Work in Progress

Chapter 67: Moving On

*ELI'S POV*

"I think that's the last of my stuff." I look around at my apartment. All my things were packed in boxes and ready to put into the truck I rented. My furniture and other big items were already in my new apartment near school.

I pick up the box closest to me and carry it to the truck downstairs. By the time I finish loading all the boxes, I'm out of breath and lying on my now empty apartment floor.

"This would be easier if I had some help." I say to no one in particular. I've been doing that a lot lately. Talking to myself. Sam stopped coming over to my place when I started packing. I can't blame her. It's a blaring reminder of what comes next.

I think we were both caught off guard when I found out that I had to leave a month before school started. Leaving us with only one month of summer break together. But since Sam would be staying in the school dorms and didn't have as much settling in to do like me, I got to convince her parents to let her stay over at mine's for a week before she moves. That helped ease Sam a bit when I told her my idea. She'll be driving me to my new apartment anyway. Might as well stay for a bit longer. Who knows maybe I won't let her leave at all? Hahaha.

"Alright. Time to go face the demon." I push myself up from the floor and take one last look around.

"Goodbye, living room. I'll miss our latenight binge-watching."

"Goodbye, kitchen. I'll miss our crazy recipes."

"Goodbye, bathroom. I'll miss our karaoke sessions."

"Goodbye, bedroom. I'll miss our silent nights."

I walk over to my door and finally step out of the place I called home for two years.

Goodbye, apartment. I'm sorry for dirtying you and traumatizing your ears whenever Sam visits. I didn't say that out loud since a neighbor was in the hallway too. We probably traumatized their ears too.

I make my way down to the truck and check that all the boxes are secure in the back. Then I check it again. And again. Ok stop delaying, Eli. You can do this.

I walk to the driver's side and hop in. Fuck. Am I really doing this? I know I can just ask Sam to pick me up but... I can't keep using her as my crutch. I'm gonna have to learn to drive again without having a panic attack. And I can't keep on biking everywhere (my bike's not even here anymore).

Okay, you've got this. You've done a few practice rounds. You still know the basics. Ain't nobody with you in the car. If you crash, it's just you. No biggie.

I turn on the ignition and the truck roars to life. Damn, this truck might die first before I crash it. Haha. Okay, bad joke.

Mirrors... seatbelt... lights... locks... all good. I inhale one deep breath and let it out slowly. Then I put the gear into first. Yes, I got a manual. It has more control on the speed.

I release the handbrake and slowly let the car roll, easing it into the road. I shift up to second gear. Hey, not bad. So far so good.

I'm halfway to Sam's and everything's gone smooth so far. Not too many cars on the road... no random pedestrians... I think I'm going to be--

Suddenly a loud honk comes from my side and the sound of an engine fast approaching.

Holy mushroom burgers. I knew my time would come.

"DRIVE FASTER YOU GRANDMA!!!" A blue chevy drives past, revving their engine like they were at a race track.

I breathe out a sigh. Phew. For a moment there I thought they were driving right at me. Wait-- did they just call me a grandma?! I am not a grandma. My speed is just within the range as the other vehicles. Not too fast but not too slow either. You're the grandma.