone."
Amara laughed softly, the first real laugh all day. "Jane, it's fine—"
"Shush. We're already on our way."
The call ended before she could argue.
---
Twenty minutes later, Jane and Bella arrived—arms full of snacks, drinks, and takeout.
Jane stormed in first, wearing her usual bold style—ripped denim jeans, an oversized leather jacket, and chunky silver jewellery that caught the light as she moved. Her dark curls were tied up in a messy bun, her lips painted in a daring red.
Bella followed right behind—softer, but stylish in her way. She wore a pastel pink dress under a cropped denim jacket, her long, sleek black hair falling over her shoulders. Her soft smile lit up her delicate features as she waved.
"Whoa! Cute place!" Jane grinned, spinning around. "Look at you, Miss Independent!"
Amara rolled her eyes, smiling despite herself. "It's small."
"It's perfect," Bella chimed in sweetly, already setting down the bags.
Soon, the apartment was filled with chatter and laughter. They sat on the floor, surrounded by snacks, unpacking her things between bites and teasing jokes.
"Honestly, I thought you'd never leave those two guys' place, theywould had drived you in sane babes, especially that quiet one" Jane said, stuffing a chip in her mouth.
"Right?" Bella giggled. "But it's nice, having your own space."
Amara just smiled faintly. "Yeah… it feels different."
Then, just as they were unpacking her books, there was another knock at the door.
Ethan appeared, holding more takeout bags.
"Hope I'm not late to the housewarming," he grinned, stepping in casually.
Jane's brows shot up. "Look at this—everyone's here!"
They all gathered together, eating, laughing, and sharing random stories about life in Shanghai—student drama, annoying professors, and dating disasters.
Ethan sat comfortably among them, instantly charming Bella with his playful humour and even sparking a lighthearted debate with Jane about spicy food.
Amara found herself laughing more than she'd expected, her chest feeling lighter.
For a moment, it didn't feel like she had just moved out.
It felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
---
Later that night, after everyone had left—Jane promising to visit again soon, Bella hugging her goodbye, and Ethan throwing one last joke over his shoulder—Amara was finally alone.
The apartment was quiet again.
But this time, it wasn't empty.
Her books were on the shelf. Her clothes were in the closet. Her things were neatly placed just the way she liked them.
She sat by the window, watching the city lights flicker in the distance.
Her phone sat next to her—Kai's name still in her contacts.
She didn't call.
She simply sat there, staring at the glow of the city, her heart caught somewhere between freedom… and something else entirely.
But she knew one thing for sure.
This was her beginning.
---
Meanwhile, across the city, Kai sat alone in the apartment—Amara's old room now quiet and empty.
He wasn't doing anything in particular. Just sitting in the living room, staring at nothing, the TV remote resting in his hand.
The apartment felt colder tonight.
Too quiet.
His eyes drifted toward the closed door of her former room. Everything was clean again—just the way it was before she arrived.
But it didn't feel the same.
Kai let out a slow breath, leaning back against the couch, annoyed at the tightness in his chest.
He shouldn't care.
She made her choice.
She always did.
Still… he couldn't deny the strange emptiness she left behind—the faint trace of her laughter, the lingering scent of her hair products in the bathroom, her quiet footsteps that used to pass by his door.
He hated himself for noticing.
For missing it.
Even just a little.
But the thought that followed came sharp and bitter, slamming back into him like a wave.
"She never really saw you, Kai."
She never did. No matter how much he gave, how much he bent to make space for her, Amara Okoye had always been the same.
Distant.
Unreachable.
Always chasing her freedom, her world—never once pausing to see what he carried for her.
Kai's jaw tightened.
This was better.
She was gone. Out of sight, out of mind.
He was done being invisible.
With a harsh exhale, he grabbed the remote and turned on the TV—drowning out the quiet, drowning out the thoughts.
And as the noise filled the room, he reminded himself again—
Some people were never meant to stay.